Dumbbells first originated in England a few hundred years ago when men wanted to develop stronger chests and arms by lifting heavy objects. Church bells were often used but since the bell would clang and jangle when lifted, the men removed the clappers or the hanging portion inside of the bell which strikes its sides and makes a ringing noise. The bells were now silent or “dumb” when lifted, which gave rise to the term “dumbbell” literally meaning “silent bell”. The term dumbbells today refers to free weight equipment used in weight lifting and training.
This form of dumbbell was originally used in ancient India, but it was shaped like a club and was called a “Nal”. The Nal was a mix of the dumbbell and the barbell and was generally used in pairs. It was used by sportsmen, wrestlers, soldiers and anyone who wanted to increase muscle size. In India today, the Nal still retains its shape, usage and name. However, in England, the shape of the dumbbell gradually changed along with its size and weight although the name remained the same. The modern shape of the dumbbell emerged in the 1800s as a bar with two bulbs of equal weight on either side.
Modern dumbbells are made in two varieties: one has adjustable weights, while the other has a fixed weight. The adjustable dumbbell comprises steel bars that are about 14 inches wide and about an inch thick in diameter. Disks made of cast iron are attached to the two ends of the bar with the help of collars or clips. Clips and collars are giant nuts that help keep the disks in place and prevent them from slipping off. The disks can range from 1kg to 40kg in weight and are known as plates. One disk is piled on top of the other in order to reach the desired weight.
Between the two ends of the adjustable dumbbell lies the knurling which is an engraving in the middle of the bar. This crosshatch engraving on the bar helps the user to get a good grip on the dumbbell and ensures that it does not slip out of their hands.
The other dumbbell variety has a fixed weight. The more expensive fixed weight dumbbells comprise cast iron weights covered with rubber. This helps provide protection against possible injuries. The cheaper versions of dumbbells are just plastic shells that cover concrete weights.
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