Dumbbells

If you’re thinking about getting in shape but don’t fancy having to leave the house, then you might want to consider getting a set of dumbbells.

Dumbbells give you a gentler way to tone up those muscles or add some resistance to your aerobic routines. They’re available in vinyl, rubber, hexagonal or round shapes, in pairs or in complete sets with stands or storage racks.



Vinyl dumbbells are perfect for gentle toning or working out to your favourite exercise video. These are usually round and come in a moulded design with a thick vinyl coating to prevent them from cracking and splitting. Weight sizes are normally 2, 3 or 5 pounds for a pair of dumbbells while a set of six (three pairs) will normally include a pair in each of the three weights. The lighter weight sizes will help you effectively firm up flabby arms and tummies without feeling like you’re killing yourself in the process.

Hexagonal style dumbbells are more likely to be fixed weight pairs made from cast iron, purchased in pairs that you can add to as your strength and tolerance increases. These are suitable for more serious weight training and fit well into a body building regime. The hexagonal shape on the weights themselves keeps them from rolling around on the floor. Rubber hexagonal versions come with a rubber coating to help protect your floors and furniture and usually incorporate easy grip cushioned handles.

Chrome dumbbells are nice to look at but tend to be more expensive than the other styles. If you want to look trendy when you work out, then these are for you. They feature the same weight sizes, however, so there’s no logical reason (other than their looks) why you’d want to pay more.

Welded pro-style dumbbells look like miniature versions of the kinds of bars weight lifters practice with. These are for the fitness fanatics who might be keen on becoming the next Mr. Universe or taking part in Strongest Man types of events. Welded designs are available in pairs with weight ranges from 17.5 to 60 kilograms.

Powerblock dumbbells are the top of the line and feature interchangeable weights which are fully adjustable in various increments. Or there’s also an electronic version which uses switches to quickly and easily adjust the weight in each dumbbell. These are great for saving space and will also stop you from filling the room up with lots of different sizes of dumbbells.

© UK Shop Online.co.uk 2002 - 2008