What can't dumbbells do?

[SomeGuy12345]

It's as if a lot of people favor dumbbells over other equipment. What are the limitations of using only dumbbells?

[Cumulonimbus]

Squat, deadlift, bench press.

[59kg_weakling]

It's hard to fit more than 110lbs on a dumbbell.

[buffbrown21]

Depending on your goals, there is nothing that dumbbells cant do.

Some will argue that you can push/pull more weight on a barbell because it will hold more and such (see above). This is true, but again, all moves done with a barbell can be replicated with dumbbells and dumbbells give you a few options that barbells dont-such as swings and one arm movements.

[thedickus]

These types of posts get so old. "What's better a barbell bench press or a smith machine bench press". "What are the limitations of using only dumbbells". If you want to build a muscular body there is nothing wrong with using only machines vs using free weights. There is nothing wrong with using only dumbbells as opposed to doing basic compound lifts with a barbell. You can't do a barbell bench press using only dumbbells but you can do a dumbbell bench press. A bench press by definition is pressing in a supine position off a bench. Hold cinderblocks and bench them if you want, its resistance after all. You can get an awesome workout in using only dumbbells and build a fantastic body in the process. You probably won't do very good however in a powerlifting meet since the last I checked they used barbells. There's no way to compute how much you'd bench press with a barbell if you've only ever done bench presses with a smith machine, dumbbells or even a bowflex. Just like there's no way to compute how much you could bench press with dumbbells if you've only ever done benches with a barbell. Just about the one thing that most people on here agree on is that the "best way" to do anything is to incorporate a variety of exercises safely and with correct form. What equipment you should be training with depends on your goals, i.e. whether you just want to loose weight and look better naked or whether you're training for the NFL Combine or anything in between.

[Wildtim]

OP post relevent topics, not just junk to get your post count up. If you really want to lear you will spend a lot more time reading than posting anyway.

There is nothing Dumbbells can't do that you can do with other weights. However, dumbbells in larger sizes become quite difficult to work with and hard to find. For example there are few guys who own a pair of 150# dumbbells or dumbbells that can be loaded that heavily, but there are a whole lot of guys on this site that use more than 300#'s in their lifting programs.

[cgc]

Squat, deadlift, bench press.

Strongly disagree. You can do all of these lifts with DBs. You will get to a point where the DBs (like others said) will become cumbersome....but you most certainly can perform ALL of those movements with DBs.

It's hard to fit more than 110lbs on a dumbbell.

You can get handles that will hold more than 110...worse case if someone REALLY wants to you can have some custom made.

There is nothing Dumbbells can't do that you can do with other weights. However, dumbbells in larger sizes become quite difficult to work with and hard to find. For example there are few guys who own a pair of 150# dumbbells or dumbbells that can be loaded that heavily, but there are a whole lot of guys on this site that use more than 300#'s in their lifting programs.

Agree 100%

[RockyIV]

Variety is the key to your gains.

[Jimbo.]

OP age is 90... it's too late to start lifting just go fishing instead, enjoy your retirement.






/thread

[SomeGuy12345]

Thank you.

OP age is 90... it's too late to start lifting just go fishing instead, enjoy your retirement

Lol.

[mongoose1011]

Love dumbells. love dumbell rows the most. workin dem lats.

[fishpat86]

What can't dumbbells do?




































Float.

[Kodokan]

You won't be squatting 1.5 times your bodyweight in dumbells. Not that I can do that myself yet with a barbell, but I will.

[Keetman]

What can't dumbbells do?




Float.

Not so fast my friend.......

[4MEandThem]

They can't wash your car.
They can't go with you to the bar.
They cant spread their legs.
They can't cook green eggs (or spam)

[InsanityWolf]

It's hard to fit more than 110lbs on a dumbbell.

This is true.

But most people don't even work up to 55lbs.

[InsanityWolf]

It's as if a lot of people favor dumbbells over other equipment. What are the limitations of using only dumbbells?

None really, it will just be a little harder for you to do heavy movements. But if you're working out alone, dumbbells are probably a lot safer than BB's (though I think that BB's will develop your strength a lot faster).

[fishpat86]

Not so fast my friend.......

FFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUU


BRB filling these with helium and doing dumbbell lat pulldowns

[johnderriLLL]

trying to find a few spotters for dumbells is tough at home but you can put a barbell in a rack and be safe.

[buffbrown21]

trying to find a few spotters for dumbells is tough at home but you can put a barbell in a rack and be safe.

But thats just the thing. You dont really need a spotter when using dumbbells. You can just drop them to the sides (provided you have proper flooring/cushion).

[johnderriLLL]

But thats just the thing. You dont really need a spotter when using dumbbells. You can just drop them to the sides (provided you have proper flooring/cushion).

i have powerblocks and they are too expensive to drop and i live on the second floor.

also u cant really use one dumbell with both hands like a barbell.

