Bench Press With Dumbbells on a Bar: My First 1-Rep Max in 35 Years

I hadn't tried a one-rep max on the bench press in about 35 years.

Recently, while working out in my home gym, I decided to see what I could do.

I loaded my bar using a pair of 50 lb dumbbells and a pair of 45 lb dumbbells with Dualbell dumbbell-to-barbell converters.

My first attempt was 200 lbs.

That went up, so I decided to try 210.

It took a second attempt, but I got it.

And the interesting part wasn't just the weight. It was how I got there using the dumbbells I already owned.

Can You Use Dumbbells for a Barbell Bench Press?

Traditionally, barbell bench presses use weight plates loaded onto a bar. But with the right equipment, compatible dumbbells can also provide resistance.

That's exactly what Dualbell was designed to do.

Each Dualbell dumbbell converter wraps around the handle of a compatible dumbbell and slides onto a standard 1-inch (25 mm) bar, allowing the dumbbell to function as a weight plate.

For this workout, I used four dumbbells mounted to the bar with my Dualbell Superset.

The dumbbells provided 190 lbs of resistance, with the bar bringing the total to 210 lbs.

This setup allowed me to perform a barbell bench press using equipment that was already part of my home gym.

Getting More Weight From the Dumbbells You Already Own

One of the challenges of building a home gym is deciding which equipment to purchase.

Dumbbells are incredibly versatile, but eventually you may want to perform exercises that require more resistance than your heaviest individual dumbbells provide.

That doesn't necessarily mean you need to replace your dumbbells or purchase an entirely separate collection of weight plates.

Dualbell provides another option.

With compatible dumbbells and a standard 1-inch bar, you can perform a variety of barbell exercises while continuing to use those same dumbbells individually.

For example, my heaviest traditional dumbbells are 50 lbs each. They're useful for a wide range of exercises, including dumbbell bench presses.

But by combining my 50s and 45s on a bar, I can perform a barbell bench press with substantially more total resistance.

Same dumbbell rack. More exercise possibilities.

Why I Created Dualbell

The idea behind Dualbell came from wanting to do more with the equipment I already had.

Like many home gym owners, I started with dumbbells and a bench. As my workout needs changed, I wanted additional exercise options without continually adding more equipment.

That eventually led to the development of Dualbell.

The goal was never to suggest that dumbbells are better than weight plates or that everyone needs to train the same way.

Every home gym is different.

Some people prefer traditional barbells and plates. Others build their gyms around fixed or adjustable dumbbells.

Dualbell is another solution for people who want to expand their training options using equipment they already own.

And my recent bench press workout was a pretty good example of that idea in action.

A 210 lb Bench Press After 35 Years

Getting back to my one-rep max attempt, I started with 200 lbs.

After completing that lift, I decided to increase the weight to 210 lbs.

My first attempt at 210 didn't go as planned.

But I tried again and completed the lift.

I'm not particularly interested in comparing my bench press numbers to anyone else's. For me, the accomplishment was personal.

It had been approximately 35 years since I last attempted a one-rep max, and I wanted to see what I could do today.

Reaching 210 lbs was satisfying, especially knowing that the resistance came from the same dumbbells I use for my everyday workouts.

And now I'm wondering whether 220 lbs might be next.

Building a Home Gym That Grows With You

One of the benefits of Dualbell is that it can continue to provide additional exercise options as your home gym evolves.

You might start with a short standard bar for curls, rows and other exercises. Later, you might add a longer bar for rack-based movements or an EZ-curl bar for arm training.

The same Dualbell converters can be used across compatible standard 1-inch bars.

And your dumbbells remain dumbbells whenever you need them.

Whether you're using traditional fixed dumbbells or compatible adjustable dumbbells, the idea is the same:

Get more use out of the equipment you already own.

For me, that meant using four dumbbells to bench press 210 lbs after 35 years without attempting a one-rep max.

Maybe 220 is next.

Dualbell Compatibility and Safety

Dualbell dumbbell-to-barbell converters are designed for compatible traditional and adjustable dumbbells with suitable handle dimensions and standard 1-inch (25 mm) bars.

Each Dualbell is made in USA from durable Nylon 66.

Dualbell has been lab tested up to 1,900 lbs, with a maximum recommended load of 125 lb dumbbell per Dualbell.

For bench pressing, always use an appropriate bench, rack and safety equipment, with a spotter or properly positioned safety arms when attempting heavy lifts. Secure the Dualbells with suitable collars and verify the entire setup before lifting.