Ok to use dumbbells for barbell work?

M

mrstrace

Cathlete
I don't have a barbell yet, but I use a body bar type thing for when I need the balance tool (i.e. on my shoulders when I do dips or lunges). I use my dumbbells for all of the barbell work, i.e. 10 or 15 lbs in each hand for bicep curls (and the evil cackle), the bent row and dead lift, etc. Am I still getting the same benefit?

Also, when I get my barbell, what weight should I start it out on? Generally, I use weights ranging from 5-15 lbs. I'm amazed at Cathe and her crew with a 40 lb. barbell!

Thanks in advance,

Tracy
 
I am not an expert yet, but I can tell you that I use dumbells instead of the bar for lots of things. I don't want to go to heavy on the bar right now for two reasons, I am just starting with Cathe and want to get good form first. Also, I am recovering from a back injury and want to protect it from any more problems.
I use 10-12 pd. dumbells on squats and lunges. I use the bar for other stuff that doesn't include the lower body so much.
HOpe that helps
Paula
 
You can most definitely sub dumbbells for a barbell. In fact, for upper body moves in particular, dumbbells are often preferable, because they don't allow the stronger side to take over for the weaker side, and thus promote muscular balance between the two sides, and they are more functional in that they require you to use more stabilizing muscles.

Barbells are nice for lower body simply because it is often easier to balance a bar on the back of your shoulders than it is to find a comfortable position for holding dumbbells, especially as you increase weight.

When you get your barbell (I highly recommend the Troy Lite set), I recommend trying 25# and seeing how that works. Above all, don't try to use a weight that is heavier than you can safely lift above your head (to avoid shoulder injury).

40# may seem heavy now, but you can definitely work up to that (and beyond!) if you want to.
 
I don't own a barbell and currently don't have problems doing any exercise except for pullovers. I do use a dumbbell for that exercise, but honestly I don't feel extremely comfortable doing this exercise for w/ a dumbbell. It doesn't seem like there is enough for me to grab onto and that it will fall on my head :eek: .

Karin
 
I've never used a barbell for my cathe workouts. I only have powerblocks dumbbells, and they work fine. IMO, I'm still getting the same benefit for my muscles than with a barbell, but it is more annoying to balance them on my shoulders for leg and back work. I'm willing to live with that though, in order to have less stuff filling up my living room... :)
 
I don't have a barbell either. One question - how do you hold your dumbbells during squats? I can never get comfortable. I've tried holding them up on my shoulders, letting them hang by my side (they get in the way of my legs), or down in front. Nothing feels right.
 
I either put them on my shoulders or hold them down by my sides. The shoulders is more comfortable to hold heavy weights, but mine don't fit on my shoulders well beacuse the handle part is really short. I usually start the set with them on my shoulders, and switch halfway through to holding them down at my sides.
 
>I don't have a barbell either. One question - how do you
>hold your dumbbells during squats? I can never get
>comfortable. I've tried holding them up on my shoulders,
>letting them hang by my side (they get in the way of my legs),
>or down in front. Nothing feels right.

I hold them in front of my shoulders (hurts to hold them actually ON my shoulders) in a "high bicep curl" position. I also sometimes hold them at my sides (for lunges) or on the bend in the upper leg (when doing plié squats).
 
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