Dumbbell Drop Sets: Adding Intensity To Your Dumbbell Weights Workouts

One of the best ways to add intensity and variety to your exercise routine with dumbbell weights is to perform “drop sets”. Adding drop sets to your dumbbell weight routine is an effective way to stimulate your muscles to grow larger.

What Are Drop Sets?

When you perform any exercise, you come to a point where you cannot lift the weight anymore (muscular failure). Normally, you would stop lifting the weight and your set is done. Using the drop set method, after you experience muscular failure (or just short of failure), you would reduce the weight to a lighter load, allowing you to perform more reps with the lighter weight.

What Benefit Will I Receive From Drop Sets?

Since you’re pushing your muscles to lift the weight past the point of muscular failure at a certain weight, you’re adding extra stimulation to the muscle, causing it to grow. Also, for people who are time pressed and have a tight schedule, since you’re adding more work to each set, you can cut your workout time significantly. You can perform a 30 minute dumbbell workout (or less) using drop sets.

How Do I Perform Drop Sets With An Adjustable Dumbbell?

One of the advantages of adjustable dumbbells over plate loaded dumbbells is the ability to quickly change the weight on the dumbbell. Simply perform the dumbbell exercise, and after you reach muscular failure, place the dumbbell down, change the weight and keep on going!

Word Of Caution When Using Drop Sets In Your Weight Routine

Since the drop set method is such an intense and strenuous weight lifting technique, using them in your weight routine sparingly. Once or twice a week during your weight routine should be just fine. If you perform them too often, you’ll risk overtraining and burning out.