Comments on: Increase Intensity With Dumbbells

By: Brooke

Brooke — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:23:54 +0000

Thank you so much Lee. I really appreciate your help and expertise.

Boy have my abs improved in the last month of rebounding! I completely stopped doing planks and any other ab work. No need.

Thanks again!

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:58:12 +0000

Your calf muscles, and also your abs, recover really quickly and generally require less rest than your other, larger muscle groups. So again, I’d listen to my body and not over do anything, but generally you do not need to rest your calves for 48 hours between workouts.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:43:02 +0000

I am sorry to be a pest, but I guess ultimately my question is can I just hold the dumbbells each I do this, each day. Or do I need to “rest” for 48 hours in between (and not use the dumbbells).

Keeping in mind I am only holding them and not doing upper body work.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:40:00 +0000

Oh, and I don’t think your warning is silly at all. I can completely see me hitting myself in the face with the dumbbells. I mean I can see how easily that could happen if one is not aware.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:37:45 +0000

Thank you Lee!! I really only want to hold the dumbbells to work my legs more. I already do a full weight training (free weights) for upper and lower body…but I’d like to possibly just work my legs this way. So, moving my arms would work my arms more and i don’t really want to, since it may conflict with my “resting” phase after doing heavy weights, kwim? I hope that makes sense.

But since I typically do elliptical and high incline treadmill (walking but on 13-15% incline), that works my legs and butt. I’m planning to cut back and eventually stop doing those, and move to only the rebounding. So, I am hoping to be able to work the legs and butt that way, but not my arms or upper back/shoulders, etc. I mean I know those will still get “worked” on the rebounder, but not like I do with my heavier weights. I am very muscular all over and I don’t think I could really achieve quite as much as I like by the rebounder alone.

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate!!

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:46:50 +0000

You have to use your best judgement and not overwork yourself. Some other movements to consider when rebounding with dumbbells is to move your arms and hands like the dumbbells were the handles of a jump rope. Doing jumping jacks is another good movement as well. Shadow boxing or even just keeping your arms out like a T while bouncing is great for your shoulders. While your arms are out like a T move your hands from pointing out to the sides to pointing straight in front of you to get your shoulders at different angles. Be creative with how you use gravity to work your muscles. As always, be careful, listen to your body and don’t smack your face with your dumbbells. I know it may sound like a silly warning, but bouncing with anything in your hands takes a little getting used to so just be mindful of what you’re doing. Thanks and have a great day!

By: Brooke

Brooke — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:45:24 +0000

I’ve been rebounding about a month and love it so far! My goal has been to rev up my lymph and immune systems; however, I am trying to get somewhat of a good workout for my legs as well. (For now I am happy with the free weights routine I do for upper body and will stay with that. Not on the rebounder).

Yesterday I did my regular bouncing throughout the day, holding a 1 lb dumbbell in each hand. Today my calves are very sore, which tells me I worked them. Can I use these dumbbells every time I bounce (throughout the day)? Not doing anything special with my arms, just holding them bent at my sides as if I were running, or just letting them hang. I am just concerned about doing this daily, without a “rest,” as you are supposed to do when performing weight baring exercise.

But 1 lb dumbbells? I realize that their weight is increased when using them on the rebounder, but still…considering I used to do calf raises holding 50 lbs of total weight, this seems very minor? I would love to be able to hold them each time though. I felt I got a better overall “workout.”

Thank you for any help!