how important are dumbells to you?
Discussion
I ask as I'm in 2 minds about a gym I could travel to which would be perfect for me.
It's called Junction Gym and for those that don't know it, it specialises in strongman - perfect for me.
It has all the equipment I could want to practise with except the dumbells only go to 50kg. After that they are 'monster' dumbells designed for one arm pressing.
I like training with dumbells and feel as though it makes a difference; however 50kg is getting light now so i could go for reps or use it after bench/military press as an accessory.
The membership is £50 per year then £1 per session so I'm actually considering a local gym with the weights then training there for practice for comps.
What do you think? How should I go about it?
It's called Junction Gym and for those that don't know it, it specialises in strongman - perfect for me.
It has all the equipment I could want to practise with except the dumbells only go to 50kg. After that they are 'monster' dumbells designed for one arm pressing.
I like training with dumbells and feel as though it makes a difference; however 50kg is getting light now so i could go for reps or use it after bench/military press as an accessory.
The membership is £50 per year then £1 per session so I'm actually considering a local gym with the weights then training there for practice for comps.
What do you think? How should I go about it?
I read it the first time but am no where near your level of strength so wasn't sure my opinion is valid.
My thinking is: why don't they have heavier DBs? There's a reason they don't train them and use the monster ones.
DBs can be useful - I've got into unbalanced exercises eg 1 hand shoulder press and bench press as they challenge things more.
My thinking is: why don't they have heavier DBs? There's a reason they don't train them and use the monster ones.
DBs can be useful - I've got into unbalanced exercises eg 1 hand shoulder press and bench press as they challenge things more.
Not many gyms will have anything larger than 50's I wouldn't have thought.
Probably worth using them after the compound exercise so that you have already hit the muscle group.
All depends what your goals are though and if you prefer dumbbells because of shoulder strains etc.
P.S shoulder pressing 55's for a few unaided reps is huge, assume your 1rm bench and clean and jerk are big numbers?
Probably worth using them after the compound exercise so that you have already hit the muscle group.
All depends what your goals are though and if you prefer dumbbells because of shoulder strains etc.
P.S shoulder pressing 55's for a few unaided reps is huge, assume your 1rm bench and clean and jerk are big numbers?
I love dumbells, but since I switched to lifting at home I've only had a pair of low weight ones (most I can put them up to is 20kg a piece), so have to rely on the bar for real weight, and just use the dumbells for warm-up/conditioning.
That said, 'real weight' for me is less than your dumbell numbers, so...
Those are seriously mental numbers.
That said, 'real weight' for me is less than your dumbell numbers, so...
Those are seriously mental numbers.
chris_c201 said:
Not many gyms will have anything larger than 50's I wouldn't have thought.
Probably worth using them after the compound exercise so that you have already hit the muscle group.
All depends what your goals are though and if you prefer dumbbells because of shoulder strains etc.
P.S shoulder pressing 55's for a few unaided reps is huge, assume your 1rm bench and clean and jerk are big numbers?
Actually not to good. 140kg bench (can't bench for sProbably worth using them after the compound exercise so that you have already hit the muscle group.
All depends what your goals are though and if you prefer dumbbells because of shoulder strains etc.
P.S shoulder pressing 55's for a few unaided reps is huge, assume your 1rm bench and clean and jerk are big numbers?
t)I clean and press which I can do 100kg but having balance issues so working on it at that weight at the moment. Haven't tried log press yet though which is meant to be easier.
As for the weight I consider it 'average' for my chosen sport and forget that it's not a normal persons weight but that's how my mind set is. It's not heavy enough!
Edit: also bear in mind I'm 140kg so my numbers should be big! Only 14months training behind me though and 3 bad accidents which had set me back. No excuse though I'm usually pushing a new number every 2 weeks
Edit 2: I also want to state I'm natural (and signed up to natural strongman) as I've beem accused before
Edited by smiffy180 on Thursday 11th April 21:32
Edited by smiffy180 on Thursday 11th April 21:34
FWI - I'd go there. Sounds ideal for you overall.
For your sport I'd imagine barbell work for pressing is the mainstay anyway, so you could use the dumbbells after the barbell work, as per pre exhaustion in effect. And/or do the more explosive work on the bars - or with lighter % of 1 rm - during some cycles/workouts - and slow the dumbbell reps down so they become proportionality harder.
