what is the better increase?: weights

I've been doing arm weights at home and I'm looking to increase my levels. What is the best way to do this? Add weight? Add reps at my standard weight? Add sets at my standard weight? Currently I'm doing 3 sets, 12 reps, 5lbs. I do four different lifts.

Thanks!

Sun. Sep 3, 1:10pm

How easy is it for you to do those lifts with the 5 lb. weights? You can work on toning, by upping your reps, but I've also lost weight and gained muscle by increasing the weight of the dumbells I'm using.

Sunday, September 03, 2006, 1:33 PM

up the weights. Or, start doing varied forms of push ups or other body weight exercises- cheaper, and better as they work more muscles within a single move.

Sunday, September 03, 2006, 7:40 PM

I'd increase the weight and drop back to 8 reps if necessary. Even 5 will work. If you can't do sets of 5, it's too much weight.
It can be a problem moving up in weight in these lighter weights because a 5 pound increase is a lot, as a percentage. There are add-on magnetic weights (Plate Mates is a brand of them) that will work with metal weights, but not plastic covered ones. And you can usually find plastic covered dumbbells in 1 lb spacings with some looking. 8 and 12 pound metal ones exist to fill in the gaps between 5, 10 and 15. You can probably buy several pairs of small dumbbells for the cost of the Plate Mates. At least you have options!
And pushups are good too, as someone else suggested.

Monday, September 04, 2006, 12:04 AM

up the weights

to 8-12 reps max. Upping the reps is only good for endurance. Increase muscle mass with higher weights. More muscle = faster metabolism = lose weight!

Monday, September 04, 2006, 9:09 PM

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