Dumbbell Fullbody

[Off Road]

If you are serious about gaining strength and muscle, get yourself some decent equipment or join a gym. It is too hard to overload the lower body using dumbbells for compound movements. You'd be stuck doing things like step-ups, lunges, and split squats. Those are fine movements but are nothing when compared to barbell squats and deadlifts.

[Chillen]

Originally Posted by Off Road

If you are serious about gaining strength and muscle, get yourself some decent equipment or join a gym. It is too hard to overload the lower body using dumbbells for compound movements. You'd be stuck doing things like step-ups, lunges, and split squats. Those are fine movements but are nothing when compared to barbell squats and deadlifts.

IMO, DB's are decent equipment. Especially Free Db's where you can add on plates as you progress. In addition, DB's recruit supportive tissue (for additional support, stability, etc) that an LB does not, and can be a very good "change" in a program (dependent).

I bet I could set up a DB program, that would work your ass! (pun intended)

And, let us not forget, some get great physiques without lifting one plate and are strong and powerful. How? Just through appropriate body weight training. In addition, some are in the postion (think economy,etc) where they can not afford to go to a gym, and are simply stuck with what they have.

The hypothetical is valid.

[Off Road]

Originally Posted by Chillen

And, let us not forget, some get great physiques without lifting one plate and are strong and powerful. How? Just through appropriate body weight training. In addition, some are in the postion (think economy,etc) where they can not afford to go to a gym, and are simply stuck with what they have.

Sure, if you want a good physique you can do something as simple as swimming and watching your diet. But if you want maximal muscle and strength you're going to have to suck it up and lift big weights. Your typical plate loaded dumbbells just aren't going to cut it for long.

[Chillen]

Originally Posted by Off Road

Sure, if you want a good physique you can do something as simple as swimming and watching your diet. But if you want maximal muscle and strength you're going to have to suck it up and lift big weights. Your typical plate loaded dumbbells just aren't going to cut it for long.

All, I am saying is that the hypothetical parameters, are with DB's, which eliminates the other methods. In addition, the other conditions are limited to the goal (s) of the hypothetical. Which in this case, DB's can and will do the job, adequately. Given that the person stays consitant. In addition, maximal muscle? Is a reletive term, and dependent upon whom you ask. In addition strength/and muscle mass are not "necessarily" interchangable nor the same thing. In other words, having "maximum muscle mass" doesn't mean you are strong.

[Off Road]

The hypothetical was what to recommend to somebody asking about dumbbell-only routines. My answer is still that they will only work for a short time and you will soon outgrow your typical plate loading dumbbells.

And while it is true that you can get bigger without getting much stronger, and you can get stronger without getting much bigger, my preffered method for both is still progressive overload.