dumbell vs barbell

[JULSCARVER]

I have used your aerobic workouts for many years. I have only recently started using your weight training DVD's. I truely enjoy working out with you-you are an inspiration.
2 questions: First, can you continue to make more low impact workouts? I'm on my feet for 12h shifts (ER nurse) and my legs just don't have it in them to jump.
Secondly, I have only dumbells and do not wish to invest in barbells. If I use dumbells in place of barbells does it make a difference?

 

[dutchgirl]

I'm not Cathe, and wanted to answer your questions as best I could.

Not being Cathe, I can't answer whether or not she will continue to expand into more low impact workouts. I'll second your suggestion, though, and say that I, too, would love to see more.

I think that it's perfectly okay to use dumbells in place of a barbell. While the barbell has the advantage of being more comfortable, especially when using heavy weight (like when doing squats, the barbell is over the fleshy parts of the shoulders/upper back and the dumbells are either by your side or hoisted on the shoulders), I don't think that using one or the other creates different and/or better results. Go with the equipment that's the most comfortable for you.

 

[kathryn]

Dumbbells can actually be more beneficial than barbells, because they force you to use more stabilizing muscles (which is why one can often not lift the same total weight with two dumbbells as one can with one barbell), they make sure you train each side equally (instead of allowing the stronger side to take up some of the slack from the weaker side, which can happen with barbells). Dumbbells are also easier to get in and out of position with many exercises. And easier to get rid of safely

The one big advantage to barbells is in moves like squats and lunges, where they are sometimes easier to balance and find an comfortable position for than dumbbells.

As for low impact workouts, remember you can always modify workouts to remove some of the impact: power 7's or 15's (or 11002's! ) can be knee smash repeaters (putting the intensity into the "up" move). Side leaps can be side steps (with big arm movements and keeping low to keep up the intensity).

Use the low impact workouts as a template for moves that you can use as substitutes in the other workouts.

I always think it would be nice to show low impact modifications in workouts, which would make them easier to adapt, and more generally useful (don't worry, impact lovers, I'm NOT saying remove the impact, or slow down the teaching, etc, just show one low impact mod).

 

[tralyn13]

Hi, great answers already. I too only use dumbbells and really haven't had any problems substituting. I find I switch from overhand to underhand when doing dead rows to get a good both sides work. I know my weak side would be lazy. Besides, I homeschool and while my son generally stays out of the living room when I'm working out. He is only 5 and I worried that he would run in and hit the barbell. It is easy to be safe with dumbbells in those situations.
I asked this question of Cathe several years ago, and her response I believe was along the lines of 'make it work for you'.
Traci'