Barbells are one of the most common pieces of the exercise equipment found in fitness centers across the world. Free weights such as barbells and dumbbells are more beneficial than weight machines in allowing you to train multiple muscles groups with varying levels of intensity. Additionally, barbells offer several advantages over dumbbells.
Versatility
A major advantage free weights have over weight machines is their versatility. Weight machines are made to perform one or two specific movements and have a limit on the amount of resistance you can use to execute the movement. However, barbells can allow you to train nearly every muscle in the body with one barbell and a set of weight plates of varying weight, thus saving you money, time and space.
Functional Training
Barbells allow for a greater ability to strength train to enhance movements in everyday life, referred to as functional training. Weight machines are restrictive in their movements and do not allow you to move about space as free weights do. Barbells also allow you to perform compound, or multi-joint movements, whereas weight machines are predominately isolation, or single-joint, movements. Compound exercises work larger muscle groups and are more effective at burning calories and increasing your metabolism. Furthermore, barbells require more stability from other muscle groups to perform the movement, thus enhancing overall muscle growth and strength.
Heavy Weight
One advantage that barbells have over dumbbells is that barbells allow you to use a much heavier weight, which is more effective at building overall size and strength throughout the body. Muscle growth and strength are improved when a movement is performed to fatigue, from eight to 12 repetitions per sets. Over time, your body will become stronger, and you will need more resistance to continue to achieve results. With barbells, you can continue to add weight as you progress in strength, whereas, with dumbbells, you are limited to the weight of the dumbbell.
Lower Body Training
The barbell's role in lower body training is unmatchable to any other piece of equipment. Because the legs consist of the largest muscles in the body, they require a lot of stimulus or resistance to grow, which the barbell offers. Barbell exercises, such as the squat and deadlift, are the most effective way to build significant size and shape in the lower body.
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