Problem With Weights
 

I have a hard time holding heavy weights (8 pounds and up) in my hands. My hands and wrists are small, and I have a little arthritis in my wrists too. In addition to being heavier overall, it seems as if the heavier weights have thicker pieces that you hold with your hands. I can handle 5 pound weights fine, but they are not really heavy enough for a lot of workouts (like Cathe). Does anyone have any ideas?

The Blogilates dumbbells at Target have smaller grip/handles and they come in 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 15 pounds. They are pricey but very pretty too! Since they are sold at Target stores you can try holding them to see if they’re comfortable for you. :)

https://www.target.com/p/blogilates-...s/-/A-80889727

I have the same problems. Teeny tiny hands + arthritis so super poor grip strength.

I can hold up to 20 lb weights for Caroline workouts, where you do 1 min of work and then get a rest. I always put my weights down during those rests.

Here's what i found that helps:
1. Choose weights that fit my hands. Dumbbells that are the same weight, for example 8 lbs, will have different handle thicknesses.
2. Add padding. I bought circular foam rubber tubes that are supposed to be for bike handlebars, cut them open and put them over my weight handles to make them more comfortable.
3. Practice. Your hands and wrist strength are also muscles, and it gets stronger if you challenge yourself. If I can hold a 20lb dumbbell but only for 30 seconds, I do that and then pick up the 15lb. Everything counts.

Hope this helps!

For exercises where they can just hang, when I begin to lose grip strength I use flat strapping made into a figure 8. One end goes around the bell end and the other around my wrist.
For squats, deadlifts, bent over rows… works fine.
I made mine but they can be purchased.

If you search for weight lifting straps figure 8 you’ll find them.

I have this same problem. I've found that these dumbbells are the most comfortable for me to hold: https://www.performbetter.com/Rubber...ls?custcol2=16

They are thinner than most and have texture to hold on to.

Carol

I have added wrist weights

Yes I have these as well. They work well for me and I have small hands and cranky wrists.

One other thing that might help:
Whenever you reach with your hand to lift anything heavy or your dumbbells or barbell

begin to wrap with your pinkie side of palm first and kind of visualize emphasize gripping with pinkie.

Do you use a specific kind?

For legs, you can use a vest or weighted backpack instead of the heavier hand weights.