[yitmy]

i have powerblocks and they are too expensive to drop and i live on the second floor.

also u cant really use one dumbell with both hands like a barbell.

I workout on the third floor and I really have not dropped a weight yet.(came close but now I have straps which work well with the powerblocks.)

I think the hard part is the grip. A barbell you can alternate your hands so deadlifts are easier to hold onto. A bar works great in a rack. A bar you can load up while on a rack while dumbbells start low from the floor and then if you were going to raise the weight to your shoulders is much greater effort and may not be able to muster, but is much easier to perform with a barbell and a rack. That being said you really do not need to place the weight (dumbbell) up there for squats. I do feel though that squats and deadlifts with dumbbells seems very similar. Dumbbells forward for deads and sideways for squats.

Put it this way if you could only afford money for one....I would get the dumbbells.

[smokeater]

You need barbells for compound lifts. It's very hard to get bigger and stronger without these compound lifts. Presses, rows, curls, etc need to be done with barbells at some point in your routine. Barbells allow you to put the most weight possible and have the greatest overall impact on your muscles.

Some people also have a very tough time when going heavy with dumbbells. It is an art to figure out how to do some presses with dumbbells with a weight that you can't squeeze more than 5-6 reps out of. I still have trouble going heavier than 110 on shoulder presses, not because I'm not strong enough to press them, but because getting them into position is awkward.

That being said, dumbbells are every bit as important to overall development as barbells. I think when you're doing one without the other, you're missing out on a lot of good you can be doing for your body.

[cgc]

This is true.

But most people don't even work up to 55lbs.

Don't know if I would say that...especially for those working out at home.

None really, it will just be a little harder for you to do heavy movements. But if you're working out alone, dumbbells are probably a lot safer than BB's (though I think that BB's will develop your strength a lot faster).

Define "heavy movements". Are you just referring to the weight lifted, or are you talking about certain lift movements? If the first, it's not hard at all to do ALL upper body lifts heavy with DBs. If the second, I can understand that some lifts are going to be hard to go heavy on (squats)....but deadlifts, one arm cleans, shoulder press can all be done with DBs - no problem.

Also, the BB develop strength faster the DBs is BS....sorry.

trying to find a few spotters for dumbells is tough at home but you can put a barbell in a rack and be safe.

Not really...there is a nice set of spotters that connect to a rack that someone did a review of on here and they spoke very highly about them.
Where there's a will, there's a way.

i have powerblocks and they are too expensive to drop and i live on the second floor.

also u cant really use one dumbell with both hands like a barbell.

Thats something people need to look at before buying the PBs. I used to want a pair, but this is the main reason why I won't buy a pair if I ever get the coin to do a set of adjustable.

Also, what did you mean by "u cant really use one dumbell with both hands like a barbell"? I know the PBs are hard to do this with....but every other DB can be used with two hands for exercises like french press....but again, I'm not 100% sure that's what your referring to.

I do feel though that squats and deadlifts with dumbbells seems very similar. Dumbbells forward for deads and sideways for squats.

Put it this way if you could only afford money for one....I would get the dumbbells.

DB squats are generally done with the DBs somewhat resting on the shoulders...this is why I do think it's one exercise where a BB is the better choice because you CAN use more weight that way....

You need barbells for compound lifts. It's very hard to get bigger and stronger without these compound lifts. Presses, rows, curls, etc need to be done with barbells at some point in your routine. Barbells allow you to put the most weight possible and have the greatest overall impact on your muscles.

Some people also have a very tough time when going heavy with dumbbells. It is an art to figure out how to do some presses with dumbbells with a weight that you can't squeeze more than 5-6 reps out of. I still have trouble going heavier than 110 on shoulder presses, not because I'm not strong enough to press them, but because getting them into position is awkward.

That being said, dumbbells are every bit as important to overall development as barbells. I think when you're doing one without the other, you're missing out on a lot of good you can be doing for your body.

Most of what you said is not that you CAN'T do the exercises with DBs it that it can take some getting used to either getting the DBs into position or getting used to the movement.

Also, again....I totally disagree that a BB HAS to be used to get bigger and or stronger....

Not trying to be argumentative, but Ive never seen a case where a BB is a must in that dept....sorry.

[Skidmarx]

However, dumbbells in larger sizes become quite difficult to work with and hard to find.

Hell yeah. I've been looking for used 100 lb dumbbells for 2 years now.

[yankeemarko1]

trying to find a few spotters for dumbells is tough at home but you can put a barbell in a rack and be safe.

But thats just the thing. You dont really need a spotter when using dumbbells. You can just drop them to the sides (provided you have proper flooring/cushion).

i have powerblocks and they are too expensive to drop and i live on the second floor.

also u cant really use one dumbell with both hands like a barbell.

One answer. Powerhooks. I don't drop dumbbells and I like starting from the raised position like a barbell. Powerhooks allow you to do this.