Dumbbells and weights
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40 kg Short Barbell Set, Iron (Ø 30 mm)Special Price €119.95 Regular Price €169.00Currently sold out
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20 kg Short Barbell Set, Iron (Ø 30 mm)Special Price €74.95 Regular Price €89.90Currently sold out
- Buy Dumbbells
- What is a dumbbell?
- What are the types of dumbbells?
- Who is dumbbell training suitable for?
- What to look for when buying dumbbells?
- What kind of weight plates are there?
- How does changing weights work?
- Which muscles can you train with a dumbbell?
- Where can you test dumbbells and weights?
Buy dumbbells
If you decide to buy dumbbells, there are a few things you should consider to find the right product for you. Therefore, it is worth getting to know the different dumbbells, plates and bars before you buy them so that you can do optimal
training at home.What is a dumbbell?
Dumbbells are strength training equipment that can be used to perform free exercises in particular. They combine 2 weights via a short or long bar and allow for a wide range of use in sports. Dumbbells are often used to make exercises such as squats more intense and to increase strength and muscle mass. They are particularly suitable for use in the home gym due to their small footprint and versatility. By using several dumbbells or as a plug-in system with freely selectable weight plates, you can also use dumbbells in a versatile and individual way as your training progresses.
What types of dumbbells are there?
In general, dumbbells can be differentiated both in terms of how they are used and how they are constructed. Depending on your goals and desired range of use, different systems are best suited.
Barbells
usually have the option of using a variable number of weight plates and thus regulating the intensity. They connect the weights to each other externally via a long bar. You usually train with both arms and can thus handle the highest weights. Classic barbell exercises include bench presses and deadlifts.
Dumbbells
With
the weights are connected by a short handle bar, which is usually moved with one hand. The diameter of the dumbbell bar is almost invariably 30 mm. There are dumbbells both as a plug-in system as well as firmly connected to so-called compact dumbbells. These are available in various shapes and are ideally covered with rubber to protect the contact surfaces during training.Dumbbell sets
combine different weight plates with dumbbell and barbell bars to flexibly change the training weight. This allows you to train even more variedly and complete many exercise variations.
If you choose a set of barbells, dumbbells and weight plates, all bars and weight plates have a 30 mm diameter to allow for a universal combination. Dumbbell sets are especially good if you want to combine different barbell and dumbbell exercises in one workout.
Neoprene dumbbells
For exercises that require a light intensity,
. Their soft surface and ergonomic handles make them particularly comfortable to use. Therefore, use neoprene dumbbells to intensify gymnastic exercises or as running dumbbells.Smartlock dumbbell set
To combine the variability of a dumbbell set with the simplicity of compact dumbbells, special dumbbells like the offer the best solution. Here you select the desired weights by turning the dumbbell handle and can complete numerous exercises with them. With the Smartlock dumbbell set you only need one pair of dumbbells for up to 8 weight settings. This eliminates the need to place weight plates on top of each other, saving you space and training time.
Who is dumbbell training suitable for?
Dumbbell training is the best way to increase your strength and muscle mass. Whether you are a beginner or a fitness professional - with different dumbbells or variable weight plates for dumbbell or barbell training, you can optimally dose the intensity of your workouts. This makes dumbbell training a form of training that is generally suitable for everyone and adapts to your fitness level.
What to look for when buying dumbbells?
Since dumbbells vary in weight, size and range of use, the choice depends on your goals as well as your training preferences.
The right dumbbell for your workout
For example, a complete set such as the is particularly suitable for using variable weights for many different exercises in a small space. You can either secure the weights with twist locks or clamps and add or remove discs in a few easy steps.
If, on the other hand, you prefer high-intensity circuit training with many exercise changes in a very short time,
are the better choice. With these dumbbells, the defined weights are permanently mounted and therefore ready for immediate use.For an even wider range of exercises, try a
. For barbell exercises you will almost exclusively find bars with interchangeable weight plates in different diameters and lengths. When buying a barbell, consider the maximum load, the increased space requirement compared to dumbbells and possibly an increased need for weight plates.A special barbell bar with plug-in weights is the
. This has a curved bar with which you can train your arms in a way that is particularly easy on your joints. The SZ bar is often combined with a curl desk for intensive scott curls. The SZ bar with weights is therefore best suited for intensive arm training.The ideal bar
Dumbbell bars have a hole diameter of either 30 mm or 50 mm. The diameter describes the dimensions of the disc holder on which the weight plates rest. The handle bar is slightly thinner in each case.
