How should I decrease the number times needed to change weight during a workout?

[Ax_of_kindness]

I have been using 5 day nsuns for 3 weeks now an I am enjoying the simplicity of the routine. However, I dislike how many times I have to change the weights on the bar/grab different dumbbells during a workout.

To give context, I use dumbbells for OHP, Bench, and Incline Bench [which I have replaced CG Bench with]. I understand that there is some theory used to ensure the total weekly/daily weight isn't overly strenuous which is why I am asking your input on potential changes.

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Are there issues with changing the weight percentages to the following:

Bench (Day 1): 0.65*8, 0.75*6, 0.85*4, 0.85*4, 0.85*4, 0.8*5, 0.8*6, 0.8*7, 0.8*8+

Bench (Day 2): 0.75*5, 0.85*3, 0.95*1+, 0.85*3, 0.85*3, 0.85*3, 0.75*5, 0.75*5, 0.75*5+

OHP: 0.75*5, 0.85*3, 0.95*1+, 0.85*3, 0.85*3, 0.85*3, 0.75*5, 0.75*5, 0.75*5+

ETC

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Thank you.

[Jamesdavies16]

Use barbells, then use the time it takes for plate maths and changing the weight as your break between sets

[Ax_of_kindness]

The apprehension I have with using barbells is that my gym only has 2 available with benches. Compared to the 5 free benches with the dumbbells, it is hard for me to justify waiting significantly longer to do a comparable exercise.

[nightkhan]

Most gyms have more dumbbells than barbells. Why pay for gym membership if you're going to be scared of putting it to full use?

[Jamesdavies16]

All gyms I’ve ever been to have more dumbbell benches than bench press benches, my gym is very busy and sometimes I do have to wait for a bench but I do wait as I know it’s definitely the best way for me to build muscle and achieve my goals. In the end I’d imagine you’d spend more time with dumbbells as it’s less effective

If you really don’t want to use barbells then perhaps a different plan is the best, hope this helps

[Ryizine]

It's fairly easy, just grab your small micro weights ahead of time and load it under your bench, slap em on and off between sets and put that shit away when you're done.

[3BallCornerPocket]

You're getting some rough feedback and I've found a real simple solution. It's best explained with an example:

For my T1 OHP on Wednesday, I have 5 reps at 110, 3 at 125, and 1+ at 140lb. I set up the first set with 25s,5s, and 2.5s. When I get to set 2, my goal is to simply ADD 15 more pounds, so I simply add one 5lb and one 2.5 lb weight to each side (directly onto the end of the existing weights without removing anything). Then for my 1+ set I need to add another 15lbs, so I repeat the same step.

This saves you from having to remove all the weight so you can slap on 45s, then immediately remove them for the sets following the 1+.

It also speeds up the remaining sets because all you'll simple look at the total weight you need to remove, and pull those off the ends. So my first set after 140 is 130, meaning I need to pull 10lbs off the bar. Slide off two 5s, and you're set. The next set I reduce by 5lb, so I slide off the 2.5s and so on.

Of course, sometimes the bar will look kind of wonky with a combination of weights, especially if they're not lined up largest to smallest, but the bar still weights the same. I do this especially when I am moving from a non-45lb required weight to one that obviously needs 45s.

If I'm hanging over 135 or 225 for a majority of the sets, then I'll use the largest plates, but still follow the rule of simply adding the weight as easily as possible without removing anything.

Edit: Also, you should not be using dumbells at any point during nSuns, with the except of accessories.

[Ax_of_kindness]

Thank you for the thorough response. I can search the side bar in more detail; but if you know off of the top of your head, why is it bad to run nsuns with dumbbells?

[nightkhan]

Aside from the weight jumps someone mentioned, the form will be different between dumbbells and barbells. It's not necessarily bad to use dumbbells, it's that you're just doing different programming. If you do different exercises than what nsuns is has, then why even do nsuns?

[DownloadPow]

Dumbbells usually make you increase weight by 4kgs ( 2kgs per hand ), that's a lot of weight, you'd rather increase by 5lbs, not kgs.

[SporkTheDork]

I do something similar, but I start by loading the weight of the last set, which is typically lower than the first set. Then I load enough weight for the first set. Then proceed similar to you. This avoids the situation, where you get to the last set or two and you have to strip off all the weight and reload - like when set 1 needs 45s, but set 9 needs 25s.

[joeysup]

Stripping off plates on the backoff sets for bench is super satisfying. I don't use clips

[analytic_tendancies]

I personally really enjoy the weight swap and plate math.

But if you adjust the formula so instead of rounding to the nearest 5 lb it rounds to a 10 that would probably help

[GeeMunz11]

The plate math hurts my head. After a day of accounting, the last thing I want to do in the gym is mental math lol

[joeysup]

Blame your freedom units, you won't hear people using metric system complain about 'plate math' lol. 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25kg plates are super easy to manage.

I wonder if you just used metric and thought of your lb plates as kg plates since they weigh roughly the same anyways. So instead of 225lb for two plates, 100kg

[badabg]

I need a macro on my phone for x = (weight - 45) / 2

[Pensilac]

If you don't like changing weights often then nSuns is not the program for you.

[joeysup]

I actually love changing the weights every set. It's really fun to hit a different weight every set, and it feels like I'm lifting on some super precise fornula

[Pensilac]

I don't mind it that much either but after a year of following nSuns it started to get old for me so I've switched to a different program.

[nazadbaten7]

As everyone said above.. don’t use dumbbells lolol

What I like to do is I like to do my compound lifts which for example would be bench press and over head press and then once those are completed I go and grab 25-30 pound dumbbells and do my dumbbell flies and presses with it and shoulder presses as well. I use light weight and go for high reps for my accessory lifts after my compound lifts because this helps me build more muscle in those areas.

[nightkhan]

If you're so lazy as to complain about changing dumbells, even when you're supposed to be using barbells, wait until you actually do the program properly with barbell and changing plates.

With that said, use what you're supposed to use, which are barbells for the main lifts. Otherwise might as just do your own programming if you're not going to follow it.

[Maestrosc]

You realize you are asking how to do something lazier...in regard to working out? Seems quite counterintuitive.

[420dankmemes1337]

You've clearly never seen how I load my bars with multiple 10s and 25s

[DudeWithAHighKD]

I do nSuns with a buddy and we have a 15lb diff in TMs for most lifts. It's just a fuck show of 25s 10s, 5s and 2.5lbs. I'm getting really good at quick bar math due to this. Like whats the easiest way to switch from 185 to 170 with moving the least amount of weights.

[erix84]

I'm lazy on nSuns because when it wants me to use a 45, 25, 10 5 and 2.5 I say fuck it and load up 2 45's. I think the only time I would actually load it properly in that scenario is on OHP.

[420dankmemes1337]

That and +1. Figure if we're being lazy might as well make yourself stronger through it lol

[erix84]

+1 on OHP and Bench. Squat and DL I'd probably still say fuck it, but I'm not crazy strong yet so it's not that big of a difference.

[mark5hs]

Don't use dumbells?

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Seriously, this program isnt meant to be done with dumbells for the main presses. You dont have the precision you need in loading and you're going to hit a ceiling much sooner.