Adding weight to the bar

**chefboy** · 12-02-2006, 08:12 PM

Greetings. As a new lifter with just over a year of training I am getting to the point where my gains have realy slowed down and adding weight to the bar is not what it used to be in the beginning for sure.My question is that I work out at home with limited space and so I use dumbbells (spin locks) for my bench and rows and its just like to much to add 5 lbs per hand any more. Have any of you just added the 2.5 lb plate to one side of the bell for a total of a 5 lb raise in weight instead of 10 lb one and was the balance ok or not?
Im using from 60 to 80 lb bells depending on reps so Im kind of thinking the balance should not be to bad but Id sure hate to eat one of them bells though

. Thanks all.........................

**P-funk** · 12-02-2006, 08:13 PM

yea, plate mates are great.....you can get 2.5lb'ers or 1.25lb'ers.

**alwaysbelieve1** · 12-02-2006, 11:04 PM

Add little by little whatever challenges you the best. After all if you don't challenge yourself you will not progress.

**slip** · 12-03-2006, 03:29 AM

you could try dropping the reps a bit more when you increase the weight, and progressively increase the reps as you are more able to handle the heavier weight.

**mike456** · 12-03-2006, 08:43 AM

yea if you are using an 80lber I think it is ok to just add the 2.5er to one side

**JimSnow** · 12-03-2006, 02:16 PM

Sure, I use DBs inblanced by 10lbs. all the time. Turn them in, or out. Adjust placement of hands to compensate.

**chefboy** · 12-03-2006, 07:22 PM

Thanks for the replys. Ill give it a go next workout with slightly unbalanced DBs.

**CowPimp** · 12-03-2006, 09:57 PM

Small weight increases are fine, and even necessary, once you become advanced enough. I have heard of instances of powerlifters toying around with various programming techniques for many months to add 5 pounds to a lift.

**Gazhole** · 12-04-2006, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by CowPimp

Small weight increases are fine, and even necessary, once you become advanced enough. I have heard of instances of powerlifters toying around with various programming techniques for many months to add 5 pounds to a lift.

I guess that 5lbs could make the difference between a win or a lose in competition though. That'd really annoy me if i lost by that little amount...

**JimSnow** · 12-05-2006, 01:48 PM

Makes you think... when did we decide that dumbells need to be balanced?

What if you negated all the conventional habit you've learned... and started designing from instinct (assuming you have a basic understanding)?

What would the "new routine" be? It wouldn't be "routine" at all... would it.

?

**MCx2** · 12-05-2006, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by JimSnow

Makes you think... when did we decide that dumbells need to be balanced?

What if you negated all the conventional habit you've learned... and started designing from instinct (assuming you have a basic understanding)?

What would the "new routine" be? It wouldn't be "routine" at all... would it.

?

Probably the first time someone dropped an "unbalanced" one on their head.

**Plutto** · 12-05-2006, 02:59 PM

York used to make 1 1/4 lb plates. (I'm not sure if they still do) You might be able to find these at a used equipment store, that's were I bought mine. Best $1.50 I ever spent.
You can use old speaker magnets. Just stick em on to the plates.
Buy a set of 2.5's and grind them down to whatever.
As long as you keep adding it's all good eh.

**P-funk** · 12-05-2006, 03:03 PM

Iron Woody sells fraction plates (as well as lots of other great training aids).

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