Bodyweight exercises v dumbbells

UngratefulWhelp

Hey,
Would just like some quick opinions on which are better for working out. I'm inclined towards bodyweight, as I travel a fair bit and it's something that can be done anywhere (talking press-ups, maybe pull-ups, squats).

However, I have a set of dumbbells at home that I don't really use and if they're more effective, then I'll switch. I need something to fill the days between running 5k every other day.

I'm on week 5 of the 100 push up challenge but not seeing any physical changes yet.

rubadub

This can be a big can of worms, I have seen lengthy discussions on a gymnastics forum about BW being better. I often see it said that "gymnasts do not lift weights" but in training videos I have seen them lifting, some maybe just for warmups, but I have read Chinese olympic gymansts have a 2xBW squat as a standard.

I prefer BW exercises as I feel more confident & natural doing them, I also use weights & bands. You can always combine the 2 -weighted dips, chins, pushups.

Rather than a 100 pushup challenge I would like a challenge to find variations of pushups/chins/dips which restrict my reps to 5-15 -while getting stronger all the time. Like progressing towards handstand pushups. I doubt many people buy a lightish dumbbell and aim to work towards 100 reps with it.

megtyler

do both. if you are not strong enough to lift your entire body yet, dumbbell will do it for you. just do both.

UngratefulWhelp

rubadub wrote: »

This can be a big can of worms, I have seen lengthy discussions on a gymnastics forum about BW being better. I often see it said that "gymnasts do not lift weights" but in training videos I have seen them lifting, some maybe just for warmups, but I have read Chinese olympic gymansts have a 2xBW squat as a standard.

I prefer BW exercises as I feel more confident & natural doing them, I also use weights & bands. You can always combine the 2 -weighted dips, chins, pushups.

Rather than a 100 pushup challenge I would like a challenge to find variations of pushups/chins/dips which restrict my reps to 5-15 -while getting stronger all the time. Like progressing towards handstand pushups. I doubt many people buy a lightish dumbbell and aim to work towards 100 reps with it.

Thanks. Do you know of any programs online with lists of progressive mixed up bodyweight exercises?

Best I can find is this one: http://www.simplefit.org/workouts.html#workouts

Can people really do handstand push-ups??? Would've thought that was acrobat stuff.

BraziliaNZ

BW exercises are good for sure, but now that pull ups are easy, I've started adding 10 or 15kg plates to a belt to make them harder. Surely that's better than just BW?

ferike1

I can do handstand pushups against a wall. I have been training almost exclusively with bodyweight exercises for the past year or so and have made some good gains. Doing a programme now with the big six boyweight exercises (pushups & pullup (weighted and unweighted), handstand pushups, pistols, bridges and dragon flags) combined with weighted dips, and heavy squats and deadlifts. I do use kettle bells for my pistols. On off days I do some static hold work and stretching.

nice_guy80

both

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

has body weight and dumbbell exercises for all muscle groups

UngratefulWhelp

ferike1 wrote: »

I can do handstand pushups against a wall. I have been training almost exclusively with bodyweight exercises for the past year or so and have made some good gains. Doing a programme now with the big six boyweight exercises (pushups & pullup (weighted and unweighted), handstand pushups, pistols, bridges and dragon flags) combined with weighted dips, and heavy squats and deadlifts. I do use kettle bells for my pistols. On off days I do some static hold work and stretching.

That programme online by any chance? Thanks.

ferike1

The programme for the super six is from convict conditioning. Basically my routine is like this

Monday - Weighted dips, Pushups, dragon flags

Wednesday - Deadlift, Weighted pullups/chins, bridge work

Thursday - static hold work,bridge work, shoulder handstands

Friday - Squats, Pistols

Weekend - Rest.