Dumbbell Dumbbell

Dumbbell - Definition and Overview

Related Words: Barbell, Block, Donkey, Dope, Dummy, Horse, Idiot, Ignoramus, Lightweight, Loon, Moron
A pair of spinlock dumbbells with 2 kg plates.

A dumbbell is a piece of equipment used in weight training. It is a weight that is held in one hand. Dumbbells therefore normally come in pairs. There are two main types of dumbbell:

  • Adjustable dumbbells consist of 14 inch (35 centimetre) long steel bars that are one inch (2.5 centimetres) in diameter. They look like miniature barbells. The centre portion is engraved with a crosshatch pattern (knurling) to help users get a good grip. 1 to 40 kg of cast iron weight disks (plates) are slid onto the outer portions of the dumbbell to obtain the desired total weight. These weights are secured with clips or collars. A "spinlock" dumbbell's outer portions are threaded, and the collars are large nuts that screw on and secure the plates through friction.
Plastic-coated dumbbells are often used for light weight training exercises.
  • Fixed-weight dumbbells are weights created in a dumbbell shape. Expensive varieties consist of cast iron coated with rubber. Cheaper versions consist of a rigid plastic shell that is filled with concrete.

Exercises that can be performed with a dumbbell include:

Disambiguation

The Dumbbell Nebula is a planetary nebula (M27), which is shaped like a dumbbell.

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