Thought this would go here, if not, please move/lock.

 

So as part of my summer project, I've been trying to get into better physical shape by the next school year. Since I have NO muscle mass on my arms, I decided to work on that. Since I'm far too cheap to buy weights, I improvised, and put a bunch of magazines and heavy books into a bin and called it a weight. I figure this way it will be easy to adjust the difficulty as time goes on. So tonight I started seeing how many times I could lift it and in different ways so as to exercise all muscles, when I realized a problem: I have no [bleep]ing idea how much it weighs.

 

Is there any way to find out? Just putting it on top of a bathroom scale reads 16 pounds. I may be weak, but considering that it doesn't take some effort with both hands to lift 30 pounds, I think that may be just a teency bit off.

Scales won't be wrong.

Scales won't be wrong.

 

That's... weird, to say the least.

 

Why does a normal production 15 IB feel like almost nothing, but this is an actual challenge?

Scales can deteriorate in accuracy over time. If it's a really old scale, there's a small chance it'll be off. But Dizzle, chances are you're weaker than you were hoping :lol:

because your doing reps with it?

I dunno, just doesn't make sense to me.

 

...maybe I should take up the vuvuzela.

Well first and foremost a bin of books the weight is gonna be un-even and its not gonna be the easiest thing in the world to grip.

 

Bad grip makes objects feel heavy as you're not just using the arm muscles you have yo really use the tendons in your hands to keep the grip, whihc means less energy/effort free for arms meaning more effort to lift.

Un-even weight will also make things heavy to lift as you have to divert more energy/effort (even thoiugh u prob dont realise it) to you're core and legs to offset the unbalance of the weight.

 

But for someone with zero muscle mass 15 lbs seems fairly good starting point, I mean sure its not exactly heavy but its not proper light either, especially if it is straining you. You want to be lifting a weight thats jsut heavy enough to actually strain you a bit so that your muscles are working and growing; you gotta start somewhere no matter how low it is.

Well first and foremost a bin of books the weight is gonna be un-even and its not gonna be the easiest thing in the world to grip.

 

Bad grip makes objects feel heavy as you're not just using the arm muscles you have yo really use the tendons in your hands to keep the grip, whihc means less energy/effort free for arms meaning more effort to lift.

Un-even weight will also make things heavy to lift as you have to divert more energy/effort (even thoiugh u prob dont realise it) to you're core and legs to offset the unbalance of the weight.

tl;dr: buy weights.

Thanks Paw :thumbsup:

 

I'll see to acquiring something more suitable, too.

There are many exercises you can do alone with your bodyweight, a chair, and a bar if you take the time to search. Alternatively you could join a gym. Putting on mass isn't as simple as you think.

You really don't need weights. I work out at work on my off days and I have nothing in there except 2 chairs, a floor and a doorframe.

 

Unless you're one-arming it, 15lbs won't get you far :thumbdown: Crank it uuup!

Something is definitely up. The last scale I tried it on was only 2 years old. Just tried it again on a 6 month old one, and now it reads 25.

 

Edit: I [bleep]ing hate it when the second line of your post is only the very last word, looks so ugly and asymmetrical, can't stand it.

 

PPS - Love your enthusiasm, fastortoise :thumbsup:

Weights are easier, take longer, but will give you pretty muscles. But, if you want muscley muscles, go out and get a job where you spend a lot of time lifting awkwardly shaped things.

 

Or, at least mix up your workouts. Next best thing.

 

And, really, pushups and situps are great. They're very underrated. I'm sure there are resources on the internet for using your own body and not much else to get in shape. Don't need weights, muh [bleep]a.

why not just pay for 2 months of gym membership

 

And, really, pushups and situps are great. They're very underrated. I'm sure there are resources on the internet for using your own body and not much else to get in shape. Don't need weights, muh [bleep]a.

 

pushups and situps kinda suck, and sit ups are good for doing more sit ups (hip flexors)

Weights are easier, take longer, but will give you pretty muscles. But, if you want muscley muscles, go out and get a job where you spend a lot of time lifting awkwardly shaped things.

 

Or, at least mix up your workouts. Next best thing.

 

And, really, pushups and situps are great. They're very underrated. I'm sure there are resources on the internet for using your own body and not much else to get in shape. Don't need weights, muh [bleep]a.

lolwut

 

There is so much wrong with this post..

Weights are easier, take longer, but will give you pretty muscles. But, if you want muscley muscles, go out and get a job where you spend a lot of time lifting awkwardly shaped things.

 

Or, at least mix up your workouts. Next best thing.

 

And, really, pushups and situps are great. They're very underrated. I'm sure there are resources on the internet for using your own body and not much else to get in shape. Don't need weights, muh [bleep]a.

lolwut

 

There is so much wrong with this post..

 

Just that first bit made me LOL

 

Random object = a form of weight

A purpose made weight = an object.

 

It dun matter watcha lift its doing the same thing, onyll difference being random objects being lifted awkwardly can exercise muscles un-evenly where as using a purpose made weight (or a make-shift setup with a pole or w/e) targets the effort to specific muscles

Go to a garage sale & buy an old bowling ball. They weigh from 10-16 pounds & have fingerholes for gripping.