What is more effective to work with? I try to use dumbells where possibly due to the greater amount of stabilizing muscles needed to control them. I can shift more weight with a barbell though so if I am aiming for maximal power is this not more effective? I also dont like the fact if I am doing 1 arm dumbell lifts such as a snatch, or clean and press and I am doing 3-4 reps then my body actually has to perform 6-8 reps in total as you need to do work both sides of the body equally. This means that my body/nervous system fatigues as it is working for a longer period of time. What do you prefer and why? what excercises are best performed with barbells? and which with dumbells?
I use barbells more often just because the max load is usually greater. I'll change up with dumbells every once in a while for upper body pressing though.
Both are good You can also perform almost every lift 1 handed with a barbell even snatches and clean and press
I really like to use dumbells for lunges, rows, weighted pull ups and incline bench press. I use a barbell for flat benching, squats, deadlift, etc. I could use a barbell for the exercises I use the dumbells, except for weighted pull ups, and get the same results. That being said, I like to mix it up and use both.
Yes. EDIT: What Urban said. but if the dumbbell is lighter than 60lbs or so it is useless to you, oh and no kickbacks, curls, etc.
Well I usually start with DB's heavier than 60lbs., but after the first 12-15 sets of curls my gunz are so wasted I can barely curl those little 2lb. pink dumbbells. That's ok if I prefatigued with heavy weights first right? :icon_chee MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I mainly train with dumbells. And your point about having to do double the reps isn't that big of a deal. You're using less weight. If I'm doing one arm clean and press with say, 120 pound dumbell for 6-8 reps, that's not as taxing as cleaning and pressing two 100 pounders at the same time. It takes longer to do it but it's rarely a problem of my muscles giving out due to the extra sets. Cardio wise, if you want to call it that, may have a little more because of the added sets. Not enough to deter me.
Use dumbells most of the time and I do dumbells for like 2 mothns and then barbell for a couple of weeks and then go back to dumbells. Dumbells are better for overall functional strength and they will make your overall stronger