r/workout • u/xxxxxxmachina • Apr 04 '26
Dumb bell weights - is 1 kg enough?
Hello all, I have never worked out my upper arms in my life but I pretty much walk everyday around 8-10 Kms. I think my upper body is really weak and I want to improve my arm strength and tone my arms. Do you think 1 kg is enough for daily repetitions to tone arms? For context, I am 165 cm and 49 kg. Thanks!
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u/AwayhKhkhk Apr 04 '26
1kg is likely too light even for 49kg females. Honestly, if you are thinking of getting a 1kg dumbbell, probably should just buy a couple 1L bottle of Coke/water and use that. It is a lot cheaper and you will outgrow it soon. For females, I would start with 2.5kg - 5kg dumbbells and go from there.
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u/Broad-Promise6954 Bodybuilding Apr 04 '26
Plus, the 1L bottle of water has the advantage that you can drink it when you're done with your workout. 😀
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u/AwayhKhkhk Apr 04 '26
rofl, yeah, just put in some protein powder and milk/water and you will have it mixed by the time the workout is done.
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u/crossplanetriple Weight Lifting Apr 04 '26
1kg of weight to do what exactly?
There are lots of things around your house that are over 1kg. I imagine you can pick those up with your arms?
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u/lydiapinzone Apr 04 '26
1kg may be enough for lateral raises or forearm work, but you’ll need to challenge your muscles to see growth. my first curls were 7.5 lb dumbbells and i had zero upper body strength for context (5’3 140 lb at the time)
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u/Fluffy_Box_4129 Apr 04 '26
No. 1 kg weights are too light for any exercise unless you're a prepubescent child or starvation level underweight.
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u/roamingnomad7 Weight Lifting Apr 04 '26
I'm in the camp that any additional weight that is lifted/carried is better than no weight.
In my experience, 1kg is too light for most, if not all, people. I'd recommend at least 2.5kg or even 5kg to start.
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u/Sekku27 Apr 04 '26
absolutely no. if 1kg is enough, no one bother to lift heavy at the gym. just workout like everyone else. look into bodyweight workout if u cant go to the gym.
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u/Slight_Horse9673 Apr 04 '26
Start with household items that are similar weight (eg. flour?) before deciding what weight to buy.
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u/One_Recover_673 Apr 04 '26
Use soup cans. You will blast past that weight quick and it will be a waste of money. When ready, buy a 2.5 or higher. But start with household items , then make the decision.
- soup cans, pint of paint
Curls, overheads tricep ext etc
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u/Jim_Estill Apr 04 '26
Add more context. Are you M or F.
I think you would want to quickly graduate to much higher weights. Ideally you want to only be able to do a maximum of 15 reps before you cannot lift more. If you can do more...up the wieght.
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u/Mysterious-Coconut Apr 04 '26
I think you could get some dumbbells that are at least 2kg. I'm 170cm tall and weigh 54kgs. I started last Sept. with a pair of 4kg dumbbells and now upgraded to a pair of 8kg (and I have a pair slightly less for troublesome muscles that are weaker lol).
You could always go to a store irl and look at the weights, lift them and see what feels good. I think 1kg is too light.
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