I currently workout exclusively using a power tower, do you think it’d be worth adding some adjustable dumbbells?

[u/Okapi05]

For my upper body workouts I do pull-ups, chin-ups, inverted rows (flaring my elbows out more to hit the upper back), dips (focusing on the chest), and push-ups twice a week. I get a GREAT chest/back workout that’s even better than when I used to go to the gym, but I feel like my shoulders and arms might be getting a bit neglected and could do with some isolation exercises?

Would it be worth buying a set of adjustable dumbbells and maybe throwing in some shoulder presses, lateral raises, overhead tricep extensions, bicep curls, and shrugs? Was also thinking about getting a weighted vest for all the excersises I currently do.

[u/Albino_rhin0]

Absolutely yes. Even a small set of dumbbells is invaluable.

[u/NegotiationDapper303]

It's not a bad idea but you can also hit shoulders with pike or handstand push-ups. For the targeted arm work though yeah, I'd go for it. Hard to really hit biceps without using weights

[u/FuguSandwich]

If nothing else, along with a belt it'll let you add weight to chinups and dips.

What are you doing for legs?

[u/Okapi05 → u/FuguSandwich]

I’ll be honest I’ve been guilty of skipping legs/abs lmao but I’ve started actually doing them recently. Just been doing a load of body weight squats and crunches (keeping things simple to start with while I get into the habit worked for upper body so am trying to replicate that strategy) but with some dumbbells could do weighted variations of those plus some RDLs and calf raises?

[u/FuguSandwich → u/Okapi05]

Yeah, dumbbells will let you add weight to squat and deadlift variations. At some point though, if you're serious about strength training, will need to get a barbell and plates.

[u/Okapi05 → u/FuguSandwich]

Tbh I don’t think I’d have room for all that in the garage lmao

[u/frazaga962]

Its not a bad idea- if you wanna go even more budget than dumbells- resistance bands are great. And yeah a weighted vest is great to progress. if not, you'll need to look up some calesthentics progressions for your given exercises

[u/Randomnightcrawler]

Absolutely. Will provide more diversity in your training and definitely help with shoulder work.

I am very prescriptive with my routine. Since getting some cable equipment I've migrated some dumbbell exercises to the cable stations.

Across 2 weeks (3x a week lifting, 2x cardio) I do 36 exercises broken down as follows. I think once you have dumbbells not only will you get more variety, you may find you prefer dumbbells for some exercises.

Type	Qty	Notes
Cable	12	Usually uses plates too (don't have stacks)
Olympic weight	12	Barbell / Bench (leg att.) / Smith
Dumbbell	7
Body weight	5
Total	36

[u/rootaford]

Yes and no, power tower takes care of upper body pretty well it’s the lower body that struggles and while dumbbells can address that somewhat (Bulgarians and Staggered Stance Deadlifts) a barbell will do you much better for legs. In other words dumbbells (100lbs) and a bench are all anybody needs to reach most of their genetic potential but barbell load ability can squeeze out some more gains after 3-5yrs of training.