Dropping Dumbbells - need opinion

[HeavyLiftr]

Greetings bros,

Regarding dumbbells and heavy bench pressing - do you guys drop the bells when you're done with your set? I'm not talking about dropping 50's, 70's, or 90's. I mean 110's and 120's.

After working out for 2 years at a local gym that I really enjoy, a new saleswoman had the nerve (right after renewing for a year, no less) to come over to me and say, "I'm sorry, you can't throw dumbbells anymore." Meanwhile, I never "threw" anything - I dropped the bells when I was done.

If you want to injure yourself quick, try to straighten yourself out after doing 110 pound flat dumbell presses so that you don't make too much noise when you drop the bells.

I'm curious: For those of you who LIFT HEAVY, do you drop the bells or have you developed a method to magically grow wings on the dumbbells so they don't disturb overweight saleswoman?

It's a shame I just renewed here... Then again, how the hell was I supposed to know this crap was going to happen.

HL
NEW YORK CITY

 

[Nevr2Big]

stupid sales bitch

you could always just hand her both 120lb dumbells and ask her to demonstrate how to set them down gently

Nevr2Big

 

[bigkb]

Yeah I can understand what you're saying. If you try to set the dumbbells down gently, that could cause a shoulder injury, depending on how you do it. Sometimes, I see guys actually throwing dumbbells outward or forward, obviously doing it on purpose. I believe they do this just to get attention.

I also use 110s - 120s, and to set dumbbells down gently after flat benches is hard. But when doing inclines (I use the same weight for those), after the last rep, I give them a shove forward, letting them land on my thighs, which are raised up to catch them...like reversing the action of kicking them up at the beginning of the set. Then I just rack them.

But really, IMO, I believe that dumbbells can be dropped without making alot of noise, as though saying "hey, look what I just did".

I go to a gym that is very old-fashioned, like the gym in Pumping Iron. I'm wondering if your gym is like that, or if it's one of those newer health club type of places where the soccer moms and dads go. I hate those. There is one here, and it even has a fuckin day-care center in it....gaaaaag!

So, basically, I'm siding with you on this one...not the bitch who got pissed.

KB

 

[Chip Bronson]

get 'power hooks' boys. you won't have to heave them up or drop/throw them after the set. and you'll get a couple more reps to boot. plus you won't get any visits from the fat saleswoman....

 

[hardcore210]

get 'power hooks' boys. you won't have to heave them up or drop/throw them after the set. and you'll get a couple more reps to boot. plus you won't get any visits from the fat saleswoman....

Got my power hooks in the mail today. I can't wait to try them out! I usually sit up with 110s-130s with no problems. The 150s, though, you're damn right....I drop the shit out of those after a set of presses! I will say that it pisses me off when guys drop d-bells when they easily could've sat up w/them or been a little easier w/them. It's always the guys who are big and pushing pansy weight relative to their size.

HC210

 

[Hogg]

I would feel guilty if I totally dropped the dumbbells but I have no compunction whatsoever about letting them go one arm at a time while holding on to them all the way to the floor. You cant stop them, and you shouldnt try because you'll get injured but if you let both large ends of the bells hit the ground while giving a little resistance, you'd be suprised at how little commotion there is when they touch down.

The idiots drop them....the 150s at my gym are now tacod because some moron dropped them from a few feet up.

I've also used the land on the thighs trick while doing incline but I cant seem to do them on seated military without taking a good hematoma now and them.

Finally, I use to reel them back in and do a sit up with the dumbbells on my chest whether flat or decline bench pressing but I found that I could not handle the 140s safely from a decline position and instead, went to my gentle drop routine. as of right now.....I have not went over 130s in months and still use the gentle drop method.

my 02

 

[Green Darter]

I agree completely with the sales woman.I used to go to another gym all the dumbbells were warped due to yrs of dropping..This gym is as "hardcore" infact bigger guys than the other gym BUT NO DROPPING OF DUMBBELLS.
You can use heavy dumbbells without dropping them.I am in NY to Long island we dont tolerate that out here unless you go to some place like excalibur.
Darter

 

[musclebobbuffpants]

We have some dumbell throwers in our gym, and now they are bent. While I'm not against dropping the weights from a short distance, I cannot stand when these idiots throw the stinkin things.

The best way I've found to handle the heavies when my set is up is to actually use the weight to sit myself upright.

After your last rep turn your palms so they're facing each other, bring your knees up and in one motion (almost like a rocking motion) put the dumbells on your thigh's/knees, and let the weight's momentum sit you upright.

