Squats and Dumbells

Soilse

As the title suggests the gym im in is pretty small and there are no barbells available only dumbells. I'm finding as I get to heavier weights that the dumbells are getting more difficult to handle. Is there a particular way to handle them or an alternative? I feel quiet awkard getting one side up then trying to get the other DB up. Or do I have to accept defeat and move gyms?

Chancer3001

my advice is move gyms

thegreatiam

it sounds brutal but moving is the best course. You won't be able to squat with heavy dumbbells soon enough and the alternatives are poor in comparison. plenty of gyms out there which can easily fulfill your needs.

Chancer3001

male / female?

trying to get bigger / stronger/ leaner?


You MIGHT not even need to be squatting heavy

(runs for cover)

Mellor

Soilse wrote: »

I feel quiet awkard getting one side up then trying to get the other DB up.

What do you mean get them up?
Do you not squat down and lift them both from the floor together?

Zombienosh

Mellor wrote: »

What do you mean get them up?
Do you not squat down and lift them both from the floor together?

They're probably holding over head while squatting? If I only had dumbbells to squat with I'd goblet squat.

JJayoo

Where are you based?

Soilse

When I say I lift heavy I find it heavy anyway, Im sure not for others. 2x14kg and the largest DB available is 32Kg so goblet squats wouldnt take me far. Im in Athlone during week and last time I looked >2yrs ago I wasnt impressed with any of the gyms, the instructors or there overrated prices there.

I think your right changing gyms is next was just hoping there may have been some alternative as its lovely and quiet and I rarely get hassled.

Gael23

How about using one heavy dumbell instead of two lighter ones?

Soilse

When I do squats I balance DBs on my shoulders and squat back and down as far as possible. I also do bulgarian squats and stepups to vary my routine every now and then. would using a higher step be of benefit? I've also started doing single leg pistol squats and am finding it pretty tough to get form right so been working on just the technique for this one rather than using weights right now

Chancer3001

The thing youre stepping onto.

try jumping onto it from a standing start.

Great exercise

PingO_O

Why not just lift them up off the ground as someone above said? I just started awhile ago and that's what I do. There's a book called starting strength that's been mentioned on this forum so I'm reading that to learn proper form until I go anywhere near barbells.

When I first started i had the dumbells on my shoulders like you and they really do dig into you so be careful!