This past holiday season, I discovered an ideal gift for my 15-year-old son: a set of adjustable dumbbells paired with an adjustable weight-lifting bench. This choice was perfect for two main reasons. Firstly, my son and his friends had embraced weightlifting a few months earlier, but external factors like the weather often hindered their gym visits. Secondly, living in a century-old home with limited space made it challenging to create a full-fledged home gym. These compact weights and a bench that can be easily stored offered a practical solution.
The adjustable dumbbells can be modified in five-pound increments, ranging from 10 to 55 pounds, while the bench can be set at eight different angles or laid flat. Additionally, their matching design adds a fun aesthetic.
Upon receiving the gift, my son eagerly demonstrated various lifts while I enjoyed my coffee from the couch. I playfully suggested he design a workout routine for me, focusing on arms and shoulders. Without hesitation, he set up his phone to record several exercises he deemed beneficial, including shoulder presses and bicep curls. Following his advice, I consulted Lifehacker's Senior Health Editor, Beth Skwarecki, for a suitable lifting app. I ultimately chose the Hevy app, where I discovered more exercises to incorporate into my regimen, such as incline bench presses.
Fast forward nearly four months, and for the first time since my son was born, I've consistently maintained a weightlifting routine. Before kids, fitting in workouts was simpler--I could hit the gym right after work. However, with my current schedule, balancing work from home and family commitments made it difficult to find time for a workout and the commute to a gym. Now, the journey to my basement gym is effortless. I even manage to edit articles between sets, maximizing productivity.
Interestingly, I find myself using the dumbbells more than my son, who prefers the local YMCA for his workouts with friends. Yet, he still makes use of them occasionally, and I can feel my strength increasing. While I might not be lifting 35 pounds per arm just yet, I'm well on my way.
As home fitness solutions like these adjustable dumbbells gain popularity, they could reshape how we approach personal health and fitness, making exercise more accessible and integrated into our daily lives.