dumbell vs. barbell

Greystoke · 12-08-2008, 11:57 AM

Has anyone noticed there's a difference in weight they are able to lift with dumbells vs. a barbell doing the same movement? For example, I can get more reps when doing dumbell curls with 40lb dumbells than I can with an 80lb barbell. On the other hand, with a barbell I can get more reps with a barbell than I could with the 40's dumbells. I assume some of it is balance and supporting muscle coming into play.

Rhinoclan · 12-08-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greystoke

Has anyone noticed there's a difference in weight they are able to lift with dumbells vs. a barbell doing the same movement? For example, I can get more reps when doing dumbell curls with 40lb dumbells than I can with an 80lb barbell. On the other hand, with a barbell I can get more reps with a barbell than I could with the 40's dumbells. I assume some of it is balance and supporting muscle coming into play.

Huh?

Greystoke · 12-08-2008, 12:01 PM

errr..can you curl two 30 pound dumbells (one in each hand!) more times than you can curl one 60 pound barbell?

GreenWave1 · 12-08-2008, 12:01 PM

I don't notice a dramatic difference between the sides of my body. I do notice that I can bench and military press more with BBs then DBs.

Greystoke · 12-08-2008, 12:05 PM

I think I tend to "cheat" when doing the dumbells, I try to use strict form but being able to twist the wrist and lean forward helps get an extra few in.

BuckSpin · 12-08-2008, 12:07 PM

As a rule, DBs are MUCH harder than BBs as far as moving equal weight due to their unilateral natural. Example - if you can bench 200lbs BB I'll bet you can't do the same, if any, with 2 100lb DBs.

Greystoke · 12-08-2008, 12:10 PM

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Also, being right handed I find that I have to "help" my left hand get the last one or two up.

FMMgirl · 12-08-2008, 12:15 PM

regardless if there's a difference, it's always good to change up your routine. I would stop worrying about the movement and concentrate more on what muscle it's building and how your growing.

Rhinoclan · 12-08-2008, 12:20 PM

I see what you're asking now.

I think the differences are in CNS recruitment. When you do dumbbell curls for example, you are using one arm at a time for the curls, so your CNS is using all of it's focus on one side of the body. Try doing db curls with both arms at the same time, then when you exhaust to failure, try doing them one arm at a time...you can get a few more.

I think it's the same thing with bb rows vs. db rows. I can do much more with db rows, but then I'm supporting my body so the cns can focus on recruiting all the lat muscles, vs. bb rows, where the cns has to focus on more muscles to recruit to stabilize.

Now, when you are talking DB bench vs. BB bench, you have to use
stabilizer muscles with DB's, so the weight is less.

snoack · 12-08-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckSpin

As a rule, DBs are MUCH harder than BBs as far as moving equal weight due to their unilateral natural. Example - if you can bench 200lbs BB I'll bet you can't do the same, if any, with 2 100lb DBs.

I tried that once. Talk about a humbling experience.

Greystoke · 12-08-2008, 12:25 PM

That's a really good idea and some good insight. Tonight's bicep day, I'll try together till exhausted then see how many more I can get single. Thanks man.

Marius_Ursus · 12-08-2008, 12:31 PM

Huge difference, dude. When I didn't have possession of my barbell, I spent two years working out with kettlebells. I can easily clean and press ca. 75 pounds one-handed for multiple reps/sets with my largest kettlebell, but I can barely clean and press 135 lbs on a barbell.

fmartin685 · 12-08-2008, 10:01 PM

Uhmmm, you are counting the weight of the bar, right? I know it's obvious; but, a barbell bar does weigh quite a bit more then a dumbell bar. Sorry if that's a stupid question, but it's the first thing that jumped out at me.

BuildYourGUnz · 12-08-2008, 10:37 PM

it's a different motion. I can curl more then using dumbells as well. And it's the opposite when benching with dumbells because of the balance. I woouldn't worry about it too much. I agree with some of the posts. I'ts good to change up your routine, i change it every 2 months, but it really depends on the person. I'm about to change next monday. I will be dropping dumbell curls for bar curls. you might wont to do the same if it's getting easy for you to dumbell curl.

