Recently I was asked “…what is your preference on dumbbells compared to barbells? Does the increased amount of weight you can move on say, an incline barbell press offset the extra work by the stabilizing muscles if you were use dumbbells? Should dumbbells and barbells be alternated?”
And this is a great question worthy of a thoughtful response!
I’ll preface my comments by sharing one of the most common ways questions to me are structured:
“If you had only one ________, what would you do?”
And my response to these types of questions always begins my pointing out that thankfully, we typically aren’t limited to only one option. And so yes, MOST trainees should use both dumbbell and barbell movements, because both variants have their own unique “benefit-to-drawback” profiles.
So what’s best for you?
Lots of factors need consideration as you attempt to answer that question, but here are two that should be at the front of the list:
Specificity. If you’re an Olympic weightlifter or a powerlifter, then your should use barbells most of the time. Your competitive events demand it. If, on the other hand, you play baseball, tennis, hockey, soccer, or if you’re involved in disciplines like martial arts, climbing, BMX, or general fitness, then dumbbell drills should assume a larger role in your training.
Availability: Dumbbells typically cost MUCH more than barbells and plates. So if (for example) you train at home and finances are limited, you’re probably going to use barbells exclusively or almost exclusively.
Need for maximal strength: If success in your athletic discipline requires the ability to overcome large loads (powerlifting, Olympic lifting, football, throws, etc), barbells will be a primary tool. That’s because the instability of dumbbells will limit how much load you can lift.
Finally, no need to limit ourselves to dumbbells and barbells! Don’t forget about kettlebells, elastic resistance, sled dragging, partner work, car pushing, sprints, rope climbing, bodyweight exercises….we all need to “exercise” our creativity when it comes to equipment options!
Barbells Vs Dumbells
Contact Me contact@brinkzone.com
-
All Sled Leg Day!
Will Brink, , Strength Training, Videos, 3
I have written about the benefits of sled training in prior posts, so I won’t got into details on...
-
We Are What We Absorb II: Proteins, amino acids, and peptides
Will Brink, , Bodybuilding, Nutritional Science, Supplement Science, 11
This is a topic so large it could take stacks of text books (and it does!) and many...
-
How 2 Set Styles May Build Muscle In Half The Time
Will Brink, , Bodybuilding, General Brinkzone Stuff, Strength Training, Training Programs, 3
Editors Note: Here’s a guest article via Carl Juneau, PhD. Doctor Juneau is the developer of the Dr. Muscle...
-
The Cold Hard Facts About “T Boosters”
Will Brink, , Bodybuilding, Supplement Science, Videos, 2
In this vid, I cover the ever popular “Testosterone booster” category using THIS article: Will BrinkWill Brink is the...
-
Some Thoughts On Mindset: 5 Mental Health Secrets For Great Workouts
Charles Staley, , Strength Training, 2
Your mental climate during workouts is one of the most significant factors (if not the most significant factor) that...
-
A NEAT way to fat loss
Monica Mollica, , Articles, Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness, General fitness info, General Health, Get Lean, Longevity, Nutritional Science, Weight Loss, Women's Health, 36
Are you struggling to lose that extra flab and all those nasty calories that seem to be glued...
-
2009 Jay Cutler Classic
Will Brink, , Bodybuilding, General Brinkzone Stuff, 6
Folks, take a look at my vid from the show I judged last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkCcvGFZi4M Will BrinkWill Brink is...
-
Whey Q&A!
Will Brink, , Articles, Bodybuilding, General Health, Supplement Science, 16
Whey protein has become a staple nutritional supplement with both athletic populations requiring the highest possible quality protein to...
