Buzz
If you own a barbell but lack sufficient weight plates, the quarantine period may have led to some inventive yet risky improvisations. Social media is rife with examples, from weights suspended in tote bags to water bottles dangling precariously. Many of these makeshift setups are accidents waiting to occur, but a brilliant idea shared by u/nachosun on Reddit caught my attention.
The solution is straightforward: utilize figure-8 deadlift straps to suspend dumbbells from your barbell. After testing it myself, I can confirm it’s effective and stable, provided you use dumbbells of the right size.
Let me explain. This is a figure-8 deadlift strap, commonly used in strongman competitions or for extremely heavy rack pulls. If you’re into these activities, you likely own a pair. They provide a firmer grip on the bar compared to standard deadlift straps. However, we’re repurposing them here for a unique application.
Detach one end of an adjustable dumbbell, loop one end of the strap around the dumbbell handle, and drape the strap over the barbell. Next, secure the other loop onto the dumbbell and reattach the weight plates.
I prefer this method over simply threading a small dumbbell through the loops because it ensures the dumbbell cannot slip out. By using adjustable dumbbells, you can guarantee that the plates on the ends are too large to pass through the strap’s loop. This prevents any unexpected weight shifts during your workout.
However, always double-check that the dumbbell itself remains secure. Screw-type collars offer an advantage here, as they may loosen gradually but won’t fail abruptly. Keep in mind, if a weight dislodges from one end, it could not only land on your foot mid-squat but also destabilize the bar, potentially throwing you off balance. Use these lifting hacks with caution.
