When most people think of dumbbells, an image of a muscular man lifting weights usually comes into mind. However, lifting weights does more than just build muscle as it also helps to shape and tone other areas of your body. If you regularly exercise using dumbbells and you do those exercises correctly then you can really get the kind of results that you want.

So what muscles can you develop? If you have a weight bench and a set of dumbbells then you can perform a wide range of exercises that focus on shoulders, arms, back, legs and even the abdominal areas. If you have the right type of equipment then you really do not need to pay a gym membership to get the exercise that you need.

Benefits of dumbbell exercises

Performing dumbbells has many benefits which allow you to target certain muscle groups that you want to focus on. This is beneficial in that it allows you to customize your workout routine accordingly. For example, what many people do is do arm exercises one day then back routines the next. This helps to target all areas of the body.

Of course, you absolutely need to pay attention to what your needs are so that you can maximize these types of workouts. Another thing to keep in mind too is that consistency is the key to getting the results that you want. A set of dumbbells and a workout bench do not take up a lot of room either so they are a very space efficient solution compared to most home gym solutions.

Home exercise equipment that you need

If you plan to get your own exercise equipment then you can expect to easily spend a few hundred dollars and maybe even more. One product that I strongly recommend is the Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells as these are adjustable. All you do is turn the dial and you can change the weight and the intensity of your exercise in an instant.

To further maximize your exercise you simply need a workout bench. One that comes to mind is the Cap Barbell fitness FID bench as it is very versatile for allowing you to do a wide range of workouts. In addition to these items, it would also be a good idea to invest in some gym flooring so that you do not damage your floors.

Best dumbbells exercises you can perform

1. Alternating bicep curls

This exercise is one of the easiest to do. Stand up with your back straight and hold one dumbbell in each hand. Then simply raise one dumbbell towards your shoulders and slowly return it back to the starting position. Then do the same with the other hand. With this exercise, you need to keep your body straight or you may be tempted to use your body weight to swing your arms upwards.

2. Chest flies with a weight bench

For this exercise you are going to lie down flat on your back with a dumbbell in each hand. Then position your arms as if you are going to do a pushup in midair with the end of the dumbbells pointing towards each other. Then raise the dumbbells until your elbows lock and slowly lower them again. This exercise is perfect for working on your chest.

3. Squats for legs

A great way to work on your legs is to do squats. Start by planting your feet about shoulder width apart. Then hold a single dumbbell with one hand and position it so that the top of it is close to your chin. Then all you do is lower your body until your knees make a right ankle then raise your body back up. Repeat this exercise several times or until you get tired.

4. Exercises for abdominals

This exercise requires that you have a weight bench but is great for working on your abs. Your bench will actually need the ability to incline and will also need a leg attachment. Lie down your bench and hold a dumbbell with both hands. Then raise your body and you will feel your shoulders no longer touching the bench. Repeat several times or until you get tired.

This is only a small number of different types of exercises that you can do with dumbbells but as you can imagine there are many others that you can do. For a complete list of additional workouts I would recommend that you check out this site for more exercises with dumbbells.

Safety considerations

Any time you are going to use fitness equipment you always want to keep safety considerations in mind since the last thing you want to do is accidentally injure yourself. So make sure that you always stretch your muscles for several minutes. When you perform your exercises, always make sure that you do it correctly. If you are not sure, then simply ask someone to help you.

After you are finished using the equipment it is a good idea to put it back in its place so that you do not accidentally trip on it. Having a specific plan to what you want to achieve is perhaps the best way to start seeing the results you want. You would actually be pleasantly surprised as to what the exercises described above can do for you so get started today with your own home fitness equipment.