Thread: Db Rom

I have the same problem, and the DB's at my gym are the huge rubber ones. When I'm pressing and rowing I tilt the DB's to the side at about a 45 degree angle for clearance. DB's over 100 I basically have to use a hammer grip when pressing.

I've never seen DB's that get wider with heavier weights, just longer. So with a neutral grip on the rows I don't see what the problem would be.

They do get wider up to ~90lbs in my gym. Rubber -> solid iron -> iron plates -> rubber plates -> more and more rubber plates. Maybe it's because my gym somehow transfers to rubber plates at a certain weight, but those fuckers are monstrously big. Even the bar is thicker, like a fat bar.
Even with a hammer grip the dumbell's width/height still limits your ROM by an ich or two, and the last inches are arguably the most important. Going wider helps, but you won't be able to use as much weight. Using a hammer grip or a very wide grip is even worse for DB bench presses.

I guess what I'm saying is I want adamantine dumbells. :x

It depends on how I do them. If I do them bent over a bench then it's fine, but sometimes I like to do them right off the rack and then I find it a bit difficult with as long as they are. The funny thing is @ my gym the 130's are the same size as the 80's because the 130's are iron. The 110's are almost 2 feet long.

The rubber ones do have one advantage though, you can drop them on the floor (DB bench) without the entire gym looking over.

I've never had that problem. All the dumbbells at my gym are cast iron.

If I do a DB Row, its always neutral grip and Ive never had a problem with them hitting anything.

Now benching...I might lose an inch and a half, but not enough to invoke a need to worry.

As long as you get as much ROM as you possibly can, i wouldnt worry. Its annoying i know, but just get the most out of what you have available. Same with all equipment problems really.

Like some others have said, experiment with different grips and see what happens.

In my gym, everyone likes the aesthetics of the rubbered dDBs. However, what i did do was after the 100 lb DBs, they are all metal. They need to be, because of this very reason. As for the ROM, it is a learned move, I have used 110 DBs for bench pressing and getting those goddamn bells on my chest is a workout in itself!

Originally Posted by juggernaut

I have used 110 DBs for bench pressing and getting those goddamn bells on my chest is a workout in itself!

Tell me about it, I'm having trouble setting up properly with anything over 80lbs. How do you put them down after your set? Drop them in a controlled manner or get back up?

I usually flat press with 100's. While standing, I rest them on each quad and in one motion I sit, use my legs for leverage to push the DB's into a pressing postion, and lie back. When I'm done, I just drop them to the side while I'm sitting back up in a controlled manner.