if you could only afford one pair of dumbbells, what weight would you choose?

[robcguns]

For me, yes.  Do whatever you want.

I wish I could think that way,I’m lifting heavier than ever on most things.good and bad I guess.

I am afraid to end up crippled but love training heavy.

[Grape Ape]

Yes, I used to love lifting heavy (even powerlifting) workouts but past age 40 no way.  Too bad Ronnie didn't have the same philosophy.

I think if you are smart about it you can still lift heavy.

Proper warmup and form, cycle the poundages, hit a very heavy session, then back off.....just don't hit everything heavy all the time.

[oldtimer1]

Go on amazon and type in the search yes4all dumbbells. You can get two 100lbs adjustable dumbbells for $200 bucks. Just construct a waist high table to assemble the dumbbells. I used a similar set up for decades. You can make dumbbells any weight very quickly.

[Humble Narcissist]

Dumbbells are superior to barbells.  So many exercises which can be done one arm at a time or together, more range of motion so you can hit the same muscles at different angles within the same set and take up very little space at home.

[ratherbebig]

and you can use them for self-defense!

[Humble Narcissist]

and you can use them for self-defense!

I once worked for a company that banned dumbbells for that reason.  There was a guy who brought a dumbbell to work and would do one arm curls while he was on the phone (crappy telemarketing job).  One day two other employees got in a fight and the one guy grabbed the dumbbell from off the floor and hit the other guy with it!

[ratherbebig]