Question About Barbells

[tennislover75]

I have yet to purchase a barbell and some of the DVD's I have call for one. I don't really want to shell out the money for one, and don't have any room to store it. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good substitution? Can hand weights be used in place of it? I'd welcome any advice, thanks!

 

[mtnmom99]

Dumb bells can always be used instead of a barbell. The only possible issue is that dumb bells can be uncomfortable on the shoulders when doing squats and other lower body work if you use heavy weights (for me, 15# and above are too uncomfortable on my shoulders).

Diane

 

[Boybert]

Dumbbells can almost always be used in place of a barbell. I agree that the dumbbells can sometimes get uncomfortable if too heavy during squats or something similar. I did get by for quite a while without a barbell but realized I really needed one not only to give my muscles a different way to work but to go heavier than I had been able to. I do think it is a worthwhile investment for the long run.


Debbie


My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the hell she is.
--Ellen Degeneres

 

[GreenEyedLefty]

Dumbbells can work for a while, but I agree with the others in that there is no substitute for a barbell if you want to lift heavier. I have no place to store mine, either - right now it's in my living room.

 

[kathryn]

> The only
>possible issue is that dumb bells can be uncomfortable on the
>shoulders when doing squats and other lower body work if you
>use heavy weights (for me, 15# and above are too uncomfortable
>on my shoulders).

I have a hard time putting any dumbells on my shoudlers: I never understood how Firm instructors did it without it hurting. Instead of placing them ON my shoulders, I hold them in front, like in a hammer curl that is taken a bit farther. I can prop them against the front of my shoulder a bit there (where there isn't as much bone as on top of my shoulder area) and it feels okay.

Another option is to hold the dumbells down at your side or, for plié squats, on the point where the thigh inserts into the hip.

Dumbells actually have advantages over barbells for upper body work especially, including working each side equally and not letting the strong side take over from the weak, and engaging more stabilizing muscles, making the exercise more functional.

 

[tennislover75]

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone. I will use my dumbbells for now, and as I advance in being able to lift heavier weight I will then invest in a barbell. Gotta get that strength up! Thanks again!

 

[mtnmom99]

I thought I'd add that barbells don't take up much storage space. The plates stack nicely and the bar can be propped in a corner of a closet or under the bed. It doesn't take much to break it down after using it. Be sure to get the spring-clamps to hold the plates on. They make adding and removing plates much quicker and easier.

Diane

 

[bink5of5]

I ordered my barbell from an online fitness store, Power Systems. It is coated in rubber which makes it very comfortable on your hands and shoulders. They also sell rubber plates which won't scratch your floor and are also easy on your hands. Below is a link to the barbell on their site:

http://www.power-systems.com/nav/closeup.aspx?c=8&sc=38&g=3071&CardioBarbell™/Set

It's also reasonable priced. They ship it to you within a couple of days. I get all my barbell/free weights from this online store.

Hope this helps!

 

[DeanaMax]

Dumbells will work, but -

I got better results when I started using heavier weights. You could use heavy dumbells, but if you don't have heavy dumbells, you might as well get a barbell.

I got my barbell set on sale at sports authority for like $35.