Using hand weights = lifting??

co_mama

Might be a stupid question, but would using hand weights (dumbbells) instead of a barbell/machines work for "lifting"? All these posts about lifting success has me wanting to try it but currently only have access to dumbbells.

geebusuk

You can get plenty of gains with dumbbells.
However, barbells allow you to do more and do better 'compound' moves that work a lot of the body at once.
If you've got dumbbells that take weight discs, you can put them on a barbell. The actual bar can be got fairly cheaply (and so can weights to go on it, for that matter.)

If you've got ones of fixed weights, what weight do they go up to?
Typically you'd want to, as an example, do three sets of 12 to the point the one you do on the last set you're pretty much at failure.
If you've only got ones up to 5kg or less, it's unlikely most moves will do this.

So they'd more be an aid for making cardio a bit harder, rather than weight lifting.

co_mama

Thank you!