Can I get a good workout with just dumbells?

[enwar3]

The place I work at has their own small fitness facility, but it's only got dumbbells (no barbells). Is it worth working out there? I used to do dumbbell only but I've heard many people swear by Starting Strength, which is all barbell work.

 

[Deeko]

Depends on how heavy they go. For the vast majority of exercises, there is a just as good (or better) dumbbell equivalent to every barbell exercise, but squats and deadlifts are a bit different there.

 

[NGC_604]

..

 

[presidentender]

You'll be fine.

 

[paulxcook]

Dumbells-only aren't the best, but they're definitely better than nothing and are worth the time if they're heavy enough. You can definitely get some sort of full body workout going with dumbells and a bench. Though, how heavy are the dumbells?

 

[Megatomic]

An advantage not mentioned yet to dumbell workouts is that you isolate and work each muscle more. With a barbell, a stronger arm can compensate for the weaker arm. With dumbells this is not the case.

Also, you tend to use your core more for stability when using dumbells than when using barbells. Another plus.

I only have dumbells, all my lifting is done with them. I'm not looking for Ronnie Coleman results, more like Michael Lovato. I get a great endurance workout with them and I'm starting to show signs of being ripped. That's plenty good for me.

 

[bignateyk]

Depends how big of dumbells...

If you have dumbells in 5lb increments between 30 and 60lbs, and 10lb increments from 60-100 lbs, you can do pretty much anything. Straight leg deadlifts are doable with dumbells as well...

 

[Harmattan]

If dumbells are your only option, then better than nothing. I'd rather have dumbells than just bars or a smith machine in any case: you can pretty much work any muscle group with them.

Dumbells will get you better range of motion, and work your supporting/balance muscles better than bars. The major drawback to just dumbells is you'll have a tough time with leg work outs, and as stated squatting and deadlifting will be pretty limited in weight (although possible).