If you’ve ever seen a long dumbbell with a single, extended handle in a gym and wondered what it’s called, you’re not alone. This article answers the common question, what are long dumbbells called, and clarifies the terminology you’ll encounter in fitness stores and workout plans.
Long dumbbells with a single, extended handle are commonly referred to as barbells in most gym settings. However, the naming can get confusing because there are several similar pieces of equipment. Understanding the correct terms helps you find the right gear for your workouts and follow instructions correctly.
What Are Long Dumbbells Called
The primary answer is a barbell. A standard barbell is a long metal bar, usually about 7 feet long, designed to have weight plates loaded onto its ends. It’s a fundamental piece of equipment for heavy compound lifts like the bench press, squat, and deadlift. The key feature is the single, rigid handle that runs the entire length of the bar, which you grip with both hands.
However, the term “long dumbbell” itself can lead to some mix-ups. People might use it to describe a few different things, which is why knowing the specific names is so useful. Let’s break down the main categories of equipment that could be considered long dumbbells.
Barbells: The Standard Long Bar
This is the most common and correct identification. A barbell is not just a long dumbbell; it’s a specific type of weight training bar. They come in various types, each with slight design differences for specific training goals.
- Olympic Barbell: The heavy-duty standard. It’s 7.2 feet (2.2 meters) long, weighs 45 lbs (20 kg), and has rotating sleeves at the ends to hold large, 2-inch diameter weight plates. Built for maximum weight and dynamic movements.
- Standard Barbell: Often shorter and lighter, typically 5 to 6 feet long. It uses weight plates with a 1-inch diameter hole. These are common in home gyms and are less expensive than Olympic bars.
- EZ-Curl Bar: A shorter, curved barbell designed to reduce strain on the wrists and elbows during bicep curls and tricep exercises. Its zigzag shape allows for different grip positions.
- Tricep Bar: Also known as a football bar or multi-grip bar. It has a rectangular frame with multiple parallel grip handles in the center, excellent for tricep work and bench pressing with a neutral grip.
Fixed Weight Barbells
Sometimes called “barbell dumbbells” or pre-loaded barbells, these are the bars you see on a rack with the weights permanently attached. They are long like a barbell but have a fixed, non-adjustable weight. They are great for quick changes during circuit training or for beginners who aren’t ready to load plates.
Common Fixed Barbell Weights
- 20 lbs (9 kg)
- 30 lbs (14 kg)
- 40 lbs (18 kg)
- 50 lbs (23 kg)
Other Equipment Often Confused With Long Dumbbells
The confusion doesn’t stop with barbells. A few other items in the gym might get lumped into the “long dumbbell” category because of their shape or function.
- Kettlebells: While not long, a kettlebell’s single handle and cannonball shape can sometimes be confused by newcomers. The key difference is the off-center grip and dynamic use for swings and snatches.
- Landmine Handles: These are single handles that attach to the end of a barbell placed in a landmine base. They allow for a variety of pressing and rowing movements with a single hand, but the bar itself is still a barbell.
- Log Bars: Used in strongman training, these are thick, long bars shaped like a log with parallel handles cut into them. They are a specialized type of barbell.
Why The Correct Name Matters For Your Workouts
Using the right term is more than just semantics; it affects your training safety, efficiency, and results. If a workout program calls for a barbell bench press, using two separate dumbbells changes the exercise completely. The barbell allows you to lift more weight total and requires more stabilizer coordination along the single plane.
Knowing you need a barbell means you’ll set up at the correct bench station, use the appropriate weight plates, and secure them with collars. This prevents accidents and ensures your form is right for the intended movement pattern. It also helps you communicate clearly with trainers or workout partners.
Choosing Between Dumbbells And Barbells
Now that you know what are long dumbbells called, you might wonder when to use a barbell versus traditional dumbbells. Each has its distinct advantages, and smart lifters use both.
Benefits Of Using Barbells
- Lift Heavier Weights: The primary advantage. The bilateral, fixed path of a barbell allows you to handle significantly more total weight, which is crucial for building maximal strength.
- Progressive Overload Is Easier: Adding small 2.5 lb or 5 lb plates to a barbell is simple. Incrementally increasing weight with dumbbells can be harder if your gym’s dumbbells jump by 10 lbs.
