So..no barbells at gym

Farburnfred
Farburnfred Posts: 333 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Went to the local gym for an induction this morning, they have various machines and free weight dumbells, but no barbells. Point me in the right direction for exercises for these please
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Replies

  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    Went to the local gym for an induction this morning, they have various machines and free weight dumbells, but no barbells. Point me in the right direction for exercises for these please

    I'd switch gyms while you still can......
  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    yep
    switch the gym
  • cordianet
    cordianet Posts: 534 Member
    I'd switch gyms while you still can......

    Run, don't walk to some place else. That place shouldn't even be called a gym.
  • girlnamedlee
    girlnamedlee Posts: 96 Member
    I've wondered the same thing. I signed a contract before I really had any idea what I was doing & once I figured out I wanted to try lifting heavy, I had a conversation with the trainer, who is so skilled at his job that he read the directions off the machines. I need a work around.
  • guardian419
    guardian419 Posts: 391 Member
    Just to beat this dead horse.... I go to a free gym that is set up better than that. Go somewhere else, even if it's a little bit more for membership.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I had pretty good results using the machines at the gym.

    But I had amazing frickin' results using free weights instead.

    So I'm not going to say, "Ew, you must change gyms." I was completely happy with my results from using machines. I mostly switched to free weights because I hated the act of going to the gym, and bought free weights for home.
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    lol @ people who think barbells are necessary for strength training.
  • crazy4lulu
    crazy4lulu Posts: 822 Member
    i would look for a new gym!!!
  • Swissmiss
    Swissmiss Posts: 8,754 Member
    Dumbells can help get you in shape, but you will need to move up eventually. Go elsewhere.
  • Bronx_Montgomery
    Bronx_Montgomery Posts: 2,284 Member
    So how do you do workout the Chesticles?
  • dbevisjr
    dbevisjr Posts: 183
    I walked into a gym like that about 4 years ago. When I asked why no bars, the manager told me it reduced their liability insurance by half. Must not have been enough since that building is now empty.
  • Bronx_Montgomery
    Bronx_Montgomery Posts: 2,284 Member
    lol @ people who think barbells are necessary for strength training.

    lol @ this guy for thinking you don't need barbells for strength training. Let me introduce you to real strength training
  • harlanJEN
    harlanJEN Posts: 1,089 Member
    Find ANOTHER GYM.

    Really. Truly.

    Absolutely agree - machines can get you some results. But, the time will come that you will want and need to move on. Why limit yourself? Before you are locked in to this gym for a year, look around some more.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    lol @ people who think barbells are necessary for strength training.

    Necessary? No. Efficient? Hell yeah.
  • Prahasaurus
    Prahasaurus Posts: 1,381 Member
    Change gyms.
  • Rays_Wife
    Rays_Wife Posts: 1,173 Member
    Let's just say I'm in love with my fricken barbell......you'll have to pry it outta my cold, dead hands. LOL
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    lol @ people who think barbells are necessary for strength training.

    Necessary? No. Efficient? Hell yeah.

    Yes, there is a huge difference between "This workout is more efficient than that one" and "This is absolutely necessary."
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    While they're not "necessary" to strength training, honestly, I would switch gyms.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    What gym what that?
  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    lol @ people who think barbells are necessary for strength training.

    lol @ you.

    They are necessary for strength training. At least for any sort of functional strength. Having your body move on one plane of motion and isolating one muscle is fine for some things, but when your supporting muscles can't handle the weight your major muscles can then you aren't really that strong are you...
  • BobOki
    BobOki Posts: 245 Member
    No barbells... no gym.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    lol @ people who think barbells are necessary for strength training.

    Necessary? No. Efficient? Hell yeah.

    Yes, there is a huge difference between "This workout is more efficient than that one" and "This is absolutely necessary."

    You might not NEED barbells for strength training, but if you joined a gym to do strength training, and they have none... Then that's a completely different story. I'd switch gyms.
  • jhalton
    jhalton Posts: 85
    I'm not sure what your goals are, but I would want a gym that had barbells. You could buy your own. I found mine on Craigslist pretty cheap. The importatnt thing is you are at a gym and trying to exercise!
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    lol @ people who think barbells are necessary for strength training.

    lol @ people who post things like this without being strong.
  • elprincipito
    elprincipito Posts: 1,200 Member
    lulwut? do they actually call themselves a gym?
  • subcult
    subcult Posts: 262 Member
    Barbells are the one thing I could do completely at home save squats I do those at home too but without a squat rack they are not as heavy as they should be.
  • T1mH
    T1mH Posts: 568 Member
    So how does one get from the machines to the free weights? Some of the attitude in this thread is what's keeping some of us on the machines. When I joined my gym I didn't know how to use the machines. I don't have any idea where to even start with free weights.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    So how does one get from the machines to the free weights? Some of the attitude in this thread is what's keeping some of us on the machines.

    a mob like personality has invaded this site. It is all this macho nacho "lift heavy" stuff. There is nothing wrong with lifting heavy, but a lot of these folks would have total beginners who have never lifted anything heavier than a fork, grunting max weight in the squat rack.

    Beginners to weight lifting can spend a solid year "lifting heavy" with only dumbbells. Dont get sucked into this "I'm so cool cuz I talk chit about lifting heavy crap.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    So how does one get from the machines to the free weights? Some of the attitude in this thread is what's keeping some of us on the machines. When I joined my gym I didn't know how to use the machines. I don't have any idea where to even start with free weights.

    What attitude? You limitations are in your head. Ask a trainer to show you what you do not know...it is their jobs.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    So how does one get from the machines to the free weights? Some of the attitude in this thread is what's keeping some of us on the machines. When I joined my gym I didn't know how to use the machines. I don't have any idea where to even start with free weights.

    It's really not that much different, but it's harder. You'll have to use lower weights because the machines helps support and guide you. You're using isolated muscles instead of your whole body.

    For instance, doing the "shoulder press" machine, I was able to do 50 pounds. I was sitting in a chair with my back supported and only had to push the weight up, so I was only using my arms and shoulders.

    Doing an overhead press at home with a barbell, I started at 35 pounds, and I'm up to 50 now (going to try for 55 on Friday). But instead of sitting in a chair and pushing up, I lift the bar from the floor to my shoulders, then up over my head, while standing and keeping balance. I'm using my arms and shoulders and back and legs and abs, etc. It's working the whole body.

    Same goes for other muscle groups. The leg press works the legs and bum similar to a squat, but the squat works the whole body.

    The difference using all those extra muscles makes to your body? Amazing: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/744311-free-weights-vs-machines-holy-crap

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