Are dumbbell squats/deadlift effective?
buffalobill41
Posts: 72 Member
I have been looking at beginner weightlifting programs and they almost all seem to have squats and or deadlifts in them. My gym does not have heavy barbells just a smith machine so i was wondering if it would still be effective to use dumbbells for these exercises. Would squats be more effective using a smith machine or dumbbells? They do also have a lot of leg machines i could use as well instead. I'm 5'11" 135 lbs so i assume it will take a while before the dumbbells (they go up to 75 lbs) would be too easy for me. And yes i know get a new gym is the obvious answer but i figure i might as well stay and see if i can get too strong for the dumbbells before i make a switch (my gym is cheap and close and i'm not sure how good the other options in town are).
0
Replies
-
What kind of gym doesn't have barbells?
Free weights are superior to machine weights
If you've only got dumbbells and kettlebells use them over the machines
But if you aren't going to use them then the machines are better than nothing
Well that's my opinion anyway
Are you bulking? because you're really at the low end of a healthy weight for your height0 -
What kind of gym doesn't have barbells?
Free weights are superior to machine weights
If you've only got dumbbells and kettlebells use them over the machines
But if you aren't going to use them then the machines are better than nothing
Well that's my opinion anyway
Are you bulking? because you're really at the low end of a healthy weight for your height
0 -
Ummm 135 lb is like model weight for your height.Idk what that person is talking about.Of course,use dumbbells and add some machine too .If thats what you got ,use it.Maybe find a better gym which is also close to you0
-
Smith machines are a great alternative to barbells for squats and a lot of other exercises. I use them all the time in my training along with barbells and depending on what I'm trying to achieve use a variety of different squats on it.... back, front, plie, ATG, box.
Little confused on the 'heavy barbell' comment. Do they have any olympic bars at all? If not then use dumbbells or find out if they have a hex bar and use that for deads.0 -
buffalobill41 wrote: »Would squats be more effective using a smith machine or dumbbells?
Dumbbells are fine. Weight is weight
You may wish to consider a goblet squat.
0 -
SimonaAlexandra wrote: »Ummm 135 lb is like model weight for your height.Idk what that person is talking about.Of course,use dumbbells and add some machine too .If thats what you got ,use it.Maybe find a better gym which is also close to you
@SimonaAlexandra What?
You know that's a bloke .. giving him a BMI of 18.8 .. which is seriously seriously on the low side of healthy range... 2lbs above the risk of being underweight0 -
buffalobill41 wrote: »Would squats be more effective using a smith machine or dumbbells?
Dumbbells are fine. Weight is weight
You may wish to consider a goblet squat.
My apartment fitness center also does not have barbells. So I do Kettlebell deadlifts.. Kettlebell Goblet squats and Dumbell squats. I use the smith machine for some benches and presses. Works great. I agree.. weight is weight. Squatting with weight however you do it works! Use what you have and enjoy. IMHO
I am seeing great results... and following Mike Matthews training guides.0 -
What kind of gym doesn't have barbells?
Free weights are superior to machine weights
If you've only got dumbbells and kettlebells use them over the machines
But if you aren't going to use them then the machines are better than nothing
Well that's my opinion anyway
Are you bulking? because you're really at the low end of a healthy weight for your height
i am guessing planet fitness…?0 -
Ironmaiden4life wrote: »Smith machines are a great alternative to barbells for squats and a lot of other exercises. I use them all the time in my training along with barbells and depending on what I'm trying to achieve use a variety of different squats on it.... back, front, plie, ATG, box.
Little confused on the 'heavy barbell' comment. Do they have any olympic bars at all? If not then use dumbbells or find out if they have a hex bar and use that for deads.
sorry IMO smith machine is totally useless and should not be used over barbells….0 -
buffalobill41 wrote: »Would squats be more effective using a smith machine or dumbbells?
Dumbbells are fine. Weight is weight
You may wish to consider a goblet squat.