- Efficiency For Compound Lifts: Exercises like squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses are often more efficiently loaded with a barbell, especially for working with heavy loads.
- Benchmarking: Strength standards and most lifting records are set using barbells, providing a universal metric for progress.
Benefits Of Using Traditional Dumbbells
- Unilateral Training & Muscle Imbalance Correction: Each side works independently, preventing your stronger side from compensating for your weaker side.
- Greater Range of Motion: You can often achieve a deeper stretch or more natural movement path, as your arms aren’t fixed to a bar.
- Enhanced Stabilizer Muscle Engagement: Each arm must stabilize the weight independently, recruiting more smaller, supporting muscles.
- Versatility and Accessibility: Dumbbells allow for a wider variety of angles and exercises, and they are often more available in busy gyms.
How To Use A Barbell Safely And Effectively
Handling a long barbell requires some specific knowledge to stay safe and get the most out of your workout. Here are the essential steps.
Step 1: Selecting The Right Barbell And Weights
Choose the bar type that matches your exercise and equipment. For heavy squats or deadlifts, use an Olympic barbell. For curls, an EZ-curl bar might be better. Always ensure the weight plates you select have the correct hole diameter for your bar (2-inch for Olympic, 1-inch for Standard).
Step 2: Loading The Plates Correctly
- Place the barbell on a secure rack or the floor.
- Slide weight plates onto the sleeves, starting with the heaviest plates innermost, closest to the bar’s collar.
- Add smaller plates outward to balance the load.
- Always use collar clips or spring collars to lock the weights in place. This is non-negotiable for safety.
Step 3: Mastering Basic Lifts With Proper Form
Before adding significant weight, practice the movement patterns with just the bar or very light weight. Focus on form for these foundational lifts:
- Barbell Bench Press: Retract your shoulder blades, maintain a slight arch, and lower the bar to your mid-chest.
- Barbell Back Squat: Position the bar securely on your upper back/traps, keep your chest up and back straight, and descend until your hips are at least parallel to your knees.
- Barbell Deadlift: Hinge at your hips with a neutral spine, grip the bar just outside your legs, and drive through your heels to stand up, pulling the bar close to your body.
Step 4: Unloading And Reracking
After your set, rerack the barbell securely or lower it to the floor with control. Unload the plates evenly from both sides to prevent the bar from tipping. Never leave a loaded barbell on the floor or in a rack for someone else to clear.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What Is The Difference Between A Dumbbell And A Barbell?
A dumbbell is a short handheld weight designed for use in one hand. A barbell is a long bar designed for two-handed use, with weight plates loaded onto its ends. The barbell allows for much heavier total loads.
Can I Do Dumbbell Exercises With A Barbell?
Some movements translate, but many do not. You can do barbell versions of presses, rows, and curls. However, you cannot replicate unilateral (single-arm/single-leg) dumbbell exercises like lunges or single-arm rows with a standard barbell. The equipment dictates the range of motion and muscle engagement.
What Are Those Short, Thick Barbells Called?
Shorter, thicker barbells are often called “utility bars,” “technique bars,” or “junior bars.” They are used for training form, by lifters with mobility limitations, or for exercises like landmine presses. Fixed-weight versions are simply called fixed barbells or pre-loaded bars.
Is A Barbell Better For Building Muscle Than Dumbbells?
Both are excellent. Barbells are generally better for lifting maximal weights on big compound lifts, which drives overall strength and size. Dumbbells are better for addressing imbalances, ensuring full range of motion, and working stabilizers. A balanced program uses both.
What Should I Buy First For A Home Gym: Dumbbells Or A Barbell?
It depends on your space and goals. Adjustable dumbbells are very space-efficient and versatile for a wide range of exercises. A barbell and weight plates allow for heavier, full-body strength training but require more space and a sturdy rack or bench for many exercises. Many people start with a set of dumbbells and add a barbell later.
Understanding gym equipment names empowers your fitness journey. Now that you know the answer to “what are long dumbbells called”—they are barbells—you can approach your workouts with more confidence and clarity. Remember to prioritize proper form, start with manageable weights, and use the right tool for each exercise to build strength safely and effectively.