What Are Your Gym/Fitness/Routine Moans?
Discussion
My gym has had people returning too. Last week i think i went on a thursday afternoon and it was empty. however tuesday this week was fully packed. The 1-way system is a load of nonsense as the corridors are so wide. While it makes sense to wipe down cardio equipment, it doesnt make any sense with the weights/plates/barbells.
My moan: the bloody price of dumbbells. They're just... lumps.
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
V8mate said:
My moan: the bloody price of dumbbells. They're just... lumps.
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
Are they though, really? When they’re important to your physical and mental health and last forever? A pound per workout for the first year.I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
V8mate said:
My moan: the bloody price of dumbbells. They're just... lumps.
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
What weight are you after?I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
TheJimi said:
V8mate said:
My moan: the bloody price of dumbbells. They're just... lumps.
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
What weight are you after?I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
V8mate said:
TheJimi said:
V8mate said:
My moan: the bloody price of dumbbells. They're just... lumps.
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
What weight are you after?I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
TheJimi said:
You could replicate most DB stuff with decent resistance bands (not the tubular ones) and a pair of fat-gripz to put onto the bands.
I hadn't thought of that. Will investigate 
ETA: And it shouldn't be news either, given how many of Didely's videos I watch!
Edited by V8mate on Thursday 20th August 11:43
TheJimi said:
V8mate said:
TheJimi said:
V8mate said:
My moan: the bloody price of dumbbells. They're just... lumps.
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
What weight are you after?I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
popeyewhite said:
Beg to disagree. During lockdown I've been using bands (full set), therabands (in some ways better) and dumbbells exclusively. There's very little bands can replicate with any degree of intensity compared to 'bells. Couple of disclaimers: rear delt flyes, standing face-pulls.The problem with bands is as the resistance gets greater, the elasticity decreases.
That's about using the correctly-rated band though, isn't it? What you describe as reducing elasticity/increasing resistance, is just the band mimicking particular weights. So if you're trying to replicate a dumbbell overhead press, for example, you'd choose the band with an upper resistance figure which most closely matches the weight you would have used?
V8mate said:
That's about using the correctly-rated band though, isn't it?
What you describe as reducing elasticity/increasing resistance, is just the band mimicking particular weights. So if you're trying to replicate a dumbbell overhead press, for example, you'd choose the band with an upper resistance figure which most closely matches the weight you would have used?
And therein lies the problem. The two cannot really be compared: Lifting 'bells is entirely different from using bands. With 'bells you start the push at maximum resistance and accelerate upwards with the power curve dropping off the nearer to full extension. With bands you start with minimum resistance which increases as the band stretches. You may not think this is a problem... and for some lifts (medial delts/rear delts etc) this variable tension is a great training aid. But for medium/ heavy lifts it's a no-starter IMO as there's simply little/no weight at the bottom of the movement. Don't get me wrong if used within their limitations they can be very helpful, but they are a short term stop-gap, not really an alternative to any but a handfull of 'bell exercises.What you describe as reducing elasticity/increasing resistance, is just the band mimicking particular weights. So if you're trying to replicate a dumbbell overhead press, for example, you'd choose the band with an upper resistance figure which most closely matches the weight you would have used?
popeyewhite said:
V8mate said:
That's about using the correctly-rated band though, isn't it?
What you describe as reducing elasticity/increasing resistance, is just the band mimicking particular weights. So if you're trying to replicate a dumbbell overhead press, for example, you'd choose the band with an upper resistance figure which most closely matches the weight you would have used?
And therein lies the problem. The two cannot really be compared: Lifting 'bells is entirely different from using bands. With 'bells you start the push at maximum resistance and accelerate upwards with the power curve dropping off the nearer to full extension. With bands you start with minimum resistance which increases as the band stretches. You may not think this is a problem... and for some lifts (medial delts/rear delts etc) this variable tension is a great training aid. But for medium/ heavy lifts it's a no-starter IMO as there's simply little/no weight at the bottom of the movement. Don't get me wrong if used within their limitations they can be very helpful, but they are a short term stop-gap, not really an alternative to any but a handfull of 'bell exercises.What you describe as reducing elasticity/increasing resistance, is just the band mimicking particular weights. So if you're trying to replicate a dumbbell overhead press, for example, you'd choose the band with an upper resistance figure which most closely matches the weight you would have used?
Thanks for the explanation.
Here's the context, popeye. My bold, for clarity
No-one is talking about permanently replacing DBs with bands.
So with DBs being as expensive as they are at the moment - and frankly, almost unobtainable - I suggested that most of the stuff he'd be doing with a pair of 14 & 20kg DBs could be replicated by decent bands and a pair of fat-gripz.
Context is everything. You've dived in without considering the context; no-one is saying that bands are a true like-for-like replacement.
(sigh)
V8mate said:
My moan: the bloody price of dumbbells. They're just... lumps.
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
See? Context.I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)
No-one is talking about permanently replacing DBs with bands.
So with DBs being as expensive as they are at the moment - and frankly, almost unobtainable - I suggested that most of the stuff he'd be doing with a pair of 14 & 20kg DBs could be replicated by decent bands and a pair of fat-gripz.
Context is everything. You've dived in without considering the context; no-one is saying that bands are a true like-for-like replacement.
(sigh)
Yesterday was my first day in the gym in months.
Moderately busy, but very surprised to note very few wiping down either before or after using machines and weights. Most blatantly disregarding current advice.
Not sure whether I’ll go back.
Expecting to be a little sore for a day or two anyway after such a long layoff.
Moderately busy, but very surprised to note very few wiping down either before or after using machines and weights. Most blatantly disregarding current advice.
Not sure whether I’ll go back.
Expecting to be a little sore for a day or two anyway after such a long layoff.
[quote=V8mate]My moan: the bloody price of dumbbells. They're just... lumps.
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)[/quote
Makes it even worse when you do the completed items search and see what they were fetching in Feb 2020.
Set of 15s then - about a tenner for very good used
Set of 15s now - Anything up to 200 quid (start about 100 used)
I figured that if I could just have two (specific weight) pairs, I could do lots of accessory exercises at home, between traipsing to the gym.
But they're just so much money.
(And before anyone starts with the 'buy 'em on eBay, they're 10p', please review the cave you have been living in.)[/quote
Makes it even worse when you do the completed items search and see what they were fetching in Feb 2020.
Set of 15s then - about a tenner for very good used
Set of 15s now - Anything up to 200 quid (start about 100 used)
LordGrover said:
Yesterday was my first day in the gym in months.
Moderately busy, but very surprised to note very few wiping down either before or after using machines and weights. Most blatantly disregarding current advice.
Not sure whether I’ll go back.
Expecting to be a little sore for a day or two anyway after such a long layoff.
Doesn't surprise me in the slightest. I wouldn't be rushing to a gym and risking spreading this virus further.Moderately busy, but very surprised to note very few wiping down either before or after using machines and weights. Most blatantly disregarding current advice.
Not sure whether I’ll go back.
Expecting to be a little sore for a day or two anyway after such a long layoff.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff