My theory on dumbbells (srs)

[da2ricky]

Physics major here, OP is spot on. Both of them have similar mass but different densities. The lower density plastic ones are thus easier to lift, because they 'float'.

[Epithet]

Not going through all the responses (first page was enough). Is NO ONE going to mention UNCERTAINTY????

e.g
One dumbbell manufacturer makes dumbbells with the following specifications: x lbs +-5% and sells them for $0.8x
Another dumbbell manufacturer makes them with an uncertainty of +-2% and sells them for $1.2x

The more you pay, the more accurate and precise the weight of the dumbbells is. Do you dumbfukks think the 100lb dumbbell weighs exactly 100.00lbs? (dumbfukks = not directed at everyone. just a couple of full retard responses)

[comeatmecuzz]

Physics major here, OP is spot on. Both of them have similar mass but different densities. The lower density plastic ones are thus easier to lift, because they 'float'.

maximum trolling

[brnforce]

Not going through all the responses (first page was enough). Is NO ONE going to mention UNCERTAINTY????

e.g
One dumbbell manufacturer makes dumbbells with the following specifications: x lbs +-5% and sells them for $0.8x
Another dumbbell manufacturer makes them with an uncertainty of +-2% and sells them for $1.2x

The more you pay, the more accurate and precise the weight of the dumbbells is. Do you dumbfukks think the 100lb dumbbell weighs exactly 100.00lbs? (dumbfukks = not directed at everyone. just a couple of full retard responses)

It's been said, but you are correct!

[dropkickMc]

one time i weighed two 35lb plates of DIFFERENT BRANDS and one was actually 38lbs. LOL i wrote 38 on it with a sharpie. and I think the rubber vs. metal density is a good theory

[msagrain]

I agree with op, did 35kg Db press in leisure centre 10x4 flat then 10x4 incline and moved to hardcore gym with different Db's couldn't even do 35kgx1. SrS.

[DTO]

It's because the bars themselves sometimes weight extra.

[nrrich]

The 100's at my gym are actually 105's. Its 100lbs added to the handle which itself is 5lbs. But that is just my gym. I don't know about other gyms.

Im pretty sure this is what the OP meant. The 90s in rubber weigh less than the ''90s'' in metal because the handle is an extra 5 pounds. Again that is at my gym and yes I have actualy weighed the weights.

[Stalwart Steve]

Physics major here, OP is spot on. Both of them have similar mass but different densities. The lower density plastic ones are thus easier to lift, because they 'float'.

except he said the metal ones were "big as hell" implying the mass was spread out over a greater volume so no, u go

[Hitithard89]

Wait i thought the plastic dumbells were just coated metal?

[Octium]

threads like this just show how retarted people on the misc can be

reading through this was almost more painful than watching that 80mph video

[someguy11]

Wait i thought the plastic dumbells were just coated metal?

This is not the point Im trying to make. Its more about the new vs. old than coated/metal. The new dumbbells are labeled wrong while manufacturing. You can justify 5lbs variation, but 10lbs+ seems like its purposedly.

[Fokized]

i dont notice a big difference, i just lift them bishes up. I like the iron ones better tho, I feel more like a beast. Sometimes I clank them mothafukas just to let people know i aint playin around

[BrahTech]

lol at anyone insulting OP

[JackFlak]

When my friend worked at the gym that his grandfather owned, he weighed the dumbells there (Metal) and they all weighed 5lbs more than they were labelled, presumably due to not taking the bar through the middle into account

[Jismy]

nice try OP but the dumbbells get heavier when they add the rubber

[dan987]

At my gym the weights are listed differently.

A 50 pound weight at another gym will be listed as 52.5 because of the little bar/grip/handle holding the actual weights would be around 2.5 pounds.

The weights go like this at my gym 63, 65, 74,78, 85.

I doubt it
The reason they go up like that is because they're really good for progression (2.5 instead of 5 lb pound conventional increases on each, 1.25 on each being even more ideal but then it just costs a sht-ton more) - wish all dumbell manufacturers caught on

[TuongLuKim]

Physics major checking in. OP's thesis is correct.

