More and more people are getting into the world of the gym. Diverse motivations, different goals to achieve, but there’s almost always a common element: weights.
In various forms and different weights, these tools are loved and used by an increasing number of athletes.
Their incorporation into workouts allows for an increase in the difficulty of exercises, working on strength and aiming to increase muscle mass.
Due to the wide range of situations in which the use of weights is required, there are various types available: barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, and many other types of equipment, all of which are becoming increasingly common in gyms and home setups.
Among the most common, we can certainly find dumbbells.
Characteristics of gym dumbbells
There are different types of dumbbells, but the common feature among them is the elongated structure that allows for a comfortable one-handed grip, along the central shaft, which is wider on the ends, where the weights are concentrated.
Regardless of the type, a common characteristic of dumbbells is that they don’t have a fixed weight: they come in various sizes, or you can adjust their weight by adding or removing weights.
What makes them so desirable, both in public gyms and home gyms, is undoubtedly their compact structure. Compared to barbells, they are smaller and, even in comparison to other bulky equipment, their slim and often collapsible design is very helpful.
So, the convenience of these tools is definitely their non-bulky nature, but also their versatility, making them suitable for various types of athletes, with different goals and abilities. Another advantage is certainly their use in a wide range of exercises aimed at training the arms, shoulders, and abdomen.
To fully appreciate dumbbells, let’s now analyze the different types to understand what sets them apart and what makes each one suitable for a particular type of athlete or workout.
Adjustable gym dumbbells
This type of equipment is suitable for those interested in shoulder and chest workouts and is highly recommended for athletes who have reached a moderate level of skill and training.
As you can understand from the name, the main feature of this variation is the possibility to adjust the resistance by changing the number of kilos on it.
The convenience of being able to independently manage the weight of the equipment lies in not having to change dumbbells every time you increase your training level and that the same tools can be used by athletes of different genders and abilities.
This advantage of having the capabilities of an entire set enclosed in a single piece of equipment is reflected in the price, which is generally higher than other types. However, this is easily understandable when considering the corresponding cost of purchasing an entire set.
Adjustable dumbbells
This type has the same structure as a barbell, so its modularity lies in the ability to add plates to the central shaft, thus increasing or decreasing the weight according to the user’s needs.
It consists of a base bar, which is shorter in length compared to a barbell, as it is meant to be lifted with one hand; additional plates, typically made of cast iron or plastic and filled with water or sand, can be added to it.
Very convenient and therefore widely used for home workouts, as they can be disassembled entirely, allowing them to take up even less space.
Another type of dumbbell: hexagonal gym weights
The third type of dumbbell is unique due to the geometric shape: as the name suggests, the cast iron weights at the ends of the central shaft are hexagonal. The nature of the material, being metal, gives the tool strength and durability.
What sets them apart from those mentioned so far is that their weight is not adjustable within the same dumbbell, so you will need to buy as many dumbbells as the range of weights you want to have at your disposal.
They are convenient types to have both in the gym and at home, the cast iron is covered indeed with a thick layer of rubber that cushions impacts and protects furniture and floors from potential damage in case of falling or sudden movements. Additionally, the rubber coating prevents them from slipping, improving grip.
What makes them appealing is the ease of finding them in numerous fitness stores or from fitness professionals, and the price range that satisfies all types of athletes: from those looking for an affordable tool for a first approach to those who already know what they want.
Dumbbells with rubber coating: convenient and safe weights
Just like the previous ones, this variant of dumbbells also has the characteristic of having a fixed weight for each piece: you will need to buy 15 kg dumbbells if that’s the weight you’re interested in, and when you want to increase the load, you’ll need to buy a new dumbbell.
What makes them unique, however, is that they are entirely made of rubber, even in the grip area, all covered with a single colorful layer. This makes them look and feel less rough.
Being rubber-coated provides the same advantages mentioned earlier, such as cushioning falls and increasing grip, and the colors, apart from aesthetics, help distinguish their weight.
Type for the more experienced: cast iron dumbbells
What characterizes them is their entirely cast iron composition: with an elegant appearance, they are the favorites for those who train at high levels and perform high-performance exercises.
They are usually adjustable and, due to their material, are not the most suitable for home training as simple impacts can damage the environment.
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