Dumbbells are considered free weights, which means they’re not attached to another piece of gym equipment and can be picked up and moved around. All of our experts noted that they can be a great workout tool for just about anyone — whether you’re a beginner or an experienced weightlifter — because you can easily determine the weight that’s most comfortable for you.
Dumbbells can also be more shoulder-friendly for upper body exercises — “the shoulder joint seems to self-select a path that’s most comfortable when using dumbbells [and] this isn’t as achievable with a straight bar.”
Both fixed and adjustable dumbbells (more on that below) can also provide some variety to your weight training since you can utilize them for practically any weighted exercise, ranging from bicep curls and overhead presses to lunges and squats. They can also encourage more range of motion within the exercises and help challenge your joint stabilizer muscles — muscles like the gluteus medius and triceps that help stabilize your body while performing different exercises — by requiring more balance to control two weights versus one, explained Jordan Rowe, a certified personal trainer and founder of NOEX Fitness in Richmond, Virginia.
Especially adjustable dumbbells — can be useful for those building a home gym because they don’t take up as much space as other popular gym equipment. “Dumbbells tend to take up less space versus a barbell and plates — you can easily stack a couple of dumbbell sets even in an apartment.
But keep in mind that you will need to lift the dumbbells into position when you work out, which can be an issue if you suffer from back pain. “I often caution those with lower back issues to be careful with heavy dumbbells as the back stress of lifting them into position can be significant,” Boyle said.
What to consider when shopping for dumbbells
Not all dumbbells are created equally, and certain factors can affect the quality of your workout. As you’re shopping for dumbbells, experts recommended considering the different dumbbell types, materials and shapes available.
Fixed versus adjustable dumbbells
Dumbbells usually offer either a fixed or adjustable weight, each of which our experts said can be beneficial for specific types of workouts and personal preferences.
Post time: Jan-06-2023