Many times when a beginner steps into a weight room they are overwhelmed with dumbbells, weight machines, bench press machine, resistance bands, stability balls, and squat rack. It is common for the dumbbells to first be overlooked because an amatuer may not know exactly what to do with them. However, there are many advantages of adding dumbbells to your daily workout regimen. Here are a few:
Versatile Workouts Range of motion is not fixed when you use dumbbells, so you can build strength through a full or partial range of motion and perform many different exercises. Not only can you can train muscles you use in normal movements performed every day, you can also strengthen sports-specific movements. What's more, as you lift a dumbbell, you also incorporate motions that stabilize and improve your balance. This ultimately results in a greater overall increase in muscle strength and endurance.1
- Safer Dumbbells are also much safer to use than barbells. Many barbell exercises, such as the bench press and squat, put you in a position where the weight is on top of you.2
- Portable If you have a busy schedule that involves frequent travel, finding time to go to the gym can be challenging, and there may not always be a well-stocked fitness center nearby.2
www.pixcooler.com Unilateral Training Options The hand-held design of dumbbells gives you the option to perform unilateral training, which is not possible with barbells. Unilateral training involves moving a resistance with each side of your body separately, ensuring that both muscles do an equal amount of work. When you use a barbell and both of your arms work together. 2
Dumbbells are great tools to have in your strength training arsenal. They allow for a lot of variety with your workouts, and they even have some significant advantages compared to barbells.
References
1. Lee, Lexa W. (2015, July 15.) Advantages and Disadvantages of Dumbbells. Retrieved on October 4, 2015 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/480682-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-dumbbells
2. Willett, Brian. What is the Advantage of Using Dumbbells Over Bars? Retrieved on October 4, 2015 from http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/advantage-using-dumbbells-over-bars-4660.html
Dumbbells are a very essential piece of resistance training equipment. Dumbbells offer an effective alternative to barbell when the "squat rack is full" or it's international chest day during peak hours at a gym!
ReplyDeleteI love dumbbells, now that I have to work 2 full time jobs, my dumbbells are the only way I keep up with my workouts.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved using the dumbbells. Great information highlighting the advantages of the dumbbells over other typical equipment found in the gym.
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