Thread: Dumbells Only?

yes

Would it be as effective?

yes

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

yes

^^^^^

You can see why he was made a mod.....

yes, lol

Try this for some suggestions.
And this.

Mass comes from food. Dumb bells are fine for stimulating growth, given you are eating enough.

Hopefully youre training other parts of your body aswell, though.

I use dumbbells for about 75% of my chest and arm workouts, if not more.

you can train your entire body effecitvely with DBs....just as effective as training with barbells.

The best thing I've done to increase my Bench was to switch to DBs for a while.

I almost never use barbells except for variety once in a while.

Originally Posted by DOMS

The best thing I've done to increase my Bench was to switch to DBs for a while.

You make it up to 50's yet?

Originally Posted by ALBOB

You make it up to 50's yet?

Joking aside, I stalled at 150 on my bench. I switched over to DBs at 50 lbs. I worked my way up to 75s (I could have done 80, but changed programs). Now, just the other day, I bench 25 reps (in sets of 5) culminating at 5 @ 150 and still had plenty to give.

I've always preferred DBs over the BB for most exercises that stimulate the chest and shoulders. Now I'm planning on experimenting with one hand BB benching and the like. Should be interesting.

One-handed or one-armed DB movements are great! I've started doing one-armed DB shoulder presses and it really engages the non-pressing side of your body. I've read that these types of movements are good for your core and stabilizers as well as keeping your CNS on its toes. I started benching with DB's to bust a plateau on my BB bench and it worked great. Now I just stick to DB benching 90% of the time.

Originally Posted by DOMS

Joking aside, I stalled at 150 on my bench. I switched over to DBs at 50 lbs. I worked my way up to 75s (I could have done 80, but changed programs). Now, just the other day, I bench 25 reps (in sets of 5) culminating at 5 @ 150 and still had plenty to give.

Okay, joking aside. Every time I hit a plateau on the bench I switch to DB's for a month or so. I bust through that plateau as if it weren't even there. DB's recruit more stabilizer muscles than with a straight bar. So, when you go back to the bar, you're that much stronger. Yep, DB's are great.

Originally Posted by ALBOB

Okay, joking aside. Every time I hit a plateau on the bench I switch to DB's for a month or so. I bust through that plateau as if it weren't even there. DB's recruit more stabilizer muscles than with a straight bar. So, when you go back to the bar, you're that much stronger. Yep, DB's are great.

you hit plateau's? I thought you were super human.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Hopefully youre training other parts of your body aswell, though.

I am/have

Originally Posted by P-funk

you hit plateau's? I thought you were super human.

I am, but even I hit plateaus. The difference is that I, being super human, only hit them once every ten years or so. (Who's gonna be the first asshole to try and calculate how many that comes out to? )

Originally Posted by ALBOB

I am, but even I hit plateaus. The difference is that I, being super human, only hit them once every ten years or so. (Who's gonna be the first asshole to try and calculate how many that comes out to? )

I tried, but it broke my calculator.

I work out at home and have only dumbells and have had good success. I however rigged up a way to perform weighted dips and chins. I would recomend those lifts as well. Lots of different lifts you can do with dumbells and your own body weight. I have made some good gains with less money and time and have been able to spend more on diet and supplements.