Weights- What to buy?

[Manga]

I am torn between two things... Buying two weights of different weights or two weights of the same.

It's like... If I get one 30 pounder and one 45 pounder, I can increase to 45 pounds after I am done with the 30 pounder. However, if I did that, I couldn't use both arms at the same time, it'd have to be solo exercises, so that's a draw-back...

But if I got two of the same weight, the I'd have easier use of them both, but when I was done and ready to move on up, I'd be stuck til I saved up another 60-70 bucks.

Any suggestions? -=hears cricket chirp amongst the masses=-

[mnkeydo82]

I would just get a 300 lb olympic weight set with bar. You get better movements using a barbell. I think dumbells are a waste of money because I only do like three movements with them, none of which I really feel necessary. Fly's, hammer curls, and shrugs.

[Manga]

Well, with my endless bounties of money, I am off to buy that set.

[mnkeydo82]

Olympic weight set is fairly cheap, if you don't have enough now continue to save up. You will get alot more use in the long run from an olympic weight set. Do what I do, just buy a gym membership ~. ^

[Manga]

I have a gym membership, but I want it at home. I often times just use the gym for running but I have lots of down-time at home and gas I don't want to spend for lifting gets in the way.

I suppose I could do that, the weight rod idea, I'll look into that.

[abrannan]

I have to throw my support behind dumbells rather than a barbell. Dumbells provide better muscle isolation and build your stabilizer muscles better (You can't "hide" a weak side like you can with a barbell). You can get (fairly cheaply) a set of adjustable weight dumbells. Of course it's all dependent on the type of exercises you're looking to do and what weight you can handle now.

[SSC]

Dumbells are great for improving tone and general strength, but not maximizing your strength.

Obviously any sort of bench is going to be your best overall torso strength maximizers, but I use dumbells to help isolate a certain muscle I want to work on...

Especially the unappreciated Bicep.

[abrannan]

Barbells are great for bulking up, but the strength you get from them is not functional strength. It is maximized along one specific set of movements. Laying on a bench does absolutely nothing for your core muscles. Yeah, you can do a picture perfect bench at 300+ lbs, but what happens when you put 150 lbs in each hand? You can't do it, the stabilizers haven't caught up with the rest of your body, because you were able to cheat them with the bar. But yes, if you want to be able to throw enough weight up there for hardcore bulking up of specific muscles, go with the bar.

To illustrate my point, lay on your back and hold your arms straight up in the air, notice how easy or difficult it seems. Hold it for 5 minutes, and take note of how easy or hard you find it. Now do the same thing, but holding a broomstick as you would a weight bar. It's a lot easier to hold the bar up, isn't it? Even though technically you're holding more weight with the "bar".

The point is, you get a different workout from each. Barbells can hold a lot more weight on them and you can use that to really build some good muscle volume in large muscle groups that you can isolate. Dumbells ensure that your form is perfect, and that that strength you're building is functional, but have a lower maximum weight threshold. Ideally you'd be able to use both as your needs changed. My argument is that if you only have X amount of dollars, you'll get better mileage and effect (especially as a beginner who hasn't necessarily hit the maximum dumbell weight) out of a set of dumbells than out of a barbell.

[mnkeydo82]

That's asinine. You will get alot more mileage out of an olympic weight set, simply because it comes with 300 lbs of weight. Dumbbells are fine and all, but for the price olympic weight set is definately more bang for your buck. If you are new to all types of weight lifting your newbie gains are going to be quite good and you find yourself outgrowing two dumbells alot faster then an olympic weight set.

[SSC]

Well... I purchased two 5's, two 10's, two 15's, two 25's, and two 40's for under dollars... which is really well priced.

(And 40 lb weights... not 40 oz. )

[abrannan]

mnkeydo82 said:

That's asinine.

Glad to see you're approaching this with an open mind.

You will get alot more mileage out of an olympic weight set, simply because it comes with 300 lbs of weight. Dumbbells are fine and all, but for the price olympic weight set is definately more bang for your buck.

So, by your logic, I should buy the 5lb tub of lard rather than the package of chicken breasts because it's more calories per dollar, and thus more bang for the buck. (hey, if I'm going to be accused of being asinine, I might as well go all out). The point is more what's right for manga, rather than what's the best "deal". And a 300lb olympic set will set you back a minimum of $200 (which is still $60 cheaper than the best price I could find online) barring any sort of thrift store/garage sale deal. I got the impression we were talking about things in the $60-$70 range.

If you are new to all types of weight lifting your newbie gains are going to be quite good and you find yourself outgrowing two dumbells alot faster then an olympic weight set.

