Cables

[the_alcatraz]

No I dont believe that you can quite replicate the full range of motion under tension with a dumbbell. You know that it is very hard to keep that tension on the muscle even using very strict form. You usually just miss or have a "blank" space at the very top or the bottom of the curl & normally you will fail on the positive before the negative, so unless you use a spotter you cannot achieve this easily.

Though I understand your enthusiam for variety and range of motion, I must advocate the usage of free weights over cables.

However, it is important to also understand that cables have their place in bodybuilding - with some, not all bodybuilders.

 

[OneBreath]

I like them as an end. I went heavy yesterday on chest. When i felt like i had nothing left i did 3 sets of cable flys to failure. Love it. Nice an safe way to fail.

 

[mwm5]

i don't use cables a ton, but i do use them and wouldn't go to a gym that didn't have cable station. i like to use them for pull downs and for other back exercises. they are good for tri exercises as well.

 

[the_alcatraz]

i don't use cables a ton, but i do use them and wouldn't go to a gym that didn't have cable station. i like to use them for pull downs and for other back exercises. they are good for tri exercises as well.

Cables are best for triceps IMO

 

[ceo]

How necessary are they for our workouts?

not very. I could get along without them completely.

 

[SouthernLord]

not very. I could get along without them completely.

Come on bro. I seen you doing standing leg curls with those fuzzy ankle straps Your hammies looked ripped in those spandex shorts too lololl.

The only thing I am doing wiht cables right now are pulldown abs a couple times a week. I know a lot of bros love tricep pushdowns using the cables. These have never done anything for my tri development. Pumps only. I guess they would be a benefit if you are a powerlifter who puts tremendous stress on your tris with all that shirt work and heavy lockouts. Active recovery maybe? Or maybe it's just me and I haven't gave them a fair shake.

 

[ceo]

Come on bro. I seen you doing standing leg curls with those fuzzy ankle straps Your hammies looked ripped in those spandex shorts too lololl.

The only thing I am doing wiht cables right now are pulldown abs a couple times a week. I know a lot of bros love tricep pushdowns using the cables. These have never done anything for my tri development. Pumps only. I guess they would be a benefit if you are a powerlifter who puts tremendous stress on your tris with all that shirt work and heavy lockouts. Active recovery maybe? Or maybe it's just me and I haven't gave them a fair shake.

I am about to blast again. I was using them last couple of blasts for forearms, same as you. I wouldn't use them for triceps. I'd hope I could find another tricep exercise that I could still progress on before having to go to cables.

 

[SouthernLord]

I am about to blast again. I was using them last couple of blasts for forearms, same as you. I wouldn't use them for triceps. I'd hope I could find another tricep exercise that I could still progress on before having to go to cables.

Good for you bro. I know you have been cruising since the birth of your son. I am going to start my blast next week after cruising for three. I feel great and this cruise was a well needed break. I really beat my self up this past blast.

 

[ceo]

Good for you bro. I know you have been cruising since the birth of your son. I am going to start my blast next week after cruising for three. I feel great and this cruise was a well needed break. I really beat my self up this past blast.

Dude!! I hear ya on that. It's bad enough every time I workout that I come home exhausted and just want to sleep (I usually need to go to bed early or sleep in if possible - just need more sleep on those nights)...but when the whole blast is over I am SO ready to take a week off then 2 more just easing back in and ramping up!

 

[the_alcatraz]

not very. I could get along without them completely.

the only muscle that I feel I need some cable exercises for is the triceps. Everything else, I can do without.

What would you substitute triceps extensions with?