Why a dumbbell is called a dumbbell
To be called a “dumbbell” is an insult. It means the name-caller thinks you are a stupid person. So why is a dumbbell called a dumbbell? Is there a connection with the saying “more brawn than brains”? Actually, it has more to do with church bells.
Since it took a fair amount of strength to ring a heavy church bell properly, novice ringers had to develop their arm strength with a rope connected to a metal weight. Swinging the weighted rope against an imaginary bell produced no sound, thus it was silent or dumb. Eventually, the apparatus came to be known as a dumbbell.
By the 16th century, it was fashionable for gentlemen to do “bell” work to develop an impressive physique. In the 1800’s, the short bar replaced the rope and rounded weights were attached at both ends. In the 1920’s, “dumbbell” joined the vocabulary as a slang word for stupidity. Word experts think that “bell” may have meant “head”.
The alternative explanation for the origin of the word “dumbbell” also has to do with church bells. Some fitness history aficionados believe that “silent” church bells without clappers were used as weights at both ends of a bar.
Barbells
Barbells are synonymous with male strength as symbolized by our local “Captain
Barbell”. But ironically the first time the word appears is in an 1870
description of exercises for women. Madame Brennar, owner of a British gymnasium
for ladies, describes a “bar-bell” as a cross between a “wand”
and a “French dumbbell”.
Some fitness concepts we believe are new and original are actually old. Body Pump, the group barbell class of Les Mills (featured locally in Fitness First clubs), has its origins in a choreographed exercise class created by Hippolyte Triat. He called his fixed weight barbells “bars with spheres”. These bars were similar to what you see in old-time pictures of strong men lifting barbells with weighted globes at the ends. One had to be strong to join his class because the spheres weighed six kilos each.
Triat’s other claim to fame was his uniquely designed gym, which had two balcony tiers for spectators. By 1850 standards, it was enormous. Compared to today’s mega-gyms, it was not very big – only 880 square meters. It’s hard to imagine why his clients wanted to be ogled at while they exercised but it must have been “the” gym to be seen in. His clientele came from the crème de la crème of Parisian society.
The plate-loaded adjustable barbell that we know today was an invention of German Kaspar Berg. One of his barbell designs was introduced during the 1928 Olympic games and was henceforth known as the “Olympic” bar that all weight lifters are familiar with. Berg’s design was copied by the Milo Barbell Company, which then became the famous York Barbell Company.
Indian
clubs
Long before Europeans were swinging their weighted rope dumbbells, Indian men
were exercising with a wooden bowling pin shaped instrument inspired by the
gada or Hindu war club.
British military officers learned the technique from Indian soldiers and policemen, incorporated it into their exercise routines, and exported the workout to England.
In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, it was the most popular type of lightweight exercise apparatus. The Physical Education departments of Yale and Harvard Universities were among the leading proponents. There was even a trendy ladies’ workout using ornamented “Indian scepters” to “preserve and improve beauty”.
Today, Indian clubs are a prized folk art antique item because of their intricate painted designs. However, there is a growing interest in reviving this old exercise tool. A few years from now, you just might see Indian clubs emerge as a hot new workout trend.
Lasting
design
Amidst all the high tech workout wonders that are available today, the humble
dumbbell and barbell continue to be effective tools to improve muscular strength.
In fact, as noted by Dr. Jan Todd, author of “From Milo to Milo”,
“Almost all sports scientists consider them superior to machines for building
athletic power”.
Sources:
Answers.com
Wilkepedia.com
From Milo to Milo: A History of Dumbbells, Barbells, and Indian Clubs