Dumbbells - A Part of Any Good Fitness Routine

Your goal is to lose weight, but you loathe going to the gym, or perhaps you just can't afford a gym membership on a long term basis. The reasons may be many, but that doesn't mean that you can't lose weight and pack on a few pounds of muscle.

Resistance training is the best way to lose weight and gain muscle. In order to gain muscle, you have to give your body a reason to create more, which is where resistance training comes in. Most people don't have a home gym set up in their house. Let's face it, a home gym is expensive and it takes up a lot of room in your house.

However, there is a solution!

The Dumbbell Solution

Dumbbells, or hand weights, come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They're also relatively inexpensive, and they take up next to no room to store. You can fit them beneath your stairs, in a closet or lying against a wall in an out of the way space.

They're also extremely useful.

Hand weights come in a variety of different types. For instance, there are plastic dumbbells that are filled with sand. These weights are probably the cheapest, but they're also the worst in terms of quality. As you lift the weights, the sand shifts inside. This isn't a good thing if you want a consistent workout. On top of that, if the dumbbell were to break open, you'd have a nice pile of sand to clean up.

Metal hand weights are good, and most fitness stores carry them. You can usually replace the weights, increasing or decreasing the amount of weight you're lifting as the need arises. While this may seem like a great strength, changing the weight on a set of dumbbells can waste a lot of time, and interrupt your workout.

Relatively new to the market is neoprene coated dumbbells. They usually come in a set, allowing you to just pick up a new dumbbell whenever you need to increase or lower the weight you're using. They're comfortable to hold, which is a big asset, especially if you're engaged in a workout that will require you to hold the weight for an extended period of time. Neoprene coated dumbbells are also exceptionally durable, which is great if you plan on using them for a long time to come.

It's surprising how many exercises you can do with a simple set of dumbbells. The best thing about them is that you never have to leave the house. Just grab a dumbbell, and away you go.