Thrusters - DB vs. Barbell

03-02-2005, 11:56 AM

Okay, I'm a newbie here, so I may have missed it, but I went searching in the archives and couldn't find anything that quite addressed this question.

Mechanically speaking, how much difference is there between doing thrusters with dumbbells and with the same weight on a barbell?

I've been doing all DB thrusters (just about to hit the 1-month mark as a WOD-er!), and am wondering if I'm missing or gaining anything.

Is it more efficient to use a barbell or DBs? The same? How different are the muscles being brought into play in each variation? What's it all about, Alfie?

TIA,
ND ;-)

Larry Lindenman · 03-02-2005, 01:48 PM

Andy, are you using DB's for the standard 95 lb thrusters (for Fran for instance)? If you are I bow down to you! 45 lb DB's (90 total lbs) for reps is difficult due to the stabilization required (4 plains). BB thrusters are easier and the standard used for benchmarks like Fran.

Lynne Pitts · 03-02-2005, 02:09 PM

I always use DBs instead of a bar for thrusters, etc. (granted, only 35s for Fran), but up to 60s for various push-press events, because of the shoulder pain I get if I use the bar. Old war injury...

03-02-2005, 02:40 PM

Larry - 95lb each side for thrusters? Ohmigod, no!

I'm using 45lb DBs. And yes, these two Fran variants this past week prompted this. ;-)

Fran hurts. I like Fran. I'm so confused

:crazy:

ND

Mike Yukish · 03-02-2005, 02:54 PM

I find DBs to be lots tougher. I also end up rotating my hands so the DBs are pointing fore and aft. It works things different from the bar.

Keith Wittenstein · 03-02-2005, 03:09 PM

I don't hit myself in the chin with the DBs. :-)

chris muscarella · 03-02-2005, 03:29 PM

Keith, that is a good point. I was doing some light jerks a while back when warming up and managed to slightly clip my chin (I wasn't really paying attention and trying to focus on getting that nice forward lockout as it goes by your ears, but the thing was so light my timing was all off).

I like both and think dumbbells are more difficult. Fran with a barbell is nice because when you really get moving you can sort of 'catch' it with your chest. The dumbbells don't allow you to do that and your shoulders get quite a bit more fatigued.

But use what you got.

Seth Drown · 03-02-2005, 04:21 PM

I used DBs for thrusters my first week on CF and found them to be much easier than a BB, but that's because I lacked the wrist flexibility to put the bb in the "rack" position. I was supporting it entirely with my palms and it was pulling me forward. With DBs I could hold them as Mike describes above, with the ends pointing fore and aft. It was much easier on the wrists. So to some extent, I guess it depends on your weaknesses.

Michael Street · 03-03-2005, 12:16 AM

Andy-
Both are great, mix it up. Do what you can, with what you got. This is what's truly important.

The barbell is often revered as the “bull” because the stimulus it provides.

03-02-2005, 11:56 AM	#1
Andy Maddox Profile: Posts: n/a	Okay, I'm a newbie here, so I may have missed it, but I went searching in the archives and couldn't find anything that quite addressed this question. Mechanically speaking, how much difference is there between doing thrusters with dumbbells and with the same weight on a barbell? I've been doing all DB thrusters (just about to hit the 1-month mark as a WOD-er!), and am wondering if I'm missing or gaining anything. Is it more efficient to use a barbell or DBs? The same? How different are the muscles being brought into play in each variation? What's it all about, Alfie? TIA, ND ;-)
Andy Maddox Profile: Posts: n/a

03-02-2005, 02:40 PM	#4
Andy Maddox Profile: Posts: n/a	Larry - 95lb each side for thrusters? Ohmigod, no! I'm using 45lb DBs. And yes, these two Fran variants this past week prompted this. ;-) Fran hurts. I like Fran. I'm so confused :crazy: ND
Andy Maddox Profile: Posts: n/a

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03-02-2005, 01:48 PM	#2
Larry Lindenman Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 2,769	Andy, are you using DB's for the standard 95 lb thrusters (for Fran for instance)? If you are I bow down to you! 45 lb DB's (90 total lbs) for reps is difficult due to the stabilization required (4 plains). BB thrusters are easier and the standard used for benchmarks like Fran.

03-02-2005, 02:09 PM	#3
Lynne Pitts Administrator Profile: Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Richmond NH Posts: 3,232	I always use DBs instead of a bar for thrusters, etc. (granted, only 35s for Fran), but up to 60s for various push-press events, because of the shoulder pain I get if I use the bar. Old war injury...

03-02-2005, 02:54 PM	#5
Mike Yukish Member Profile: Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: State College PA Posts: 448	I find DBs to be lots tougher. I also end up rotating my hands so the DBs are pointing fore and aft. It works things different from the bar.

03-02-2005, 03:09 PM	#6
Keith Wittenstein Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York New York Posts: 945	I don't hit myself in the chin with the DBs. :-)

03-02-2005, 03:29 PM	#7
chris muscarella Departed Profile: Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 57	Keith, that is a good point. I was doing some light jerks a while back when warming up and managed to slightly clip my chin (I wasn't really paying attention and trying to focus on getting that nice forward lockout as it goes by your ears, but the thing was so light my timing was all off). I like both and think dumbbells are more difficult. Fran with a barbell is nice because when you really get moving you can sort of 'catch' it with your chest. The dumbbells don't allow you to do that and your shoulders get quite a bit more fatigued. But use what you got.

03-02-2005, 04:21 PM	#8
Seth Drown Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 53	I used DBs for thrusters my first week on CF and found them to be much easier than a BB, but that's because I lacked the wrist flexibility to put the bb in the "rack" position. I was supporting it entirely with my palms and it was pulling me forward. With DBs I could hold them as Mike describes above, with the ends pointing fore and aft. It was much easier on the wrists. So to some extent, I guess it depends on your weaknesses.

03-03-2005, 12:16 AM	#9
Michael Street Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 54	Andy- Both are great, mix it up. Do what you can, with what you got. This is what's truly important. The barbell is often revered as the “bull” because the stimulus it provides.