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AR15.COM
5/8/2017 10:52:49 AM EDT
These worth it?
I've got some dumbells but not enough to do alot with. 5, 10, 25 etc.
Id like to use these to round out workout routines, currently on 531 routine and use a 3x10 type accessory work using the big 4 lifts.
Anyone use them before?


Selectable weights
5/8/2017 11:07:41 AM EDT
[#1]
I'd only consider the 1090 because the other version is not heavy enough. They seem rather expensive through.
5/8/2017 11:18:00 AM EDT
[#2]
I recently got the adjustable dumbbells from Titan Fitness. I got the 200lb set and added the shorter handles for when I don't need the whole long handle.

200 lb set, basically the same price as the bowflex, but twice the weight

100 lb set, half the price of the bowflex and the same amount of weight

Shorter Handles

knock off fat gripz, i like them

Both of the sets of dumbbells come with the long handles, so I do recommend getting the shorter handles as well. The long handle is good to have though, even if you were to go with the 100lb set because you could put all the plates on one handle for heavy rows. I don't have experience with the bowflex style adjustable dumbbells. I just always felt that they were expensive, too light, and look like they would break(I've never researched their durability).
5/8/2017 11:43:52 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
I recently got the adjustable dumbbells from Titan Fitness. I got the 200lb set and added the shorter handles for when I don't need the whole long handle.

200 lb set, basically the same price as the bowflex, but twice the weight

100 lb set, half the price of the bowflex and the same amount of weight

Shorter Handles

knock off fat gripz, i like them

Both of the sets of dumbbells come with the long handles, so I do recommend getting the shorter handles as well. The long handle is good to have though, even if you were to go with the 100lb set because you could put all the plates on one handle for heavy rows. I don't have experience with the bowflex style adjustable dumbbells. I just always felt that they were expensive, too light, and look like they would break(I've never researched their durability).
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your stuff looks like a good compromise as to what I am looking for. As usual, youre the man!
5/8/2017 11:46:11 AM EDT
[#4]
The only knock I have on these type of dumbbells is that at the heavier weights, the dumbbells are HUGE.   Which means that if you do presses that "come together" or fly movements, you don't get as close together. It can be odd. 

I have selectechs and power blocks. 
5/8/2017 11:47:52 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
The only knock I have on these type of dumbbells is that at the heavier weights, the dumbbells are HUGE.   Which means that if you do presses that "come together" or fly movements, you don't get as close together. It can be odd. 

I have selectechs and power blocks. 
View Quote
yeah that seemed like a common complaint, they were odd shaped for certain exercises and made them cumbersome.
5/8/2017 12:28:59 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
These worth it?
I've got some dumbells but not enough to do alot with. 5, 10, 25 etc.
Id like to use these to round out workout routines, currently on 531 routine and use a 3x10 type accessory work using the big 4 lifts.
Anyone use them before?

Selectable weights
View Quote

I've made several threads on Bowflex adj dumbells.

They break. Fairly easily as it turns out. What holds the plates in place is a wee little plastic ledge. Doesn't take much of a drop to break that little wedge and then they are done for.
5/8/2017 1:39:10 PM EDT
[#7]
Picked it up for $100 on craiglist lightly used.
Very happy with them, but wish they were more compact.
5/8/2017 4:19:36 PM EDT
[#8]
You can't drop them even on rubber floor mats. When you get into the 130+ range, you're going to drop them.
5/10/2017 4:11:03 PM EDT
[#9]
Well those are out of stock, I looked around on Amazon and just saw the comparable "youfit" type knockoff brand. I suppose they would work just as well. Its just weight on a bar, keep it on and you are gtg right? :D
On the other hand I saw thisBowflex PR1000

I kinda thought that would rock for accessory work. Id love to get a row and lat pulldown, that has both plus I can do all the bench press single arm stuff with it that I was going to use the dumbbells for. Under 500$.
5/10/2017 5:29:11 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
Well those are out of stock, I looked around on Amazon and just saw the comparable "youfit" type knockoff brand. I suppose they would work just as well. Its just weight on a bar, keep it on and you are gtg right? :D
On the other hand I saw thisBowflex PR1000

I kinda thought that would rock for accessory work. Id love to get a row and lat pulldown, that has both plus I can do all the bench press single arm stuff with it that I was going to use the dumbbells for. Under 500$.
View Quote
A dip belt and some good floor mats are way cheaper and better, imo.  Some people just like equipment (or crap hanging off their rifles, or holsters strapped just above the knee, or flashy rims on a Tercel, or....) but imo you can just do basic lifts, pullups and chin ups, add in some olympic lifts and you'd be in way better shape without the $500 pile of crap in the way.  That's good clear space that could be used for snatches.

