because the free weight sections are always occupied by the uni rugby team and i am allowed to take dumbbells so i took 20kg dumbbells and did those and after major DOMS
i don't understand your Q?
bulgarian split squat with barbell is definitely harder than DB variation, both are effective tho.
OK let me rephrase my question.
my regular workout is Olympic Squats (parallel + a bit more), calf raises and RDL's.
one session, the squat rack is booked so have to use dumbbells and any weight, what exercise would you do as the next best alternative to barbell squats, Calf raises and RDL using dumbbells only any weight?
walking lunges/bulgarian split squats for sure.. 45 degree hypers or natural glute ham raises if possible.
one really nice exercise with db's is a single leg squat while standing on an 18-24" box.. if you stand on the box with left leg, you hold dumbell in right leg, and you squat right down.. hits the glutes really good.
single leg RDL with DB in opposite hand (standing on the ground, not a box) is also really effective.
but ya, getting your db lunge/bss weights up can definitely get you gains.
peace man