Free Weights Vocabulary for Beginners
When you’re shopping for free weights or learning about free weight exercises, you may come across some terms you haven’t heard before. If you’re new to the world of weight lifting, read on for a list of the most common terms related to free weight equipment.
Types of free weights
- Dumbbell
- A dumbbell is piece of weight training equipment comprised of two equal weights connected by a bar, typically held in one hand during exercise. Dumbbells are typically sold and used in pairs. The most basic form of dumbbell, the fixed-weight dumbbell, consists of two equal weights permanently connected by a bar. Fixed-weight dumbbells are often called “hand weights.” Another type of dumbbell is the adjustable dumbbell, whose weight can be changed by adding or removing weight plates to the bar. A “selectorized” adjustable dumbbells uses a mechanical element such as a dial or pin to help the user change the weight.
- Barbell
- A barbell is a piece of weight training equipment comprised of a weightlifting bar on which one or more pairs of weight plates are attached, often using collars to prevent the weight plates from slipping off the bar. The length of a barbell bar typically ranges from 4 feet to 7 feet long, and barbell exercises are therefore often performed by holding the barbell with both hands.
- Kettlebell
- A kettlebells is a piece of weight training equipment comprised of a weighted ball, or sphere, with a single handle attached to the top. Kettlebells often resemble cannonballs with an attached handle.
- Medicine ball
- A medicine ball is a piece of weight training equipment comprised of a weighted ball, typically no wider than the shoulder span of the user. Some medicine balls incorporate handles, while others do not.
Free weight accessories and related terms
- Collar
- A collar is a device used to secure a weight plate to the end of a weightlifting bar.
- Exercise ball
- An exercise ball is an inflated ball which may be sat upon, reclined upon, or otherwise used to support the body during a weight training exercise.
- Exercise mat
- An exercise mat is a padded surface used to protect the floor during weight lifting workouts where you may wish to drop weights to the floor at the end of a set.
- Inversion table
- An inversion table is designed to let you recline with your feet above your head while performing a weightlifting exercise.
- Wearable weight
- Wearable weights include weighted gloves and weighted pads that can be strapped to the arms or legs. These are typically used to increase the effort required during cardiovascular workouts.
- Weight bar
- A weight bar is the bar portion of a barbell to which the weight plates are attached.
- Weight bench
- A weight bench is a piece of equipment that supports the body during a weight lifting exercise. A basic bench might be just a padded horizontal surface that can be reclined upon for press exercises, while an adjustable benches might have a seat and backrest component that can be set to different angles for performing exercises while seated upright, partially reclining, or fully reclining.
- Weight plate
- A weight plate is a weight designed to be attached to a weightlifting bar. Plates are typically disc-shaped with a hole in the center and may require a collar to be securely attached to a bar. Weight plates may be used as part of a barbell or an adjustable-weight dumbbell.
- Weight rack
- A weight rack, or weight tree, is a stand used to store weight plates, or, alternatively, a stand used to store dumbbells.
- Weight set
- The term weight sets may be used to describe a collection of dumbbell pairs, a single pair of adjustable weight dumbbells, a collection of adjustable dumbbell components, or a collection of barbell components.
- Weightlifting belt
- A weightlifting belt is a supportive strap wrapped around the lower back to support the back during exercise and protect against back strains.
- Weightlifting gloves
- Weight lifting gloves are designed to protect the hands during free weights exercise and prevent callouses, soreness, and wrist ache.