BrinkZone Authors
Categories
Recent Posts
- Oreo Cookies Better Than Statins For lowering LDL?! March 12, 2024
- Oreo Cookies Vs Statins?! March 7, 2024
- Lactoferrin: A Broad Spectrum Anti-Viral January 25, 2024
- Pragmatic Real World *Permanent* Weight Loss! November 10, 2023
- Psychology 101 Of Weight Loss November 2, 2023
- Creatine in Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome/Long Covid October 4, 2023
- Iron, The Key To Glucose Metabolism And Disease Prevention? September 27, 2023
- NAC Vs Gly-NAC Vs Glyteine Vs Whey! August 24, 2023
Recent Comments
- Stephen Cartwright on Process Training Vs. End Point Training
- Dan on Process Training Vs. End Point Training
- Jim on AlphaJoe Is HERE!
- Will Brink on Whey Isolates vs. Concentrates
- David Plyler on Iron, The Key To Glucose Metabolism And Disease Prevention?
Yes, yes, YES! Great info Charles. This hits every essential point of this “debate.” Take note people!
I though Mr. Staley would say something,what he said wasn’t
worth reading, dummies know this much.
Please enlighten us Bob!
Charles, great article! I have a question about using dumbbells in a case where we might experience an imbalance – where one side is slightly weaker than the other. Would it make sense to use dumbbells to adjust the weight and/or intensity to work the weak side harder to “catch up” and get closer to balance?
Thanks Randy,
If it’s a significant strength discrepancy, yes, DB’s should play a greater role. However, keep in mind the other needs I pointed out above- if you[re a maximal strength athlete, and/or if you’re a competitive lifter, you’ll still use plenty of barbell drills.
Also keep in mind that most of use will have slight bilateral imbalances- so much so that I’d call it “normal.”
Hey admin, I have a little request. I’d been just googleing for some info on the subject you wrote and found this post. Some great material you posted right here. May i please discuss this particular post on my own new website I am working on? This would be terrific :). I will come back once again later to see how you replied. Thank you, Lora Reister
Will keep an eye on this site.
Thank you so much Many thanks for your topic message! I really truly enjoyed reveled in reading examining it the text and picked up discovered a lot a bunch of new interesting information data. Cheers Greetings!
Yo!. Definitely enjoyed checking out your article. It was especially informative and helpful. I trust you do not mind me blogging regarding this post on my personal website. I will also be linking back to this. Cool theme you’ve got! Cheers.
As a newbie to the internet, this info has proved to be outstandingly helpful. Thanks!
I pauperism to away with this mo to opportunity that I in truth inamorata this blog. It has been a creditable resource of intelligence as a replacement pro me in my research. Command thanksgiving owing to you you so much.
Hai bisogno di un lavoro segment without surcease ti consiglio il qui presente sito web. Cerchi telelavoro online?
I rely upon that is an maddening exhaustively, it made me of a bit. Thanks repayment for sparking my thinking cap. Again I insinuate so much in a habit that I decent road to like a record.
This is in reality some awesome advice. Make it up, my colleagues would attachment this.
This absolutely is such a wonderful resource that youre oblation and you give it away correct to the points that free. I away entertainment in seeing sites that fulfil the value of delivering a prime resource fitting to the actuality that no cost. I categorically loved reading your post. Thanks!
Thanks pro sharing, I like this blog!
As a newbie to the internet, this info has proved to be uncommonly helpful. Thanks!
I hanker after to invite out this import to rephrase that I unquestionably adoration this blog. It has been a fitting resource of bulletin to evaporate pass to me in my research. Command thanksgiving owing to you you so much.
Hai bisogno di un lavoro forsake without surcease ti consiglio il qui presente sito web. Cerchi telelavoro online?
I stain that is an engrossing detail, it made me concoct a bit. Thanks in compensation sparking my mastermind cap. On I stimulate so much in a trough that I good note like a record.
This is de facto some fantabulous advice. Board it up, my colleagues would love this.
This in capacity is such a wonderful resource that youre oblation and you pass it away pro free. I take election in seeing sites that discern the purpose of delivering a prime resource precisely to the happening that no cost. I categorically loved reading your post. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing, I like this blog!
Hey! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you utilizing for this web site? Im finding sick and tired of WordPress because Ive had problems with hackers and Im looking at options for an additional platform. I would be amazing in case you could point me in the direction of a excellent platform.
Experience is the teacher of fools