Glenda, eight pounds is pretty hefty. Way to go girl!

I use 1, 5 and 10 pound weights, here at home. I also have a weight machine thingy, that is set for 25 pounds.

Moni

You do have to make sure youre healthy enough to lift weights,I am not allowed to lift weights,My sisternlaws nephew lifted weights.His wife came home from wotrk found him unconcious in the basement .He had a stroke from lifting weights.

That's why I go to the health club and have a personal trainer :o)
And my doctor approves!

I bought a nice set of 1,3, and 5 lb weights at a yard sale that sit on a nice stand for $5! At the gym I sometimes use 8 or 10 lb weights. it depends on what I am doing with them.

Wow! Thought I was the only one! Have been for over 5 years now, along with cardio exercise at our local wellness center through the local hospital. Find I really enjoy it! I love the feeling I get with strength training. Since after 40, we start to loose muscle mass at a pretty rapid rate, it's a definite positive for all, provided you have your doctors approval, of course. Not to mention the increase in calories burned from muscles in lieu of fat mass. And a great deterrent of osteoporosis.

I'm pushing 71.
I'd been doing cardio, water aerobics, for 11 years, until I had an upcoming tranatlantic trip, this past summer.Knew I needed more than that, cause I have back problems, plus osteoperosis, in order to handle the walking, etc, on the trip.

Because of that I signed up for a personal trainer, and I am so thankful I did.

So our health club has a new computer system, where you have a personal trainer, who consults with you first, then sets you up with the weight machines. It keeps a record of your exercises, and trainer checks it weekly, plus there is always a trainer on the floor.

I do free weights, weight machines, twice a week, and water class 4-5 days. Free weights with 3 sets of lifting, then 4 weight machines. And if I miss one day, I do the free weights at home.

What a difference the weights have made in my life.

I walk so much better, even friends have noticed. Feel so much better and my back loves me.

Several friends, because they have seen my improvements, have also gotten into the weight machines.

My balance is so much better, and can walk up and down my three steps to my condo without using the railings. THAT'S a YEA!

Can't wait to see the results from my scheduled 2 year bone density scan this spring.

Last scan, doctor said there was improvement, but I still take Fosamax. Maybe I'll have improved enough, hopefully to not have to take that. We'll see!

All I can say, I wish I had done this years ago!

Good job, Glenda!
I do weights and the machines.....I will check and see what my trainer has me using when I see him soon. But I know it is at least 10 pounds.
He has me do a lot of squats and lunges, which I hate.
I re-started water aerobics about a month ago and LOVE it.
We do a lot of work with the foam resistance hand thingys and they do an excellent job.
Keep up the good work.

I do a class called BODY PUMP. It is an hour long class which primarily uses a straight bar that you attach various weights to each side, heavier weights for large muscle groups (butt, legs, dead lifts) and smaller weights for the smaller muscle groups (shoulders, biceps, triceps). The class is set to music and each song focuses on 1 body part. So after the warm-up you do a song where you load the bar with weights, put it across your shoulders and do about 6 minutes of squats. The you do a back workout, chest, triceps, biceps, lunges and shoulders. Last you do abs on the floor, then cool-down.

I have been doing this class for 10 years, and it has totally transformed my workout and body. I love it!

One thing I CANNOT do, is the BALL!

Funny, on Sunday, there is a man, that rides the cycle, next to my crunch machine, who takes his newspaper and reads the whole thing, and even a book. lol

Wonder if I should take him a cup of coffee?

I love the ball......makes doing my squats easier.

I work out at the gym 3x/wk--one of them with my trainer. I bench press 70 lbs using a bar, and free weight 22.5 weights in each hand. I kickback 17.5 lbs for triceps, and use 25 lb plate for dropping bahind me when lying flat and then bringing it straight overhead, also for triceps. I leg press 170 lbs. on one machine, and 200 lbs on another. I also do situps on the slant bench as well as other free exercises and use machines as well.

I'm not 22; I'm 77.

Glenda; you are such an inspiration! Maybe I could get some wimpy 1- or 2-lb. weights and start there.

Eons ago, when I was in the Air Force, I'd work out on the weight machines while my psycho room mate did aerobics. I loved the ones for the legs and tush.

Now about the only weight I lift is hauling my ... around. Since I've gone on insulin my weight keeps creeping up, and up, and up.

I use 12's 15's 25's and 45's depending on the excercise. I work out with the ball sometimes and I have a Total Gym, but don't use it much. I mostly use the dumbells, do pull-ups and a lot of push-ups. I also do cardio. I don't go to a gym.

Leel, you have some strong triceps, I'm in awe.

I have do have weights at home..I use them sporadically.Not a good thing I know, consistency is the key, and I am not.
Dani..why don't you use the Total gym..is it not worth it, or is it limited in the amount of exercise you can do? I am thinking about getting one.

June

I just "graduated" to 8 pounds in each hand, I have a variety of exercises I do with them; I have small wrists, so this seems heavy to me .
I also bench press and use various machines. I love the feeling of empowerment
I get with weights, it's addictive.

I don't look stronger but I feel stronger; that's the best part of it.
My arms are more defined although they are still 58 year old arms.

keep up the good work !!

Gem- I actually really like it. I used to use it all the time, but we (DH and I) started doing the P90x workout, so I put it away. I would definately buy direct from the Total Gym website. I've seen something in Walmart that says it's a total gym, but it is really flimsy. The actual one is a very sturdy, well built piece of equiptment.
I get a good workout with it, but it is somewhat limiting to those people looking to bulk up. It tones you and is great for maintenance.

I hope that all makes sense.