What should a newbie to weight lifting do with these weights?

I have been doing cardio consistently for a while now and losing weight nicely. After hanging out in this forum for just a little while I am now convinced I need to lift weights to.

So i found some of my brother-in-laws weights laying around and don't know what to do with them that would be effective in maintaining lean muscle mass. (I will work on building when I am in maintenance b/c i hear it is impossible with a deficit).

I have two hand bars with two 3lb weights and two 5lb weights for each of them. Any exercise suggestions that I can do with just these weights?

This website  will tell you just about every conceivable exercise there is...

Just take a look around it...

There's alot you can do with those weights..

Congratulations on making the very wise decision to give weight lifting a try!

Thanks jem599!

There are some on there I think I can do with what I have. Some I would like to do but need a inclining surface. 

What do you think I should start with? How many reps? 

As long as you don't increase your caloric intake too much (weightlifting will make you hungrier) < you can up it a little you will build lean muscle mass.

You will get a different opinion on these things, everyone has a little different approach, but start out slow, not too many sets.  I would start with two sets for each exercise and pin point different areas with each day of workout. 

Rest between workouts is very important. These days should have one day off in between, especially when first starting, but you will be sore and probably not want to anyway...:-)

Shoulders and back one day

Arms (bicep, tricep, forearms) 

Chest one day

Legs can be done in combination with any of those days  

 somthing like that. Your sets to start with (just my opinion)  about 15-20 repetitions per set -light weights, but.  your 16th rep being nearly impossible to do even one more. Wait 30 seconds and do a second set. 

Once you build up a bit, and learn what works and you are used to the soreness from that, you can add sets to 3to5 instead of 2 and add weight so that you can only do 10.  

Learn and keep good form, don't contort or strain in uncomfortable ways.  For instance, this one http://exrx.net/WeightExercises/Triceps/BBClo seGripBenchPress.html

Notice he isn't straining by arching his back.

To more effectively target the muscle without heavy weights, I like to use PERFECT form by going fast up then slow on the way back down and breathing on way down (using bench press as an example).

Hope that makes sense!

Thank you so much for that Mr_bob!

I need to find exercises I can do at home that exercise the chest and back. My legs have huge muscles from running & soccer so I don't think I will do any weights with them.

There is one exercise that is often overlooked that is very good for the chest and back. The plain ole push up. It can be done on your knees, with feet up at an decline or hands on something like a stool for incline. All these work various areas of the chest and the back muscles (although limited on the back).

treat it like any weight lifting exercise, do your sets to failure.

Also other exercises that usually use a bench can be done on the floor.

Check the About.com weight training sections-- there are some great instructional snippets on there to help you!

agree with the push ups-- can't beat them for chest /tris/delts-- also, don't forget tricep dips on a chair or bench-- great for tricepts-- and of course, sit ups -- and the varying kind for abs/obliques.

plus, if you get into the lifting-- consider getting some heavier weights-- what you have is very light -- but great to start with-- thing is, lifting is addicting- and in no time you will be building muscle and want to see more!!! check out thrift stores for cheap weights-- people dump them all the time!!!

Good Luck! Listen to the advice from others on here & in no time, you'll have a great toned look!

Quality responses and what I need for myself too.

A couple of questions (sorry running out of time on lunch break)

Is there an idiots guide to what not to do (have hurt lower back using rowing machine wrongly in the past).

Are the calorie burning sections adequate for logging on CC?

Regards