Dumbbell Crash Course! Part 1: Dumbbell Basics
This is getting ponderous….real ponderous…
Dumbbells come in various shapes and sizes (and sometimes colors too!). But what’s the difference between them, and if you’re going to buy some for yourself, which are the best for you? In this three-part blog series I’ll discuss the different types of dumbbells and “weigh in” (see what I did there?) with my thoughts on each. But before we get into that, let’s review some basic dumbbell info…
Dumbbell Basics
Materials — Dumbbells are typically made out of either cast iron or stainless steel. Coatings can be applied to protect the underlying material or your floor. A note though: no matter what kind of dumbbell you have, it can still tear up your floor if you drop it. I know this from experience! So if you’re going to buy weights for home use, please consider also getting a protective covering for your floor if you don’t have carpeting.
Sizes — You’ll often see dumbbells in weights in multiples of five (5, 10, 15, 20…). If you’re new to weights, a five pound increment can be quite a jump! Thus, some sets will also include what I like to call “half weights”, like 7.5, 12.5, 17.5, etc. On the lighter end (less then 10lbs), you will see more specific sizes like four, six, or eight pounds, especially in neoprene weights you’ll see at Target or the like.
Pricing — When buying dumbbells online, BE SURE TO CHECK whether the dumbbells are being sold singly or as a pair. You may think you’re getting a great deal, only for your package to arrive and you wonder, “uh, where’s the other one?” Some places will sell weights by the pound instead, and trust me, things can add up quickly! Sit down and do the math before you make your purchase. And if you’re buying online, don’t forget to think about shipping costs!
Storage — Dumbbells take up space. If you start to acquire a decent collection, chances are you’ll want to invest in a weight rack of some sort. An alternative to a giant weight stash is to buy adjustable weights. These are great in terms of storage space, but can be an expensive investment up front.
Uses — If your goal for lifting is to build muscle, you will need to buy lots of weights, if not now, then down the road. Why? Because to keep increasing muscle mass you’ll need to lift heavier and heavier weight. So if you own five pound weights now, trust that you’ll probably want eight and 10 pound weights in the next few months. If you’re more interested in using the weights for more cardio-like workouts, that may not be as important an issue.
So there you have it, more than you’d ever want to know about dumbbells! But is one type better than the other? You’ll get my rundown next week when I present Part 2: Dumbbell Types…