Adding Weight to Dumbbells

[SwollNMember]

Unfortunately, the gym I'm stuck working out at only has 120lb maximum weight dumbbells. I'm unable to do a lot of straight bar pressing due to shoulder injuries. I've looked into plate mates and they only go up a maximum of 1.25lb increments. I suppose I could start stacking them on the dumbbells, but it would soon get pretty expensive to get much past 125lbs.

Do any of you know of an inexpensive way to add a decent amount of weight to a dumbbell?

[youknowmysteez]

I bring ducttape to the gym and tape 5lb plates to the end. Real meatheads use duct tape lol (little inside joke at my gym) but yah it works =)

[SwollNMember]

I bring ducttape to the gym and tape 5lb plates to the end. Real meatheads use duct tape lol (little inside joke at my gym) but yah it works =)

ROFL!

Simple, yet effective. Why didn't I think of that?

Great idea!

Thanks!

[thestudent]

I met this kid (19 year old) when I was twentyy three. I worked at a gym in St. Pete and this kid and his dad both worked out there. They came in at seperate times to work out but I noticed that they both would take the heaviest dumbbells and tape a ten to each side. If memory serves me correctly, we had 110s and these two made them 130s. They always used the standard type of duct tape and I never heard of a plate slipping. I have the feeling that I could have taped that 110 to a structural column and it would have stayed. It is strong stuff.

[Terraj]

I just started doing this while I'm training away from home.


What I've done is get a length of rope, maybe 80-90cm, Tie ends together, push the loop though a 5 or 10 pound plate, take the other end in your hand and grab your Db....GtG


clear? not really huh...

[Ibarramedia]

Get another lighter dumbbell say a 10 or 20 pounder and cross it with the bigger dumbbell. Not too comfortable to grip but it works.

[ygbodybuilder10]

i use straps or hooks to add more weight

[ygbodybuilder10]

here is a video of me using hooks to add more weight to the dumbbells
mV4a6pPAd-4

[Growin24/7]

bad azz ideas in here, I have always seen guys do the duck tape but never tried it...good pressing power YG!

[Rep300]

We used duct tape back in 97-98 in Australia. The gym only had 120s, so we made up to 140s. One time my partner Jon Davie was shoulder pressing 140s, and the tape came off the inside of the DB. There were two plates that swung down and hit him in the head.

Jon kept pressing, and I reached in and just held the plates away from his face as he did another 2-3 reps. LOL.....must have looked so dangerous, but it was hardcore. I wish I had pics of those dumbells.

[Ibarramedia]

Kinda cool to videotape especially with him going on and continuing with blood dripping down to his face. Now that is hardcore.

[pfunk]

Damn YG, they don't go higher than 100 pounds? Need to find a new Gym...unless the rest of the gym makes-up for it!

[ass clown]

the place i'm at now they only go up to 75's, I just use the smith or a bar and save the dumbells for fly's

[Sledge]

Buy a set of dumbell handles and just use the gym weights. i got mine off ebay.

[pfunk]

I've only used bands to add some resistance to dumbell presses, but my gym goes up to 180 and I've got a ways to go before I use them!

...the band would be around my back, with both ends wrapped around my thumbs, and then I grab the dumbells and lay back to press.

[newaza007]

Unfortunately, the gym I'm stuck working out at only has 120lb maximum weight dumbbells. I'm unable to do a lot of straight bar pressing due to shoulder injuries. I've looked into plate mates and they only go up a maximum of 1.25lb increments. I suppose I could start stacking them on the dumbbells, but it would soon get pretty expensive to get much past 125lbs.

Do any of you know of an inexpensive way to add a decent amount of weight to a dumbbell?

The plate mates fall off pretty easily, so be careful! I've gotten them in the face before....lol

[ygbodybuilder10]

bad azz ideas in here, I have always seen guys do the duck tape but never tried it...good pressing power YG!

appreciate it

[ygbodybuilder10]

Damn YG, they don't go higher than 100 pounds? Need to find a new Gym...unless the rest of the gym makes-up for it!

yeah only 100's i been in that gym since i was 17, people have been telling i have outgrown that gym, number one reason why i still go there is because its like my home and its 5 mins from my house

[TXFatback]

Add bands, you can add over 100 lbs at full stretch with heavy band. You got to have a heavy grip, the band will give it hell. But you'll be explosive.

[pfunk]

yeah only 100's i been in that gym since i was 17, people have been telling i have outgrown that gym, number one reason why i still go there is because its like my home and its 5 mins from my house

I hear you. My gym is all beat-up and old, but it feels like home and I like the people working out there. And if I don't show-up when I normally do, people think something has gone wrong! They'll send out a search party

[Julz5150]

If your gym has cable crossover machine, use the "D" handles, then grip the DB and the D handle. You can add as much as the stack allows with that, but its awkward to get used to.