You don’t need heavy weights to build muscle—here’s the science-backed rule to follow if all you have are light weights

Woman kneels on an exercise mat in a living room holding small pink dumbbbells.

If you’re looking to build strength but find yourself gazing forlornly at a pair of light dumbbells, wondering how they can help, I have good news. Research suggests that it doesn’t matter how light or heavy you lift, so long as you lift to the point of near failure.

That’s the lesson recently shared by certified trainer, Technogym ambassador and friend of the show James Stirling, also known as London Fitness Guy to his 1.4 million followers on Instagram.