Dumbbells
Dumbbells
Next to a high-quality rack and barbell, dumbbells rank as high as you can get as a gym staple; all the way from the barest of home gyms up to the most advanced and elite sporting facilities.
Unlike a barbell, dumbbells are held in each hand, forcing the lifter to stabilise the left and right sides, promoting balance and symmetrical development which may be neglected if solely using bilateral (or two limbed) exercises. Dumbbells can also be more versatile compared to barbells, allowing for different grips and angles without the use of special equipment.
This doesn’t make dumbbells superior to barbells, just different. The increased stability of barbell training allows for more weight to be used and force to be produced. Ideally, dumbbells are used as a complementary piece for developing unilateral strength (preventing asymmetries in development) and aiding the transition from pure gym strength to real-world strength on the field, court etc.
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Types of dumbbells.
There are two main types of dumbbells you will see based on how they are loaded: fixed or adjustable.
Fixed dumbbells have the load permanently fixed to either end of the handle, whereas adjustable dumbbells are handles with separate weights that can be loaded and unloaded like a bar.
These are available either with a spin-lock mechanism, or with weights that are inserted.
It is rare to see adjustable dumbbells outside of a home gym, and are commonly stocked by cheaper retailers. Adjustable dumbbells will take up less space compared to a rack of several fixed dumbbells; but are not practical in a commercial gym setting, typically less durable and may loosen during use.
All Iron Edge dumbbells are fixed.
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Hex Head Dumbbells
Our Hex Head Dumbbells have a straight handle, with hexagonal-shaped rubber attached to either end. The shape of the Hex Head Dumbbell prevents them from rolling around and the rubber heads are more user-friendly compared to steel plates.
The Hex Heads are available individually as well as in sets ranging from 1-40kg, with/without racks and function as our economy version.
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Premium Dumbbells.
Our Premium / Micro Dumbbells have polyurethane weights directly bonded to a contoured steel handle; these will not loosen over time and are incredibly durable.
Our Premium / Micro range display clear, bold lettering that is easily discernible from a distance, a necessity if you’ve ever dealt with the frustration of hunting around for your desired weight. Our Premium racks are set at a slight angle and with a large enough gap for the handles to prevent pinching the hand, allowing for the greatest possible ease of use.
The Micro Dumbbells are available in a set of 1-10kg separate from the Premiums; the Premiums in sets of 12.5-30kg, 12.5-50kg and 32.5kg-50kg.