Introduction
In Episode #6 of Home Gym History, @VintageWeightsPGH dives deep into the creation of dumbbells, their evolution over time, and then compares them to what we have today.
The episode can be listened to on Spotify, Apple, Garage Gym Radio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Episode Outline
(0:40) Who invented the dumbbell? While many ancient civilizations performed some sort of resistance exercises, but Rob gives the credit to the Ancient Greeks for inventing the first version of the dumbbell. Not only did the Greeks use the discus and javelin, but also halteirs (pictured below)
These ultimately turned into a dumbbell-like item.
(2:44) The 1700s “dumbbell” and the first modern dumbbells This era is where some people believe we reach the “modern dumbbells.” These bells that couldn’t “ring” were dumb. Therefore we get dumb-bells. The terms barbell and kettlebell likely come from dumbbells.
(5:35) Circus dumbbell lifters These lifters helped popularize the dumbbell.
(7:30) Why did globe dumbbells go away? They roll away. Therefore other shapes were added. Ultimately adjustable dumbbells came into play to help people save space as well.
(9:24) Modern dumbbell variations Today, dumbbells come in many shapes and sizes: Square, hex, and even triangles (Havak Triads highlighted below).
Sources
Special thanks to Dr. Jan Todd and The Stark Center!
“2 for 1 York Dumbbells are also Swingbells!” Muscular Development, Volume 5, Number 1, Strength & Health Publishing Company, January 1968
“Dumbbell.” Wikipedia, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbbell
“Havak Quick Triad.” Havak, Havak, https://havak.net/
Jowett, George F. “Dumb-Bell.” Patent US1672944A, Google Patent, 12 June 1928, https://patents.google.com/patent/US1672944A/en
“Mutt Dumbbells.” Rogue, Rogue Fitness, https://www.roguefitness.com/mutt-dumbbells
“Our Story.” PowerBlock, PowerBlock, 2022, https://powerblock.com/about-powerblock/
“Rogue Thompson Fatbells.” Rogue, Rogue Fitness, https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-thompson-fatbells
“The Sandow Ringing Dumbbell.” Barbells and Bios, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, 19 August 2020,
“Solid Iron Dumbbells.” Muscular Development, Volume 5, Number 1, Strength & Health Publishing Company, January 1968
Todd, Jan. “From Milo to Milo: A History of Barbells, Dumbbells, and Indian Clubs.” Iron Game History, Volume 3, Issue 6, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, April 1995, https://starkcenter.org/igh_article/igh0306c/
Todd, Jan. “The Strength Builders: A History of Barbells, Dumbbells, and Indian Clubs.” The International Journal of the History of Sport, March 2003, link
Wood, Robert. “Olympics Weightlifting All Around Dumbbell Contest.” Topend Sports Website, July 2010, https://www.topendsports.com/events/discontinued/weights-allround-dumbbell.html
“York Aristocrat Dumbbell Set.” Muscular Development, Volume 5, Number 1, Strength & Health Publishing Company, January 1968
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