Mounting Heavy Weights

[robblok]

I am starting to use dumbbells a bit more then normal. I like doing things like incline db press and shoulderpress with dumbbells.

I was doing incline db press with 34 kg, i liked it but the problem was mounting them. I did some dangerous movements just to get them there.

After doing some research i found dumbell power hooks, i ordered a few on ebay and will see how it goes if i get them in a few weeks. I hope they are as good as advertised. The solution does seem good and i hope it will help me.

I wonder how others mount their dumbbells i never knew about those hooks and used to just huse my legs to mount them but that is hard too.

[tropo]

I just put them on my knees, then lay back with them pushing the weight up with my knee as I lay back. Haven't had a problem yet up to about 55kg. I won't be going much heavier. I do DB presses standing. I clean them to my shoulders. That's ok up till about 45kg, the heaviest I've gone on that exercise. It all comes down to solid technique with lots of practice.

[robblok]

I just put them on my knees, then lay back with them pushing the weight up with my knee as I lay back. Haven't had a problem yet up to about 55kg. I won't be going much heavier. I do DB presses standing. I clean them to my shoulders. That's ok up till about 45kg, the heaviest I've gone on that exercise. It all comes down to solid technique with lots of practice.

My technique isn't good, i agree there i don't use it that much. So far im just using 34 kg. I doubt ill be going much heavier but i liked the hooks will see how that goes.

I tried using my knees for my incline but did not work for me.

[I Like Thai]

If your having problems using the dumbells, then they are too heavy for you. Drop to a lower weight and build up slower.

[robblok]

If your having problems using the dumbells, then they are too heavy for you. Drop to a lower weight and build up slower.

They are not too heavy for me as i have no problems doing the sets.

[tropo]

If your having problems using the dumbells, then they are too heavy for you. Drop to a lower weight and build up slower.

That's wrong. A lot of people can use DB's on pressing movements heavier than they are able to safely lift up.

[tropo]

I just put them on my knees, then lay back with them pushing the weight up with my knee as I lay back. Haven't had a problem yet up to about 55kg. I won't be going much heavier. I do DB presses standing. I clean them to my shoulders. That's ok up till about 45kg, the heaviest I've gone on that exercise. It all comes down to solid technique with lots of practice.

My technique isn't good, i agree there i don't use it that much. So far im just using 34 kg. I doubt ill be going much heavier but i liked the hooks will see how that goes.

I tried using my knees for my incline but did not work for me.

It's tricky. I have trouble using my knees to get the weights up if I do seated presses whereas some people do this easily. I think you may have missed the boat, as you have to improve your technique over years when you're still not using much weight. If you're starting off heavy it will be difficult. Incline DB's are one of my favourite movements. I don't do flat DB presses... that's tough on the shoulders putting them down - you have to throw the DB's off when you're finished for shoulder safety.

[I Like Thai]

If your having problems using the dumbells, then they are too heavy for you. Drop to a lower weight and build up slower.

That's wrong. A lot of people can use DB's on pressing movements heavier than they are able to safely lift up.

But they can lift them because they have ancillary muscles developed as well as a technique to lift them. The OP doesn't meet this criteria, therefore the dumbells are too heavy for him.

[robblok]

I just put them on my knees, then lay back with them pushing the weight up with my knee as I lay back. Haven't had a problem yet up to about 55kg. I won't be going much heavier. I do DB presses standing. I clean them to my shoulders. That's ok up till about 45kg, the heaviest I've gone on that exercise. It all comes down to solid technique with lots of practice.

My technique isn't good, i agree there i don't use it that much. So far im just using 34 kg. I doubt ill be going much heavier but i liked the hooks will see how that goes.

I tried using my knees for my incline but did not work for me.

It's tricky. I have trouble using my knees to get the weights up if I do seated presses whereas some people do this easily. I think you may have missed the boat, as you have to improve your technique over years when you're still not using much weight. If you're starting off heavy it will be difficult. Incline DB's are one of my favourite movements. I don't do flat DB presses... that's tough on the shoulders putting them down - you have to throw the DB's off when you're finished for shoulder safety.

Yes i love incline DB too its one of my favorite exercises. I also like normal standing db presses for shoulders.

[robblok]

If your having problems using the dumbells, then they are too heavy for you. Drop to a lower weight and build up slower.

That's wrong. A lot of people can use DB's on pressing movements heavier than they are able to safely lift up.

But they can lift them because they have ancillary muscles developed as well as a technique to lift them. The OP doesn't meet this criteria, therefore the dumbells are too heavy for him.

