Barbell or dumbbell

[Josh]

Hi all,

From various opinions that I read in my threads in this forum, I gather that some people prefer exercises using dumbbells better than using barbell, while some seem to be okay with barbell exercises.

So I wanna ask, what is the benefit of using dumbbell against using barbell in an exercise (for instance, bench press, shoulder press, etc)? Also vice versa, the benefit of using barbell instead of dumbbell?

How would using dumbbell affect the muscles being worked on which differ from using barbell, and vice versa?

-- Josh

 

[Arnold]

the main benefit of using dumbbells is they incorporate more synergistic (balancing) muscles.

 

[Josh]

If so, then actually using db does not improve the effectivity on the major muscles being worked on themselves, instead it helps the other supporting muscles. In other words, using db contributes mainly to the overall body workout, but does not necessarily work more effectively on the main muscles themselves. Is this understanding correct? -- Josh

 

[cornfed]

Yes and no. The balance required by db's actually can, depending on the muscle being focussed on and the depth of your press, form and contraction.
I've found that db's, particularly in presses and flyes, are better for mass gains, as you have more freedom to squeeze. But For isolation, I'm gonna plug for hammer strength. I don't use bars except for BB curls and military (only 1 of the 6exercises I base my shoulder routine on).

But how people do DB rows, I'll never get

 

[lean_n_76er]

Yes, what Prince and CF said. I couldn't add anything to that!

 

[irnmnps]

I broke my clavicle which caused me to have different distance between my shoulder and center of chest - so dumbells allowed me to work heavier and deeper that olympic bar.

 

[Scotty the Body]

I think a combo of all three, db, BB, and machines is important for total muscle development.
Sometimes when your progress is slowed or stoped a simple switch from DB to BB or Machine is all that is needed to start progress going again.

 

[ragingbull]

I have worked with DB for several years and enjoy the results that I have seen but, using a BB enables me to shock the muscles when needed while maintaining perfect form. I incorporate both in my routine. As far as machines go, I stopped using them after I injured myself with the smithmachine, it cause severe shoulder problems that I am still recovering from 3 years later.

 

[jagleaso]

DBs are the only way to go. The whole one arm bent over row thing I kinda dont get though...

 

[Scotty the Body]

Originally posted by jagleaso
DBs are the only way to go. The whole one arm bent over row thing I kinda dont get though...

Welcome to IM Jagleaso, what don't you get about bent over one arm rows? I find them better than seated rows as your less likly to use momentom to move the weight.

 

[Robboe]

I tend to use more BB for lower body and more DB for upper body.

Not exclusively though, of course.

 

[Lightman009]

As in everything, a good combination will give the best results.

 

[LittLe FraNk]

Originally posted by Lightman009
As in everything, a good combination will give the best results.

i agree simply

 

[maxxlina]

I prefer dumbbel

 

[KryptoAllez]

I use anything and everything! Keeps the boredom away and the muscles growing!

 

[Yanks20]

in my experience most PL's use BB for shear power and mass and DB more for cutting.

me personally i prefer using BB any time i can!

 

[Snake_Eyes]

Dumbells for cutting? Explain.

 

[Yanks20]

BB is shear power and great for overall growth. DB require a lot more concentration and stabalization of the muscles being used, from personal experiences i have noticed when switching routines up i get much more cut/ripped using DB then when using BB.

 

[Snake_Eyes]

Wouldn't that be more a function of diet?

 

[Yanks20]

not in my case, i switch the routines and exercises around whether i'm bulking or cutting

 

[Robboe]

Ah, so DB's get you cut.

riiight...

 

[LittLe FraNk]

Originally posted by Prince
the main benefit of using dumbbells is they incorporate more synergistic (balancing) muscles.

this is what its bout....
the wise man has spoken...

 

[CJMAJOR]

I have to disagree. The stablizer muscles are used more when using dbs versus a barbell. I don't see how using a db instead of a barbell or machine would make a person cut. I am a firm believer that cutting is all about diet.

 

[Neil]

Originally posted by Snake_Eyes
Wouldn't that be more a function of diet?

Yes.
I don't see the difference between a DB or a BB having any effect on cutting.

 

[LittLe FraNk]

hi rep training i belive is for cutting if you use low rep training hi weight it more frequently for hypertrophy right...

 

[LAM]

Increased definition is the result of lowered body fat. db's are not for "cutting" nor is a high-rep routine. The only truth in performing higher reps (8-12) is that rep ranges will produce a greater increase in GH levels than low reps <6 .

GH is the strongest hormone when it comes to fat loss as it enables brown fats to be released for use as energy by the mitochondria.

 

[ians]

In my current chest routine i firstly use DB's - both flat and inclined - as my main mass builders. Then i move to BB's - again both flat and inclined - but use higher reps in order to flush the muscles with blood and increase the microtearing in the muscles ! Then i do flat bench DB flys to finish off !

I think the best thing is try both DB's and BB's and see which work best for you ! Everybody's different - what works for one person may not work for another !

 

[Robboe]

Litte frank, that ain't true man.

Keep your training no different from bulking when cutting. A routine that builds muscle while bulking will help retain it when cutting.

All you may wanna consider doing is lowering volume a bit. But even that isn't madatory.

 

[gopro]

Both barbell and dumbell training have their benefits. They should both be incorporated into a complete training regimen.

What I do like about dumbells is...

-the need to use more stabilizing muscles to perform the movements

-the ability of dumbells to increase ROM on some exercises

-the fact that a "stronger message to contract" is given by the nervous system to a muscle being trained unilaterally

-the fact that with dumbells you can slightly alter hand/wrist position, and/or plane of movement to make an exercise more comfortable and effective

 

[Xeldrine]

I like to train heavy so if they make a 300 lb. dumbell than I'll switch until then f**k it!