dumbbell safety and fatigue

[JoeSchmoe05]

I've got a couple questions. First of all, I picked up a bench recently so I can do more dumbbel exercises. However, I've noticed that there seems to be no easy way to lift the dumbbells off the floor to do bench presses, and I have to be careful about putting them back on the floor, especially when the bench is at an incline and my arms don't reach the floor. Is there a way I can make this safe for myself? I've been trying to think of something like a rest I could use or make that is positioned above the head-pad. The regular bar rest won't work since with the dumbbells my hands get in the way.

Also, I've noticed that even though I am working with enough weights to cap my reps at about 8 or so for each set of 3, if i come back a half hour later i can easily do the same number of reps and sets again at the same weight. I don't understand this. I never seem to get sore either. Is this a sign that I'm not challenging myself enough? Yet I can't do more than 8 reps as it is?

 

[Warboss Alex]

1. Have someone hand you the dumb-bells if it's convenient, otherwise power clean up the dumb-bells, and then from a standing position lay back on the bench and do your press - but I think you're using too much weight anyway.

2. Check your form, your positive and negative parts of each exercise. Sounds to me like your form is shiat.

 

[ghostin]

Usually, you stand up whole holding the weights at your sides. Use momentum to swing them up to thigh level and then sit down and let the weights rest on your thighs. Then, lay back and bring the weights up to chest level and push them out and begin your reps.


Its a little difficult to describe, unfortunately. Head to a gym and watch other people use free weights and you will catch on fast.

 

[semag]

I won't go into how to get them into position, the last two posts did that perfectly. As far as dropping them... see if you can get some hard rubber that's about the size of your bench (plus a couple feet on each side).

You need that to protect your floor so you can drop your dumbbells from your chest level on the bench.

 

[MindOverMatter]

how to get the dumbells in position:

on flat bench:

in the sitting position, put the dumbells on your knees. then just lean back and lay down and hold them in the bench position. voila, you're ready to press some iron.

on incline:

in the sitting position, place dumbells on your knees. push them up with your knees one by one.

as for dropping them, like someone said, get some hard rubber and just drop the dumbells.

 

[JoeSchmoe05]

all great ideas, ill look into getting some sort of rubber or other protective padding inparticular.