Dumbbell Workouts

[asbrewerpro]

I'm an "intermediate level" lifter, however, I primarily use only dumbbells due to what I have available at my house. I understand that exercises are limited, however, I'm having trouble finding different programs to use that I won't get mentally burned out on (usually 2-3 month programs) from doing the same exercises and have the same tempo. I have access to a machine that I can use for dips, chest, pulldowns, rows, and leg raises (seated). Do I need to add more equipment to my home gym or can I still make progress with that I have?

[air2fakie]

Sounds like a pretty good home gym setup to me as long as the dbs and machines have enough weight.

[asbrewerpro]

Sounds like a pretty good home gym setup to me as long as the dbs and machines have enough weight.

Machine goes up to 200lbs and the dbs are 50lbs a piece that can be adjusted in 5lb increments.

[air2fakie]

Machine goes up to 200lbs and the dbs are 50lbs a piece that can be adjusted in 5lb increments.

If you're an "intermediate" lifter, you should have an idea whether you can make those work for whatever exercises you choose to do, or if they're too light for you to realistically progress over time.

[EliKoehn]

Yeah, what are you going off of for "intermediate"?

[paulinkansas]

Machine goes up to 200lbs and the dbs are 50lbs a piece that can be adjusted in 5lb increments.

Not sure what kind of dbs you have, but my spinlocks were maxed out at 60 pounds each. There was not enough threaded portion to put a spinlock if I added more weight. Here was my solution.

https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showt...hp?t=180644083

[asbrewerpro]

If you're an "intermediate" lifter, you should have an idea whether you can make those work for whatever exercises you choose to do, or if they're too light for you to realistically progress over time.

Maybe I should've phrased the question differently in regards that I'm looking for new programs that use primarily the dbs I have available and maybe some machine substitute exercises. If I need different equipment to keep things "fresh" and not plateau then so be it.

[asbrewerpro]

Yeah, what are you going off of for "intermediate"?

I have good form to minimize injuries but have no idea when it gets to the more "advanced" level that uses equipment that I don't have/use

[asbrewerpro]

[QUOTE=paulinkansas;1649295743]Not sure what kind of dbs you have, but my spinlocks were maxed out at 60 pounds each. There was not enough threaded portion to put a spinlock if I added more weight. Here was my solution.



I have an old pair of PowerBlock dbs that I bought back in 2006 I think lol. I don't think that would work nor would I alter them seeing how they've lasted all these years later. Cost me $600 for 2 though so can't say I didn't get a good deal on them

[air2fakie]

Maybe I should've phrased the question differently in regards that I'm looking for new programs that use primarily the dbs I have available and maybe some machine substitute exercises. If I need different equipment to keep things "fresh" and not plateau then so be it.

See my response #2 above and add "for your needs" to the end. You kind of say you're asking one thing but then really ask something else.

No one designs a program specifically for 50 lb max dbs and an unnamed multi-use machine with "200 lbs" of weights (which means nothing IRL), for an "intermediate" lifter with unspecified lifts.

It's hard to recommend a program when your real Q of whether you need more equipment is really dependent on whether you can make your available resistance work for you, and not the exact equipment itself. Regardless, you likely will need to make certain exercise substitutions given your exact equipment.

[asbrewerpro]

See my response #2 above and add "for your needs" to the end. You kind of say you're asking one thing but then really ask something else.

No one designs a program specifically for 50 lb max dbs and an unnamed multi-use machine with "200 lbs" of weights (which means nothing IRL), for an "intermediate" lifter with unspecified lifts.

It's hard to recommend a program when your real Q of whether you need more equipment is really dependent on whether you can make your available resistance work for you, and not the exact equipment itself. Regardless, you likely will need to make certain exercise substitutions given your exact equipment.

*Glass-shattering* "Make your available resistance work for you, and not the exact equipment itself". That right there is all I needed to hear to help me understand my options better. Thanks!