New guy here. I've read several pages back in this forum and used the search feature, but haven't seen a discussion about this.

I'm ordering P90x and starting soon... but not sure how many pairs of dumbbells I would use.

Do you find yourself only using a few different weights, or is there a wide range?

In other words.. I know I'll grow stronger and be able to do more.. but do you commonly use 5 & 10lb weights as well as 30 & 35lb?

(i dont consider myself very strong... when I go to the gym and do 1-arm bicep curls, I usually do a couple sets of 10 reps at 25lbs)

Any help would be appreciated.. I'm just trying to see what I can afford and still have everything I need before starting the program.

I use a wide range of weights personally. I use almost everything from 10-50 lbs. I have 4 dumbbell handles and I switch out plates depending on which workouts I'm doing. If you're able to swing the cash for the adjustable dumbbells from nordictrack or the powerblocks I would.

You really won't know exactly what you need until you start working out but if you check out the workouts ahead of time you can guess what you might need and try to assemble that.

My recomendation: get the powerblock sport 9.0. If you buy each dumbbell individually, you'll spend big bucks and take up a lot of room. If you buy the cheaper powerblocks like the 2.0 and 5.0, then you limit yourself to adding weight in the future with your muscle gains. The 9.0 has upgrades that allow you to lift up to 130 pounds on each arm. Soon, 50 pounds wont cut it. It's a good investment... If you have a while before starting, try to find some used ones at a used equipment store. Good luck

www.powerblock.com/blocks.html

My first round i used 25lbs for everything, just did more reps. And for certain workouts like lawn movers i held both of them together. Not ideal but didnt have the money nor did i want the size. For my 2nd/3rd round I searched my local craigslist and found someone getting rid of adjustable dumbbells for cheap money, picked up 4 bars and 200 lbs of weight for 100 bucks.

I like the idea of the selectect and power blocks but they tend to be very bulky when it comes to working out with them.

I purchased the powerswitch 100 from sears.They go 10-50 in 5lb increments. They are normally on sell for less than 300 with a stand. Adjustable dumbells make a world of difference unless you can afford numerous hex dumbells. I recommend checking craigslist or ebay also.

For Chest and Back I use: 20's,30's and 45's...Backflys, Heavy Pants and lawnmovers.

Shoulder and Arms: 30,s Alternating Shoulder, 25 for Curls, about 15 or 20 triceps..

Legs and back: 15 and 20 for Lunges.

Chest Triceps and Back: Mostly 10 and 15, All those Floor Flys and Slow puch kills your triceps...I use 2.5 plate for arm Circles but recently i fonf 3 pound Dumbells at a garage sale ($3)

Bicep and back: 45 for Lawnmovers, 20 for 21's,25 for curls, and 15 and 10 as I get exhausted towards the end.. Can anyone ...say Strip Curls...

Core Synergistics: I think i use 20's for Something.

Dumbells i have two of each. 3,10,15,20,25,30 and 1X45
Im using p90x for cutting therefore I am , using light weights 12-16 reps..My calories are also 1700-1800 daily I need 2300 to Maintain weight, because Im cutting.

Get Bodylastics,..when i tried p90x before actually going balls to the walls, all I had was $50.00 bands and 15 and 25 pound dumbells and it was all i needed but I prefer the Iron..Bands are excellent if you cant do Pullups, on a Bar. Having many different weights is excellent especially when you have those heavy days and you can pump, those heavy dumbells....I was on a roll there