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gym-n-fitness · 3 months ago

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Dumbbells vs. Barbells – Which One Comes Out on Top with Strength Training?

Strength training remains at the core of any exercise regimen and must be done with focus. Whether being an athlete, bodybuilder, or simply wanting to increase your strength and muscle mass, the right gear is important. Reaching the peak of a dumbbell vs barbell debate is one of the most controversed topics in the fitness world. Each has their amazingly useful benefits, however, it does raise the question of which is more beneficial for strength training. Let’s take a look.

The Mastery of Dumbbells

Dumbbells are lauded for their versatility and how they engage stabilizing muscles to a comparatively higher degree. Here's the reasoning that backs a better statement:

1. Increased Scope of Movement

Compared to barbells, dumbbells give you a greater range of scope to exercise and perform movements. This leads to better flexibility, engagement of the respective muscle, and widening of the necessary stretch.

2. Muscle Balance The Balanced Strength Development

With dumbbells, each limb is required to work separately and independently. This greatly aids in correcting imbalances because the dominant side does not help the weak side perform the movements.

3. Enhanced Coordination and Stability

Your stabilizer muscles have to control the weight more because each hand moves independently. With time, that translates to better coordination and balance.

4. Lower Probability of Injury While Training Alone

Attempting to lift heavy weights with a barbell and not having a spotter around is potentially dangerous. In comparison, with dumbbells, it's much easier to drop a weight if you have to.

Why Use Barbells

Barbells are the preferred piece of equipment for serious weightlifters and those athletes whose primary focus is on strength development. This is how they perform in strength training:

1. Lifting Heavier Weights is Possible

You can lift much more weight using a barbell than you can with a dumbbell. That is necessary for progressive overload, which is crucial for building muscles and strength.

2. More Efficient for Compound Movements

Using a barbell makes it so much easier to load and perform squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. Those are compound movements meaning, they work several muscle groups and are essential for building strength.

3. Adjusting weights is simpler with the barbell.

Barbells are more practical for progressive overload due to their smaller increments of weight. Progressing with dumbbells becomes more difficult as the weight difference between them is larger.

4. Superior to Other Weights for Maximal Strength Training

Barbells are best for those wishing to lift heavier weights. Powerlifters and strength athletes who wish to maximize force production almost exclusively train with the barbell.

Which One Should You Choose?

Your goals, level of experience, and overall preferred training style will help dictate the answer.

If your goal is to develop general strength and lift the heaviest weights possible, then you primary tool should be the barbell. If looking to achieve muscle collaboration, stability or feeling safer while working out, dumbbells are a spectacular option For those new to lifting, control can be more easily maintained, making the dumbbell a more forgiving option. For superiors and professional lifters, a strategically planned approach with both dumbbells and barbells can yield maximum gains.

Final Verdict

There will always be an ongoing debate as to which is superior, dumbbells or barbells. The most beneficial recommendation is to have both at your disposal. Consider using barbells for basic strength building activities while focusing on muscle collaboration, isolation, and functional strength with dumbbells. This approach ensures well rounded development of muscle, strength, and overall fitness.

Learn more at www.ambersports.com

#health & fitness #home & lifestyle #dumbbell vs barbell #gym life #Strength training #Exercise regimen #Fitness world #Muscle mass #Workout gear #Weightlifting #.Dumbbell benefits #Dumbbell vs barbell #Barbell benefits

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trensu · 2 years ago

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So I meant to have the last chapter of the Hawkins Halfway House done and posted, like, WEEKS ago but I've been sidetracked with other projects which means that chapter is only partly done. I feel kinda bad about it so I thought I'd make myself feel better about not meeting my personal goal by posting an excerpt from the last, WIP chapter. (My new goal is to have it done and posted before my bday next month, so fingers crossed the fic will be done in a couple of weeks)

All Steve wanted to do today was buy groceries. The fridge at home was sad to look at and he didn’t have a shift to rush off to so he could take his time perusing the grocery store shelves. Once he got that done, he would be free as a bird for the rest of the day. He could go to the park nearby that had some basketball hoops, or watch that movie Robin kept telling him to check out, or maybe even drive around to try to find that bar Robin and he went to a few months ago that seemed to have disappeared off the face of the planet.

