barbell vs. free weights
- Thread starter mariposa
- Start date
kathryn
Cathlete
Not Cathe here, but:
Barbells (and dumbells) ARE freeweights (not attached to a machine).
Do you mean dumbells? You can definitely use dumbbells for both deadlifts and squats. The form is the same as with a bar for deadlifts. For squats, weight placement is sometimes a problem because of comfort. Some people can put dumbells on their shoulders with no problem, but I prefer to hold them in a 'high bicep curl' in front of my shoulders. You can also hold them down at your sides (just watch for a tendency to round forward, which should be avoided) or even hold them at the insertion of the thigh into the hips when doing plié squats.
Barbells (and dumbells) ARE freeweights (not attached to a machine).
Do you mean dumbells? You can definitely use dumbbells for both deadlifts and squats. The form is the same as with a bar for deadlifts. For squats, weight placement is sometimes a problem because of comfort. Some people can put dumbells on their shoulders with no problem, but I prefer to hold them in a 'high bicep curl' in front of my shoulders. You can also hold them down at your sides (just watch for a tendency to round forward, which should be avoided) or even hold them at the insertion of the thigh into the hips when doing plié squats.