His sample size shows a small margin of error
The density of the metal means it is more susceptible to gravitational force than rubber, shown by the below equation.

[strunz]

i was just inclining 85s for reps and felt alpha as phuk

had been back on barbell for awhile so thought it was pretty good for my first go back

[GluteBrahhhh]

Didn't read thread, but does your gym not have a scale in it? ****in weigh a DB idiot.

[Love-Feet]

Not going through all the responses (first page was enough). Is NO ONE going to mention UNCERTAINTY????

e.g
One dumbbell manufacturer makes dumbbells with the following specifications: x lbs +-5% and sells them for $0.8x
Another dumbbell manufacturer makes them with an uncertainty of +-2% and sells them for $1.2x

The more you pay, the more accurate and precise the weight of the dumbbells is. Do you dumbfukks think the 100lb dumbbell weighs exactly 100.00lbs? (dumbfukks = not directed at everyone. just a couple of full retard responses)

Its not hard to get 99.99% accuracy with a product like DB's though. The variance comes in to **** like that when you need precision, i thought

[Nas_the_realest]

But how much does a 45lb plate weigh, after they cut the hole out of the middle?

lolol

[JohnnyCage12]

you could make this thread, or you could just go and put one of the dumbbells on the scale at the gym and check for yourself.

[1stChanceToLose]

could also be the handle, one being harder to exert maximal force on. I have 2 barbells at my gym, one thick and one thinner. I've checked and both weigh the same but I find the thicker one harder to lift. perhaps because of more focus on grip and forearms. but i too have noticed the metal weights seem heavier

[do13]

Could have to do with oxidation/rust buildup so 100 iron is more like 103, and rubber mismarked so 100 = 95? That's close to a ten pound difference. Might be broscience idk

[BrahPlease]

they weigh the same but some are bigger and the bigger ones are harder because you need more support and balance to lift it.

[guest89]

one time i weighed two 35lb plates of DIFFERENT BRANDS and one was actually 38lbs. LOL i wrote 38 on it with a sharpie. and I think the rubber vs. metal density is a good theory

Different brands = different weights. Which is why you should always have the same brand weights on each side.

Wait i thought the plastic dumbells were just coated metal?

They are.

This is not the point Im trying to make. Its more about the new vs. old than coated/metal. The new dumbbells are labeled wrong while manufacturing. You can justify 5lbs variation, but 10lbs+ seems like its purposedly.

It has nothing to do with new vs old. It has to do with the manufacturer. Some of them may be a pound or two under, some may be a pound or two over, some may be right on the money.

Again, this is why you always lift the same brand weights on both sides.

[iNegUthenLmao]

Art major here. OP, that's because the "big dogs" at your gym don't wash their hands after they sh*t.
So.. the **** left over from their hands keeps on adding more weight to the DB. Thus making it harder.

[aaroB]

At my gym the weights are listed differently.

A 50 pound weight at another gym will be listed as 52.5 because of the little bar/grip/handle holding the actual weights would be around 2.5 pounds.

The weights go like this at my gym 63, 65, 74,78, 85.

At my old gym the iron weights would read 80 pounds but in actuality it was 85

at ****gy time soccer mom gyms with the rubber weights it's exactly what it reads.

Idk if this makes sense, Im focusing on other **** atm.

this.

I think the iron dbs are heavier because they are labelled differently. There are 2 sets of dbs at my gym, one set is metal the other set is covered in rubber. I was doing incline db press with 50s one day with the rubber ones, and for whatever reason I switched to the metal ones for my 2nd set. There was a noticeable difference in weight cause I could barely get the metal ones up. I got the rubber ones up for 8 and the metal ones for barely 4.

Then I decided to weigh them both and the rubber ones were correctly labelled at 50, but the metal ones were 52.5. I think that's cause the handle is not accounted for in the metal ones.

[Angry George]

some dumbells are filled with air to look bigger, others with sand, but those filled with metal get heavier with age