DB's Handles (steel vs. Aluminum)

[Poobah]

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..

---

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.

[SUPREMO]

That's awesom Poobah! going up a size in dumbells is a great success. I'd like to applaud you for having such ambition that you would bring your own dumbells from home. Plus, with the ones you have you can go up by 2.5 lb incraments instead of 5lb. Great idea!

Honestly Poobah, I like the thicker handles better. The handles at my gym are thicker on the db's above 65 lbs. I think the thicker handles give me a better grip. I do have pretty big hands though.

[ih8arfiii]

i totally noticed that dude. i noticed that when i did some exercises at say 40lbs it was fine so then i decided to move up to 42.5, and it would be harder, but nothing too hard so i went up to 45's and could do the weight the same number of reps as 42.5 but easier you know? then it occured to me that it was because the 'weights' from 40-42.5 were the same the only difference was a larger (diameter) bar portion of the DB. so now i just go up 5 lbs each and dont usually worry abou the 2.5 incriments.

[Poobah]

Just a bit of a mis-understanding..

My db's bar with collars weigh 12.5 pounds.. (actually 12.35 pounds)

So I still have to go up 5 pounds at a time.. except I'm now at odd ball numbers.. 97.5, 102.5, 107.5, 112.5... etc.

I am considering purchasing some fractional plates that allow me if I choose to move the weight up just 1 - 2.5 pounds if I so choose.

[SUPREMO]

Originally Posted by Poobah

Just a bit of a mis-understanding..

My db's bar with collars weigh 12.5 pounds.. (actually 12.35 pounds)

So I still have to go up 5 pounds at a time.. except I'm now at odd ball numbers.. 97.5, 102.5, 107.5, 112.5... etc.

I am considering purchasing some fractional plates that allow me if I choose to move the weight up just 1 - 2.5 pounds if I so choose.

got'cha

[joe526]

Out of curiousity what brand of weights does your gym use?? Mine uses GPI

[Poobah]

Originally Posted by joe526

Out of curiousity what brand of weights does your gym use?? Mine uses GPI

Good question...

Starts with a W.. and reminds me of wacko... but It escapes me at the moment.

[prodigalstranger]

Weiden perhaps?

[Poobah]

Pretty sure its wanko

[travis8798]

I have noticed something similar actually....
the barbells at my high school were probably 50% bigger in diameter than the barbells at the local Y that I lifted at most of the time and I noticed that I couldn't always do the same weight at school as I could at the Y.