Quick Links: | | | | | | Display Name Post: Dumbell Sets…? (Topic#5766) Total Posts:497 10-16-05 04:16 PM – Dave, Laree, all bombers… First of all I need to re-thank those who responded to my questions of working with only dumbells. Some great stuff, including a post mentioning Sig Klein. I used to visit his gymn in New York when I worked there in the music world…1964. His upstairs gymn with memorabilia and beer steins on the wall continue to be my idea of a great workout space! Anyway…I’m about to sell all my current equipment, and I’m seeking your knowledge on dumbells…are the quick-change-sets (I don’t know what else to call them…)a sufficient way to go, or should I just hang onto, and build up my various ones I already own? As always, I am in your debt for the vast information bank from which I continue to draw.. Bowing, George Location:England Total Posts:4276 10-16-05 05:34 PM – I think if you get plate loading ones you need to get them with enough space at each end to load quite a few 5kg/10lb plates on. unless you mean the “space age” fancy ones, which i have no experience of so i couldn’t help you. Location:Dayton, OH Total Posts:842 10-16-05 05:40 PM – If you have the extra space and the dumbbells you have are in decent shape I’d hand onto them and expand as the need arises. Don’t know where your from but in Ohio steel is going for around $0.42 a pound and thats for the cheap hex style. That can add up really quick. But at the end of the day its all heavy so do what feels right. Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking. –Ferdinand Foch– at the Battle of the Marne Location:Oklahoma Total Posts:4431 10-16-05 06:36 PM – I have never used the quick loading ones. I have both hex DBs [5 through 40 pounds] and a couple sets of standard DB handles. I mostly use the standard handles. I quit adding to my hex DBs when I bought a pair of DB hooks. I leave the hooks on one pair and use them for bench presses. Its real easy to change plates while they are hanging from a bar on a cage. I like that I can microload them easily. They are the usual cheapo handles you see every place, and have room for 3 ten pound plates per side. They might accomodate 3×25 plates. I have not had the need to try it. My other handles are 1 3/8″ grip, 24 inch long. They will hold more plates than I will ever lift. I use them for lots of different movements. The length would interfere with using them hanging from the rack, and would make it uncomfortable to use them for benches if you were trying to get them into postition with a “knee up” kind of movement. Fatter and longer handles are available at Iron Mind and Piedmont Design Associates, amoung other places, for either standard or Oly plates. Depending on your workout style, interchangeable plate handles might make a lot of sense. It does take time to change plates, and they are not as nice for use on the bench if you do not go for hooks. They are so cheap to try with the plates you already have, you are not out much if you find they do not suit you. jej Total Posts:497 10-16-05 06:44 PM – Mark…Thankyou for your reply… I’m leaning that way also…the “room” is not a problem. I’m looking toward the future with a dumbell set and simple bench in my house hoping my recovering heart patient lady might join the band wagon… Bowing, George Total Posts:497 10-16-05 06:50 PM – Bulch…. Thankyou for your reply..You post alot here so I value the input… Bowing, George Total Posts:497 10-16-05 07:06 PM – JeJ.. A tremendously informative post…and I thankyou for your time…. I’ll look into those kind of weights… Bowing, George Location:Santa Cruz, CA Total Posts:21814 10-17-05 11:06 AM – Hey, George, I’m glad you got good input because I have nothing to offer as neither Dave nor I have used quick-change dumbbells before. Total Posts:9896 10-17-05 11:16 AM – George, if I was going to use them as the backbone of the program, I wouldn’t buy powerblocks or the little nautilus / bowflex adjustable dumbbells. I have used both and neither is very rugged, you wouldn’t want to drop them. I would look at the adjustables from ironmaster.com, I haven’t had a chance to try these but they are a more rugged design. The price is a little better than powerblocks. I don’t know if you’ll be able to find them locally so shipping might inflate the price. Loading your own isn’t too bad but you’ll want a nice variety of handles. Handles can be made from 1″ cold rolled steel and industrial shaft collars with nothing more than a hacksaw and patience. I have a couple of these I made and they are better than what you can buy most places. Have you given any thought to kettlebell lifting? Lots of martial artists like it and it’s a great way to train. Dragondoor.com is the original source and has a lot of articles if you want to look into it. Kettlestack.com is required reading if you want to look into if further. You can get a nice set of kettlebells from Gill Athletics without spending a fortune, Piedmont Design makes great loadable kettlebell handles. Definitely worth a look. The most important test a lifter has to pass is the test of time. -John Cole Location:Gainesville FL USA Earth Total Posts:14023 10-17-05 11:43 AM – George: I am not impressed by the various “adjustable – quick” dumbbells. Most are not very secure and the balance is different. This is more of a feeling rather than a demonstratable fact but that is the way they feel to me. Unless you have a large set of fixed weight