gym has limited weights- help

[Zoetastic]

For skull crushers can I just use a regular dumb bell?

My gym focuses on aerobics so their weights are pretty limited.
They don't have a squat bar or an EZ curl bar, just regular ol' dumb bells.
I heard deadlifts are great but how the heck can I do that with dumbbells??

Besides changing gyms, do you have any suggestions?

I'm using the lever-type machines at the moment but would like to include some new exercises.

Thanks,
Z-

[Klinger]

You can do triceps extensions with a DB, but your first inclination to switch gyms sounds like a good one.

[Zoetastic]

Originally Posted by Klinger

You can do triceps extensions with a DB, but your first inclination to switch gyms sounds like a good one.

I don't want to switch gyms cause I LOVE their aerobics classes (which means I actually go) and it's very very close to my house. So I'm just trying to make do with what they have.

In terms of the machines that they have, currently I'm using:

chest press
pec dec
bench press
pullover
seated rear lateral raise (gripless)
seated row
ab machine
leg press
leg curl
leg extension

[cursor]

For triceps, do lying triceps extension (with dumbbells ... one in each hand).
For deadlifts, there's no reason why you cannot substitute dumbbells. My guess is, though, that the dumbbells soon won't be adequate to tax your back & leg muscles.

[Klinger]

Cursor's right; you'll get to a point where a 30- or 40-pound DB in each hand won't be enough to give you a serious DL workout. But for the time being, you can do them with DBs.

[Cort]

Have you tried talking to the owner/manager about free weights? It might not help, but if they find out members are interested in them they might consider getting some.

A generic 300 lb weight set and a high quality power rack wouldn't really put them out all that much, at least not compared to any of the one/two function machines they already have.


How heavy are the available DBs? A lot of this depends on if they are heavy enough to challenge you, because you can do just about anything with DBs (except heavy squats...unless you have some freakish cleaning ability.)

If they don't supply DBs that are heavy enough you may have to rely on the machines, which is fine if that is all you have available. That or you quit and find a gym with more free weights and a power rack. Depends on what you are happy with, personally I would find a gym with the barbells though.

[chanecia]

My gym is just like this too. I finally succumbed and bought a bench and a weight set for my tiny apartment. I love my aerobic classes at my gym too, so this worked out well for me. Aerobics at lunch time and weight training in the evenings after work.

Necia