Hello everyone, it has been a while. Things are going well, and I'm traveling abroad for a couple years. There is a gym nearby but it is just god-awful so I decided to buy a pair of dumbbells instead.

Instead of having a gym previously, I'm trying to just have a basic work out I can do every other day with dumbbells. This is now my first attempt with free weights. I had a few questions.

1) Can I really get a good full body work out with just myself and dumbbells?

2) Are there any major differences between machines and free weights that I should be aware of in regards to safety/correctness?

3) Any personal exercises for dumbbells that you all use and recommend for a beginner to stick to for starting out?

Thanks as always.

1) Can I really get a good full body work out with just myself and dumbbells?


You can do a lot with dumbbells. The only problem is when you get stronger you might have trouble finding heavy enough dumbbells. OTOH the others will point out you can do things single legged to make things harder for you.



2) Are there any major differences between machines and free weights that I should be aware of in regards to safety/correctness?


Don't drop the dumbbell on your foot :lol:


3) Any personal exercises for dumbbells that you all use and recommend for a beginner to stick to for starting out?



The big ones I guess. Chest press. Shoulder press. Bent over row. Some sort of deadlift and squat. I'm sure the others can pick this over and fix.

All I work out with is DB's. My collection at the moment consists of DB's that are anywhere from 3 - 20 pounds. Eventually I'll have to go to plates, but for now, my collection works.

For me, I think this is to my advantage as my left side is considerably weaker than my right. If I were to use a barbell, I have a sneaking suspicion that I would end up compensating with my right arm which is exactly what I don't want. The only way around that would be to have somebody watching me to make sure I didn't do that. I can't think of too many people that would be willing to take on that task. LOL

It has always been in my opinion that BB's or DB's give a person full range of motion. Machines have changed quite a bit since the last time I used them, so perhaps they are better now, but when I used them, I didn't like them as I always felt like I was cheating.

The only caution you need to take is don't drop them on your toes, on your face or head while doing things like tricep extensions and don't swing them around while using them. The only body part that should be moving is the part you're working with.

For things like lat pull downs, I use a resistance band that is folded in half for added resistance. Not a exercise I'm fond of as I carry all my stress in my neck and upper back so when I do them, they hurt, but I still do them. I just swear and sputter alot.... :rolleyes:

1) I think its hard to get a full workout with just dumbbells. When I'm on vacation I use them just to try to sustain till I get back home. Problem for me is I can't get enough weight to make it a good workout on certain exercises.

2) I feel in some instances free weights are better and work the whole muscle as you balance the weight as you push up. I use both free weights and a machine in my routine.

3) I do a couple things when I am stuck with just dumbbells. I sit and do a military press. I stand and do arm curls. I try to find a bench and lay and do a bench press, butterfly lifts and tricep lifts. Also I do push-ups and sit-ups. Not ideal but keeps me in check.

Hope this helps a little

Renegade man makers with a pair of 25s - 50s

will make you crying .

one legged squats holding a dumbbell will also make you hate yourself.

one legged deadlifts holding dumbbells

pullups holding dumbbells between your feet.

you can get a hell of a workout with just a pair of dumbbells. but after a few weeks you'll need to trade them for a heavier pair.

i'd reccomend hanging on to a set of 20s - 25s' for light weight stuff, and then keeping a heavy set for heavier stuff. my 'heavy's are 60's.

my lights are 25's.

Easier to get bars and plates. Then you can adjust the weight. Plus later if you get a barbell you can use the same plates.