5x5 Dumbells?

[Fatty4You]

Last night i go to my gym all ready to do incline barbell press, but someone was using my machine. I didn't feel like waiting, and since my gym only has one bench [I know, SAD!!] i decided to try and do some incline dumbbells instead.

Well, i am happy that i was able to get 5x5 with the 85's seeing as how i don't think i have ever even tried to use the 85s for incline [good strength gains from 5x5 lately]. But anyway, the dumbbells just didn't feel good. Actually they didn't feel like much of anything. No burn, no hurt, mostly it just felt hard, but not rewarding, even though i got the weight up. THis is strange, since barbell feels so damn satisfying.

So, is it bad to do any 5x5 exercises with dumbbells? Or is it best to just stick to barbell for things like chest press and shoulder press? Or is it good to mix it up occasionally?

-Fatty

 

[eastarr69]

I am all for 5X5 training also, but if you did not feel anything could be any of the following....

1. bad form/movement
2. not enough weight

I used to do 5X5 with dumbell, and had to go heavier....but, i generally train for power, so i tend to go heavy anyhow...i believe you get more from 5X5 with a spotter and go a bit heavier and after 2 sets, the last 3 are a bit rougher with the spotter near by for the last rep or 2....plus, how much time do youi take in between...I have found when i train by myself with straight bar for bench, i do 5x5 starting at 315 and going up 5 pounds each set, but i take 3 minutes at least between sets...more time to rest and ready, but when i train with my bro, we take like the set time of the other guy in between and that is it and believe me, i hurt like a bitch... just my $.02

E

 

[Boss101]

I have found when i train by myself with straight bar for bench, i do 5x5 starting at 315 and going up 5 pounds each set

When I bench, I warm up then do 5x5 with a fixed weight for each set if I get all five reps on the last set I increase the weight my next workout is this alright.

 

[gymtime]

..So, is it bad to do any 5x5 exercises with dumbbells? Or is it best to just stick to barbell for things like chest press and shoulder press? Or is it good to mix it up occasionally?

-Fatty

Absolutely not. Many people feel DBs are superior to bars, as they require the use of more stablizer muscles.

I avoided DBs for years for the same reason you mentioned. They were awkward and frankly, I couldn't lift as much as I could on the bar so I just ignored them.

Today my primary chest excercises are with DBs. I start with either flat or incline (alternate by week), and then do the bar second, followed by a fly or something.

So no, it's not bad at all. When you're ready to change up your routine, start using the DBs, but go with the flat and/or incline to start out with. Once you get into it, you'll never do bar exclusively again.

 

[needsize]

The thing I dont like about dumbells for the 5x5 is how you are stuck with fairly large weight increments when you raise the weight. 5lbs per side(10lbs overall) is a pretty noticeable increase, where as using 2 1/2lb plates with the bar is a smaller jump, which makes it easier for me to keep progressing. Other than that nothing wrong with them

 

[gymtime]

Good point, I hadn't thought of that. I've been avoiding changing up my routine because I'm still improving on my DB bench, albeit very slowly. Now that you mention it, one of the reasons for the slow gains could be because of the ten-lb increments.

 

[eastarr69]

boss101;

Sure it is alright, but if I have found that the last 2 sets, which i will call work sets, since you should be sort of fatigued by this time, should be harde to move and may require a spot or at least a watchful eye...if you blow through 4 sets and the last 2 reps on the last set are rough, then you may want to go up in weight for the 5 sets...but, if you can go up every week, then cool...i just get a better pump by working out this way...

E

 

[Gretak9]

I know what you mean about the 10lb increments. There is a company (don't remember the name) that markets magnetic weights in 2 1/2 lbs to add on to the end of dumbells.

 

[johnb]

As I mentioned in the 5X5 thread, you can use dumbell handles and 1.25 lbs. plates to allow for small increases.

 

[DrBones]

As I mentioned in the 5X5 thread, you can use dumbell handles and 1.25 lbs. plates to allow for small increases

HOw many 10 lb plates can you get on that thing? It would really fuck with your ROM if you were forced to put 25 lb plates on the sucker in order to get to a desired weight...