BrotherWolf · 12-08-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greystoke

errr..can you curl two 30 pound dumbells (one in each hand!) more times than you can curl one 60 pound barbell?

I find no noticeable difference , just the balance is a bit off
but remember if there is even a small imbalance the DB will expose it

dungeonmistress · 12-08-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greystoke

Has anyone noticed there's a difference in weight they are able to lift with dumbells vs. a barbell doing the same movement? For example, I can get more reps when doing dumbell curls with 40lb dumbells than I can with an 80lb barbell. On the other hand, with a barbell I can get more reps with a barbell than I could with the 40's dumbells. I assume some of it is balance and supporting muscle coming into play.

usually the other way around for me - i can lift heavier when both arms are assisting rather than single-handed with a dumbbell.

gjohnson5 · 12-09-2008, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greystoke

Has anyone noticed there's a difference in weight they are able to lift with dumbells vs. a barbell doing the same movement? For example, I can get more reps when doing dumbell curls with 40lb dumbells than I can with an 80lb barbell. On the other hand, with a barbell I can get more reps with a barbell than I could with the 40's dumbells. I assume some of it is balance and supporting muscle coming into play.

Proofread this again...

bird72 · 12-09-2008, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckSpin

As a rule, DBs are MUCH harder than BBs as far as moving equal weight due to their unilateral natural. Example - if you can bench 200lbs BB I'll bet you can't do the same, if any, with 2 100lb DBs.

x2 is more harder dbs than bbs due to balance and from where you can put the weigths to lift it.(bbs from the rack dbs from floor)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMMgirl

regardless if there's a difference, it's always good to change up your routine. I would stop worrying about the movement and concentrate more on what muscle it's building and how your growing.

you have a 8,000 p.s.i. hard body!

Marius_Ursus · 12-09-2008, 07:23 AM

General comment:

Curling is a terrible measure of strength.

snoack · 12-09-2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marius_Ursus

General comment:

Curling is a terrible measure of strength.

because I'm curious- why?

gjohnson5 · 12-09-2008, 08:16 AM

"How much do you Bench?"
LOL

Marius_Ursus · 12-09-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoack

because I'm curious- why?

Strength is majorly a function of the CNS. There's almost no CNS activation in a curl. When you test a curl you're basically testing how much you can bend your elbow.

Standing presses and deadlifts are far better tests of strength.

fmartin685 · 12-09-2008, 09:07 AM

strength should be measured in foot lbs. (i.e., how many lbs. can you lift 1 feet), that way the taller people don't have the disadvantage of having to lift the weight farther.
It just isn't fair.

BuckSpin · 12-09-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmartin685

strength should be measured in foot lbs. (i.e., how many lbs. can you lift 1 feet), that way the taller people don't have the disadvantage of having to lift the weight farther.
It just isn't fair.

Well, there is strength & there is force. Force is a lot more relative to load moved in a given perimeter.

gjohnson5 · 12-09-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marius_Ursus

Strength is majorly a function of the CNS. There's almost no CNS activation in a curl. When you test a curl you're basically testing how much you can bend your elbow.

Standing presses and deadlifts are far better tests of strength.

Wow , so the nervous system doesn't activate motor units and sarcostyles in your biceps, forearm and other muscles to initate a curl?

LOLOL

Marius_Ursus · 12-09-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjohnson5

Wow , so the nervous system doesn't activate motor units and sarcostyles in your biceps, forearm and other muscles to initate a curl?

LOLOL

You know what I meant. Don't go getting all semantic.

FlipR1dah · 12-09-2008, 10:08 AM

I do DB presses because I workout alone and don't have a spotter for heavier weights. When I tried to throw up the equivalent weight using the Barbell I struggled.

I thought for sure if I worked DB's (thinking its harder than the barbell) that I had my chest covered.

I feel like I'm starting over with the Barbell

BTW my first post