Dumbbell exercises
Benefits of dumbbells
Dumbbells vs barbells
Dumbbells are the most versatile piece of gym equipment you can buy. They allow for full body workouts without the need of any other product and are a fantastic first-buy for new gym goers.
Here are some of the many workouts you can perform with a set of dumbbells:
A common question we hear from our customers is βwhich is better for my workout: dumbbells or barbells?β
Barbells are much better for heavier lifting, focusing on exercises such as bench press, deadlifts, and rows. Meanwhile, dumbbells usually cap out at around 50-60 kg, focusing on lighter exercises such as dumbbell curls or tricep kickbacks.
However, this does not mean that you need a barbell to do a barbell exercise, or vice versa. For example, you could easily substitute bench press with a flat dumbbell press.
You should ultimately pick the exercise that best suits you. For beginners, we recommend going with dumbbells to start with, as you can easily increase the weight and scalability of your exercises.
What dumbbells should I buy as a beginner?
For beginners, we recommend a 5KG - 20KG Set in 2.5KG increments. This set has all the weights you need for a variety of workouts for different muscle groups, and as a beginner allows you to start light and build up your strength and form, before increasing the weights.
Can I lift dumbbells everyday?
You can lift dumbbells everyday but it is definitely not recommended to train the same muscle group more than 2-3 times per week. Your muscles need time to recover and grow, otherwise you run the risk of overtraining and injuring yourself. Aim to workout between 3-5 days per week, targeting different muscle groups and giving yourself at least 2 days per week to rest.
When should I increase dumbbell weight?
You should look to increase your dumbbell weight once you can comfortably perform your target number of repetitions with proper form. For many, this sits between the 8-12 region, but will depend on the exercise, the weight, and your goal. For example, you will generally be able to lift much heavier weights on chest exercises as opposed to your biceps, so you will need to increase your weight more often.
Are dumbbell enough for strength training?
Yes, dumbbells are definitely enough for comprehensive strength training as they can target all major muscle groups through a variety of exercises. As you get more confident, you can look to incorporate new exercises and products into your workouts, such as barbells, kettlebells, or medicine balls.
Safety is paramount with any workout or gym product - and dumbbells are no exception. Here are some tips to ensure you are safely using dumbbells during your workouts: