Here in this third post in the series on inexpensive but useful fitness equipment, we shall look at an item you may well be staggered to see included within this list: a set of dumbbells and barbells. Okay, you could devote hundreds of dollars for an excellent set, but as I’ve said one or two times here on this site, where’s the point in investing lots of cash on something that you may wel not enjoy? So get yourself the least expensive set you can get a hold of, and after that if you do enjoy working with weights, and decide you would like a higher quality set, you can upgrade to a more pricey set afterward. As an example of cost, I’ve recently looked on Amazon.com and discovered a set for $104, a fairly sensible cost ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XUOULM/ )
For sure, you might cut back your outlay all the more by buying either a set of dumbbells or a barbell, so let’s discuss that. As a rule exercises that are typically done with a barbell (the long pole that is gripped with both hands, and is on average about 60″ in length), are capable of also being done with a pair of dumbbells (the short bars that are clutched by using one hand only, and are on average approximately 14″ in length). The disadvantage with working like this is if you are using dumbbells in an exercise that is routinely carried out together with a barbell, both of your arms work separately, and consequently you might not train equally with each arm. However, by using a barbell, both arms have no choice but to work in concert. But, a number of drills are better when using dumbbells – for instance, the normal bicep curl. Should you do this with a barbell, you will probably discover that in general the stronger arm performs the majority of the drill, not working the weaker arm so intensely.
So as usual there are benefits and burdens to having just the one form of weight, even though you can exercise your whole body with either class of free weight. Having both types means that you might then take advantage of the type of free weight that is the most successful for the movement you are performing.
The critical thing to think of when using free weights is to maintain correct form. Obtain advice on how to appropriately execute the numerous drills, and check you are holding your body in the proper way. performing drills imperfectly and also beneath the stress of the weights can trigger injury. Additionally remember not to ditch the weights onto the ground when finishing each set of movements. This also can result in injury as your body suddenly deals with change of weight it’s carrying.