Modern Dumbbells

Although dumbbells have been around since ancient Greece, they are still one of the main exercise tools used today for overall fitness. Modern dumbbells are available in several distinct types.

For beginners, the most common dumbbells today are fixed-weight. These are molded from cast iron or cast in plastic and concrete. They are often rubber-coated for safety in case they are dropped during the workout, and usually have the amount of weight they equal printed or engraved on their sides.

Adjustable dumbbells are shaped similarly to their fixed-weight counterparts, but consist of a bar and a series of plates of different that can be swapped out to increase or decrease their overall weight. Like barbells, extra plates are held secure through a spinlock mechanism so that they don’t fall off during exercise.

Several modern innovations have appeared in recent years that do away with the need to own multiple plates and/or varying fixed-weight dumbbells. “Selectorized” dumbbells work via a system of pins that mechanically increase the length of the dumbbell’s central bar within a storage case holding a series of plates. Depending on the pin being used, a specified number of plates will automatically attach to the bar as predetermined by the user.

Aquabells are hollow dumbbells that can be filled with water to increase their weight. This makes for very simple weight adjustment, and the empty vessels are light and easy to transport for those who like to work out while traveling.

With all these choices, it’s easy to find a dumbbell to suit any workout routine.

Related Information

Workouts With Dumbbells
Workouts with dumbbells force compound muscle movement not found in weight machines.

Light Weight Resistance Training
Light weight resistance training is a form of endurance training for weightlifters.