Muscle contraction dumbbells need to be performed in a very particular way for the absolute best possible results. Learn about muscle contraction dumbbells with help from a fitness professional, journalist and lifestyle coach in this free video clip.
A dumbbell fly is a really great way to work out a few key muscles. Find out what muscle a dumbbell fly actually works out with help from a longtime personal trainer in this free video clip.
You can stretch the trapezius and rhomboid muscles located between your shoulder blades without even leaving your work desk. See how it's done in this free video on stretches for athletes.
Resistance training with free-weights such as dumbbells is a great way to improve power, strength and conditioning as well increase bone density, burn calories and promote a better composition. When using dumbbells, the use of a bench is important; providing a platform to perform a vast array of weightlifting exercises. When using dumbbells alone, this removes the need for a barbell stand on your bench. Save gym fees and equipment costs, and build your own wooden dumbbell weight bench at home.
When trying to build your pectoralis -- or chest -- muscles for growth, you do not necessarily need a full gym or expensive weight machines. You can target these muscles for growth with a simple set of dumbbells. In addition to performing dumbbell exercises regularly, proper nutrition and rest are both essential to building strong muscles.
A homemade dumbbell rack is an essential addition to a home gym or home weightlifting room. A dumbbell rack keeps your weights from cluttering the floor and organizes them in a coherent, neat fashion. Keeping your weights on a dumbbell rack also makes it easy to clean your weights and choose what set of weights you want when working out.
Beginner weight trainers can effectively use a 10-lb. dumbbell to complete two, full-body strengthening sessions per week, as recommended in the "2008 Physical Guidelines for Americans." Versatile and inexpensive, one 10-lb. dumbbell gives you the freedom to steal a few moments for strength training throughout the day wherever and whenever you find the time. A 10-lb. dumbbell is small enough to bring to work in a backpack, but hefty enough to give you a decent workout, especially if you're new to strength training.
Dumbbells can be used to build shoulder muscles by doing exercises that work the deltoids and trapezius muscles. Learn how to do overhead presses and other shoulder exercises with help from a personal trainer in this free video on weight training and fitness.
Dumbbells are excellent for building muscle mass especially when you use great form. Use dumbbells to build muscle with advice from a certified personal trainer in this free video on gym workout tips.
Impressive as expensive pieces of exercise equipment may look, dumbbells are often just as effective in building up muscle, because of the additional effort needed to balance the weight throughout the movement. Outside of a bench for some exercises, you won't need anything but the weights themselves. For extra strength-building, alternating between two exercises after every set, known as "super-setting," is a great way to use dumbbells.
Dumbbell work in the gym is designed to promote balanced strength training. Athletes are prone to "cheat" with barbells, where the dominant hand performs the bulk of the work. Dumbbells ensure that both arms receive equal attention for growth. Integrate dumbbells within your personal routine for total body fitness, or even to save space for home use, rather than making trips to the local gym.