Barbells Vs. Dumbbells

The use of barbells and dumbbells are both excellent methods to build strength within the body. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and finding which method is right for you requires understanding how each type works.

Barbells

• Barbells are exercise tools of various weights that can be attached to a bar on both ends so that the user can lift the bar in a variety of different ways to stretch out and exercise muscles in the arms, chest, shoulders, back and legs. Since the weights come in different sizes, it makes for an ideal strength-building tool for beginners and experts alike.

Dumbbells

• A dumbbell is another type of free weight, typically smaller than a barbell, and used for strengthening muscles in the arm, chest and shoulders. Most dumbbells are fixed weights, and have little or no capability to adjust.

Advantages of Barbells

• Barbells are excellent for the person who is serious about building strength. The increase of weight over a series of workouts tears down and rebuilds muscle tissue, eventually making it stronger. By continuing to add weight, the muscle gets stronger without adding more repetitions.

Advantages of Dumbbells

• Dumbbells cause less spinal compression than barbells, and are typically more comfortable to use. They are also generally more inexpensive and do not require separate or extra parts.

Disadvantages of Barbells

• A set of barbells can be costly. You will also need to purchase, and have room for, a weightlifting bench. If you want to do other exercises, such as squats, you will also need to have a rack to hang the bar on. For safety, the use of a spotter (another person to watch and make sure you don't hurt yourself) is recommended when exercising with barbells.

Disadvantages of Dumbbells

• Though a set of dumbbells is relatively inexpensive, multiple sets of different weights can really add up. Also, without increasing the size of the weight over several workouts, increasing muscle size requires either adding to the number of repetitions or the length of the workout.