But no. Steve wasn’t going to do any of that because his well maintained car broke down on some random street he didn’t even know existed. Thankfully, he’d been quick to pull his car to the curb before it died completely. He threw on the emergency brake and climbed out of the car, world-weary, because of course this had to happen on a bright, beautiful, work-free day he could’ve spent doing literally anything else.

It didn’t help that he’d been so stressed lately. He’s in his thirties and he’s not getting any younger. He wanted to be a dad so much it hurt to think about it sometimes. He tried adopting a stray he’d found in an effort to assuage that desire, but the kitten’s rightful owner claimed him only a few days after.

Recently, another two adoption agencies rejected him when they found out he was unmarried and planned on being a single parent. It had gotten to the point where Steve seriously considered trying to date some women who’ve shown interest in him so he could have a shot at parenthood. Clearly, he made his life more difficult by acknowledging his occasional attraction to men and not dating any women who wouldn’t be accepting of his sexuality.

Yesterday, after Steve got the call from the second agency, Robin had sat with him at their tiny kitchen table. She had taken his hand, held it, and fiddled with his fingers while he collected himself.

“You know I love you, right?” she had asked.

“No way, here I thought you moved in with me for my money,” Steve tried to joke. Robin snorted.

“What money?” she asked.

“Huh, guess you really do love me,” Steve cracked a tiny smile at her and she leaned against him. She tugged at his ring finger.

“Yep,” she said and then in a softer tone, “so if we got married, it wouldn’t be a loveless marriage like your parents’. And we already live together. In sin, might I add. I should’ve made an honest woman of you years ago. We wouldn’t have to worry about how a cold, empty relationship would affect the kiddos, because we’d share a different, good type of love.”

“Robbie,” Steve said.

“All we gotta do is pop down to the courthouse and sign some papers. It wouldn’t be a big deal! We already co-own all the stuff here, and we’re each other’s emergency contacts for, like, everything so we’re practically already married anyway. If we made it official, then I could go with you to these agencies and show them what a lovely couple we are, and how good you are with kids, and–”

“Robin, you’ve never wanted to have children. You don’t want to be a mom.”

“Yeah, but I wouldn’t be having them, technically, and it’s not like I hate kids.”

“I love you too much to let you do that for me. Besides, if we get married, your chances with Chrissy are shot.”

“Oh my god,” Robin had groaned in dismay. “Would you let that go? I haven’t seen her since that time with the stray. She was so hot, ugh, it’s not fair. She probably has some meathead boyfriend who can’t even get her off right. Life is so cruel to me.”

Steve had known that Robin knew what Steve was doing, but she had let Steve steer the conversation away regardless.

Now his car decided to crap out on him on top of all that? He clambered out of his car and popped the hood open. Steve was no mechanic, but he’d liked cars enough to have taken a class in high school. He knew the basics and a little extra that he’d picked up since then.

He checked for all the most common issues. As far as he could tell, there was nothing wrong with the car. The engine wasn’t even overheated. There was no reason it shouldn't be working. He tried to start it up a second time with no luck. Growling in frustration, he got out of his car again to glare at the uncooperative engine. With little hope, he leaned over to check if anything had changed in the engine.

“You okay there, son?” a gruff voice called from behind him. Steve jumped in surprise and let out a yelp when the movement caused him to hit his head against the propped up hood of the car. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

Steve rubbed the back of his head with a wince and glanced towards the voice. A man who looked old enough for retirement leaned against a rickety old fence, watching him with an expression of concern. Even after all these years, Steve felt himself instinctively straighten his spine. With a quiet huff, Steve made the conscious effort to relax because this man was not his father and he was unlikely to share his father’s less desirable personality traits if he was out here offering help and apologies to a stranger in distress.

“It’s alright, I’ve got a thick skull,” Steve reassured him with a friendly smile. The man acknowledged him with a nod before motioning towards the car.

“What’s going on there?” he asked.

“I’m not really sure,” Steve admitted. “Everything looks fine, but the engine won’t turn over.”

