Dumbbell training at home = Overtraining?

[chicksrock]

Hi

I work my chest, biceps, triceps (mainly upper body) with some heavy dumbbells at home.

I work them out about 5 times a week.

-curls
-hammer curls
-presses

do about 3+ sets of each.

20mins-30mins a day.

This can't possibly be overtraining can it?

 

[chicksrock]

just kinda worried that I am over-doing it ... because diesel and others say to work out a muscle group only once a week....

I seiously doubt I'll make any progress if I lift weights once a week....as it is progress is quite slow....

is it ok to continue with my routine?

 

[TyTe`EyEs]

Well I would suggest that you start working out your back and legs for overall development. As for your question, I would only work out 3 days per week. Your body needs time to rest.

 

[chicksrock]

I think i'll need to reduce the weight on my dumbbells to do deadlifts and squats...

I was thinking since i'm doing quite amatuer training at home...that 5 times a week is justified ....

 

[semag]

I think i'll need to reduce the weight on my dumbbells to do deadlifts and squats...

umm... more like increase the weight dude.

 

[Alpine]

I think it's fair to say your biceps may be overtrained.

They are ickle muscles.

What about your ass?

As a bloke we look at biceps for impressive presence, women look at your ass and your shoulder width.

Squats or deadlift will give you an overall look of power, thats what the girls want, so I'm told.

Squats and deadlifts can be very hard on you, that's why most people don't follow through. I have to admit that when the poundages got very hard I usually come up with a REALLY good excuse to stop doing them.

 

[Heizen]

You are doing a few things wrong
1)Overtraining. 5 times a week on one muscle group is overkill. I do a group everyother day at max

2)You need some more exercises! I use dumbells myself, and I know you can do lots of good exercises with them. Here are a few that have gained me alot of results.

A)presses (You mentioned these)
B)Powercleans, including pressing them above your head
C)Deadlifts

These are all the compound exercises I ever use. After that, go smaller and isolate your muscles. Triceps, hammer curls, ect will do fine then.

Do this every other day. I suggest putting powercleans and deadlifts on the same day, and presses on another. Just my experience though.

Doing this has gotten me some NICE results.

 

[DJBen]

Get a bar and some weights. Learn to clean and jerk, and power-clean it properly. From there you can do a decent weight squat, and have the ability to deadlift.

Joining a gym is best though. I never liked it, until I found a training partner. He left, and I had to workout at home again. I have no one to psych me up, or spot for me, so I cant push my 1RM cause I dont fancy dying under a 115KG barbell ;p

 

[chicksrock]

thanks for the advice guys!

I'll definitely try out some different exercises..

 

[Pulsar]

is there a special way to do squats? Are you meant to do squats with dumbells?

 

[DJBen]

you CAN do them with DB's, but I suggest getting the ability to do one legged squats first, then do them with DB's.

BB squats are king, though.

 

[chicksrock]

i tried deadlifts and squats...


its a great work-out!

 

[OzyBoy]

I have some dumbells as well i will start using them since summer is coming up and i want to look good for my girlfriend when i have no clothes (or hardly any) on in front of her. I would like to go to a gym but i don't want to pay 20 bucks per visit.

 

[semag]

I have some dumbells as well i will start using them since summer is coming up and i want to look good for my girlfriend when i have no clothes (or hardly any) on in front of her. I would like to go to a gym but i don't want to pay 20 bucks per visit.

Get ready for disappointment... you don't sound nearly motivated enough to make any true changes to your body.

 

[Heizen]

Seriously.

If you do get buff, what happens when you break up with your girl? You gonna stop lifting? Cause you know, if you gain muscle and lose it, it all turns to flaaaaaaaab.

Workout for yourself. Having the babes all over you as a consequence is mearly a added bonus.

 

[dockta]

Originally posted by Heizen
Seriously.

If you do get buff, what happens when you break up with your girl? You gonna stop lifting? Cause you know, if you gain muscle and lose it, it all turns to flaaaaaaaab.

Workout for yourself. Having the babes all over you as a consequence is mearly a added bonus.

Muscle does not turn to flab