Doing Squats and bench press VS bars

gamerguy123

So I recently started lifting heavy (well heavy for me is light for most guys) & doing compound exercises. On weekdays, I go to my condo's gym which doesn't have a squat rack or bench press. But I use dumbbells to do to do those same exercises (they have a full set of dumbbells). On weekends I have access to a normal gym with all the equipment. I feel about the same when using either dumbbells or bars, is their a major advantage to using one or the other? I should point out I am trying to loose weight, so I only lift to retain LBM I know I really cannot gain muscle eating a deficit. So I am thinking in my case it won't matter much.

Also, I increase the weight only when I feel it's too easy and I can do more than 7 reps.

If it matters, I work out 6 days/week, alternating muscle groups, like A, B, A, B, etc.

jacksonpt

At lower weights, there's isn't a significant difference between bb and db. However, as weight gets heavier, it's easier to manage/control on a BB, especially with squats. DB bench also has some benefits over BB bench.

JeffseekingV

It depends. At some point, it gets too hard to hold your squat weights with dumb bells.

MisterZ33

i used to have the same problem. here is what i did:

you will need:

1 broom
duct tape
scissors
dumbell weights.

1. untwist the bottom sweeper part of the broom.
2. set dumbells on floor
3. set broom handle on dumbells
4. take long *kitten* strip of duct tape (longer the better).
5. cut the strip off using the scissors
6. tape the weight to the handle
7. using the scissors. cut another long strp of duct tape.
8. secure that sucker on.
9. now repeat setps 4-8 on the other side.

badda bing badda boom. thats what im talking about, baby!

you will be the only dude in you gym with a mother effin barbell now.

dont forget to think of Z when youre the most popular guy in your building and getting laid by all the babes.

derekj222

Day 1: how I hurt myself seriously in the gym...

MisterZ33 wrote: »

i used to have the same problem. here is what i did:

you will need:

1 broom
duct tape
scissors
dumbell weights.

1. untwist the bottom sweeper part of the broom.
2. set dumbells on floor
3. set broom handle on dumbells
4. take long *kitten* strip of duct tape (longer the better).
5. cut the strip off using the scissors
6. tape the weight to the handle
7. using the scissors. cut another long strp of duct tape.
8. secure that sucker on.
9. now repeat setps 4-8 on the other side.

badda bing badda boom. thats what im talking about, baby!

you will be the only dude in you gym with a mother effin barbell now.

dont forget to think of Z when youre the most popular guy in your building and getting laid by all the babes.

dbmata

c'mon, that's full on mcGuyver.

Sam_I_Am77

If the main compounds that you're focusing on are Bench and Squat, then based on your available equipment try using an Undulating Periodization approach.

Dumbell Days Upper Body or Lower Body: (Upper Body A & Lower Body A)
-Focus on moderate to high reps

Barbell Days Upper / Lower (Upper Body B & Lower Body B )
- Focus on heavier loads 85% - 95% for 3-5 sets for 1-5 reps

That's one approach.

DopeItUp

dbmata wrote: »

c'mon, that's full on mcGuyver.

Agreed. Gotta give respect where respect is due.