Dumbbells aren’t bells for dummies. In fact, hasn’t the name always seemed a little silly and you wondered where the name came from? The name actually seems to be quite the mystery. The Oxford English Dictionary describes a dumbbell as an apparatus similar to that used to ring a church bell, but without the bell, so noiseless or ‘dumb’. So there you have it, something that is ‘dumb’, yet a very smart tool to utilize in your workouts.
4 Reasons Why You Should be Using Dumbbells –
They Force Unilateral Work
Many people have strength or mobility imbalances from one side of the body to the other. Working with dumbbells is a great way to test where these weaknesses are, as well as, strengthen these weaknesses.
Requires Greater Stability
The dumbbell doesn’t allow you to favor your dominate (more mobile or stronger) side. Using a dumbbell requires a lot of stability. Needing more stability means your core will be working more. They also require more motor recruitment. With dumbbells, there are two of them which forces you to pay more attention to your movement because controlling two objects is harder than one. Due to this, the nervous system has to work harder.
Gateway Tool
For those that are inexperienced to working out or certain movements, grabbing dumbbells is a great tool to use instead of a barbell. Not only that though, but they are also great for the experienced athlete to fine-tune movements and mobility like we shared above.
More Accessible
Dumbbells are available almost everywhere. You can find them at most any of your local gyms, they are available on vacation in a hotel gym, they are in any high school or college, they can even easily have a place at home and even fit under your desk. They are also super mobile to travel with if you want to work outside one day or take them to a friends house to break a little sweat tomorrow. They are also cheaper than trying to buy a barbell and tons of weights.
Here are even more reasons why you should pick up those weights today! Now grab your POW and get at it!
