Deadlifts w/o barbell?

Lillemeddy
Lillemeddy Posts: 94
edited October 6 in Fitness and Exercise
So, I am forced to start at a new gym in a week or so, as I am moving. I have already scoped out this new gym, and I found that even if it is a great big gym, they do not have ANY barbells. Very disappointing to me, as I love doing barbell curls for abs, bent over rows for my back, squats and of course - dead lifts.

So what do I do? They have Smith Machines (yuck) and dumbbells. What would you do?
I think my best bet would be dead lifts with dumbbells, as Smith machines to me just doesn't cut it.. but I'd like some input.

Don't just tell me to go to another gym either, because I bike everywhere and biking further than I already have to is out of the question. Heh.

Replies

  • Maggie_Pie1
    Maggie_Pie1 Posts: 322 Member
    What kind of answer are you looking for, if finding a gym that suits your needs is out of the question?

    Buy your own set of barbells and work out at home seems like the only other option?
  • brushe
    brushe Posts: 181 Member
    i like the idea of dumbell deadlifts. You can try them on one leg with lighter weight. good for the core and all the other benefits that go along with deadlifting.

    p90x legs and back workout incorporates single leg dead lift.
  • aimeeturner
    aimeeturner Posts: 225 Member
    I have done deadlifts with hand weights. You just have to maintain a straight back and have good form.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    If there was absolutely no other option (working out at home / finding another gym) then I would use dumbells. I can't stand the Smith machine.
  • tank2260
    tank2260 Posts: 10 Member
    Dumbbells work well as long as they are heavy enough.

    Smith machine is not bad either. I periodically to deadlifts on the smith, it takes some stabilizing out of equation but once you get the hang of it, it is pretty good. No need to shun the smith machine. It's actually heavily incorporated in training programs like "DC" training.
  • watergirl626
    watergirl626 Posts: 249 Member
    Do they have cable machines? You can put handles on the bottom cable to do deadlifts with a cable machine.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    If I were using dumbells, I would do them with the dumbells held to the side, making it more like a hack squat.
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    do they have kettlebells? you can do a sumo deadlift high pull with one of those.
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    dumbbells work. I use my heavier ones on this exercise
  • Lillemeddy
    Lillemeddy Posts: 94
    do they have kettlebells? you can do a sumo deadlift high pull with one of those.

    No, no kettlebells either. :(
    Do they have cable machines? You can put handles on the bottom cable to do deadlifts with a cable machine.

    Nope, no cables either.
    What kind of answer are you looking for, if finding a gym that suits your needs is out of the question?

    Buy your own set of barbells and work out at home seems like the only other option?

    If you read my question, the question is dumbbells vs smith.

    Planet Fitness is the gym btw. They have SO many stationary weight machines, but when it comes to free weights they are rather limited. And yes, I could go to another gym, but biking an hour each way is unrealistic, when I already bike 30 minutes to and from work.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    dumbbell rdl's over smith any day of the week.
  • tinyjourney
    tinyjourney Posts: 198 Member
    I always use dumbbells for stiff leg deadlifts. You have to ensure your form is great, arms are even with no wobbling, it adds a new feel to the exercise. It may not work as well for other forms, but there are ways around everything. Experiment in the privacy of your home with your form and something in each hand to see of you can find the right balance for your preferred deadlift method. I bet you can do it with a dumbbell.
  • Lillemeddy
    Lillemeddy Posts: 94
    Thanks for all the replies. I think I will go for the dumbbell version, both for regular and stiff leg.
This discussion has been closed.

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