^^ This ^^0 -
-
we have a winner, ha yeah it's 10 bucks a month and a two minute drive. hard to beat at the time since i wasn't exactly sure what i was looking for. No they don't have olympic bars they do have barbells just the smaller ones that i believe only go up to 60 pounds. And yeah i know 135 seems light but i do work a manual labor job and move around 80 lb boxes and stuff so i do have some muscle just not a ton of body fat. I quit drinking so much and basically cut off all other non water beverage and lost about 15-20 lbs over the past year, but yes i am going to try to get back into a calorie surplus once i get started on my new lifting routine. Sounds like i should give it a go with the dumbbells while looking for another gym though i guess. I was looking at a few different dumbbell squats on youtube i'll have to try them out and see what's most comfortable. thanks
i am guessing planet fitness…?
0 -
The only issue I have ever had with dumbbells is grip strength. At some point, it gets difficult to hold onto the weights.
My main issue with smith machines is many of them dont' allow your body to perform in a natural way, which can increase chance of injury. But I guess they are better than nothing.0 -
Dumbbell squats, lunges, and romanian deadlifts make a good functional leg routine. For squats, you can hold 2 DBs down between your knees. Goblets are good too.0
-
0
-
buffalobill41 wrote: »
we have a winner, ha yeah it's 10 bucks a month and a two minute drive. hard to beat at the time since i wasn't exactly sure what i was looking for. No they don't have olympic bars they do have barbells just the smaller ones that i believe only go up to 60 pounds. And yeah i know 135 seems light but i do work a manual labor job and move around 80 lb boxes and stuff so i do have some muscle just not a ton of body fat. I quit drinking so much and basically cut off all other non water beverage and lost about 15-20 lbs over the past year, but yes i am going to try to get back into a calorie surplus once i get started on my new lifting routine. Sounds like i should give it a go with the dumbbells while looking for another gym though i guess. I was looking at a few different dumbbell squats on youtube i'll have to try them out and see what's most comfortable. thanks
i am guessing planet fitness…?
if it is a PF I would make sure that they will even allow you to deadlift and squat ...some of those places have weird rules.0 -
SimonaAlexandra wrote: »Ummm 135 lb is like model weight for your height.Idk what that person is talking about.Of course,use dumbbells and add some machine too .If thats what you got ,use it.Maybe find a better gym which is also close to you
Ummm the poster is a GUY.
0 -
-
buffalobill41 wrote: »
we have a winner, ha yeah it's 10 bucks a month and a two minute drive. hard to beat at the time since i wasn't exactly sure what i was looking for. No they don't have olympic bars they do have barbells just the smaller ones that i believe only go up to 60 pounds. And yeah i know 135 seems light but i do work a manual labor job and move around 80 lb boxes and stuff so i do have some muscle just not a ton of body fat. I quit drinking so much and basically cut off all other non water beverage and lost about 15-20 lbs over the past year, but yes i am going to try to get back into a calorie surplus once i get started on my new lifting routine. Sounds like i should give it a go with the dumbbells while looking for another gym though i guess. I was looking at a few different dumbbell squats on youtube i'll have to try them out and see what's most comfortable. thanks
i am guessing planet fitness…?
Nevermind...ignore me! LOL!0 -
Ironmaiden4life wrote: »
this0 -
Are dumbbell squats/deadlift effective?
Effective for what purpose? Can you go from being sedentary and doing DB Squats and improve your strength a little? Yes but there is going to be a wall you'll hit quickly because the DB's have a limit unless your gym has a huge range of weight.0 -
-
Better than not doing them at all.0
-
buffalobill41 wrote: »I have been looking at beginner weightlifting programs and they almost all seem to have squats and or deadlifts in them. My gym does not have heavy barbells just a smith machine so i was wondering if it would still be effective to use dumbbells for these exercises. Would squats be more effective using a smith machine or dumbbells? They do also have a lot of leg machines i could use as well instead. I'm 5'11" 135 lbs so i assume it will take a while before the dumbbells (they go up to 75 lbs) would be too easy for me. And yes i know get a new gym is the obvious answer but i figure i might as well stay and see if i can get too strong for the dumbbells before i make a switch (my gym is cheap and close and i'm not sure how good the other options in town are).
We are the same height and almost the same weight. 130-135 is my goal so only about 5-10 pounds away. My gym is super cheap as well and only has a smith machine or dumbbells. I just do my squats on the smith machine making sure I have correct form. I also use the leg press machine along with the leg curl and hamstring curl machines. I use dumbbells for lunges. I really could have written the post myself! HA!! Good luck!!0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions