S&H Question

nancy324

nancy324

Cathlete
Okay, I'm back to Slow & Heavy again and this time I upped the ante on my weights and it seesm like a whole new workout so I have new questions.

The plies that Cathe does with the 40 lb. dumbbell: I'm not near 40 lbs. yet (do they make such a dumbbell?), but the heavier I go with this, the more it feels like my shoulders are being pulled out of their sockets. The whole thing justs feels awkward and dangerous. Do you think I can get the same benefit out of the move with a barbell on my shoulders instead of holding the dumbbell?

I'll have more questions later. Thanks folks.

-Nancy
 
I think the dumbell method puts your body in a slightly different position, but the "basic" position is similar enough with a barbell. I would certainly choose the barbell method over the shoulder dislocation method! One way the I do it, as my heaviest dumbell is 30 lbs, is to hold two 20 pound or heavier dumbells turned perpendicular to my legs and parallel to the ground. Does that make sense?
 
Nancy:

i do plie squats with 50 pound barbell and it works just ffine: i.e. no shoulder dislocation or problem of any kind. I don't own a 40 pound dumbell and can't envision a moment when I would! Do what works for you.

Clare
 
Thanks Liane and Clare. I wonder if anyone owns 40-lb. dumbbells? I'd be willing to bet that few people have them.
 
Just a suggestion. You can just buy adjustable dumbbells with collars where you put your regular (barbell) plates on them -- they're fairly cheap and you can get these at most sports, fitness stores.

I don't do S&H lower body anymore but to get 45 lbs. I load one DB with 4x10 and 2x2 1/2 plates. If you don't have the screw-on (i.e. turnstile) collars, I recommend reinforcing the ends of your collars with a couple of elastic bands to prevent slippage. I still use this loaded dumbbell for PS back work when I substitute the exercise where Cathe loads up one end of the barbell for T-bar rows (that used to cause holes in my mat plus I found loading the BB that way far too inconvenient.)

Patricia
 
I have 40lb dumbells!!! I believe that is the highest though...


I use 2 20's, one on each shoulder..sometimes 25, but that is really pushing it. Only a very few of us can be as strong as Clare!!! P90X is really making me miss S&H. S&H makes me feel strong, P90X like a big little wimp!!!:)

By the way, I would say the move is exactly the same. It all works your legs in the same way. What you won't have though, with the barbell, is a bent over posture and dislocated shoulders. The way Cathe does it would be my LAST preference. It is just too easy to start humping forward holding that heavy dumbell like that.

Janice
 
I have adjustable dumbbells too. I got them at Target or Shopko. They have the screw on collars...don't know how heavy they can get to. I think I have used them at 45. I just have not done S&H for awhile. I think though that a barbell would work fine. The only problem I had with the heavy dummbell is a bit of forearm pain the next day...:)...Carole
 
I have dumbells that came with my barbell set. They have screw on star collars. The max I can get loaded on them is 60 lbs which makes them 65 lbs total with the 5 lb bar. I put an ankle weight around the middle to make them 70 lbs. I am sure you can use a barbell and get the same results. I like the difference though. Since most of the other workouts use the bar bell.
Diane Sue
 
Janice...why does it not surprise me that you have 40# dumbells? You probably have a gadget to check whether or not the 40# dumbells are really weighing 40# at any given moment of the day and what your heart rate is registering while contemplating lifting the dumbells while sleeping and while awake.

I have never lifted as Cathe lifts in this S&H segment. I always use a weighted bar and can then go heavier. I too feel hunched over. Has Cathe ever mentioned why she chose this method? I guess maybe just a break from the shoulder method, but it never feels safe to me. You could always try a weighted vest to up your weights without having so much weight on your shoulders.

Briee
 
My dumbells (hex) range from 3 lbs to 20 pounds...I went ahead and bought just one 40-pounder specifically for S&H (which I just purchased). I got it from my local fitness store. I had to order it as he doesn't like breaking up a set like that, but it was only 50 cents a pound, so I spent $20 for it. Haven't used it yet as I haven't done the workout yet, but I'm planning on giving it a whirl this week! The dumbells in this store go way higher than even that...I've seen 75-pounders in there! lol
 
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