Dumbbells for home are the perfect training companions and should not be missing in a well-equipped home gym. We introduce you to dumbbells and barbells and explain what is important when buying dumbbell sets.
They are space-saving and versatile, in short: the perfect training tool for at home. Dumbbells come in different shapes, sizes, weight classes and are made of different materials. And best of all: the entire body can be trained with just one set of dumbbells. But what kind of dumbbells are there? Which ones are really good for training at home and what should be considered when buying? So that you can find the best dumbbell set for your workout, we present various models here. And then there are some useful tips on the subject of dumbbell training.
Dumbbell vs Barbell:
A rough distinction is made between dumbbells and barbells. Both are good for an effective total body workout, but are used in different ways.
Dumbbells usually come in a set, but can also be used individually. They have the advantage that the muscles can also be trained with them in isolation. Dumbbells are available in one piece or with individual weight plates to expand.
Barbells consist of a long bar and several weight plates that can be put together individually. The discs can be attached to the bar with a special fastener so that they do not slip down.
With a barbell, it is also possible to train with heavier weights and target several muscle groups with one exercise. They are also particularly suitable for beginners, since the coordination of many exercises with barbell training is less demanding than with dumbbells.
Material:
The important thing about the material of a dumbbell is that it should suit your training habits. Do you tend to do more static or dynamic movements?
Do you have a sensitive floor that could be damaged by the dumbbell? A classic dumbbell is made of chrome-plated steel or cast iron. These models are particularly stable and robust and have a long service life. However, the chrome-plated dumbbells are usually a bit more expensive.
These models often have a knurled surface on the handle to prevent slipping. There are also dumbbells with a plastic cover. These are particularly non-slip and therefore well suited for dynamic training. In addition, the coating prevents the floor from being scratched. Most bone dumbbells are covered with either neoprene or vinyl.
Weight:
Probably the most important factor in a dumbbell is the weight. This mainly depends on your training habits and your training level. Beginners should work their way up from lighter weights to heavier weights, increasing the weight periodically to increase the intensity of the workout and learning how to perform the exercise correctly first.
But before you buy a dumbbell for your home, you should think about which exercises you want to do with the dumbbell. Dumbbells that can be expanded with external weight plates are usually particularly practical because you can adjust the weight individually and only need one training device for different exercises. Roughly, the dumbbell weight can be recommended as follows:
For your orientation: In most gyms, you will find dumbbells with a maximum weight of 40 or 50 kg per dumbbell. However, the absolute majority of athletes do not reach this limit even after years. This means that if you're a beginner and you're about to buy your first set of dumbbells, you can stack a lot deeper.
At the same time, the dumbbells must not be too light. Because to build muscle effectively, you need to train with heavy, steadily increasing weights. There is no other way.
Weight bench:
For some exercises with dumbbells, a weight bench is well suited. The bench press, for example, is a great way to play with gravity. You can do both your barbell and dumbbell training on the weight bench.
Dumbbell rack:
There are practical dumbbell stands to store and organize your dumbbells optimally for the home. If you have several bone dumbbells, you can store them in a dumbbell rack with different-sized dumbbell compartments. But there are also dumbbell trees for weight plates, on which the plates can be easily lined up.
Fitness gloves:
With special fitness gloves you have a better grip during dumbbell training and protect your hands from cracks and injuries. The dumbbells slide better in the hand and the training is more comfortable.
Floor protection mat:
If you have a sensitive parquet at home and want to protect your floor, we recommend a floor protection mat. On this, you can put your weights down gently without damaging the floor. At the same time, you can also use it as a gymnastics mat.
You really don't have to dig deep into your wallet for dumbbells. However, if you insist on high-quality products, you simply put a few bills on top. In general, no matter how much money you have available, there are dumbbells in every price range on the market.
Beginners are best served with dumbbells. With the dumbbells you can do isolated training sessions. A look at the short coat market reveals: There are two different types - dumbbells made from one piece or dumbbells with expandable discs in different weights.
One-piece dumbbells have the advantage that you can quickly change the dumbbell depending on the training plan. Dumbbells with weight plates, on the other hand, have to be screwed on again and again to adjust the weight. Anyone who finds this annoying should keep their hands off them. Nevertheless, the little "tire change" can be a good breather between exercises - we all really like that, to be honest.
Another tip: Make sure you use the right material. If your floor is very prone to scratching and you train without a fitness mat - which we do not recommend - dumbbells with non-slip plastic covers are best. This will not scratch your floor. However, the usual dumbbells are made of chrome-plated steel. It is therefore better to use a mat for training to avoid damage.
Dumbbells are worthwhile for everyone who does sports at home. Yes, no matter whether you want to lose weight or build muscle - with dumbbells you will achieve your goal. Since dumbbells come in all weight classes, it doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a pro. Dumbbells are for everyone.
Of course, it would be pointless to get a set of dumbbells if you don't feel like exercising. You should not buy dumbbells for decorative purposes. Those who don't let their dumbbells get dusty are well served with them. Some fitness experts use a combination of dumbbells and bodyweight training to train the whole body rather than endurance sports such as cross trainers or running for a balanced workout.
Dumbbells offer many advantages for training at home, because they are very versatile and are therefore suitable for a wide range of exercises. On the one hand, this is because each exercise can also be performed unilaterally, i.e. on each side of the body individually.
Dumbbells are also extremely space-saving and cheaper than, for example, barbells or larger exercise machines. Unlike most machines, dumbbells allow for natural, functional movement patterns and allow for plenty of range of motion during your workout. This also minimizes the risk of injury.
The weight question has to be answered individually and is based on various criteria that relate to personal fitness level and personal progress requirements. When training, make sure that you do not choose dumbbells that are too heavy.
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