The Barbell vs. The Dumbell

[Two Traps]

Hey all,

I have trained with both and have noticed differences in results when using dumbbells instead of barbells. Suppose the dumbbells at your gym go over 300 lbs. and the limited weights of dumbbells and the variation of weights were not a concern, what would you prefer and why?

 

[WalkingBeast]

Definately barbells for me. For some reason Ive just never been able to get sore using only dumbells. I do like them for alternating curls though. And seated shoulder presses, side laterals, but thats about it. I also like the sheer amount of weight I can load up on a barbell. Even with a spot, I cant really get out any good forced reps on a dumbell press, cuz that shit will just crash down on me, but with a barbell I can get as many as I like, and really focus on putting all my power into one movement, instead of two seperate ones. Hope that helps =)

 

[b fold the truth]

I'd run a search if it were me...

Just my thoughts though...

B True

 

[PolishHammer1977]

To say one is better than the other is absolutely ignorant. Both are tools and if used wisely can quickly become tricks of the trade.

Barbell training is king for building solid foundations and overall body mass. Anyone I train will always start with compound movements.

Everytime without fail they argue and say, "but this isnt what myother trainer told me".
My response is always the same, "have you ever gotten anywhere in life taking the easy road? Have you ever recieved results in a care package? Or did you have to work your ass off?


Dumbells play there role as well. I tend to use them as a tool for accessory exercises. I find them completely useful under most circumstances most of which comes at a point when the trainee has experienced progress from barbells.

Most people make the profound mistake to start with db's instead of bb's. Nothing in life is easy and training sure isn't any different. Take the road less traveled.

 

[slobberknocker]

I like barbells. I don't really have a reason though. It's just fun to load the bar up.

 

[Mini Viper]

as posted by slobberknocker

I like barbells. I don't really have a reason though. It's just fun to load the bar up.

 

[Atomic Punk]

To say one is better than the other is absolutely ignorant.

Well, yes & no. Barbells are definitely better than Dbells for building mass as far as I am concerned. That aint ignorance talking. That's experience, so I indeed can say for certain bro, when it comes to my training. No offense. If I would go heavy on Dbells for several weeks, without any barbell work whatsoever, I could be doing the most intense training of my life with them, and STILL would lose thickness in the Chest reigon(for example). Now, if you want to talk about them having their place, then they definitely have it in my opinion. Moreso as a switch from barbells though, to give the shoulder joints a rest(again, I am using a Chest routine as an example), and to develop the right & left sides equally. I switch from week to week(Chest) from a barbell routine, to a dbell routine for the reasons I listed above. I actually HATE doing dbells though, on account of having to lug the heavy ones from rack to bench-to get in position-to actual lift-to getting them back up-then getting them back to the rack. I do it, but it is a pain.

 

[notoriousQQ]

combination of both.

 

[d3track]

i luv dbells
the more movemnts i use with dbells, the better results i seem to get
but i will agree that should not replace all barbell work
IMO the most successful trainers use both

 

[d3track]

i luv dbells
the more i use em, the better results i get
but i don't think they can replace barbells, they need to work together