It might sound like a pita but when we were really into heavier training (in a grotty but good 'hardcore' gym) we took a set of dumbbells or longer dumbbell bars and enough plates in so we could do shoulder press etc. with heavier weights than the gym had. You could get a pair from somewhere like Watson and with heavy enough plates (e.g 15kg) can easily get beyond 55kg per 'bell.
For your sport I'd imagine barbell work for pressing is the mainstay anyway, so you could use the dumbbells after the barbell work, as per pre exhaustion in effect. And/or do the more explosive work on the bars - or with lighter % of 1 rm - during some cycles/workouts - and slow the dumbbell reps down so they become proportionality harder.
It might sound like a pita but when we were really into heavier training (in a grotty but good 'hardcore' gym) we took a set of dumbbells or longer dumbbell bars and enough plates in so we could do shoulder press etc. with heavier weights than the gym had. You could get a pair from somewhere like Watson and with heavy enough plates (e.g 15kg) can easily get beyond 55kg per 'bell.
AnonSpoilSport said:
FWI - I'd go there. Sounds ideal for you overall.
For your sport I'd imagine barbell work for pressing is the mainstay anyway, so you could use the dumbbells after the barbell work, as per pre exhaustion in effect. And/or do the more explosive work on the bars - or with lighter % of 1 rm - during some cycles/workouts - and slow the dumbbell reps down so they become proportionality harder.
This is what I'm thinking as really I should be training with the equipment used in comps. At the moment I alternate each week between bar and dumbells for chest and shoulders. I find benching all the time puts strains on your joints especially in the shoulder where as I don't feel a thing with dumbells. For your sport I'd imagine barbell work for pressing is the mainstay anyway, so you could use the dumbbells after the barbell work, as per pre exhaustion in effect. And/or do the more explosive work on the bars - or with lighter % of 1 rm - during some cycles/workouts - and slow the dumbbell reps down so they become proportionality harder.
I suspect that the nature of the sport is always going to put strain on joints etc. Even with dumbbells I've had injuries and twinges, including my first 'proper' shoulder separation. If I wanted to train/get bigger with as little damage as possible I might use mainly 'bells but I wouldn't expect to be any god for Strongman that way!
AnonSpoilSport said:
I suspect that the nature of the sport is always going to put strain on joints etc. Even with dumbbells I've had injuries and twinges, including my first 'proper' shoulder separation. If I wanted to train/get bigger with as little damage as possible I might use mainly 'bells but I wouldn't expect to be any god for Strongman that way!
True but dumbells aid balance greatly! I find it easier to press 50kg dumbells than a 100kg bar!smiffy180 said:
AnonSpoilSport said:
I suspect that the nature of the sport is always going to put strain on joints etc. Even with dumbbells I've had injuries and twinges, including my first 'proper' shoulder separation. If I wanted to train/get bigger with as little damage as possible I might use mainly 'bells but I wouldn't expect to be any god for Strongman that way!
True but dumbells aid balance greatly! I find it easier to press 50kg dumbells than a 100kg bar!AnonSpoilSport said:
smiffy180 said:
AnonSpoilSport said:
I suspect that the nature of the sport is always going to put strain on joints etc. Even with dumbbells I've had injuries and twinges, including my first 'proper' shoulder separation. If I wanted to train/get bigger with as little damage as possible I might use mainly 'bells but I wouldn't expect to be any god for Strongman that way!
True but dumbells aid balance greatly! I find it easier to press 50kg dumbells than a 100kg bar!I can shoulder press 140kg to 90 degrees if that counts?
smiffy180 said:
I think it's due to spending too much time with dumbells.
I can shoulder press 140kg to 90 degrees if that counts?
Yes, I've seen the video clip you posted. If you compete and are judged on barbell press (or Viking press) then I reckon you should concentrate on that and use 'bells as an ancillary helper.I can shoulder press 140kg to 90 degrees if that counts?
AnonSpoilSport said:
Yes, I've seen the video clip you posted. If you compete and are judged on barbell press (or Viking press) then I reckon you should concentrate on that and use 'bells as an ancillary helper.
It's normally log press but they do do fat bar clean and press depending on which comp. Obviously I've never used a fat bar but that's not a worry as there's one at this new gymGassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff