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Barbells or Dumbells?

post #1 of 72
5/2/07 at 11:39pm
Thread Starter 
If you wanted to buy some weights but could only get:

A: Two dumbells
B: One barbell

which would you choose?

Looking for the most versatility.

Many thanks.
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post #2 of 72
5/2/07 at 11:54pm
Dumbells, you can do alot more with them.
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post #3 of 72
5/3/07 at 12:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LSeca View Post
Dumbells, you can do alot more with them.

+1, The Dumbells will allow you to perform a greater variety of exercises, and allow you a greater range of motion in which to perform those exercises.
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post #4 of 72
5/3/07 at 12:07am
Yeah, I'd go with dumbbells too if you had to choose. The only exercises I do with barbells are flat bench, deadlift, and squat anyways.
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post #5 of 72
5/3/07 at 12:07am
Plus much easier to store.
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post #6 of 72
5/3/07 at 12:23am
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys! Dumbbells, it is. That's what I figured but wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something.

Off to the store now.
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post #7 of 72
5/3/07 at 12:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by j View Post
Plus much easier to store.

that's the biggest advantage, I think - barebells are a bithc to store
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post #8 of 72
5/3/07 at 7:40am
Are you asking if you should get a barbell with assorted plates or a range of dumbbells?

A barbell is much cheaper and takes up less space. Even if you picked up an adjustable set of DBs they will still be 5-6 times the cost of a BB with about 300 lbs pf plates.

Someone said they only bench, squat and dead with a BB. Throw in a row and MP and you've just worked every muscle in your body.

Too late to say barbell?

lefty
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post #9 of 72
5/3/07 at 9:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lefty View Post
Are you asking if you should get a barbell with assorted plates or a range of dumbbells?

A barbell is much cheaper and takes up less space. Even if you picked up an adjustable set of DBs they will still be 5-6 times the cost of a BB with about 300 lbs pf plates.

Someone said they only bench, squat and dead with a BB. Throw in a row and MP and you've just worked every muscle in your body.

Too late to say barbell?

lefty

Not too late. I went to the shop but didn't like what they had for the price.

But basically, I think the dumbbells (I simply mean the shorter ones; as opposed to a long barbell) will work for my present needs.

Actually, I think I better start a new thread on this looking for a broader range of advice.
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post #10 of 72
5/3/07 at 2:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alter View Post
Not too late. I went to the shop but didn't like what they had for the price.

But basically, I think the dumbbells (I simply mean the shorter ones; as opposed to a long barbell) will work for my present needs.

Actually, I think I better start a new thread on this looking for a broader range of advice.

Are you looking for a set of DBs (25s - 100s in 5 or 10 lb increments) or just two? if the later you should look at kettlebells as they offer a fair degree of versatility.

You can usually find used weights on craigslist or in your local paper for next to nothing.

Good luck.

lefty
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post #11 of 72
5/3/07 at 2:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lefty View Post
Are you looking for a set of DBs (25s - 100s in 5 or 10 lb increments) or just two? if the later you should look at kettlebells as they offer a fair degree of versatility.

You can usually find used weights on craigslist or in your local paper for next to nothing.

Good luck.

lefty

He's in Japan

Agree on the kettlebells recommendation. Judging from this and his other threads, I think he should check out www.crossfit.com; kettlebells would prove very useful for the exercises prescribed there.
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post #12 of 72
5/3/07 at 4:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by whacked View Post
He's in Japan

Agree on the kettlebells recommendation. Judging from this and his other threads, I think he should check out www.crossfit.com; kettlebells would prove very useful for the exercises prescribed there.

Didn't catch that. Kettlebells then, but he may have to make them himself. Hate to think what they cost in Tokyo.

Does xfit still advocate pushing yourself to ridiculous limits until you achieve rhabdomyolysis and nirvana? There may be a few good ideas there but the cultish mindset threw me off.

lefty
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post #13 of 72
5/3/07 at 4:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lefty View Post
Does xfit still advocate pushing yourself to ridiculous limits until you achieve rhabdomyolysis and nirvana? There may be a few good ideas there but the cultish mindset threw me off.

lefty

I don't think their regimen is that extreme. It incorporates tons of HIIT, thus definitely requires a (painful) adjustment period; but you'd need to spend hours in the gym everyday to reap similar health benefits.

That said, I'm not a straight up xfitters (much prefer bench/squat/dead over, you know, air squat , yet to learn how to do clean etc). Instead I'd just steal some ideas here and there when my regular weight/cardio routine gets boring and I need some variety. Guess we kinda agree then.
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post #14 of 72
5/4/07 at 3:44am
why recommend kettlebells for a beginner? just stick with some 20-30 lb dumbells depending on your starting strength. using those and your bodyweight you can definitely work your whole body.

if you have room for a bench, a bar and plates are obviously good since it makes increasing resistance much easier for chest exercises, as opposed to buying more dumbells or adjustable dumbells (in my limited experience I have not found adjustable dumbells I like) - but i wouldn't go that far if i was just starting out.
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post #15 of 72
5/4/07 at 4:24am
How can you do bench presses with kettlebells?
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