Thick Bar Questions?

[divided]

So ive never worked with a thickbar before and have a few questions, I was thinking about getting a 2.5'' db to start. Do standard plates fit on these bars? Do i just use them like normal db, i.e. curls, and such? Any info or liniks on some good thickbar inof/benefits greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[lifesnotfair]

Ok, I've actually read about this, so I guess I can have some input on the subject.

First of all, you don't _have_ to buy a thick handled dumbell/bar, many people do theirs custom made, all you need is a lot of duct tape, maybe some kind of foam, and a 2" or 2.5" or 3" PVC pipe; I imagine I don't have to describe exactly how to make it, but you get the idea, just put everything over your existing bar/dumbell and it should do the work. Less expensive.

And yes, as far as I've read, there are no special excercises to be done on thickbars, you just perform your regular excercises with it, and you'll see how much harder they are - you'll curl less, deadlift less, and even benchpress less too. I imagine (coz I've never tried) it would be VERY hard to do back excercises with thickbars, like pulldown, or chinups/pullups using thickbars, or rowing with thickbars. As far as I've read, it builds your wrists/forearms/grip insanely to always train like this...

[superfeemiman]

Ok, I've actually read about this, so I guess I can have some input on the subject.

First of all, you don't _have_ to buy a thick handled dumbell/bar, many people do theirs custom made, all you need is a lot of duct tape, maybe some kind of foam, and a 2" or 2.5" or 3" PVC pipe; I imagine I don't have to describe exactly how to make it, but you get the idea, just put everything over your existing bar/dumbell and it should do the work. Less expensive.

And yes, as far as I've read, there are no special excercises to be done on thickbars, you just perform your regular excercises with it, and you'll see how much harder they are - you'll curl less, deadlift less, and even benchpress less too. I imagine (coz I've never tried) it would be VERY hard to do back excercises with thickbars, like pulldown, or chinups/pullups using thickbars, or rowing with thickbars. As far as I've read, it builds your wrists/forearms/grip insanely to always train like this...

I've tried curls on it and it hasn't made me curl less... maybe that's because I don't curl that much in the first place.

[mwinsl01]

Ok, I've actually read about this, so I guess I can have some input on the subject.

First of all, you don't _have_ to buy a thick handled dumbell/bar, many people do theirs custom made, all you need is a lot of duct tape, maybe some kind of foam, and a 2" or 2.5" or 3" PVC pipe; I imagine I don't have to describe exactly how to make it, but you get the idea, just put everything over your existing bar/dumbell and it should do the work. Less expensive.

And yes, as far as I've read, there are no special excercises to be done on thickbars, you just perform your regular excercises with it, and you'll see how much harder they are - you'll curl less, deadlift less, and even benchpress less too. I imagine (coz I've never tried) it would be VERY hard to do back excercises with thickbars, like pulldown, or chinups/pullups using thickbars, or rowing with thickbars. As far as I've read, it builds your wrists/forearms/grip insanely to always train like this...

I've tried curls on it and it hasn't made me curl less... maybe that's because I don't curl that much in the first place.

yes it does make a difference. For me when I curl 40 or more pounds on a 2 in dumbell handle, i noticed a little difference. If you want to see what kind of difference working out with a big handle. try this, take 50-100 pounds and do a dumbell row on a regular dumbell, now try the weight on a 2 or 2.5 in handle. The same weight on the 2 or 2.5 handle will really work your grip if you are dumbell rowing a lot.

[superfeemiman]

Oh, I know it makes a difference. I'm just saying on curls it never affected me, but I can't curl too much anyway.

[Starkmann]

I've done a bit with thick bars but am by no means the master:

1) 2.5 inches is a pretty big jump. You may want to consider starting with 2" but it is your call

2) You can use them like a regular dumbell but don't forget why you changed to a thick bar, grip. so doing dumbell cleans and deadlifts or even rows is going to be a lot more relevant than curls.

3) I bought my dumbells from Fat Bastard. I understand the people that say they want to save money and make their own but if you are going to do that at least shell out to get welded ones. Good equipment will last longer than you do, bad equipment can get you hurt, If you want to save money, you are better off buying one really good dumbell than making two crap ones.

4) Roger LaPointe warns in Train Like a Strongman volume 1 that thick dumbell work puts a lot of stress on the thumb and that it is important to let your thumbs get used to it but alternating with a standard bell and laying off other pinch work. He is right

That's about all I can think of for now. Like I said, I bought mine from Fat Bastard Barbell and would gladly do so again. I bought two 2" and two 3". I don't often use both 2" simultaneously and I almost never use the 3" but that is me. Whatever you think thick handled dumbell training is like, you are probably wrong, you will only know how you will use them with time.

Best of luck

[Scott Styles]

All I ever liked to do with thick bars is pick them up. With 7" hands I like a 2" barbell and 2.5" dumbell. I've tried a 2.5" barbell and 2" dumbell, but didn't like them much. 3" and up is just too big for me. Thick bar work is killer on the thumbs and can quickly bring down all your other lifts if you go overboard.

I don't really think the training benefit is there doing other exercises with thick bars. What exactly are you training when you fail on a set of dumbell rows because your grip gives out after 8 reps?

To me, things like thickbar cleans are a way of demonstrating the strength you have developed, not a way to build it. Cleans and presses with thick bars are really hard on the wrists, not sure I see the point.

[divided]

thanks for the info guys. This is one of the best forums i have ever been too. You guys are extremely knowledable and actually friendsly to the noobs, you dont see that much on forums. Thanks guys, i look forward to sharing my progess.