Training with only Dumbbells?

wayne_ca · 01-05-2005, 06:50 PM

Hi, I have been training for a while with only dumbbells and other dead weights, but now that I want to get serious, I'm thinking that it may not be the most effective method. Do I need to go to the gym? To me there aren't enough dumbbell / deadweight exercises to fit in 4 days a week of training. Mine are also too light. I've even tried to attach leg weights to them and they still don't exceed 30 pounds.

Is it better to have a combination of dead weights, body resistance, and gym machines?

much appreciated

LittleKid · 01-05-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne_ca

Hi, I have been training for a while with only dumbbells and other dead weights, but now that I want to get serious, I'm thinking that it may not be the most effective method. Do I need to go to the gym? To me there aren't enough dumbbell / deadweight exercises to fit in 4 days a week of training. Mine are also too light. I've even tried to attach leg weights to them and they still don't exceed 30 pounds.

Is it better to have a combination of dead weights, body resistance, and gym machines/

much appreciated

I didn't quite understand your question but I think your asking if you can workout with just dumbells? The answer is YES or NO because the exercises are only working your chest, biceps, and sometimes triceps I believe.

I just switched from a dumbell, shoulder press, lat pull workout only for about a year, but now I'm in a class at school thats just freeweights.. man let me tell you the difference, i've only been in the class for 3 days (workout mondays and wednesday, tuesdays and thursdays agility days)
and already on monday my legs were so burned just from doing squats and powercleans. Today I did squats, power cleans, bench press, bp inclines, and auxilarry weights. The difference is great, and if your serious about gaining muscle than I hope you take the path I took or find a real gym!

kvyd · 01-05-2005, 07:00 PM

I do beleive you can do a full body workout with dumbells. I certainly have before.

KarlW · 01-05-2005, 08:55 PM

Quote:

I didn't quite understand your question but I think your asking if you can workout with just dumbells?

The answer is in fact YES, but 30lb DB's are too light (or oughta be) to get down into rep ranges that will build muscle.

Of course, a combo of DB's, barbell and machines is optimal.

Quote:

The answer is NO because the exercises are only working your chest, biceps, and sometimes triceps I believe.

Um, your'e assuming he's only bench pressing and doing arm curls. There are other exercises.

Pumpster · 01-05-2005, 09:09 PM

The biggest problem is that the dbs are too light; with more weight and some imagination all the muscles can be hit, though there's a little more immediacy when accessing dedicated equipment.

LittleKid · 01-05-2005, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarlW

The answer is in fact YES, but 30lb DB's are too light (or oughta be) to get down into rep ranges that will build muscle.

Of course, a combo of DB's, barbell and machines is optimal.

Um, your'e assuming he's only bench pressing and doing arm curls. There are other exercises.

Yes ok, I realize I am wrong, but still just keep in mind I think just DB's would be a very weak workout, but correct me if I am wrong.

kvyd · 01-05-2005, 09:25 PM

Why would dumb bells be a weak workout. As long as the bumbells are heavy enough, you can do every excercise, or a form of every excercise and get great results.

KarlW · 01-05-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Yes ok, I realize I am wrong, but still just keep in mind I think just DB's would be a very weak workout, but correct me if I am wrong.

mmmmmmm matter of opinion I'd say.
If they were heavy enough (relative to the trainee) then you can still get a very good workout. Not what I'd prefer but you could use just DB's (and a bench) for some time, and not suffer IMO.

Duncans Donuts · 01-05-2005, 09:36 PM

Squats and Deadlifts are typically done with barbells..

KarlW · 01-05-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncans Donuts

Squats and Deadlifts are typically done with barbells..

yuh, so?

Bent over rows are too, and cable cross overs are typically done with a cable station. Doesn't mean DB's can't do the job.

Duncans Donuts · 01-05-2005, 09:44 PM

So?

