Check out our guide to why you should add barbells and dumbbells to your workouts. Plus why you should consider using kettlebells too.
About Pinnacle Fitness
Pinnacle Fitness is a leading seller of second hand fully refurbished gym equipment in the UK.They sell:treadmills, indoor rowers, Second hand cross trainers, Steppers,Exercise bikes including spin bikes, Free weights,Strength machines
Dumbbells and Barbells: Pros and Cons of Each
When you work out in the gym, there are two key groups of weights: machines and free
weights. If you want to explore free weights, you have a lot of options, and two of the most
popular are dumbbells and barbells. Here we take a look at some of the key pros and cons
of both to help you decide which is the best option for your workout.
Barbells Overview
Barbells are the long straight bars with weights at each end – the sort of weights you see
being lifted in the Olympics. There are lots of types, from standard bars to deadlift bars to
Olympic bars.
Barbells Pros
Barbells are a great option if you want to focus primarily on gaining mass. You can lift more
with barbells because they don’t engage as many stabiliser muscles, so they make it easier
for you to lift heavier weights compared to dumbbells. As such, barbells are the best option
for building maximum strength and helping you to meet your strength goals.
Barbells also provide more stability when you are working out by evenly distributing the
weight.
Barbells Cons
One key disadvantage of barbells is that they can lead to muscle imbalances. Most of us
have one dominant side, and when you use barbells you may find that this side does more of
the work, so you don’t strengthen your weaker side as much as you might want to.
Another potential problem with barbells is the risk of overdoing it by adding too much load,
leading to injuries. Less flexibility also means you can end up in more uncomfortable
positions.
Dumbbells Overview
Dumbbells come in pairs, and each weight is held separately in one hand. They can be
fixed-weight or adjustable. There are lots of types of dumbbells, including square, round and
hex dumbbells.
Dumbbells Pros
The range of motion with dumbbells is better than with barbells, meaning you can move your
arms with greater freedom. This can help you to work different muscles harder.
Dumbbells can also be used for unilateral movements where you can work on strength
imbalances, so you can work on your weaker muscles.
You can also carry out a wide range of movements with dumbbells, including things like one-
arm swings and goblet squats. You can enjoy a huge range of exercises using these
weights.
Finally, they are also convenient. Dumbbells can be used almost anywhere, including at
home as well as in the gym.
Dumbbells Cons
One potential drawback of dumbbells is that you might find you can’t lift as much weight as
you can whilst using a barbell.
You may also find that they take up more space in your home gym as you build up a large
collection of weights. Make sure you get a rack to store them all safely.
Incorporate Both into Your Workout
When it comes to dumbbells and barbells, one is not ‘better’ than the other. They both have
different advantages and disadvantages, so you should choose the one that works best for
you to help you meet your goals. Even better, try to incorporate both into your routine and
enjoy the combined benefits they provide.
Kettlebells
As an alternative to barbells and dumbbells, another great free weights option is kettlebells.
These can be used similarly to dumbbells, and are a particularly popular choice for people
looking to perform swing movements. This is due to the increased stability required for
exercises like kettlebell swings, as the weight is not evenly distributed like it is with
dumbbells.
When you work out in the gym, there are two key groups of weights: machines and free
weights. If you want to explore free weights, you have a lot of options, and two of the most
popular are dumbbells and barbells. Here we take a look at some of the key pros and cons
of both to help you decide which is the best option for your workout.
Barbells Overview
Barbells are the long straight bars with weights at each end – the sort of weights you see
being lifted in the Olympics. There are lots of types, from standard bars to deadlift bars to
Olympic bars.
Barbells Pros
Barbells are a great option if you want to focus primarily on gaining mass. You can lift more
with barbells because they don’t engage as many stabiliser muscles, so they make it easier
for you to lift heavier weights compared to dumbbells. As such, barbells are the best option
for building maximum strength and helping you to meet your strength goals.
Barbells also provide more stability when you are working out by evenly distributing the
weight.
Barbells Cons
One key disadvantage of barbells is that they can lead to muscle imbalances. Most of us
have one dominant side, and when you use barbells you may find that this side does more of
the work, so you don’t strengthen your weaker side as much as you might want to.
Another potential problem with barbells is the risk of overdoing it by adding too much load,
leading to injuries. Less flexibility also means you can end up in more uncomfortable
positions.
Dumbbells Overview
Dumbbells come in pairs, and each weight is held separately in one hand. They can be
fixed-weight or adjustable. There are lots of types of dumbbells, including square, round and
hex dumbbells.
Dumbbells Pros
The range of motion with dumbbells is better than with barbells, meaning you can move your
arms with greater freedom. This can help you to work different muscles harder.
Dumbbells can also be used for unilateral movements where you can work on strength
imbalances, so you can work on your weaker muscles.
You can also carry out a wide range of movements with dumbbells, including things like one-
arm swings and goblet squats. You can enjoy a huge range of exercises using these
weights.
Finally, they are also convenient. Dumbbells can be used almost anywhere, including at
home as well as in the gym.
Dumbbells Cons
One potential drawback of dumbbells is that you might find you can’t lift as much weight as
you can whilst using a barbell.
You may also find that they take up more space in your home gym as you build up a large
collection of weights. Make sure you get a rack to store them all safely.
Incorporate Both into Your Workout
When it comes to dumbbells and barbells, one is not ‘better’ than the other. They both have
different advantages and disadvantages, so you should choose the one that works best for
you to help you meet your goals. Even better, try to incorporate both into your routine and
enjoy the combined benefits they provide.
Kettlebells
As an alternative to barbells and dumbbells, another great free weights option is kettlebells.
These can be used similarly to dumbbells, and are a particularly popular choice for people
looking to perform swing movements. This is due to the increased stability required for
exercises like kettlebell swings, as the weight is not evenly distributed like it is with
dumbbells.