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dumbells vs. barbells

marckozman Posts: 14 Joined: 2005/04/24	2005/06/01, 09:33 AM Why is that my program tells me to switch between useing dumbells one week to using a barbell next week? Usually I would follow the program with no questions but I have a muscle imbalance that I'm trying to fix. Should I disregard using the barbell and stick to using dumbells?
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/06/01, 09:41 AM barbells alow you to use more weight....so you can get bigger and stronger.....while dbs alow for greater range of motion. Which hits more muscle fibers ....so btoh are good -------------- " The only true eye, is your minds eye"- plato
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/06/01, 10:58 AM Using both for different exercises is ideal. Both have definite purposes, and can hit muscles in a totally differerent way. For instance on bench press, the bar forces you to stay in a certain plane of movement. Whereas if you use dumbbells, you can "adjust" that range of movement somewhat. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
dvelswk Posts: 192 Joined: 2005/05/07	2005/06/02, 12:55 PM As BA said using bars helps you get stronger faster. I once was working out my chest with only dumbells, using 75lb dumbells. When I went to bench with a barbell 6 weeks later I could barely even do 195lb, where as before I could do 205 easily. It doesn't make a dirastic change at all but it does make a change. Dumbells in my opinion are better for making the weight equal on both arms incase you have a problem with them being diff. sizes. On a bar you can favor the arm that's weaker and train the one that's bigger harder.