Dumbbells with alternating weights and compact dumbbells almost always have a 30 mm hole diameter, while both dimensions are common for barbells. When buying dumbbells, make sure that your barbell and weight plates are compatible.
Thinner bars have the advantage that they require less grip strength and are usually shorter and therefore more space-saving. They are very suitable for beginners and slightly advanced athletes and are particularly inexpensive. Secure the 30 mm bars with a twist or clamp lock.
Barbell bars with a 50 mm hole diameter are also called Olympic bars and are equipped with a ball bearing. This allows a particularly smooth barbell movement for demanding barbell exercises such as squats, deadlifts or Olympic weightlifting. Olympic bars have a very high load capacity and are elastic, which enables jerk-free power transmission even during heavy training. In addition, it is easier to attach discs when the bar diameter is large. Olympic bars almost always weigh 20 kg and are secured with a clamp or screw lock.
The best dumbbell weight for beginners and advanced exercisers
Depending on the exercise and your level of ability, you will need different weights for your barbell training. Especially if you are doing a lot of different exercises, you should load your dumbbell appropriately each time. Make sure you have a sufficient assortment of weight plates for your exercises at the beginning.
Dumbbell sets are the perfect choice for this and offer you not only dumbbell bars but also several weight plates of different weights that you can freely combine and adapt to your training. Beginners, for example, are well served with the
and will find many possible combinations of exercises. If you need even more weight and exercise possibilities, the or a combined barbell and dumbbell set is the best choice for you.Dumbbells and weights with a 50 mm hole diameter are usually not sold together. However, just as with weights for the 30 mm hole diameter, you can also buy the Olympic weight plates at any time.
Disc holder
Dumbbells and barbells have a disc holder on the outside next to the handle bar, onto which the discs are attached. In order to be able to put on enough weights for each exercise to adequately challenge yourself and to put on precise plate combinations, the plate holder should have enough space for several plates.
Lock types
For a safe workout you should always lock the weights on the barbell. There are various locking systems for this purpose. The more often you want to change the weight during strength training, the more important it is that the locks are easy to use.
Spring-loaded lock
The spring lock is available for barbells with a diameter of 30 mm as well as 50 mm and is especially suitable for light weights. You can easily attach and detach the locks with a handshake. The lock is already included with the 180 cm barbell, for example.
Star-shaped screw cap
The star-shaped screw lock makes it possible to securely fasten the weights. Make sure that the barbell rod has the same diameter (usually 30 mm) and a thread. You can find these fasteners in the
.
Star-shaped tension locks
This plastic or aluminium lock is suitable for Olympic barbells with a diameter of 50 mm. If you frequently change the weight plates during a barbell workout, the tension locks are ideal because they can be opened with just one movement.
Screw locks for Olympic barbells
In contrast to screw locks in star shape for 30 mm dumbbells, this lock for Olympic dumbbells is not screwed onto the disc holder with a thread. Instead, the closure uses an adjustment screw to ensure a particularly strong hold while at the same time being easy to use. Screw locks are therefore suitable for dumbbell training with heavy weights.
What kind of weight plates are there?
Weight plates are also available with hole diameters of 30 mm and 50 mm to match the respective bar. Discs with a diameter of 30 mm are usually available in units of 0.5 kg 1.25 kg, 2.5 kg, 5 kg 7.5 kg, 10 kg and 20 kg. When it comes to material, you should choose iron or
because of its long life. Chrome-plated weight plates also have an even more robust surface.Weight plates for Olympic bars with a 50 mm diameter are also available in 15 kg and 25 kg weight units. If you train on a sensitive surface, we recommend
. This protects the floor and reduces noise when putting the barbell down.When buying weight plates, make sure that large plates in particular have handles. These make changing weights much easier. Discs for both sizes are usually offered in pairs or combined as a set. If you are just starting to train, a set of plates is particularly useful. If you already have a certain selection, you can buy individual discs in pairs.