Normally a valid point, but Manga has a gym membership, and probably has a good idea of what his strength range is, so he's most likely not going to encounter a huge jump in his lifting abilities. Again, the impression I got was that he was looking for something he could use at home to "fill-in" a workout during a few spare minutes here and there, rather than a full-out gym setup. Plus, he may lack certain important things for heavy weights at home (like a spotter, or a floor that can handle having a couple hundred pounds dropped on it should something go wrong).

Of course, you ignored my main argument, which was that pound for pound, you'll get a better workout from dumbells than you will from barbells. There are adjustable weight dumbells that take standard bar plates, so your argument of "outgrowing" a dumbell doesn't stand, as you can just go out and pick up another 4 plates (thus amortizing the cost of a full 300# set over a number of months as strength gains occur). Every barbell exercise can be done with a pair of dumbells. Not every dumbell exercise can be done with a bar. From that standpoint, dumbells are the "better bang for the buck" choice, in my opinion.

[mnkeydo82]

The dumbells at my gym go up to 150 pounds, dumbells are what like 50 cents a pound? Go to Dicks and you can get an olympic weight set for 109.95. As for stabilizers not being worked while using barbells that is also false, if he was using a smith machine that would be the case. As for a spotter, he could just as easily drop db's as he could a barbell. You have to know your own limitations whenever you are working out with weights. Heck, the other day I saw a kid smash his face with a 70 pounder doing incline presses.

The big three are all best performed using a barbell, squats, bench press, and deadlift.

I guess dumbells are ok if you are only interested in working your chest and biceps.

Seriously though name me one movement that is better performed on a dumbell vs a barbell.

[abrannan]

mnkeydo82 said:

The dumbells at my gym go up to 150 pounds, dumbells are what like 50 cents a pound? Go tothingys and you can get an olympic weight set for 109.95.

I didn't see anythign listed on www.dickssportinggoods.com/, so I'll just have to take your word on it, however, for $9 you can get dumbell bars that will take all of that same weight, the only difference is you're putting it on a shorter bar.

As for stabilizers not being worked while using barbells that is also false, if he was using a smith machine that would be the case.

The stabilizers in your pecs that keep your arms together during a bench press aren't worked to the same degree or effect with a bar vs an equivalent pair of dumbells. You do not have to work as hard to keep your arms up with a bar as you do with dumbells, you can pull to the outside, and use the same pull on the other side to keep the weight centered. There is no such hiding with a dumbell, if you can't keep your arm straight on it's own, there's nowhere to go.

As for a spotter, he could just as easily drop db's as he could a barbell. You have to know your own limitations whenever you are working out with weights. Heck, the other day I saw a kid smash his face with a 70 pounder doing incline presses.

No argument here.

The big three are all best performed using a barbell, squats, bench press, and deadlift.

But all can be just as easily performed with a pair of dumbells. The only difference is you get a better upper body workout during the squats because you can't cheat and rest the bar on your back (I can't say how many times I've seen people cheat with a bar that way).

Seriously though name me one movement that is better performed on a dumbell vs a barbell.

Flys. Oh, you meant to limit me to only those exercises which can be done with a bar. I stand by my statement that any exercise is better done with dumbells if you're looking for functional strength. But, as I said before:

if you want to be able to throw enough weight up there for hardcore bulking up of specific muscles, go with the bar.

I'm not saying you have to agree with me on this. You won't change my mind, and I seriously doubt I'll change yours. You workout your way, I'll workout mine. You make your recommendations, and I'll make mine. Manga will make his own choice.

[xstatic]

you know people - EVERY YEAR I see sooooo many thrift sales with weight sets for like a buck. okay that's all I realy have to add.... I'm no expert at weights and lifting and stuff - but I know my bargains! woo!

[Manga]

Heh, yeah, I know... It'd be ideal to find places that actually have weights for that cheap. That'd save me some major bank. I went to a Play It Again sports place... They had weights for turbo cheap, but they were 100 pounders. Smeg that.

[abrannan]

Wow, you still have a Play it Again? All of the ones out here closed up shop years ago. Check out the thrift stores/salvation army stores in your area, there's usually one or two that have a pretty significant amount of fitness equipment, and their stuff is priced to MOVE. Also, keep an eye on the garage sale listings, though you usually have to go crack of dawn early to get a good pick of items from those.

[ddr411]

i bought two 15lb dumbells today and a excersising mat it was hex brand weights it totaled me $40 yes its alot but i had no other choice :/

[xstatic]

*points to he post on thrift sales* yes you did, and it was stated. pishwa! Also there are nifty things called trading posts that rawk the casba.

[Grant.]

the shareeeeef dont like it. when you rock the casbah. rock the casbah

[ddr411]

idid go to thrift store like 10 days ago but the equipment was burned out and rusty.