Now it's a different story if your going to failure and don't have a spotter, but other than that, if you use this method, you shouldn't have to drop the weights at all.

Hope this makes sense,

musclebobbuffpants

 

[bigkb]

Musclebobbuffpants

Yep, I know what you're talking about. I use that method too on flats.

You know, it all comes down to this....if you are stong enough to bench these heavy dumbbells, then you are strong enough to not have to drop them. And at our gym there is actually a sign on the wall near the heavy end of the dumbbell rack stating this.

KB

 

[wolve]

After doing 100lbs dumbbell shoulder presses I should be able to do what ever I want with them. Hell somedays I go to the gym just to throw stuff .

 

[HeavyLiftr]

I agree completely with the sales woman.I used to go to another gym all the dumbbells were warped due to yrs of dropping..This gym is as "hardcore" infact bigger guys than the other gym BUT NO DROPPING OF DUMBBELLS.
You can use heavy dumbbells without dropping them.I am in NY to Long island we dont tolerate that out here unless you go to some place like excalibur.
Darter

No offense, Green, but it doesn't sound like you've done too many presses with 110 pounders or more.

I'll try to explain again what happened:

I did 15 reps of 110 pound dumbbell inclines. While still lying on the bench, I lowered the dumbbells to each side of my chest, then attempted to extend my arm just a bit so that I was fairly close to the floor, then dropped them. I didn't throw them, I didn't attempt a shot-put with them. Nor did I drop them from a fully extended position. I was approximately a foot away from the floor. This is what the saleswoman supposedly heard. (note: Gym has 2 inch rubber padding surrounding the entire floor)

I then had a few friends at the gym - and people I never knew - come up to me and asked what had happened. They explained that I should ask her to demonstrate how it's done (which is what one poster above suggested as well... not a bad idea!!) and also stated that THEY DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING. There is a small camera in the dumbbell area, and that's what she SAW, not heard.

So my question was both serious and fecetious - what can be done to minimize the impact of the bells hitting the floor? You can watch any video from serious trainers - Ronnie and Dorian - and look at how they treat the dumbbells.

In terms of guys launching 'bells that are below 100, I think there is absolutely no room for throwing, dropping, bouncing - whatever - of those size dumbbells. I never had problems with anything lighter than 100. But when I finally got to 110#, I almost hurt my back trying to get them back to my knees. And for months this hasn't been a problem.

Apologies for the long response, but as my initial post stated: I'm not a fan of launching 'bells. I just think that if a gym is going to have 120# dumbbells you shouldn't expect me to gently do my set without grunting, and without a bit of a "drop" from a foot away from the floor.

 

[joe5572]

Im obviously not as strong as you- but I have dropped the 100's on occasion when I cant sit up with them because of failure.- also HATE the throwers- lol

 

[NCBIGGJ]

I agree the throwers are usually someone just trying to get attention. I will drop the weight if I go to failure on flat from about a foot up. I have used the 125's for shoulder presses and will let them come down to my knees. I have seen guys that will take weights from a incline and throw them in front of them and they usually dont make it long at the gym and not from the mgmt. It is usually the guys that have been there forever that say something. I have said stuff to people before. It is just plain dumb, they get up and look around to see who is looking at them.

 

[Green Darter]

I agree the throwers are usually someone just trying to get attention. I will drop the weight if I go to failure on flat from about a foot up. I have used the 125's for shoulder presses and will let them come down to my knees. I have seen guys that will take weights from a incline and throw them in front of them and they usually dont make it long at the gym and not from the mgmt. It is usually the guys that have been there forever that say something. I have said stuff to people before. It is just plain dumb, they get up and look around to see who is looking at them.

Wow 125 dumbbells for shoulder press thats a lot of weight.I would never say anything to anyone about dropping the weights,etc its non of my bussiness thats what the owner/staff is there for.
People forget we arent going to these gyms for free we are paying membership fees(heehee well I am anyway)so why than act like staff.
Darter

 

[shredalean]

After much time working in a gym, I can tell you that she is only concerned with someone getting hurt/equipment being damaged. It is sad that you have to put up with shit like that because it sounds like you know what your doing, and arren't out to reap havok. I would recomend having a spotter give you that little push up after you finish your set. The momentum will get you back up to a seated position, and you will have more ease setting the DB's down gently. Anyway that's the way me and my bro do it cause he's embarrased when I drop bumbells. Pride it'll get you every time!

 

[kwik98gt]

No offense, Green, but it doesn't sound like you've done too many presses with 110 pounders or more.