I've never seen anyone deadlift 500 pounds with dumbells. I've never seen someone do dumbell squats. The deadlift and the squat are the best exercises you can do, and you can't do them with dumbells. The fact that you'd mention cable cross-overs with those exercises makes for a ludicrously poor comparison.

wayne_ca · 01-05-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleKid

I didn't quite understand your question but I think your asking if you can workout with just dumbells? The answer is YES or NO because the exercises are only working your chest, biceps, and sometimes triceps I believe.

I just switched from a dumbell, shoulder press, lat pull workout only for about a year, but now I'm in a class at school thats just freeweights.. man let me tell you the difference, i've only been in the class for 3 days (workout mondays and wednesday, tuesdays and thursdays agility days)
and already on monday my legs were so burned just from doing squats and powercleans. Today I did squats, power cleans, bench press, bp inclines, and auxilarry weights. The difference is great, and if your serious about gaining muscle than I hope you take the path I took or find a real gym!

Yes, mostly. The only things I have are dumbbells (up to 30lb dual hands or 50 lb single hand), very sucky leg weights (only 20lbs per leg can you believe that!), an exercise ball for thigh exercises and a bench to do chest flyes. I wish I had a barbell so I could bench press but my parents would never approve. The only truly intense workout I've done was doing leg squats by grabbing a bunch of weights together to make it 50 lbs per side.

wayne_ca · 01-05-2005, 09:50 PM

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly are deadlifts?

KarlW · 01-05-2005, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncans Donuts

So?

I've never seen anyone deadlift 500 pounds with dumbells. I've never seen someone do dumbell squats. The deadlift and the squat are the best exercises you can do, and you can't do them with dumbells.

The question was, can you get a full body workout with DB's? The answer is yes. You can squat and DL with DB's, not 500 lbs mind you but I'm guessing the guy that started this thread isn't into those kinda weights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncans Donuts

The fact that you'd mention cable cross-overs with those exercises makes for a ludicrously poor comparison.

hehe you missed the sarcasm!

LittleKid · 01-05-2005, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncans Donuts

So?

I've never seen anyone deadlift 500 pounds with dumbells. I've never seen someone do dumbell squats. The deadlift and the squat are the best exercises you can do, and you can't do them with dumbells. The fact that you'd mention cable cross-overs with those exercises makes for a ludicrously poor comparison.

My thoughts exactly.

Quote:

The question was, can you get a full body workout with DB's? The answer is yes. You can squat and DL with DB's, not 500 lbs mind you but I'm guessing the guy that started this thread isn't into those kinda weights.

Yes but if really wants to gain muscle than I would suggest looking into some gyms or making some friends who have their own

.

**Mudge** · 01-05-2005, 10:17 PM

If you are looking to grow you will need more weight, barbells are good. If you are just looking for fitness, what you are doing is probably fine.

**CowPimp** · 01-05-2005, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncans Donuts

So?

I've never seen anyone deadlift 500 pounds with dumbells. I've never seen someone do dumbell squats. The deadlift and the squat are the best exercises you can do, and you can't do them with dumbells. The fact that you'd mention cable cross-overs with those exercises makes for a ludicrously poor comparison.

Actually, I bought olympic adjustable dumbbells a while ago when I was working out at home. Although bulky and hard to work with, you can put about 4 or 6 45 pound plates on each dumbbell.

With that said, buying a bench and a barbell would be a lot more practical. It's the best investment you will ever make. Dealing with dumbbells that size is a pain the the fucking ass, and there's really no reason for it.

BulkMeUp · 01-06-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne_ca

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly are deadlifts?

http://www.bsu.edu/webapps/strengthl...s.asp?exid=166

wayne_ca · 01-06-2005, 07:01 PM

Thanks for the help

So if I plan to gain 20+lbs in the next 4-5 months, I will need to find a gym? (my parents would never get barbells just for me) That sucks because the nearest gym is only open to adults. But has anyone here made very good gains with only dumbbells?

