what to do if don't have a barbell

[Mindy Jo]

I have lots of your videos, most recently the Ripped with HIIT. I don't have a barbell so was wondering about the best modification for that. I have plenty of free weights. Is it ok to just use dumb bells and try to mimick the position you are using with the barbell?
Thanks
Mindy Jo

 

[labnick]

I have a barbell but hardly use it and prefer dumbbells. A couple of Cathe Live workouts have a barbell in it and sometimes I'll use it, however, I always use dumbbells in place of the barbell in RWH. I still get a fantastic workout!

 

[TurquoiseEyes]

I have lots of your videos, most recently the Ripped with HIIT. I don't have a barbell so was wondering about the best modification for that. I have plenty of free weights. Is it ok to just use dumb bells and try to mimick the position you are using with the barbell?
Thanks
Mindy Jo

It depends on what else you have around. A broom handle (sans broom head) or VersaPole can be used with a Dyna-Band or other long resistance band, tied around each end of the bar. It's kind of the same feeling as when placing the Dyna-Band underneath a tall box for extra resistance on those climbs. When the Dyna-Band is then held in place by one or both feet, it adds extra resistance to whatever bar you're using. (A bar could probably be rigged up with the tube-style band that has handles, too.) I guess this really only works well for upper body exercises or static lower-body exercises, though. I own padded body bars, a 9 lb. one and an 18 lb. one, as opposed to a barbell with plate weights. Whenever I need some extra resistance, I attach a resistance band to my body bar as I described above, and voila! Cathe is actually who I learned that little trick from...

Otherwise I would say dumbbells held on the shoulders or in the hands are fine for most exercises, IME. I went many years working out without owning any sort of weighted bar, and did just fine. That said, I do love my body bars for standing lower body exercises. They provide a bit better stability and posture improvement than dumbbells, while dumbbells generally provide better range of motion in upper body exercises than barbells/body bars.

Hope this helps.

 

[Cafelattee]

I have a barbell but prefer dumb bells. I have dumb bells sets up to 40lb. The barbell aggravated my shoulders with the hand position. I can tweak dumbbell position enough that it does not flare up my tendonitis of the elbow/shoulder. The dumb bells are interchangeable with barbell exercise. You will still get great results.

 

[jamie vaughn]

I like to use my barbell for heavier weight loads as my forearms tire more quickly than my legs. But I also prefer dumb bells whenever i can use them especially with the rapid pace of the RWH workouts, I don't like having to hoist a barbell over my head. For the slower paced workouts with weights, you can use a weighted vest along with your dumb bells to get the added intensity/ challenge.
Jamie

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Mindy,
Yes, it is acceptable to substitute dumbbells in place of a barbell. Stay strong!