Dumbell Squats

E

Exe

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Right, as previously stated in a post done by another guy. I prefer dumbells rather then bar for squats, as the bar puts great pain on ur shoulders. However are dumbells just as effective for legs? im unsure because when I do the dumbell squats which is currently at 31kg in each hand so 62kg in total. I find my arms ache more then my legs, I do feel my legs are getting worked tho cos afterwards they feel like jelly and the next day there a little tense.

What do you lot think? Are they getting worked enough? or do i need to be crippled the day after so I cant walk?

My legs do go close to failure but never fail totally because usually I am just knackered from holding the dumbells up and lifting em up slightly as I go down.

DONT MENTION BAR SQUATS, My own recommendation I think is doing single leg squats instead, as say like I had two 20kg dumbells in each hand thats 40 in total, easier to hold but that 40 is just on 1 leg. While 2 legged db squats are 31kg in each hand and thats just 31 kg for both legs which wastes energy of the upper body that u need to work ur legs hard.
 
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Hi Exe.

I'm not an expert on the subject, but I've experimented DB squats for about 6 weeks. My opinion is that they can be used to work the quads/gluts well but not so well as other squat variations. The thing is that the arms are under a big stress and you probably fail first because of your grip rather than your legs.

When I've done DB squats it was because I didn't have a Barbell+Rack. Now I've got a Barbell but I still don't have a rack. I switch DB squats for Zercher Squats. Although it may be not the best squat variation I find it pretty much powerful than the DB version. I can handle more weight and put much more focus on my legs.

In Zeercher Squats you must rest the bar in the crook of the arm...this may hurt... you may need to use some tricks like using a sweet-shirt, wrapping a towel around the barbell, or using another kind of protection.

Other alternatives that you may try are Jefferson Squats or BB Hack Squats. In both, you have to hold a BB with your hands. If you have a rack you can also try Front Squats.

Here are some links:
Zercher Squats -> http://www.bsu.edu/webapps/strengthlab/exdetails.asp?exid=176
Hack Squats -> http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/BBHackSquat.html
Jefferson Squats -> http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/exercise3/jeffersonsquats.htm
Front Squats -> http://www.bsu.edu/webapps/strengthlab/Home.htm

Sorry to mention bar squats :)
Good luck!
 
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Thx for ur reply and squat techniques, I just tried em quickly with a 40kg bar and I still dont like em. There is 1 I do tho mainly cos its easier to set up and u dont waste as much energy holding the bar up never mind trying to work the legs. Im gonna stick to 1 legged Squats, also known as Bulgarian squats thx to ur website.
 
Ok. Just remember something: the purpose of "big" exercises like squats and deadlifts it is not only to work their target muscles, they also help the entire body to grow! They are the exercises where you can lift more weight, and thus the ones which promote more overall growth. By doing "single leg squats" you're cutting down the weight... your legs get proper work but your body doesn’t.
You can read about this topic in many places... just search for squat and GH (growth hormone).


I would say that "single leg squats" are a good exercise for leveling the strength of the two legs... I would try to select an exercise that enables to handle more weight... but that's just my opinion :)
 
Yet again u have been extremely helpful, My final decision is firstly to stick to 1 legged calf raises and squats for the next 6 to 8 week. Then I will move back to Squat and try and find a painless way of resting it on my back, I will go to some gyms etc and see if theres special foam for bars or whatever to stop the bar digging in. I must however remember that my bar is free weight it isnt supported by stable bars, so if I split to the side or anything iVE Had it!
 
Glad I could help! Good luck!
 
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