The dumbbell has been praised for its use in aiding muscle development according to one sector news provider.

Health24.com has highlighted the benefits of dumbbells, suggesting that they offer the same advantages as other weight machines as well as often giving greater impact during exercises.

William Snook indicates that most weight-based fitness equipment is based on exercises that were originally designed by experts using dumbbells.

However, he highlights one big difference - users have to keep the weight stable with dumbbells.

Mr Snook suggests that this places an "extra load" on muscles, especially at the end of exercises when users are beginning to tire.

"That"s what makes the most impact on muscle fibre, burns calories and changes your body"s shape," he notes.

Mr Snook adds that dumbbells will also provide all the other benefits of weight training including bone density, faster metabolism and better posture.

The dumbbell has been traced back almost thousands of years to India where athletes used a device shaped like a club to increase strength and muscle size.

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