I am going to start weight training

[Taffyboyslim]

Nothing flashy , I am 55 and too old to look like a body builder

Anyone else do it ?

Just bought some dumbells and I am going to use them instead
of going down the gym , which I have never enjoyed

 

[helli]

Good for you.
i don’t consider myself a weight trainer but I use weights as part of my exercise regime. I do this at the gym as part of my workouts that regularly change to ensure I don’t over exercise one set of muscles and ignore the others.
Bear in mind that resistance training such as weights often causes blood sugars to rise. Overall, they can bring lebels down but during the exercise, blood sugars often rise.

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Good for you.
i don’t consider myself a weight trainer but I use weights as part of my exercise regime. I do this at the gym as part of my workouts that regularly change to ensure I don’t over exercise one set of muscles and ignore the others.
Bear in mind that resistance training such as weights often causes blood sugars to rise. Overall, they can bring lebels down but during the exercise, blood sugars often rise.

I appreciate your advice . I will only use light weights .

 

[ColinUK]

I’ve just started doing weights again.
I’m also 55 but I’ve done them on and off since I was 20 and know I’m not that age anymore!
I’ve not done them for maybe 4 or 5 years so I’ve gone back to some of my old routines and have tweaked them a bit and obviously cut the weights right back down.
I do actually enjoy doing them which makes me wonder why I stopped.

 

[Taffyboyslim]

I’ve just started doing weights again.
I’m also 55 but I’ve done them on and off since I was 20 and know I’m not that age anymore!
I’ve not done them for maybe 4 or 5 years so I’ve gone back to some of my old routines and have tweaked them a bit and obviously cut the weights right back down.
I do actually enjoy doing them which makes me wonder why I stopped.

You are using less heavy weights ?

What would be sensible dumbell size to use ?

I have never done any weight training really

 

[Eddy Edson]

Bravo!

I'm going to start doing strength training any day now ...

Hmmm but maybe I actually like having matchstick arms? 🙂

 

[ColinUK]

As I mentioned I’ve cut the weights right back down so yes I’m using what for many would be light weights.

The simplest way to determine what weights you should be using is to concentrate on form.
If you are not able to complete one set with good form then it’s too heavy.

May I ask what exercises you’re doing and how you’re finding them so far? And at what weight?

 

[helli]

I appreciate your advice . I will only use light weights .

Whilst I agree lighter weights are a good start, that will not stop BG rises as it is the short period of exercise with breaks that cause the highs. HI IT can have the same affect.
My understanding is that the body does two things when you exercise
- liver releases glucose
- your body becomes more efficient at using insulin.
The first causes levels to rise. The latter causes them to fall.
With short spurts of exercise (10 reps of weights or 1 minute of pushing yourself on a bike) , the second doesn't get a chanc to start so you just have extra glucose.

The advantage of lower weights is that they shouldn't stress your body which would push levels up higher

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Bravo!

I'm going to start doing strength training any day now ...

Hmmm but maybe I actually like having matchstick arms? 🙂

I have skinny arms , I think it's genetic . At my age not much can be done about it really .

 

[Taffyboyslim]

As I mentioned I’ve cut the weights right back down so yes I’m using what for many would be light weights.

The simplest way to determine what weights you should be using is to concentrate on form.
If you are not able to complete one set with good form then it’s too heavy.

May I ask what exercises you’re doing and how you’re finding them so far? And at what weight?

Biceps curl 2 x 5kg

Lat raises 2 x 2.5 kg

Overhead shoulder press .....2 x 6 kg

Upright row ......2 x 5kg

Front lat raise.....2 x 2.5 kg

Squats 2 x 5kg

Lots of sets of that basically

 

[Eddy Edson]

I have skinny arms , I think it's genetic . At my age not much can be done about it really .

Never know - maybe we'd both surprise ourselves.

 

[Eddy Edson]

I have skinny arms , I think it's genetic . At my age not much can be done about it really .

Never know - maybe we'd both surprise ourselves.

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Never know - maybe we'd both surprise ourselves.

I think in the same way some people have brown hair and others have blonde hair , people using weights either make big gains through training and others can eat the right food and do the exercises suggested but they just can't get as strong and as muscular as some.

I think some people , even before they hit the age when their bodies start growing has a natural tendency to be strong and when these people use weights they get even stronger .

My mother was in hospital and one of the male nurses had enormous forearms and when I asked him if he went down the gym he said no but his father and grandfather were big blokes too . Its just the way it is I think .

 

[NotWorriedAtAll]

I think in the same way some people have brown hair and others have blonde hair , people using weights either make big gains through training and others can eat the right food and do the exercises suggested but they just can't get as strong and as muscular as some.

I think some people , even before they hit the age when their bodies start growing has a natural tendency to be strong and when these people use weights they get even stronger .

My mother was in hospital and one of the male nurses had enormous forearms and when I asked him if he went down the gym he said no but his father and grandfather were big blokes too . Its just the way it is I think .

I think you are right. I am a 60 year old small woman (in height but alas not in width) and I have always found that my muscles bulk up very quickly if I do repetitive exercise routinely.

I first noticed this in my twenties when I got a bit addicted to the rowing machine at my uni gym and my shoulders went a bit Fatima Whitbread. It wasn't too bad because it was the days of women wearing shoulder pads and I just didn't need them! Lols.

When I started exercising gently again last year after a decade of being a couch potato I was quite chuffed that my muscles kicked back quite quickly.

 

[Benny G]

Nothing flashy , I am 55 and too old to look like a body builder

Anyone else do it ?

Just bought some dumbells and I am going to use them instead
of going down the gym , which I have never enjoyed

It's very easy to over do dumb bells at home.

If you partner up your dumb bells with some regular exercise like swimming, two or three times a week, you will see real results. Even stretching and daily walking will make a big difference, and help general fitness.

 

[Taffyboyslim]

I think you are right. I am a 60 year old small woman (in height but alas not in width) and I have always found that my muscles bulk up very quickly if I do repetitive exercise routinely.

I first noticed this in my twenties when I got a bit addicted to the rowing machine at my uni gym and my shoulders went a bit Fatima Whitbread. It wasn't too bad because it was the days of women wearing shoulder pads and I just didn't need them! Lols.

When I started exercising gently again last year after a decade of being a couch potato I was quite chuffed that my muscles kicked back quite quickly.

That's great

 

[Taffyboyslim]

It's very easy to over do dumb bells at home.

If you partner up your dumb bells with some regular exercise like swimming, two or three times a week, you will see real results. Even stretching and daily walking will make a big difference, and help general fitness.

Walking and weights is my plan

 

[ColinUK]

If you’re looking for some solid programs then I recommend https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/bodyspace-social-fitness-app/id687818146
as a resource.
It has videos on how to perform the exercises as well as interval timers and trackers to chart your progress.
I think it’s also free as I’ve certainly never paid for it.

All I need to do now is the actual exercises!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope it goes well @Taffyboyslim

Look forward to hearing your progress, and any hints and tips you discover along the way 🙂

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Most of the books and magazines are to be avoided is what I have discovered