I don't have the technique for mounting them, lifting is no problem. I do 12 reps with the 34kg's for 4 sets seems that means its not too heavy. But you sound like you know better then me.

[tropo]

If your having problems using the dumbells, then they are too heavy for you. Drop to a lower weight and build up slower.

That's wrong. A lot of people can use DB's on pressing movements heavier than they are able to safely lift up.

But they can lift them because they have ancillary muscles developed as well as a technique to lift them. The OP doesn't meet this criteria, therefore the dumbells are too heavy for him.

Nonsense. Getting heavy DB's up is mostly about technique, not ancillary muscle strength. The stronger a person gets in pressing movement the more difficult getting them up will be. If a person gets them up easily they are probably too weak in pressing strength. I can get 55kg up to press, but I can tell you it is not easy and it can be dangerous. If I need to increase beyond that I'm going to need someone to lift one up into position.

Edited September 21, 2012 by tropo

[tropo]

. I also like normal standing db presses for shoulders.

Must be just you and me then. I hardly ever see anyone doing them except maybe the odd person with very light weights. I started doing them years ago because it was easier than waiting around for a bench in a busy gym - but now I prefer them as it isolates the medial delts better than in the sitting position which invariably involves leaning back more and hitting the upper pecs.

[robblok]

. I also like normal standing db presses for shoulders.

Must be just you and me then. I hardly ever see anyone doing them except maybe the odd person with very light weights. I started doing them years ago because it was easier than waiting around for a bench in a busy gym - but now I prefer them as it isolates the medial delts better than in the sitting position which invariably involves leaning back more and hitting the upper pecs.

I alternate and i like DB's instead of barbells at times because you have more ROM and you isolate things better. I do my DB press standing or sitting. I just alternate. I actually find it easier to mount them then for the incline press, that one is the hardest to mount for me.

[tropo]

I normally do barbell and DB presses on the same day. I normally start with DB's and go lighter with the barbell. I find the DB's easier on the shoulder joint because the hand position is free to move naturally in contrast to the fixed position the barbell forces you into.

If you observe closely you'll probably find your ROM is less on the DB's by at least a few inches - also making it easier on the shoulder joint.

Edited September 21, 2012 by tropo

[robblok]

Just out of curiosity how many exercises do you do for shoulders and how many sets. I am curious i have the feeling you do a lot more sets as me.

[tropo]

I do a lot of sets for shoulders... but I only hit them hard once every 8 days... with some isolation work on the 4th day. I consider shoulders to be the most important muscle to develop for an aesthetic physique (and the muscle lacking on most people) and I always make it a priority as they are hard to develop. Shoulders have their own day along with traps.

I'll give a sample workout a bit later on - have to get on the rowing machine.

[poanoi]

I did that exact exercise, and what worked for me was to place another bench in front of me,

place the dumbbells on that other bench, and then just lean over a tad, (while sitting down) press the dumbbells

towards my belly chest, and then lay down.

Edited September 25, 2012 by poanoi

[tropo]

I did that exact exercise, and what worked for me was to place another bench in front of me,

place the dumbbells on that other bench, and then just lean over a tad, (while sitting down) press the dumbbells

towards my belly chest, and then lay down.

When the DB's are light enough you just curl them. The problem starts when the loads exceed curling strength. Whichever way you cut it, if the loads are heavy they present quite a risk to the shoulders and elbows if the technique is not polished. Just one wrong move could wrench the shoulder and put you out of action. Trying to rush the movement could also end in disaster.

[poanoi]

Yes, this is the method i used when the weights became too heavy to do it

in any other way, 4-5 mounts and you get the hang of it, just have the bench in front of you very close

[Kalbo]

Stick them on your knees and hoist them up with a 'kick' so to speak. I usually do db incline presses with 60 or 70lbs, which is more or less what you're doing, and I've never had an issue with getting them in position.

[Kalbo]

I just put them on my knees, then lay back with them pushing the weight up with my knee as I lay back. Haven't had a problem yet up to about 55kg. I won't be going much heavier. I do DB presses standing. I clean them to my shoulders. That's ok up till about 45kg, the heaviest I've gone on that exercise. It all comes down to solid technique with lots of practice.

45kg for a shoulder press ? Shit, that's heavy !!

[robblok]

Stick them on your knees and hoist them up with a 'kick' so to speak. I usually do db incline presses with 60 or 70lbs, which is more or less what you're doing, and I've never had an issue with getting them in position.

Problem is i just started doing them, so i was not used to it. I will probably go heavier quite fast. Doing now sets of 12 with 34kg. Anyway i think the hooks that i ordered once they arrive will solve a lot of the problems.

