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7. Negative Equals Positive 

Whenever I start working with a new client that has never used dumbbells, their first response after a few weeks is, “I never even knew I had these muscles!” Well that is because dumbbells are rock stars when it comes to negative resistance – the ability to put stress on your muscles during the lowering phase of an exercise. Why is the negative phase such a big deal? Well this part of the weight training process is the most effective space for results to happen. So not only should you start using dumbbells, you should also remain mindful of the lowering phase of each exercise. 

8. You Are Less Likely To Get Injured

Most people don’t use dumbbells because they are afraid of injury. But the opposite is actually true – using them protects you from injury. Exercise machines are calibrated to target one muscle exclusively, however optimal strength occurs when all muscles, ligaments and tendons act as stabilizers. Machines may miss these secondary muscles and supporting tissues, which can set you up for an injury. So again, dumbbells are a smart idea.

9. They Balance You Out Babe

And lastly, speaking of less injury, dumbbells are excellent for keeping your body in balance. The number one cause of injury is muscular imbalance, however when you incorporate more dumbbell exercises into your workout you can help eliminate this issue. For instance when you bicep curl with a dumbbell in each hand – as opposed to a barbell – you immediately force each arm to lift it’s fair share. 

Remember: smart FitGirls use dumbbells! Tell us how you rock your workout with weights in the comment section. 

Robbie Ann Darby (RAD Experience) is a professional FitGirl, Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer in NYC. Follow her sweaty life on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more fun health and fitness tips!

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Outsmart Dumbbells: 9 Things You Kneed To Know About Free Weights  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com

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