How to Buy Free Weights
Adding workouts with free weights to your fitness regimen can increase strength, endurance and the rate at which your body burns calories. Using free weights instead of weight machines provides a greater range of movement, which can lead to higher-impact workouts. Unfortunately, there is also an increased risk of injury when using free weights. In order to avoid hurting yourself (or others), it is vitally important that you buy free weights you can safely and easily handle.
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Instructions
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Consult with a personal trainer before you buy free weights. Because of the risk of injury associated with free weights, starting a program without instruction from a fitness professional is strongly discouraged. You can use an online directory like Trainer USA or Trainer Locator to find personal trainers in your area (see Resources below).
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Buy free weights that correspond to your fitness goals. Women who are interested in toning (rather than building) their muscles should buy two each of 3 lb, 5 lb and 10 lb dumbbells. Men who wish to build muscle size and strength should purchase a barbell and weight plates in 5 lb increments. Online seller Dumbbell Buddy has a wide variety of superior quality free weights from which to choose (see Resources below).
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Purchase ankle and wrist weights to pump up your aerobic workouts. Adding wrist and ankle weights during step aerobics, cycling, walking or running will help you burn more calories and tone muscles at the same time. Women should start with 1 to 2 lb ankle and wrist weights and men begin with 2 to 3 lb weights.
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Invest in a complete set of weights including plates, bars, storage rack and weightlifting bench, if your goal is to use free weights for body building. Beginners can opt for smaller sets that include plates in 5 lb increments for a total of 100 to 200 lbs. As you build strength, you may want to move up to plates that come in 30, 40 or 50 lb increments for a total of as much as 675 lbs.
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Compare the advantages of metal vs. synthetic-coated free weights. Metal plates are extremely durable and tend to last a lot longer than plastic or rubber-coated plates. Plastic or rubber-coated weights, however, require less maintenance than metal plates and will not cause as much destruction to floors if dropped. You can find synthetic-coated weights at online dealer American Fitness and metal weights at Home Gym Deals (see Resources below).
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt to pick up a stack of free weights. When adding weight to your bar, always pick plates up one at a time to avoid injuries and property damage.
