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Ngl, I've noticed a dangerous trend with makeshift weight substitutes in home gyms
Honestly, using water jugs or backpacks filled with random items can throw off your balance and strain joints unexpectedly. Tbh, I saw a client last week who sprained his wrist from a poorly secured dumbbell alternative during a lunges set. You're better off investing in a pair of adjustable dumbbells or sticking to bodyweight exercises you can control fully. It's just not worth the emergency room visit over a few saved bucks.
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the_riley7mo ago
Well, with some common sense, makeshift weights have served me just fine for years.
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hannahm907mo ago
Absolutely, common sense is key here (learned that the hard way with a gallon jug, honestly). Make sure whatever you're using has a secure grip, because slipping mid-rep is no joke. Sandbags or backpacks filled with books can be surprisingly stable for deadlifts, just saying. And always check the weight distribution before you go heavy, unless you enjoy unexpected trips to the floor.
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charliemartin7mo ago
That gallon jug example Hannah gave is exactly why I'm careful about this stuff. I tried using water bottles for curls once and the cap popped off mid set, soaked my floor and nearly wrecked my elbow. Common sense helps, but it doesn't stop a bag of books from tearing open. You can find actual cheap dumbbells at most thrift stores for like twenty bucks, and that's just safer for your joints long term.
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