CATHE - Are dumbbells instead of barbell OK?

D

ddmac

New Member
Hi Cathe,

My first post here at your forums. YAY!! I recently switched to your workouts and I'm loving the results!! I ordered the whole Intensity Series and now I've preordered the Hardcore. I believe that I morphed into a Catheite!

I've wanted to switch to your workouts for quite a while but I couldn't make the investment in extra equipment. I'm slowly building up my equipment (stability ball, medicine ball) but I don't have a barbell. I use the same weight as you guys do but with two dumbbells instead of a barbell. Are there any advantages to using a barbell instead of two dumbbells? I know that you say it is ok to use dumbbells instead of a plate. I watch my form with the dumbbells very closely but I was wondering if the weight distribution of a barbell was more beneficial for certain moves. If a barbell is really better than the weights that I'm using, I'll start saving!! But I wanted to check with you first.

Thanks for taking the time and thanks ALOT for making such great workouts.

DD
 
Hi, obviously not Cathe, but, I've always used dumbbells. I never had had a problem without the barbell, but then again I only use 5, 8, 10 lb. dumbbells. You might need the extra weight, I don't. I guess I like the feel of the dubbell vs. the barbell. I'm sure you will get differing opinions.:)
 
Am so glad to hear someone beside me is using weights that aren't 20 & 30 & 40 lbs, etc.! Must admit that for shoulders, tho, I still stick with 3 lb. weights. For about how long have you been using these weights, and has it made any difference as far as strength, endurance, body shape, and so on? Thanks.
 
Hi!

I just wanted to say that I got a barbell set exactly like this one (same company) from Wal-Mart only mine was 120 lbs (4 20 lbs, 2 10 lbs, and 2 8 lbs) for $22 something. On their web site they had the one I really wanted which was $19 something for 2 10 lbs, 2 5 lbs, and 2 2.5 lbs (my Wal-Mart did not carry that one). Just an FYI. I have not used it yet but it seems okay. It has the spring clips like Cathe uses and the plates are not metal. You might check it out, save on shipping!:)
 
Although I have both a set of dumbbells and a barbell, I read somewhere that dumbbells are actually better than using a barbell in some cases. When you use a barbell, sometimes your dominant side might be working harder by lifting more of the barbell's weight than your weaker side, and the weaker side may feel cheated because it's not working as hard, even though you may feel the barbell weight is evenly distributed. With dumbbells, both your dominant and weaker side get the same amount of work because each side works independently of the other side.
 
Normandy, I am assuming you are asking me how long I have been using these weights. I made great strength improvements over the past couple years. I consistently use 8 lbs. for upperbody and 10lb. dumbbells for lowerbody, and with Cathe's weight work that is plenty for me and I feel it. (I started with 3 lbs.) I must say I am not as big into weight work as most on this forum. I am more cardio and add weight work at the end of my cardio. I seem to feel more worked out when I do both. I alternate upper and lowerbody. I only lift for about 20 min. at a time. It works for me just fine. I have toned up quite a bit, but I am not looking to really build muscle. Not my bag. A co-worker and dh have commented how toned I have become in the past year. :D So I guess it's working just fine for me!:)
 
Appreciatethe detailed info. I do strenuous incline and/or speed intervals on my treadmill most every morning for 20 to 50 minutes, so what I want from Cathe are just gym stle weight workouts, no cardio. I use 3 lbs only for shoulders, 8 lbs for the rest of upper body, and just started with ankle wts for legs. Guess your message about having done this for years has convinced me that I have to be patient -- only been at this for about 6 weeks. I know I will never go over 10 lbs because my elbows bother me if I try to go too heavy, and am glad to see that this weight -- with patience -- can accomplish results.

Thanks again.
 
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