Starting Strength - using dumbbells only?

**low_clazz** · 01-31-2009, 04:14 PM

I currently do not have access to a fully equipped gym (no barbell/olympic weights) only equipped with dumbbells, bench, cheesy leg press thingy, and a military/bench press/incline bench press "machine."

I would like to increase my strenght using a routine out of the book "Brawn" by Stuart McRobert, which I know many of you are aware of.

The routine is:

Workout 1
Squat 2x20
Flat Bench Press 5x5
Wide Grip Pullups 5x5
Standing Calf Raises 3x15

Workout 2
Lunges 2x20
DB Rows 5x5
Incline Bench Press 5x5
Seated Calf Raises 3x15

I guess my only question is, would dumbbells suffice in place of the barbell for the time being? will i see vast strenght changes that will carry over to the barbell when I regain access to them?

**mechanixhorseman** · 01-31-2009, 04:49 PM

It's always been my impression that free weights are more effective due to the fact that you're not just pushing up but also pulling in (since there is no structure connecting the two weights) You might want to take that into account when trying to replace the bench press with them. It's probably pretty safe to say that doing 200 on the bench isn't going to be nearly as hard as putting up two 100lb free weights.

Just my two cents.

**LactoseTolerant** · 01-31-2009, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by mechanixhorseman

It's always been my impression that free weights are more effective due to the fact that you're not just pushing up but also pulling in (since there is no structure connecting the two weights) You might want to take that into account when trying to replace the bench press with them. It's probably pretty safe to say that doing 200 on the bench isn't going to be nearly as hard as putting up two 100lb free weights.

Just my two cents.

Barbells are free weights.

**low_clazz** · 01-31-2009, 05:19 PM

I forgot to add, I will be doing this routine while on the Anabolic Diet.

**ShanksForte** · 01-31-2009, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by low_clazz

Wide Grip Pullups 5x5

I must be having a noob moment, because I thought pullups didn't have anything to do with dumbbells?

**rosko234** · 01-31-2009, 05:53 PM

just buy a power rack and bench

**mechanixhorseman** · 01-31-2009, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by LactoseTolerant

Barbells are free weights.

Dumbells, my bust.

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