“I spent a few years as a mechanic. You want I take a look at it?” the man asked.

“Oh, no, I wouldn’t want to interrupt your day like that,” Steve said. The man waved him off as he walked around the fence to join him at the front of his car.

“Don’t worry about that, son. I’ve been chasing kids all morning. This would be a break from all that,” the man said, a small smile curling at the corner of his mouth. Steve thought it suited him. He looked exactly the way a younger Steve thought a grandfather should look. “So what have you already checked?”

Steve rattled off a list of what he’d done already. The man nodded along and started checking things that Steve hadn’t known to look over. His brow furrowed the longer he poked at things. He had Steve get behind the wheel to attempt to start the car again which was as unsuccessful as before. Steve got out of the car to see the man scratching his head and frowning.

“Makes no damn sense,” the man muttered. “Do you mind if I…?” The man gestured at the driver’s seat.

“Yeah, go ahead,” Steve said, giving him the keys.

The man got into the car slowly, stiff at the knees. Once he was situated, he put the keys in and turned the ignition. The engine sprang to life as if it hadn’t been dead for the past age and a half.

“Oh thank god,” Steve said.

“Yep,” the man agreed. “No idea why it wouldn’t start before. Nothing’s wrong with it.”

The engine still running strong, the man slowly got out of the car, half pulling himself out using the frame. Steve hurried over and let the man lean some weight on his shoulder as he levered himself to his feet.

“Well, thank you, anyway. If there’s anything I can do in return…?”

“Nah, don’t worry yourself. I did what anyone would do to help.”

Steve quickly closed the hood as the man walked back onto the sidewalk. He dropped into the driver’s seat and buckled up. He waved at the man, eager to get on with his day and finally do that grocery run.

The engine shut down the moment Steve gripped the steering wheel. With a sense of doom, Steve turned the key off for a few seconds. He turned the key back on. The engine did not start.

“What,” Steve said shortly, not sure if he was saying it to himself, the car, or the universe at large. “Why is this happening?”

He felt himself flush in frustration and embarrassment as he risked a glance at the man who tried to help him. He hated bothering people and he didn’t want to waste more of this kind old man’s time. However, the man didn’t seem to notice Steve’s state. He had a strange expression on his face, confusion melting into curiosity as his gaze flicked from the car, to Steve, and then to the house behind the fence for some reason.

Steve suddenly became aware of the house behind the fence. How had he not seen it before? He must’ve been more preoccupied with his car than he realized to have missed an entire house. A strange house, at that, though Steve couldn’t say what was weird about it.

“Huh,” the man said, with one more curious look between Steve and the house. The man gestured behind himself. “You see that?”

“The…the house?” Steve asked, confused. Of course he could see the house.

“Yeah.” The man watched him closely, carefully. Steve felt a prickle of irritation at the scrutiny. Did this man think he was stupid?

“Uh, yeah?” Steve said, a little more sarcastically than intended. “I’m not blind.”

The man chuckled goodnaturedly. “Didn’t say you were. What’s your name, son?”

“Steve,” he replied. The man chuckled again.

“Thought so,” the man said. At Steve’s questioning gaze, he shrugged nonchalantly. “You look like a Steve. I��m Wayne. Why don’t you come inside? The kids made a batch of lemonade earlier today and there’s a phone you can use to call a tow.

PSA I do not do those reader tag list things. If you'd like to keep up with my stuff please follow my writing tag: trensu tells stories

#trensu tells stories #hawkins halfway house for homeless horrors #stranger things #steve harrington #wayne munson #robin buckley #steve & robin #steddie #(technically; though it's not mentioned in this excerpt)#i really want to finish this fic so i can write other stuff #but irl projects keep getting in the way #not necessarily in a bad way #i finished making my pride quilt and most of the slip covers i need for my couches #but still #i have grown rather fond of this au and would like to do other stuff in it #like Steve's attempts at enrolling the kids in a public school #or Steve coming up with with a shared family exercise regimen to help the Sinclair sibs manage their wolf shifts #or a steve vs billy vs eddie confrontation just for the Drama #alas #they may never come to be at this rate

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