I'll try to explain again what happened:

I did 15 reps of 110 pound dumbbell inclines. While still lying on the bench, I lowered the dumbbells to each side of my chest, then attempted to extend my arm just a bit so that I was fairly close to the floor, then dropped them. I didn't throw them, I didn't attempt a shot-put with them. Nor did I drop them from a fully extended position. I was approximately a foot away from the floor. This is what the saleswoman supposedly heard. (note: Gym has 2 inch rubber padding surrounding the entire floor)

I then had a few friends at the gym - and people I never knew - come up to me and asked what had happened. They explained that I should ask her to demonstrate how it's done (which is what one poster above suggested as well... not a bad idea!!) and also stated that THEY DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING. There is a small camera in the dumbbell area, and that's what she SAW, not heard.

So my question was both serious and fecetious - what can be done to minimize the impact of the bells hitting the floor? You can watch any video from serious trainers - Ronnie and Dorian - and look at how they treat the dumbbells.

In terms of guys launching 'bells that are below 100, I think there is absolutely no room for throwing, dropping, bouncing - whatever - of those size dumbbells. I never had problems with anything lighter than 100. But when I finally got to 110#, I almost hurt my back trying to get them back to my knees. And for months this hasn't been a problem.

Apologies for the long response, but as my initial post stated: I'm not a fan of launching 'bells. I just think that if a gym is going to have 120# dumbbells you shouldn't expect me to gently do my set without grunting, and without a bit of a "drop" from a foot away from the floor.

i do it the way you do. after last rep-lower to chest slowly, and drop em flat from there. any other way could cause strain/injury. keep doing it like that-if she comes back, ask her if she has any experience using 125# dumbells, and tell her youd like to have her or someone demonstrate the proper procedure. stupid bitches.....

 

[lionel]

Think the best way is to get spotter or just anybody in the gym. First you just go into your bench position incline/flat/decline with just one dumbell in hand and when you're ready, get the spotter to help put the other in your other hand, Same thing when you're done, hand 1 side over to him and use two hands to control the 1 left in your hands.

 

[kwik98gt]

Think the best way is to get spotter or just anybody in the gym. First you just go into your bench position incline/flat/decline with just one dumbell in hand and when you're ready, get the spotter to help put the other in your other hand, Same thing when you're done, hand 1 side over to him and use two hands to control the 1 left in your hands.

i dont have a training partner and its a pain to get someone to come over for every set of heavy weight. so i just deal with it myself. i guess that just makes it all more fun..

 

[Hogg]

i dont have a training partner and its a pain to get someone to come over for every set of heavy weight. so i just deal with it myself. i guess that just makes it all more fun..

A-(the-fuck)-men......I train better without a partner and I sure as hell do not want to be asking the little piss pants in my gym for a hand as....well the converse of that is.....I dont want to give them a hand either.

The whole concept of having someone hand dumbbells to you has been tried and you stand a greater chance of being out of the groove, getting a bad handoff and taking a dumbbell in the face, tweaking a vertebrae or a joint......this is actually a pretty stupid thread the more that I think about it. Christ, we are talking about getting into position with dumbbells that, in many cases, total greater than our overall bodyweight.....there are going to be a number of differences in how they are handled by individual people ....lets not act like a bunch of elitist pundits and tisk tisk those who cant do a sit up with a pair of 180s on their chest....for that matter, I call bullshit on those of you who say "there is no weight that should be dropped on the floor, if you cant handle the big weights, dont use them," I guarantee that there were dumbbells at powerhouse that NONE of you on this board could safely regroup, sit up, and walk back in to the rack like you were carrying a pair of 50s......I have had the pleasure of training in a gym with some rather large people and they set the damn things down on the floor just like anybody else. I'd even wager that there are probably a number of guys on this board who can flat bench the 150s but cannot do a bally's-approved reconnoiter back to the dumbbell rack. Gee, should they not use them since they cant get them back to the rack without first setting them down on the floor???? Christ, I'd think that you would load each muscle based on the weight that it can push or pull, not based on what you can handle in precarious positions.

And for that matter, if you train in a gym where they expect you to treat the dumbbells like a fine china teapot, you're training in the wrong gym. I'm beginning to think that training at home or in a private gym with a bunch of like-minded lifters is the way to go; the public gyms and the proliferation of pussy-dom is getting out of hand. We are talking about weights here people, not a piece of jewelry from Tiffany's.

 

[kwik98gt]

" if you train in a gym where they expect you to treat the dumbbells like a fine china teapot, you're training in the wrong gym."

LOL!