**Mudge** · 01-06-2005, 09:33 PM

Weight gain comes from increased caloric intake, as long as you can get enough weight on those dumbells for your needs I think you could do just fine. 20 pounds of all upper body mass though is no joke, and I'm assuming you aren't doing much squats with paultry dumbell action.

I have extra long dumbells because standard length dumbells dont hold enough weight for me, unless I put 25s which are a bit large dimensionally.

I have the 18" star collar bars
http://www.newyorkbarbells.tv/im-0030.html

http://www.newyorkbarbells.tv/im-0033.html

01-05-2005, 06:50 PM	#1
wayne_ca Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7	Training with only Dumbbells? Hi, I have been training for a while with only dumbbells and other dead weights, but now that I want to get serious, I'm thinking that it may not be the most effective method. Do I need to go to the gym? To me there aren't enough dumbbell / deadweight exercises to fit in 4 days a week of training. Mine are also too light. I've even tried to attach leg weights to them and they still don't exceed 30 pounds. Is it better to have a combination of dead weights, body resistance, and gym machines? much appreciated Last edited by wayne_ca : 01-05-2005 at 07:27 PM. Reason: typo
wayne_ca Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7

01-05-2005, 07:00 PM	#3
kvyd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nor MI Posts: 1,130	I do beleive you can do a full body workout with dumbells. I certainly have before.
	Kevin "If you eat alot and workout hard and consistantly you will make good gains"

01-05-2005, 09:25 PM	#7
kvyd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nor MI Posts: 1,130	Why would dumb bells be a weak workout. As long as the bumbells are heavy enough, you can do every excercise, or a form of every excercise and get great results.
	Kevin "If you eat alot and workout hard and consistantly you will make good gains"

01-05-2005, 09:36 PM	#9
Duncans Donuts Stay puffed, baby. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,774 Photos: 2	Squats and Deadlifts are typically done with barbells..
	"in the howling bleeding nights, the dogs plunge into the Volga and swim desperately to gain the other bank. The nights of Stalingrad are a terror for them. Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure."

01-05-2005, 09:44 PM	#11
Duncans Donuts Stay puffed, baby. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,774 Photos: 2	So? I've never seen anyone deadlift 500 pounds with dumbells. I've never seen someone do dumbell squats. The deadlift and the squat are the best exercises you can do, and you can't do them with dumbells. The fact that you'd mention cable cross-overs with those exercises makes for a ludicrously poor comparison.
	"in the howling bleeding nights, the dogs plunge into the Volga and swim desperately to gain the other bank. The nights of Stalingrad are a terror for them. Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure."

01-05-2005, 09:09 PM	#5
Pumpster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 106 Photos: 3	The biggest problem is that the dbs are too light; with more weight and some imagination all the muscles can be hit, though there's a little more immediacy when accessing dedicated equipment.

01-05-2005, 09:50 PM	#13
wayne_ca Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7	Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly are deadlifts?
wayne_ca Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7

01-05-2005, 10:17 PM	#16
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 23,056 Photos: 1	If you are looking to grow you will need more weight, barbells are good. If you are just looking for fitness, what you are doing is probably fine.
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

01-06-2005, 07:01 PM	#19
wayne_ca Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7	Thanks for the help So if I plan to gain 20+lbs in the next 4-5 months, I will need to find a gym? (my parents would never get barbells just for me) That sucks because the nearest gym is only open to adults. But has anyone here made very good gains with only dumbbells?
wayne_ca Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7

01-06-2005, 09:33 PM	#20
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 23,056 Photos: 1	Weight gain comes from increased caloric intake, as long as you can get enough weight on those dumbells for your needs I think you could do just fine. 20 pounds of all upper body mass though is no joke, and I'm assuming you aren't doing much squats with paultry dumbell action. I have extra long dumbells because standard length dumbells dont hold enough weight for me, unless I put 25s which are a bit large dimensionally. I have the 18" star collar bars http://www.newyorkbarbells.tv/im-0030.html http://www.newyorkbarbells.tv/im-0033.html
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

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