PLB with dumbells

[thea77]

Hey everyone! I am thinking of doing PLB with just dumbells instead of a barbell--all that changing weights is too much at 5 in the morning! I have heard some of you saying you do this workout with dumbells. My question is this--do you go as heavy as you would with a barbell, or do you go lighter? For example, if your barbell was 25, 30 and 35#, do you use that much weight in dumbells? Just curious!

Thanks,
Thea

 

[kathryn]

When doing upper body with db instead of bb, it's normal to use less total weight (ie: two 10 dbs instead of a 25# bb)because isolation moves tax the stablizing muscles more. This wouldn't be a factor in lower body work (since you are still doing compound exercises), so I'd say that using the same total weight (if it is comfortable for you to do so) would be the way to go.

 

[2workout2]

Hi Thea,
I use the same weight or higher weight when I use dumbells. I don't have any problems putting 25 pound dumbells on my shoulders. I would say just test it to see if you can do the same.

You could put the heaviest weight on your barbell and use it for your heaviest lifting, and use dumbells for the rest of the workout. (I hope that made sense)

Terri

 

[hippahips]

Hi Thea, when doing PLB I substitute a 25-lb. BB with a pair of 12-lb. DB's, and a 30-lb. BB with a pair of 15's. I stick to a 35-lb. BB because there are no 17.5-lb. DB's. I also use a pair of 20-lb. DB's. It's just easier to switch weights this way.

Pinky

 

[Carol122201]

Hi Thea, I use dumbells a lot in the pyramids instead of my barbell. My barbell isn't the kind where you can switch weights quickly, and I don't want to take so much time in between sets, so I usually load it with what I know will my heaviest weights, and I use dumbells for the rest. And yes, I do use the same amount of weight when I use dumbells.

Carol

 

[Mandyf]

I use dumbells instead of a barbell. I love the break I get when Cathe and her crew are changing their barbell. I use 2/15#, 2/20# and 2/25# dumbells. I put two folded towels on my outer shoulders to make the weights more comfortable.

 

[Mckmain]

Funny you mention this. I just did PLB with a 25 lb BB, 2 15 lb DB..(30lbs), and 2 17.5 lb DB (35lbs). I am having a bit of trouble with a sore shoulder so I hadn't been doing this tape. But after today I had a great workout with the added DB's instead of lifting the BB all the time. I have 2 sets of adjustable DB's so increasing the weight shouldn't be a problem. Good luck Thea!..;-)

 

[thea77]

Thank you everyone for your help and advice! I am sorry it took me so long to respond! I will give your advice a try! Thanks again, I appreciate it!

Thea