Recently, one of my clients asked me where the name “dumbbell” came from and I realized I didn’t know! While the terms are generally universally accepted, there is actually a lot of history in the origin of the “bells”—dumbbells, barbells and kettlebells.
These three types of basic strength training equipment were available long before modern weight machines and have a host of advantages to each one. For history buffs that like to work out, you may want to research it further, but here are some basics.
The origin of the term dumbbell, according to dumbbellclub.com, says that, “The use of dumbbells dates all the way back to ancient Greece, where the Greeks used halteres during their long jump competitions. Halteres were not in the shape of the modern dumbbell, though. They were crescent-shaped and had a handle for the jumper to easily grab them. Historians believe athletes used these for more than just jumping. There is evidence the ancient Greeks used them for general exercise to build muscle strength.”
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, athletes used a nal to strength train. This club-shaped piece of equipment was longer than the modern dumbbell but shorter than a barbell. Middle Eastern and Indian wrestlers, bodybuilders and athletes used nals to build strength and stamina. The clubs were of different weights so they could be used for calisthenics and weight lifting. British colonists adopted the use of the nal, which they called the Indian Club, and brought the equipment to the west.
While the use of Indian clubs remained popular, a new type of equipment gained popularity in the 1700s. Joseph Addison, a British poet, wrote about his exercise routine with dumbbells. They were church bells with the clappers removed to silence them. The bells were made “dumb,” hence the name dumbbells. Using dumbbells was a popular exercise in the 18th century, even among our founding fathers. Benjamin Franklin wrote about using dumbbells to maintain his physical fitness and contributed his longevity to using them every day.
The origin of the term barbell, according to barbell-logic.com is that, “The first versions of barbells appeared around the 1860s in European gymnasiums, having evolved from the dumbbell design. They came with either fixed weights or fillable globes on the ends of a four- to six-foot bar. Changing weights either meant you had to get another bar or you had to fill the globes with a different material, making progressive loading and varieties in weight cumbersome.”
In 1908, Alan Calvert sold the Milo Triplex bar, letting people change the load simply by adding or removing plates to the end of it. Calvert’s invention made strength training more accessible to a person of any level of skill, removing some of the mystique of the strongman performers’ regimens. Strength historian David P. Willoughby called Calvert’s invention “the single greatest impetus ever given to weight lifting in this country.” Today, you can find Olympic-style barbells (usually 45 pounds) that can have weight plates added to them, or fixed-weight barbells in either a standard grip or cambered grip.
Finally, a kettlebell is a cast-iron or cast-steel ball with a handle attached to the top (resembling a cannonball with a handle). The origins of the kettlebell, according to Gymgear.com, can be traced back to Russia in the 1700s. Originally used as counterweights for weighing farm goods, kettlebells quickly gained popularity as a tool for strength and conditioning among Russian athletes and military personnel.
In the early days, kettlebells were made of cast iron and came in various sizes, ranging from four to 100 pounds. They were used in a wide range of exercises, including swings, snatches, cleans and presses. These exercises were not only effective for improving strength and power, but also for increasing endurance and cardiovascular fitness.
In the late 19th century, kettlebell lifting became a popular competitive sport in Russia. The first kettlebell lifting competition took place in 1885, and by the early 20th century, kettlebell lifting had evolved into a highly organized and structured sport.
While kettlebell lifting remained popular in Russia throughout the 20th century, it wasn’t until the early 21st century that kettlebell training started to gain recognition and popularity worldwide. In the early 2000s, kettlebell training began to make its way into mainstream fitness circles, with fitness professionals and enthusiasts recognizing the benefits of kettlebell exercises for strength, endurance and overall fitness.
Today, kettlebell training is widely practised around the world and has become a staple in many fitness programs and disciplines.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief lesson on the origin of the bells!
Lori Vance
Body Image Fitness, LLC
503-351-6476