StrongLifts 5X5 ?!?!

You can make a few variations that will allow dumbells to work.

1. Dumbbell bench press.
2. Dumbbell shoulder press
3. Bent over dumbbell rows
4. Goblet squats

Now replacing deadlifts requires a little extra effort.
1. Dumbbell high swings
2. Dumbbell low swings
3. Dumbbell cleans
4. Dumbbell snatches

You'll be ahead of the game stabilizer wise, but when it's time to go really heavy, you'll be looking for a barbell eventually.

EricMurano wrote: »

I've tried to compromise the stronglifts programme and it's just not worth the hassle. Do SL if you have the equipment otherwise just look for a programme that uses what you have.

Completely disagree with this.

5x5 is a simple rep scheme based on high weight with low reps = strength gain.

You can achieved the same (sometimes better) results with dumbbells. As long as you can increase the weight consistently.

Dumbbells build stabilization, and balanced strength you could never get with a barbell in the first place.

My first post adequately replaces 3 of the 5 lifts to a point you could train well over a year on.

You'd have to find a barbell eventually when it comes to the Squat, and deadlift replacements, but they'd work for atleast 6 months for a beginner.

As Rippetoe says in his book Starting Strengh, which is similar to SL, if you substitute dumbell exercises for barbell, then "you are not doing the program". You can follow the concept of SL/SS with dumbells but the linear progression (overlaoding) is difficult and the exercises are not the same.