One of the most frequent questions I get is if one can get strong using bodyweight exercises or dumbbells. This is usually asked with a great level of concern (and in some cases, panic) when I program something for folks as strength work that isn't a barbell (I love barbell work, by the way).
I think there's a pretty common reason for the disconnect about strength development using different tools. And it's usually that folks who do bodyweight/dumbbell exercises usually do them for high reps. And there's nothing wrong with that. But if you're going beyond 5-6 reps for a set, you're not really getting stronger (yes, I'm aware of the studies that show you can get stronger across various rep ranges and I've seen it happen, but not all rep ranges are created equal when it comes to strength development). More often than not, you're improving your stamina when doing higher-rep work with bodyweight exercises or dumbbells. Guess what, you're also improving your stamina when you do higher-rep work with barbells.
So the disconnect occurs because in this situation, it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. Find that version of a bodyweight/dumbbell movement that can only be done for 3-6 reps and you'll get stronger (yes, singles and doubles work, too, but I think they're less effective for most folks and can explain why in a later entry). The body doesn't care whether you're holding onto a barbell or dumbbell, or whether you're just using your own bodyweight. If you're doing low-rep work, you'll get stronger.
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