I bought two farmers carries handles for $80 shipped.  Sand bags and kettlebells are awesome too.  That thing...  Not so much.
5/10/2017 8:42:33 PM EDT
[#11]
I just had this conversation with a guy at work, trying to help him choose the right equipment to start his new home gym, so it was fresh on my mind...  

Think about whether supersets are important to you.  Selectables would make it easier to drop weight for supersetting than the Titan set.  

Another option would be Olympic dumbbell handles and add 5 and 10 lb plates as you need them.  Spring collars on Oly dumbbell handles would make it a tad easier to strip off plates for supersetting.
5/11/2017 8:25:53 AM EDT
[#12]
Bowflex anything is going to be shit. Go Ironmaster or Power block.

As far as oly db handles and collars go, you don't want to be doing any pressing movements over your head/face with spring collars. Buy quality collars or spend that money on dental work. Your choice.
5/11/2017 9:46:49 AM EDT
[#13]
Alot of responses. Ill try and hit them all in one post.
Supersets I dont care about at all.
My main concept is targeting muscle groups that effect my big lifts specifically. Id also like to incorporate SOME bodybuilding. Ive been doing 5/3/1 with 3x10 of the opposite lift for a while and I really dig it. But id like to add a few more things to specifically target and build weak areas. Chest, shoulders and upper back.

I dont really have the ceiling height to do Olympic lifts. I already hit the ceiling on OHP and it extremely not ideal. I also dont really want to add anymore compound lifts to my routine at this time. I want to focus on the big 4. I do like the idea of farmer carry's.
I have double doors out the basement the driveway is very short but a slight incline so it would probably be pretty good for a farmer carry drill of some kind. Its something i have been already considering.

I only considered the bowflex stuff because it is what I saw first. Im not hung up on a brand or anything Im just trying to find something that fits.
5/11/2017 1:50:02 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Quoted:
Alot of responses. Ill try and hit them all in one post.
Supersets I dont care about at all.
My main concept is targeting muscle groups that effect my big lifts specifically. Id also like to incorporate SOME bodybuilding. Ive been doing 5/3/1 with 3x10 of the opposite lift for a while and I really dig it. But id like to add a few more things to specifically target and build weak areas. Chest, shoulders and upper back.

I dont really have the ceiling height to do Olympic lifts. I already hit the ceiling on OHP and it extremely not ideal. I also dont really want to add anymore compound lifts to my routine at this time. I want to focus on the big 4. I do like the idea of farmer carry's.
I have double doors out the basement the driveway is very short but a slight incline so it would probably be pretty good for a farmer carry drill of some kind. Its something i have been already considering.

I only considered the bowflex stuff because it is what I saw first. Im not hung up on a brand or anything Im just trying to find something that fits.
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You want to focus on the big 4 by adding in small muscle movements? That's real retarded sir. The big compound movements are the best way to add weight to the big 4...at your level.
5/12/2017 11:28:16 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
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You want to focus on the big 4 by adding in small muscle movements? That's real retarded sir. The big compound movements are the best way to add weight to the big 4...at your level.
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You and I never see eye to eye, I get it, but ill explain my thought process, reluctantly.
I look at my routine as 3 tier, lets use bench as an example.
Tier one is the Bench Press, 5/3/1 work as an example.
2nd tier is the accessory work to compliment that lift. 3x10 bench @x%, slingshot work, close grip bench, paused bench, wide grip bench, slow bench these are all compounds movements that might target one area a bit more heavily.
I also try and use a 3rd tier, which is isolation. I isolate the triceps, the chest, the back, shoulders etc. Chest fly's, dumbbell presses, lateral raises, curls, skullcrushers etc.
My problem isnt Tier 1 or Tier 2 tools, I dont have enough of a dumbbell set to work nicely on Tier 3. So thats why I was asking about some of the equipment in this post.
If tier 3 goes up, tier 2 goes up, if tier 2 is up tier one is going up as well.
Ive had great success with heavy compound lifts paired with hypertrophy work.
I hope that clears up my perspective at least and hopefully it doesnt seem so "retarded".
Accessory Work For Benching with Brandon Lilly
Dave Tate's LTT8 Seminar Presentation on Training Accessory Movements
5/12/2017 1:20:37 PM EDT
[#16]
For your last cycle, how many reps did you hit for each AMRAP set?
5/12/2017 1:57:27 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Quoted:
For your last cycle, how many reps did you hit for each AMRAP set?
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Last sets I think I hit all amrap, but I was trying to prepare and gauge where my 1RM actually was knowing I was going to test the 4 that weekend.
In other words, the week before my 1RM test I did my best to hit AMRAP so I would get a better picture of where I was.
Typically I usually dont shoot for amrap on week one but can hit or 1-2 under the rest of the week.
5/12/2017 2:02:24 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote History
Quoted:
Last sets I think I hit all amrap, but I was trying to prepare and gauge where my 1RM actually was knowing I was going to test the 4 that weekend.
In other words, the week before my 1RM test I did my best to hit AMRAP so I would get a better picture of where I was.
Typically I usually dont shoot for amrap on week one but can hit or 1-2 under the rest of the week.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
For your last cycle, how many reps did you hit for each AMRAP set?
Last sets I think I hit all amrap, but I was trying to prepare and gauge where my 1RM actually was knowing I was going to test the 4 that weekend.
In other words, the week before my 1RM test I did my best to hit AMRAP so I would get a better picture of where I was.
Typically I usually dont shoot for amrap on week one but can hit or 1-2 under the rest of the week.
How many reps though? On 5s week, reps = ?; 3s week, reps = ?...etc.  Just bench and/or squats will be fine.

