Steel win's hands down.
Yesterday was a huge night for me... My gym only carries up to 95 pound Db's... And I've been successfully benching them for a good while now, slowly being able to do more reps for more sets. But I can't use 95's forever... I had to go for more.
I Decided to bring my Olympic Db's from Home (weighing 12.5 pound each with collars). I racked each of them up with an additional 90 pounds bringing the total to 102.5 per db, a Whole 7.5 pounds heavier then I ever lifted before.
I was shooting for sets of 6...
But I nailed 102.5 for 8 completely solid and stable reps.... I honestly couldn't believe how solid I was in form, and how easily I was repping this weight. For a warm up I did 95 for 6, and it seemed there was no way I'd ever do 8 at 102.5,. followed by 2 more sets of 6.
Then it struck me.. it was all about the grip. The db's at my gym use aluminum handles, which are a good .25" thicker in diameter then MY steel Olympics. When I grab hold of that steel handle, that weight becomes a solid extension of my arm... It feels like it's a part of you... where as when you grab the aluminum handles, my wrist gives, and wobbles as you drive the weight up.. cause my damn hand can not squeeze the large diameter grip tight enough.. and the weight is off balance in my hand.
I was so impressed with my performance.. I'll be forced to try 112.5 pounds next week..
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So why am I telling you all this...
1. I haven't read this before, and didn't realize that it could make such a huge difference. So some of you probably weren't aware of this.
2. I'm totally gloating over moving some fairly large ass weights, and I want everyone to know.
3. If you in the market for dumbell's, I suggest you stay the hell away from the aluminum handles.. unless of course you have a extra large sized hand, then it may be to your advantage.
4. Since I was moving more weight then is possible at my gym, everyone was looking with big eyes, and I feel so good.. so I'm gloating some more.. lol
5. I'm honestly curious if anyone else has noticed the difference between thick and small diameter DB handles.