Dumbbells (or Hand Weights) offer an element of added weight and resistance to almost any exercise. What this does is intensifies the effectiveness of the exercise, making each movement you make more meaningful, and helping you to burn more calories. Working out with dumbbells has advantages over other types of exercise equipment that rely on resistance. Dumbbell workouts require you to use stabilizing muscles that are important to strength, balance, and posture. Unlike some exercise equipment that utilizes movements that may take some getting used to, dumbbell exercises use many of the body’s natural movement patterns and also incorporate a greater range of movement than many other type of functional home fitness equipment. The flexibility of dumbbell workouts means that you can target specific areas of the body very effectively.