The Dumbbell Bear

While standing in a grocery store line the other day, I picked up one of the popular mainstream men's fitness publications. (I confess.) They are all the same. The models are topless, lean, and tan. Their makeup jobs take longer than those of all the girls I like, and their teeth are bigger and whiter than Mr. Ed's. To my utter amazement, though, the models in this particular issue were performing functional dumbbell movements (in this case the dumbbell snatch)! Not a biceps curl in sight! I would like to think the CrossFit Journal and this column are partly responsible.

Mainstream or not, this month's installment of the "Dumbbell Coach" column will focus on a challenge from my DVD Dumbbell Moves, Vol. 2. The dumbbell Bear is a unique complex that combines three of the most productive weight-lifting movements in a smoker of a task-priority workout.

History

I learned of the barbell version of the Bear in 2003. That version included a power clean, front squat, push press, and back squat in succession. The push press to back squat transition was difficult. The back squat toMy dumbbell version of the Bear consists of deadlifts, hang power cleans, and front squat / push presses (thrusters).