Barbells v.s. Dumbells, PT2

[eminenz2]

Hello -

The biggest dumbells I have are 20#. If I can press heavier on S&H chest/back with a barbell, does it make that much of a difference whether I use a BB or DBs?

I also did the back pullovers with a BB instead of a DB, which I worry I will smash myself in the face with.

Thanks.

Susan L.G.

 

[fit_fairy]

The difference between BB and DB on bench press is that you can sort of cheat with BB on your stronger side. For instance with DB you are equally forced to push x amt of wt on each side. With a BB you can use your stronger side to compensate for the weaker arm. I don't know if I've explained this very well?? Anyway, I think it's a good idea to use both periodically. Sometimes I use a BB and sometimes I use DBs.



[font color= purple size=+3]Catherine[/font]

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[eminenz2]

Yes, that does make sense. I know I cheat when I do push-ups, even though I try not to.

Thing is, I have a lymphedema risk on my left arm and I'm afraid if I lift *too* heavy (technically the standard weight limit is no more than 15#, although I can, and do, use 20#) with the left arm by itself, I might aggravate the lymphedema, which I definitely don't want to do.

So, I'm kind of stuck.

Thanks for reading!

Susan L.G.

 

[kathryn]

>Thing is, I have a lymphedema risk on my left arm and I'm
>afraid if I lift *too* heavy (technically the standard weight
>limit is no more than 15#, although I can, and do, use 20#)
>with the left arm by itself, I might aggravate the lymphedema,
>which I definitely don't want to do.
>
>So, I'm kind of stuck.

There are several ways you can increase the intensity of the work on the chest without increasing the amount of weight lifted:
slow down your reps to a 4/4 count or other slow count (5 down/1 up);

take your feet off the ground/step (hold them at a 90-degree angle in the air) and alternate arms, or do reps with one arm only (holding the other straight) then change (or do 4 reps with one arm, then 4 with the other, and keep alternating);

lie on a stablity ball in bridge position (works even better with the slower rep counts or alternating arms)

 

[eminenz2]

Thank you for the advice!

Susan L.G.