Dumbbells

Being a first timer in the fitness world, you might have thought at one point in your life how important fitness is for a healthy lifestyle. Yes, indeed it is very important, which basically explains why it brought you to the gym nearest your area. The moment you entered, you immediately notice the different gyms equipments. Among the many types of equipment that you see are the most common pairs, the dumbbells. So what is the importance of dumbbells? Are there certain types of dumbbell sets that you need to be familiar with?

Dumbbells are those pieces of equipments that are mostly used during weight training. These classic sets are actually considered as one of those types of free weights. They are weights that are mostly held single-handedly. Hence, they come naturally in pairs. The history of dumbbells takes us to far India, where these pairs originated. The very first pair of dumbbells was shaped like clubs, thus the name Indian Club. Dumbbells were used generally in pairs by wrestlers, sports players, body builders, and anyone who has the desire to increase muscle size and strength.

The word “dumbbell” originated in England. These devices were actually used to ring church bells, and were widely popular because of their effectiveness on muscle size increase. This created trends for the young and the rich men in England way back the sixteenth century. Apparently, these men installed similar devices on their homes, and it consisted of a pulley, attached to some weighted rope. The user then pulls this rope, similar with ringing a particular church bell. These were then known as the “bells”, though no actual bell is really on the end of the rope. Colloquially, they became known as the “dumb-bells.” As years passed by, the weighted rope and the pull fell out in the fashion world, with only just the weight remaining.

Dumbbells, particularly the weight types, minus the presence of the pulleys, have been widely used in the United States of America, during the eighteenth century. On the early years of the nineteenth century, the shape of dumbbells, which is what we are seeing presently, having two similar weights that are attached to its handle, had began appearing.

There are basically two types of dumbbells: the adjustable dumbbells and the fixed-weight dumbbells. The first type, the adjustable dumbbell, consists of a thirty-five centimeter-long steel bar, about an inch in diameter. When you look at them, they are like those miniature barbells. Its center portions are engraved with crosshatch patterns, giving the user better grips. For the user to attain its desired weight, weight disks are slid on the outer part of a dumbbell, which are then properly secured with collars or clips. With the spinlock dumbbells, their outer parts are threaded with large nuts that act as its collars. These nuts are then securely screwed on the plates for better friction.

The second types of dumbbells are the fixed-weight dumbbells. These are basically the more expensive varieties, consisting of expensive cast iron that is coated with some rubber, for better safety. Though expensive, there are still some versions that are more affordable, the ones that have shells made from rigid plastic before filled with some concrete.

Because of their flexibility, dumbbell sets are used in almost all kinds of resistance weight trainings. However, the most preferred dumbbell exercises are the bicep curl and the bench presses.

Now that you have known the basics of dumbbells, perhaps buying them is actually an investment. However, before you finally buy a pair of your own, it is best advised that you set an appointment first with a professional fitness instructor. They will be the ones to determine which types of dumbbells are for you that is advisable to your weight and your health status.

Have a healthy lifestyle. Exercise daily, eat the proper healthy foods, and have a positive outlook in life. Life is only lived once. So take the best care of your health, and make the most out of it.