Also, how long are your workouts when doing three tiers?
5/12/2017 2:19:30 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Quoted:


How many reps though? On 5s week, reps = ?; 3s week, reps = ?...etc.  Just bench and/or squats will be fine.
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5's
Bench- 14 reps @ 85%
Squat- 6 reps @ 85% (prob left some in the tank)

3's (this was this week)
Bench 8 reps @90%
squat- 5 reps @90%
5/12/2017 2:22:02 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Quoted:


5's
Bench- 14 reps @ 85%
Squat- 6 reps @ 85% (prob left some in the tank)

3's (this was this week)
Bench 8 reps @90%
squat- 5 reps @90%
View Quote
edit I havent worked much on tier 3 because I outgrew the majority of my weights.
I only have up to 25lbs dumbbells.
Right now I only do 5/3/1, 3x10 of opposite end (ohp/squat, bench/deadlift) and one tier 3 exercise, curl, chinups, or lateral raises, chin ups etc. usually Its about 1 hour.
5/12/2017 2:36:59 PM EDT
[#21]
1. Your work sets on bench are way too light.
2. I'll bet you aren't resting enough between sets.

Your thinking (tier 3 > tier 2 > tier 1) is backwards. Sure, elite lifters have to think that way because they are elite.  

Let's take bench for example...

What small muscles do you work on? You need stronger shoulders, lats, traps, tris, bis...damn near everything, in varying degrees. If you isolate, you spend time working on the wrong muscle and/or chasing "weak points". You end up wasting time and energy with little benefit.

Dips and chins are two exercises that will help your bench. On OHP day, throw in Klokov presses and rows. Squat day, front squats, good mornings or a deadlift variant. Deadlift day, something you didn't do on squat day but alway "accessorize" with compounds.

Push harder. Rest more.

Oh. Eat more. Always eat more to get bigger and stronger.

ETA: Increase the weight on the 3-5x10 sets before adding isolation accessories.
5/12/2017 3:36:55 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote History
Quoted:
1. Your work sets on bench are way too light.
2. I'll bet you aren't resting enough between sets.

Your thinking (tier 3 > tier 2 > tier 1) is backwards. Sure, elite lifters have to think that way because they are elite.  

Let's take bench for example...

What small muscles do you work on? You need stronger shoulders, lats, traps, tris, bis...damn near everything, in varying degrees. If you isolate, you spend time working on the wrong muscle and/or chasing "weak points". You end up wasting time and energy with little benefit.

Dips and chins are two exercises that will help your bench. On OHP day, throw in Klokov presses and rows. Squat day, front squats, good mornings or a deadlift variant. Deadlift day, something you didn't do on squat day but alway "accessorize" with compounds.

Push harder. Rest more.

Oh. Eat more. Always eat more to get bigger and stronger.

ETA: Increase the weight on the 3-5x10 sets before adding isolation accessories.
View Quote
The way I think about it is that the more isolated it is, the less helpful it is.  If I need tricep/bicep work (which I do, especially on this arm I'm rehabbing) I'll do lots of variety of rows.  If my arm is weak, it's likely the back and shoulder is too and I don't want to exacerbate imbalances or create them.  Need forearm workouts?  Farmers carries, kettlebells and long walks on the beach with my favorite weights.  I'm getting a great forearm workout, but also training all the complimenting muscles that need to help that.

I watched a guy doing 4 different variations of curls at the gym today.  for crying out loud.  Even if he ever does anything that uses his arms, he'll be so overwhelmingly arm dominant that his back won't be helping at all.  You've got much larger muscles in the back, do a wide variety of rows and work the motion, not the muscle.  If I can train myself to be efficient at pulling by using the largest muscles possible and assisting with the little guys, I'll be both stronger and more effective.  But doing a lot of assistance work can train that backwards.

Even down to seated OHP.  Why?  I'm working my legs and core a lot more by standing.  Will the weights be less?  Sure, who cares?  I've engaged nearly every muscle from head to foot, they are each being trained relative to how hard they need to work to perform that motion, so there's balance to it.  What good is it to train the OHP if the core can't hold it up?