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Barbell vs Dumbbells for Working Out

 There is a very interesting question that I think everyone that has ever worked out in their life has thought about.  This question is should I lift with dumbbells or should I use a barbell.  There are pros and cons for each of these workouts and it is tough to say that one is better than the other.  Let's first start off by talking about dumbbells.

Dumbbells

Pros:

  • I would say the biggest pro of dumbbells is that they are cheaper than a barbell because with a barbell you would have to buy all of the additional weights.  
  • Also, they are easier to store than a barbell.  If you buy a set of adjustable weights, you could throw them in a corner where no one will see them.
  • Wider range of motion than a barbell.  You have more flexibility to change what range of motion you are going to use.
  • I personally think it is easier to change weight on the adjustable dumbbell than unloading all the plates on a barbell
Cons:
  • Lift less weight than a barbell.  Because each of these are using a single arm, then you can not lift as much.
  • Higher risk of injury because the lifting is not as stable.  With a barbell, if one arm slips you will have the other to support, but with the dumbbell, if one slips then you could get injured.
  • harder to target specific muscles
Barbell

Pros:
  • Lift heavier weight than a dumbbell. 
  • I think barbells are better for leg exercises because of the ability to lift heavier weights.
  • Easier to keep a better range of motion so you are using proper form
Cons:
  • Lifting heavier weight could also be a con because you might be pushing your body too much
  • Harder to store if it is at home
  • Inability to change the range of motion
As you can see, each of these is beneficial because of its own reasons.  There is no right or wrong answer on which of these is better.  So the key is to determine which type of workout you want to perform and for what reason.  I would say a barbell is better if you are trying to target muscles and become bigger, but dumbbells are better for more compound movements which athletes mainly use.

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