The most important thing about using free weights in your fitness routine is to check with your doctor that you are healthy enough to use them.
If you've been diagnosed with a heart condition, have bouts of dizziness, have bone or joint problems that could worsen with change in activity or are currently on medications for blood pressure or heart conditions, you need to discuss your regime with your doctor for your own safety.
Daily exercise of as little as 30 minutes a day has huge benefits to the body.
Weight training is a great way to work out as well as strengthen and build muscles.
Basically, there are two types of free weights.
There is the barbell, which is a long bar that weights are attached to.
Then there is the dumbbell, a smaller hand held weight.
Dumbbells come in a variety of styles including plastic, chrome, and concrete.
The dumbbells tend to be easier to use and you can get them in weight ranges of 5 pound up to 150 pound per dumbbell.
When you are shopping for these, make sure the handle is comfortable and you don't feel strained holding it.
You should also take into account the proper weight for your strength and the training you will be doing.
Practice with a few styles before purchasing.
Another bonus with this style of weights is that they are less expensive than weight machines, and take up less room.
Free weights are designed to not restrict you movement.
Using them requires muscle coordination and because of the lack of restriction, a need for some safety.
A good grip and stable stance are important.
If you are using barbells, it would be a good idea to have a 'spotter', someone to stay nearby should anything go wrong.
Try to not use too much weight either, even with dumbbells, to avoid any undue muscle strain, sprains, or other injuries.
Make sure you understand the exercises you plan on doing with your weights for the best possible outcome.
The exercises you can do with free weights are really versatile.
They can be used to increase muscle strength, endurance and power.
You can also exercise all your muscle groups with a combination of barbells and dumbbells.
Targeting your upper body you can do bicep curls, tricep extension and bench presses.
Torso exercises include abdominal curls and side plank.
You legs can benefit from squats, lunges and heel raises.
Learn the correct techniques, exercise both sides of the body, control your movements so momentum doesn't get the best of you, and breathe.
Using free weights are a great addition to any fitness routine.
By burning more calories, increasing both muscle and bone strength and increasing muscle size, the benefits are great.
Coupling weight training a few times a week along with 30 minutes of aerobic workouts daily creates a well balanced fitness program that can be done from your own home and without the need of paying gym fees.