deadlift without a barbell?

wendyapple · February 2012

ok, there are a million bajillion threads about deadlifts, but i encountered a problem tonight i don't know how to bypass. my gym has no freeweight barbells! i know, i know, i'm switching to a *real* gym march 1, but until then what's the best alternative to a deadlift using dumbells? please and thank you

_persephone_ · February 2012

I'm in the same boat here...no barbells whatsoever in my gym

I have tried to do them with dumbells, but getting the form right is proving a bit tricky, though this may be because I'm a bit klutzy.

usmcmp · February 2012

You can deadlift with dumbbells

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8YJ_tfLPJQ

meshashesha2012 · February 2012

you can use dumbells, weight plates, kettle bells or even a gym partner :laugh:

AngelTwin27 · February 2012

It is awkward, but still doable.

I do a weight's class at the gym on a regular basis, using a barbell and we do lots of deadlifts as part of it, but there is another class designed to introduce people to weights where you use dumbells instead and it feels really weird...

Watch this video - go to 37 seconds in and you'll see deadlifts (and dead rows) with dumbells: