It’s easy to overlook dumbbells when it comes to fitness. High-tech gym equipment and heavy weight lifting tools like barbells and weight plates tend to steal focus. But dumbbells activate a surprisingly large number of muscle groups. There are dumbbell exercises for a range of difficulty levels, making them suitable for all abilities. By understanding the benefits of dumbbells, you can start to incorporate dumbbells into your exercise routine.
In this article:
- What are the Benefits of Dumbbells?
- 5 Exercises You Can Do With Dumbbells
- What You Need to Start Using Dumbbells
What are the Benefits of Dumbbell ?
Dumbbells are an inexpensive piece of home gym equipment. Dumbbells are a type of free weight with a straight bar in the middle and weights at either end. You can buy them individually or in pairs and use one each in hand. Next to the barbell, the dumbbells often don't get enough recognition. But dumbbells have various benefits in strength training like:
- Support weight loss
- Improve cardio health
- Build muscle mass and endurance
- Increase bone density
- Reduce the risk of fracture
You can get some serious gains and muscle strength from training with dumbbells. Whether you work out at the gym or want to add more strength training to your favourite fitness routine at home, dumbbells are a perfect addition to any training program.
Dumbbells can provide two types of overload that result in muscle growth, known as mechanic and metabolic overload. Mechanic overload occurs from damage caused by muscle contractions. Metabolic overload happens when you work the muscle to fatigue. So, heavy weights with low reps focus on mechanic overload. Whereas moderately heavy weights at high reps will lead to metabolic overload.
5 Exercises You Can Do With Dumbbells
You can buy dumbbells at different weights from 2.5kg to 40kg dumbbell sets. That means you can adjust the weight of your dumbbells depending on your strength and fitness ability. Because of this, dumbbell exercises can be adapted to all fitness levels. Here are six dumbbell exercises for you to try in your next training session.
1. Bench Press
The dumbbell bench press is a great upper body workout. Lying on a workout bench, you lift the dumbbells over your chest with straight arms. You then lower the weights with control. This move works the pecs, shoulders, forearms, and triceps.
2. Shoulder Press
The shoulder press involves standing hip-width apart with dumbbells in each hand. The weights are then lifted above the head then back down to the side of the hips with control. This is a great upper body movement that engages your core.
3. Bicep Curl
A bicep curl is a simple exercise that’s ideal for building arm strength and muscle mass. The movement works by standing with a dumbbell in each hand. Then, slowly lift the weights to the shoulder by bending the elbows.
4. Goblet Squat
The goblet squat targets the legs, glutes, arms, and grip strength. The goblet squat takes your standard squat to the next level by adding weight to the exercise. Goblet squats are a good exercise for all abilities.
5. Dumbbell Lunges
With the dumbbell lunge, you can add weight to your routine lunges. This helps to target muscle groups and improve strength. Weighted lunges help to strengthen the legs, back, and hips.
As with any exercise, it’s important that you use proper form to do the movements safely. Always speak to a fitness professional or head to your nearest gym if you’re a complete beginner.
What You Need to Start Using Dumbbells
If you’re looking to incorporate dumbbell exercises into your routine, naturally, you will need to get a pair of dumbbells. A huge benefit of dumbbells is that they are relatively cost-effective and small. That means you can travel with them and pack them away when not in use.
There are pros and cons to different dumbbell types. But overall, most types of dumbbells will help you hit your fitness goals. Here are some essential pieces of equipment to start using dumbbells:
- Fixed hex dumbbells - this is one of the most common types of dumbbells that you will likely see at the gym.
- Gym mats - set a safe foundation for fitness with rubber gyms mats for commercial, garage, and home gyms.
You can use dumbbells to get some serious strength and muscle gains. By adapting exercises to your fitness abilities, you can perform dumbbell workouts for your body type and fitness levels. Target your arms, chest, and legs to build muscle and feel the benefits.