[tropo]

I just put them on my knees, then lay back with them pushing the weight up with my knee as I lay back. Haven't had a problem yet up to about 55kg. I won't be going much heavier. I do DB presses standing. I clean them to my shoulders. That's ok up till about 45kg, the heaviest I've gone on that exercise. It all comes down to solid technique with lots of practice.

45kg for a shoulder press ? Shit, that's heavy !!

That was a few years ago. Right now I'm not going over 75lbs.

[Kalbo]

I just put them on my knees, then lay back with them pushing the weight up with my knee as I lay back. Haven't had a problem yet up to about 55kg. I won't be going much heavier. I do DB presses standing. I clean them to my shoulders. That's ok up till about 45kg, the heaviest I've gone on that exercise. It all comes down to solid technique with lots of practice.

45kg for a shoulder press ? Shit, that's heavy !!

That was a few years ago. Right now I'm not going over 75lbs.

75lbs per arm for shoulder presses ?? That's still impressive. I think the most I've ever pressed is 50lbs, and I'm no slouch myself. Oh well, you've now given me a target to work towards.

Slightly different but I saw Ronnie Coleman press 105lbs per arm.(if I remember correctly). He needed help getting the weights in position.

[tropo]

I just put them on my knees, then lay back with them pushing the weight up with my knee as I lay back. Haven't had a problem yet up to about 55kg. I won't be going much heavier. I do DB presses standing. I clean them to my shoulders. That's ok up till about 45kg, the heaviest I've gone on that exercise. It all comes down to solid technique with lots of practice.

45kg for a shoulder press ? Shit, that's heavy !!

That was a few years ago. Right now I'm not going over 75lbs.

75lbs per arm for shoulder presses ?? That's still impressive. I think the most I've ever pressed is 50lbs, and I'm no slouch myself. Oh well, you've now given me a target to work towards.

Slightly different but I saw Ronnie Coleman press 105lbs per arm.(if I remember correctly). He needed help getting the weights in position.

Talking about this got me motivated. I used the 80lbs today for 6 reps. This is standing, not seated. You can normally use more weight seated because the upper pecs are activated more because of the laid back position (that just about everyone does) but I don't like it because I want to target the medial delt more rather than the front delt.

When I was pushing the 100's I was able to do 220 on the seated barbell press for sets of 5, but I'm a long way from that now.

I've seen Jay Cutler push 140's seated. I've seen Ronnie use 160's on seated press. I think I remember seeing a guy on YouTube pushing 200's or 225's... but that might have been the incline DB press... he was considered to be the current strongest bodybuilder (can't remember his name).

[Kalbo]

80lbs. F%4k me, that's heavy for a standing shoulder press.

There's something about Cutler's shoulders that look a bit off. Can't quite put me finger on it, except to say they look a bit 'bloated' for want of a better word.

[tropo]

80lbs. F%4k me, that's heavy for a standing shoulder press.

There's something about Cutler's shoulders that look a bit off. Can't quite put me finger on it, except to say they look a bit 'bloated' for want of a better word.

Strange you should say that because I've always admired Jay Cutler's shoulders. They're big and fully developed, which is the name of the game in Mr Olympia competition. All body parts are "freaky" at this level.

Edited September 28, 2012 by tropo

[TheWalkingMan]

My little chicken wing arms would probably explode if I tried that much weight.

[Kalbo]

80lbs. F%4k me, that's heavy for a standing shoulder press.

There's something about Cutler's shoulders that look a bit off. Can't quite put me finger on it, except to say they look a bit 'bloated' for want of a better word.

Strange you should say that because I've always admired Jay Cutler's shoulders. They're big and fully developed, which is the name of the game in Mr Olympia competition. All body parts are "freaky" at this level.

I hear ya, just take a look at Coleman's stomach !! Dunno what it is with Cutler's shoulders that don't do it for me. They look too 'round'. Roelly Winklaar has a similar look.

[tropo]

I hear ya, just take a look at Coleman's stomach !! Dunno what it is with Cutler's shoulders that don't do it for me. They look too 'round'. Roelly Winklaar has a similar look.

It's a subjective sport. I never liked Coleman's physique - I would call it one of uglier of the recent crop... and as you say, his stomach makes it worse. The new champ, Phil Heath is going to be hard to beat though. The pre-judging will start at 9am on Saturday morning Thailand time. I can't remember a Mr Olympia contest where the first place has been so predictable. I don't think anyone is close to beating him and he claims he's improved a lot since last year too...