Dumbbells are one of the most important pieces of equipment that you can use during your fitness journey. They’re easy to use, super versatile, and offer a lot of control. I’m sure that you can’t wait to try them and even ordered your first pair. If you did that, one of the most interesting things that I’m sure you noticed is the grease they come with. The dumbbells themselves are usually great and don’t have any kind of problems but the fact that they’re greasy can be a little bit off-putting since you don’t know where that grease came from, if it’s normal, or if that oil got spilled from another item that was next to your order. With that being said, why are new dumbbells greasy?
The main reason new dumbbells are greasy is to protect them from rust while being stored and transported since they’re usually made from iron or steel, which gets easily affected by rust. If they didn’t contain grease, your dumbbells will probably rust away before arriving at their destinations.
In this article, we’ll talk more in-depth about why new dumbbells are greasy, as well as the best ways to get rid of that grease.
Table of Contents
Why Are New Dumbbells Greasy?
To answer this question more clearly, we first need to understand the manufacturing process of dumbbells and we’ll go over it super quickly.
- The first step in the process of making dumbbells and pretty much the first step of everything that we do in life is the design. Manufacturers come up with the perfect design that will ensure quality and the best modern look.
- The second step is by applying what the manufacturers came up with during the design phase and bringing it to life by making a pattern.
- The third step is to use sand to mold a perfect replica of the pattern which is essential in giving the dumbbells the desired shape.
- The fourth step and most interesting one is casting. Manufacturers pour cast iron into the sand mold to form a roughcasting.
- The fifth step is taking that roughcast and actually transforming it into a proper dumbbell using some advanced machinery.
- The dumbbells are then tested and checked for any holes or damages that may occur during the manufacturing process. After that, they are packaged and stored and await their destinations.
What I want you to focus on during this entire manufacturing process is the last step which is the packing and storing. In some cases, dumbbells can be sitting in a warehouse for months and even years without being transported. And what happens to things that are made mainly with iron if they sit for too long without any kind of protection? They get rust all over them. And according to a lot of research, grease is the best oil that can protect metal objects from rusting away. And that’s exactly why manufacturers put them on dumbbells since they know that these types of fitness equipment can sit in warehouses for long periods of time.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Dumbbell Grease
I understand the grease can be annoying, sticky, and super hard to get rid of but when dumbbells are exported out of the warehouses and into their destinations, whether that’s a gym or a home gym, with time, the grease will eventually go away after a month or two of regular use. If you can’t wait that long and want to get rid of it as soon as possible, here are some of the best ways to do so:
Dry Rag
The easiest and most convenient way to get rid of grease is by using a dry rag especially if the oil isn’t that sticky. Just a couple of swipes from your old piece of clothing can do the trick. Just make sure that it’s completely dry since a wet one will only cause the grease to get even more sticky.
Dish Soap
This also works great for removing the grease. Sometimes, an old fashion dish soap is all it takes to remove any sort of oil from your dumbbells or weight in general. Just make sure to rinse it with hot water and clean it using a dry towel or rag afterward.
Brake Cleaner
Break cleaners may not seem like the obvious choice but they work surprisingly well for getting rid of the grease from the dumbbells. Although, you need to be careful with this type of industrial degreasers since they can remove the paint from your dumbbells. If you’re okay with taking that risk, then go for it, just make sure that you gently rub it on your dumbbells to prevent it as much as possible.
Chalk
This is the most efficient way in case you don’t have the time to clean off all your dumbbells. During your training session, before you lift your dumbbells, make sure to chalk your hands. Not only will this increase your grip and control over them, but it’ll also speed up the process of getting rid of the grease. If you have time on your hand, chalk up your entire dumbbells and clean them off with a dry towel or rag. Eventually, all the grease will be gone.
Conclusion:
Having grease on dumbbells is one of the most important factors that protect them from rust during packaging, storing, and transporting. If you ever feel off-putted from all the sticky grease in your new dumbbells, ask yourself this question: Would you rather have greasy dumbbells or rusty ones? And remember that there are always some great ways that will help you get rid of it. Whether it’s a dry rag, dish soap, brake cleaner, or chalk, they’ll all work like a charm.