dumbbells, using dumbbells as your primary workout can be quite inconvenient…which is why so few people use them. By avoiding dumbbells, they are missing a very valuable training adjunct. If all you have are bars and collars, using dumbbells requires some creativity. You have to group your exercises so that you gradually progress to the movements with the heavier bells, in order to minimize plate changes. You start out with light, leverage and isolation type moves and litter ‘bells. Then you move to medium weight movements with heavier ‘bells. Finally, you do the heavy compound stuff, with the heaviest ‘bells. Not the ideal system, but very doable. Or you could reverse the order, doing the heaviest things first and then the lighter movements. If you already have a number of fixed weight ‘bells, I’d consider Byron’s (ccrow) suggestion and make up more of your own. Buy or scrounge used plates from garage sales, second hand shops, classified ads and sports resale stores. Use cold rolled steel as Byron suggested or even galvanized pipe can be pressed into use. I’ve even seen dumbbells made up from one inch hardwood dowels, with a revolving sleeve/spacer made from PVC tubing and a couple of fender washers. The locknuts on the collars really get a good bit on wood…but they need to be permanently attached. Loosening them and then retightening them purposely eventually destroys the fit. Wicked “I’m in good shape for the shape I’m in.” “Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 Location:Arlington, VA Total Posts:7292 10-17-05 01:23 PM – To counter Byron and Wicked, I freaking LOVE my Powerblocks. I’d recommend playing with them in the store before buying any, however–they’re pricey for something you might not love. The more I eat and the heavier I train, the better my genetics get. If you’re not paraplegic and not squatting, please kick your own ass for me.” “Do you really think that the reason most guys don’t have big arms is purely because of a lack of doing curls?” –Alwyn Cosgrove “There is only one gram of carbs in STFD and no carbs at all in STFU.” –Byron Chandler “Use meaningful loads to achieve results.” –Big Vic Location:CA Total Posts:5771 10-17-05 03:03 PM – I have a “Hoist” system, very solid, but “blocky”, which I have found to not be a problem, they just look a little funky. Each side goes from 10 to 75 lbs and the whole thing sits on a stand that’s about 2 1/2′ x 3′. They’re not as fast as the little quick change nautilus system but sturdier. At about $350 they’re pricey, but well constructed. For me, money well spent. Kyle E. Performance, Health, and Longevity Total Posts:9896 10-17-05 03:21 PM – Kyle, I had not heard of Hoist, they look just like Ironmasters and might be a little less expensive. When you compare the price of a full rack of 10′s to 75′s, $350 seems like a good deal. The most important test a lifter has to pass is the test of time. -John Cole Total Posts:497 10-17-05 03:35 PM – Laree… I always get “good input” from your wonderful site…whether I take advantage of it or not! Everyone with which I’ve communicated has my best interest at heart. Bowing, George Total Posts:497 10-17-05 03:38 PM – ccrow… You’re very detailed post is much appreciated…Kettle bells are something into which I will dig further.. Bowing, George Location:Santa Cruz, CA Total Posts:21814 10-17-05 03:43 PM – I didn’t know Hoist made these, either. There are a couple of pieces of Hoist equipment at the gym that are terrific, and I very much like the owner of the company, too. He’s been around forever and is trustworthy. They made a set of large-grip dumbbells for Joe Gold a few years ago, with the plan to make a commercial line. Not sure what, if anything, happened with the design. We saw the first production set in San Francisco at the IRSHA gym equipment show — too big for my hands, but Dave was drooling. Total Posts:497 10-17-05 03:45 PM – Wicked… Wow!!! A workout description AND dumbell Ideas!!!Thanks a rackfull!! I’ve been to my local sports stores(Copeland and Big Five) and I agree with your basic “feeling” idea, although I wonder if it isn’t more a visual “feeling”, after all these years of “seeing” what dumbells should look like. Anyway, Thanks again, Bowing, George Total Posts:497 10-17-05 03:47 PM – Chris… That’s one point for for the new stuff…but considering who stated it, I take your suggestion quite seriously… Thankyou. Bowing, George Location:Sioux Falls, South Dakota Total Posts:2062 10-17-05 03:48 PM – I have the power blocks and like them for their convenience. They are rugged enough to ride around in my truck, they are a little akward looking but have not impaired my ability to work out with them. Check out the different types in the stores, I’m sure you will be able to make an informed decision. Total Posts:497 10-17-05 03:53 PM – Kyle… Thankyou for the Hoist name. I’ll do some investigatingin that diestion… Bowing, George Location:CA Total Posts:5771 10-17-05 04:50 PM – Quote: ccrow said: Kyle, I had not heard of Hoist, they look just like Ironmasters and might be a little less expensive. When you compare the price of a full rack of 10′s to 75′s, $350 seems like a good deal. I’ve had mine over a year, the $350 price tag may not be valid any longer. Can’t say enough for the quality of the product, however. Kyle E. Performance, Health, and Longevity Quick Links: | | | | | | Icon Legend Permissions & Sharing Options Topic options Print topic Email topic 657 Views
