Exercise Equipment:
Effective Use of Dumbbells
by Ainuddin Mohamad
First and foremost are the adjustable dumbbells
which essentially are nothing more than a short steel bar
which is set up to receive weighted disks that are placed on
either end. Resembling a small barbell, these devices offer
great flexibility with respect to the kinds...
Dumbbells have been a staple in the workout routines of many bodybuilders and
fitness enthusiasts for a long time now. Considered a free weight, these small
devices are designed to be held easily with one hand. If you are ready to
purchase your very own set, you will want to pay attention to the two varieties
that are on the market:
First and foremost are the adjustable dumbbells which essentially are nothing
more than a short steel bar which is set up to receive weighted disks that are
placed on either end. Resembling a small barbell, these devices offer great
flexibility with respect to the kinds of workouts you can do.
Secondly are the fixed-weight dumbbells, which are nothing more than specified
weights in the shape of the traditional dumbbell.
Once you have chosen the kind of dumbbell that best suits your needs, you will
want to consider what else you may need. In order to be smart about using this
exercise equipment, you want to ensure that you get the maximum value out of
your investment, as well as a large variety of workout options, so that you will
not get bored and your dumbbells soon are nothing more than a dust gathering
devices at the back of your closet. To this end, you may also wish to purchase
the following:
An exercise bench that is adjustable to different angles. This will permit you
to further vary the exercises you do with your new set of dumbbells and will not
only add some interesting new workout options, but will also challenge you more
if you begin to get comfortable with one particular workout.
If you are exercising on anything other than a carpeted surface, you may also
wish to invest in a heavy rubber mat to absorb the shock of falling dumbbells.
Without it, your nice new kitchen floor or bathroom tile will soon have
unsightly grooves or nicks.
Set up some workout time with a professional trainer. Yes, you may have thought
that you could stay away from the expensive gym altogether and just do your
workout at home and you still can. But an hour of a trainer’s time will help you
to understand how to do a variety of exercises, which muscle groups they target,
how to avoid getting injured, and how to best transition between exercise
routines. If you are absolutely set against setting even one foot inside a gym,
consider purchasing a workout tape that is dedicated to the use of dumbbells to
learn how to get all the benefits of your new exercise equipment without getting
all the headaches, muscle aches, and joint pains.
Last but not least, be smart about how you work out.
Think of real life applications that your exercises will have and keep
practicing them. Not only will this help you in your everyday life with chores
and activities you do now, but it will permit you to see a reason for your
exercises, and to have a goal to work toward. For example, if your goal is to
climb two flights of stairs with two sacks of groceries without getting winded
instead of always relying on the slow elevator to get you and your groceries to
your apartment, you will be able to use your dumbbells as part of that stair
climbing exercise. You can use them while working out on a stair climbing
machine, or simply by climbing the two flights of stairs in your apartment
complex until you find that you are getting further and further without getting
winded.
Be smart about your exercise regimen! Just as you wouldn’t expect to drop down
and do 100 push-ups if you have never even made it through five, you shouldn’t
expect to do a bunch of shoulder presses and lateral rises without some warm up
first. As a matter of fact, some light aerobic workout before any kind of
exercise is a great way of loosening up the muscles and getting your body ready
for some intense work. Failure to warm up properly will almost certainly result
in painfully pulled muscles, bruised shoulders, or worse!
So go ahead and exercise with those dumbbells -- the smart way!
About the Author
Ainuddin Mohamad is the Webmaster of
http://www.BestWebsites.com.my which is a Directory of Best Websites. Since
July 2000
BestWebsites.com.my has featured thousands of best websites in many
categories of interest with descriptions/reviews given by leading publications
and webmasters.
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