Barbell vs. dumbells

[amy_b]

Hi,
I'm wondering if I really need to purchase a barbell to make these workouts most effective. I have a nice set of handweights 1,3,5,8,10,12,15,20, 25lbs. Are squats, rows, biceps, triceps, etc. more effectively done with a barbell? Is it more comfortable w/ a barbell? The thing I'm dragging my heels about is storing it with all the plates. I can just see my little kidlets getting their fingers smashed between the plates.

 

[Jcrew3082]

Hi Amy,

A quote from Clare..."Barbell, barbell, barbell. It's a must. I'm not sure there's much use for a bodybar with Cathe workouts. Sure, she uses one for some of the floor leg work in the PS series leg tape, but I just use a dumbell resting on the thigh for resistance and it works just great. If you are going to stay with Cathe and grow with her, her workouts will steadily challenge you ever more, and you will go from a 20 pound barbell for leg exercises to 40 pounds and beyond. The one purchase now of a 5 pound bar with up to 60 or 70 pounds in weights, will let you grow at less overall cost.

The Troy Lite system is one that many here use, myself included. It was a purchase I have never regretted for an instant. I have never gone back to using dumbells on the shoulders for lower body work after this purchase. This system is available at fitness1st.com."

This was great advice!!! Using a barbell makes an incredible difference and is definitely a worthwhile investment. I bought the Troy Lite system from http://www.fitness1st.com. The customer service was excellent.

Gina

 

[kathryn]

Though a barbell is more convenient and sometimes more comfortable for squats, it's not really necessary. There is really no exercise that can't be done with dumbbells instead. And there is an advantage to using dumbbells over a barbell for upper body work because each side is forced to work with the same intensity, instead of the stronger side taking up the slack for the weaker side. You will find, however, that you can't lift as much total weight using two dumbbells for things like chest presses as you can when using a barbell, because extra stabilizing muscles are made to work harder when using dumbbells.

Dumbbells also allow for more individual adjustment of the grip to make the move fit your body better. For example, I don't do barbell overhead presses anymore because the bar fixes the path of movement in a pattern that is somewhat stressful on my shoulders. When I use dumbbells, however, I can use a "palms facing" grip or a grip where my palms are at about a 45 degree angle, which is fine on my shoulders.

Dumbbells are also safer to move around. It's easier to get out of a dumbbell chest press if you get "stuck at the bottom. But you could be in trouble if you get stuck at the bottom of a barbell press.

If you are looking to build major muscle, barbells are more necessary (so you can do more weight for deadlifts, squats, chest presses, etc.). Otherwise, I think you're fine with dumbbells.

(If you DO decide to get a barbell, I agree that the Troy lite system is the best. You can also get some 1.25# plates for it that allow you to increase the weight in smaller increments.)

 

[Fitstick]

Though it is nice to have a barbell for certain exercises, I often find myself modifying to dumbells for the same reasons that Kathyrn described-- sometimes the barbell stresses my shoulders when I use it for squats and I need to modify for overhead shoulder press. You can still get a good workout without a barbell, its true. Sometimes I feel somewhat "inferior" when I get out the dumbells and Cathe is using a 40 lb barbell!! But I know that I would kill myself if I tried to match Cathe.

 

[amy_b]

Thanks so much for answering my questions. I am going to keep mulling it over. My husband is getting this top of the line home gym on Friday. I'll have to see how that is and in the mean time, I will tell myself that I'm not "cheating" to continue using dumbells for a while.

 

[hippahips]

Hi Amy, I took my time buying a barbell. I used DB's for upper and lower body when I was just starting out and working hard on my form. I find the FEEL of the barbell better for bench presses, bicep curls and deadlifts, although I also still use DB's for leg presses, squats and lunges. I put my DB's over a thick, rolled towel around my shoulders so I'd feel the weight, not pain. I use DB's a lot in PLB, since I don't have the patience to switch plates for every set. For lower body endurance work though, I use a barbell. Again it's really just the FEEL that I like and find comfortable. If you are more comfortable with just DB's, then go for it. I totally understand your concern regarding your kids. I keep my plates under my bed. Out of sight, out of my son's curious, itchy hands.

Pinky