When you track your workouts how do you record dumbbells? If I have 45lbs on each dumbbell for bicep curls did I write it as "8 reps of 45" or "8 reps of 90"?

What's generally accepted?

If you are using a 45 lb dumbbell in each hand then I always recorded it as 45 lbs.

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:
If you are using a 45 lb dumbbell in each hand then I always recorded it as 45 lbs.

Me, too, but then I was thinking "if I switch to barbell this same weight is written as 90".

For dumbbell exercises, I use the weight of one dumbbell. The iPhone apps I've used for tracking seemed to prefer that way. My son, a very dedicated lifter, uses an old-fashioned pen and notepad. He tracks total weight of both dumbbells. As long as you stick to the same method each time, you'll know if you're making progress, so it doesn't matter.

quote:

Originally posted by bobandmikako:
I use the weight of one dumbbell. The iPhone apps I've used for tracking seemed to prefer that way. My son, a very dedicated lifter, uses an old-fashioned pen and notepad. He tracks total weight of both dumbbells. As long as you stick to the same method each time, you'll know if you're making progress, so it doesn't matter.

I was just going to say that it doesn't matter personally but if you use an app (fitnessbuddy) it tracks calories and junk like that so I figured I'd ask and start using it correctly.

Doesn't matter as long as you record all your lifts in the same manner.

However, if you are going to record your lifts, you should also keep a record of when and what you eat as well.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
I was just going to say that it doesn't matter personally but if you use an app (fitnessbuddy) it tracks calories and junk like that so I figured I'd ask and start using it correctly.

Maybe the app's website has info on how they calculate dumbbell exercises. I know JEFIT and Reps & Sets say to use the weight of a single dumbbell. No idea about others.

For the purpose of tracking weightlifting progress, track dumbbell and barbell exercises separately even if they work the same muscle. People lift more weight on a barbell bench press than they do on a dumbbell bench press.

Right on. Thanks for the info.

It's the weight you are using, not combined. So when I talk about it, I rep 100's on dumbells or whatever the weight may be.

I am recording the exercise as a "Dumbbell -----" and I write the weight of one dumbbell.

Most people will record the weight of the single dumbbell. When you use a barbell, the stronger side will help compensate for the weaker side & assist so in reality, both sides are not lifting equally. (Unless you don't have a weak/strong side.)

I also log the weight of one dumbbell.

quote:

Originally posted by MagicHorse:
... (Unless you don't have a weak/strong side.)

I have two weak sides.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:
If you are using a 45 lb dumbbell in each hand then I always recorded it as 45 lbs.

Me, too, but then I was thinking "if I switch to barbell this same weight is written as 90".

This.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by MagicHorse:
... (Unless you don't have a weak/strong side.)

I have two weak sides.

Tell me about it!