![Quote](https://startingstrength.com/resources/forum/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Mark Rippetoe
A simple program is always appropriate for a novice. The old bulk/cut model is a holdover from the muscle magazines and their fictional version of human muscular growth. So the good news is that you have been given good advice.
The bad news is that the progress possible with a novice linear progression is only accessible with barbells. Dumbbells are useful for assistance work, but they cannot substitute for barbells because they can't be handled with enough weight, and you don't need any assistance work right now. You will have to decide what it's worth to you to have access to the proper equipment, and if your goals are worth pursuing you'll need to find a way to make it happen.