How does changing weights work?
With all dumbbell systems except the compact dumbbell, you can flexibly adjust the weight. With dumbbells and barbells with plug-in weights and screw or plug-in locks, you can simply open the lock and take off the discs or add more weight discs. Especially with 50 mm bars and large weight plates, changing is easier if the bar rests on a support such as a rack, as the plates do not rub on the floor. Remember to secure the weights with a lock after changing the discs.
With the Smartlock dumbbells there is no need to put them on. When exercising, select your desired weight by turning the handle bar.
Which muscles can you train with a dumbbell?
With dumbbells you buy a universally applicable training tool for every level of performance. The training intensity can be individually adjusted by changing the weight of the dumbbells and barbells. The range of use of dumbbells therefore extends from health athletes to ambitious fitness athletes to professional athletes. Train your muscles with dumbbells and barbells:
- Arms
- Neck and shoulders
- Back
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Buttocks and legs
Note that some exercises naturally allow you to move more weight than others. This is especially true for multi-joint exercises such as bench press, squats or rowing. Therefore, either dumbbells with sufficiently variable weights or a selection of compact dumbbells are useful. With a combination of barbells and dumbbells and several weight plates and locks, you are particularly flexible.
How does training with dumbbells differ from training at a weight station?
Strength training with a barbell is more demanding in terms of coordination than guided machine training. You have to do more coordination work, but you activate more muscle fibres.
If you want to support another sport besides pure muscle building, training with free weights is particularly recommended. Dumbbell training improves explosiveness, speed and coordination more than any other form of training and can be used for any training goal.
Depending on the version, barbells and dumbbells require less space than a weight station. Dumbbells and weights are therefore ideal for your home gym with limited space. Note, however, that when training with heavy weights, additional equipment such as a training bench or a dumbbell rack is useful.
Does the weight have to be the same on each side of the dumbbell?
For beginners it is recommended to aim for a balanced body development. You can achieve this by loading your muscles evenly and should therefore also make sure that you load your dumbbells symmetrically.
If you have already gained some training experience and want to consciously load one side of your body more, you can also load the barbell unevenly and thus set a focus in your training. This way you can further improve your coordination and stability.
What accessories do I need?
For a safe workout you should use for the weights and
.Depending on your individual training goals, it also makes sense to use other accessories. For intensive chest training, a weight bench such as the with a dumbbell rack is recommended. You can also do (incline) bench presses with the barbell. If you integrate heavy squats or Olympic weightlifting into your training, you will also need a dumbbell rack such as the for a safe and effective workout.
For regular workouts,
are helpful for protecting your hands. For a tidy home gym, a is still a useful addition.How do I care for dumbbells and accessories properly?
Since dumbbells are made of sturdy iron and have no mechanisms other than a ball bearing, if applicable, the dumbbell is usually maintenance-free. Simply clean the handle bars and your accessories with a damp cloth after your workout.
Where can I buy dumbbells and weights?
You can easily buy dumbbells and weights in the HAMMER shop online or in one of our local stores. Convince yourself of the large selection of professional compact dumbbells, dumbbells and barbells, weight plates, dumbbell sets and practical accessories at attractive prices.
If you have any questions when buying dumbbells online, our expert telephone service will be happy to help you. Our professionals for strength training and dumbbell equipment are looking forward to your call and will help you choose the best dumbbells.
HAMMER expert phone: +49 731 974 88-518 (Mo - Sa 9 am - 8 pm). We'll also be happy to call you back.
Where can you test dumbbells and weights?
Want to hold your dumbbells in your hand before you buy? Then visit us in one of our HAMMER stores. There you can test dumbbells and weights at your leisure and decide on your favourite combination of barbells, dumbbells, weight plates or dumbbell sets. Our fitness professionals in the stores are there to help and advise you!
Alexander Seifried
Personal trainer, B. Sc. nutrition management and dietetics, M. Sc. clinical sports therapy and sports physiology