Dumbbells, Barbells and Kettlebells: The Best Choice for Your Home Gym in Montreal

For the new home gym user, adding Dumbbells, Barbells and Kettlebells to your space is a great way to get started. The benefits of having Strength Training Equipment in your home gym, goes way beyond the obvious of building muscle and burning fat, namely:

1. Convenience: Dumbbells and Kettlebells are easily moveable and make it convenient for you to workout in a smaller space, or get creative and workout from any room in your home.
2. Affordability:  Dumbbells, Barbells and Kettlebells are very affordable and there is no maintenance cost associated, besides a good wipe down after your workout!

Several factors go into choosing weights that suit your fitness goals. While there is plenty of crossover, as Dumbbells, Barbells and Kettlebells share many of the same exercises, the differences lie in their intended use, and all three present their own set of challenges at the novice level.

The following guide is designed to help you narrow your selection, and bring you up to speed on the different approaches that correlate with each piece of equipment. A casual lifter could opt for a Dumbbell in their pursuit of power-based training, only to shift over to Kettlebells once they adapted to the exercises at-hand. With exercise equipment one must account for a nearly incalculable learning curve to take effect, like anything else in life that requires dedication.

Free Weights: Dumbbells vs. Kettlebells

Dumbbells and Kettlebells share many of the same properties, and function in a similar fashion. Where they differ is in their approach, as Kettlebells require a fair bit of education to be used correctly, and safely for that matter. That being said, both tools belong in the same routine and can be used interchangeably with subtle variation. 

Dumbbells: Versatility For The Right Price

This may seem rather obvious, but the single-hand application of a Dumbbell orients you towards certain types of exercises like the Goblet Squat which targets your lower body, or the Concentration Curl, best exhibited from a seated position. Exercises of this kind work to isolate specific body parts rendered possible by the dumbbell’s even distribution of weight..

Notice that when using a Dumbbell, force is applied directly to the hands and the wrist, whereas with the Kettlebell the tension builds in your arm(s). Its narrow grip can be used to great effect when performing Isometric exercises where the aim is to activate a single muscle group while putting the rest of your body under isolation. You’ll notice that when using Kettlebells, your whole body gets thrust into the motion. Less ideal for muscle contraction, but way more conducive to burning fat.

Kettlebells: Total Body Benefits

The Kettlebell is essentially capable of providing a total body workout when used correctly. Working with Kettlebells can greatly improve your strength, cardio and overall conditioning. They are easy to store, a huge space saver in a home gym! Easy to use and the results are amazing when used consistently. Kettlebells are known to provide high calorie burn and improve your core strength. When it comes to a fast and efficient workout – Kettlebells are a great addition to any fitness routine and home gym!

If Kettlebells are new to you and your workout plan, speak to one of our Renegade Performance experts on how to get started safely with Kettlebells.

Barbells: Lifting Heavies By The Load

 If the Kettlebell lends itself to Fat Burning exercises, and the Dumbbell to developing individual muscle groups, then where exactly does the Barbell fit into the equation? 

The word Barbell is the first name to  jump off the page, as it has become synonymous with bodybuilding. But let’s move past the stereotype for just a second and see how Barbells can be used and loved by the home gym users and fitness newbies! 

The Barbell is noted for its width, which calls for a two-handed grip for every exercise in its repertoire. Due to its two-handed approach, the Barbell is predisposed to heavier lifting, making it a staple for home gym-goers who practice the “Progressive Overload” method of strength training. In layman’s terms, we’re talking about an exercise in which you gradually increase your reps in weight while simultaneously adding volume to the load (in the form of plates). Dumbbells and Kettlebells cannot be modified in such a manner.

Maybe the differences among the three “standard bearers” aren’t so subtle after all. The Dumbbell is orientated towards contraction exercises, representing what is possibly the most beginner-friendly and injury-averse of the bunch, without unlocking the intricacies of say, a free-swinging Kettlebell. 

Always bear in mind that the longer the lever, AKA the trajectory of your exercise motion, the greater the tension, and the more tension  that you build, the greater the resistance. These key concepts will be your guiding light as you venture into the world of home gym convenience. 

Not sure where to start and what weight training equipment is right for you and your home gym? Speak to one of our Renegade Performance experts today and let us help you choose the best fitness equipment for your needs and budget!