Make A Homemade Rotating Fat Handle Dumbbell
05. Aug, 2010 
4 Comments
For years I have tried to pick up the famous “Thomas Inch Dumbbell” and I have never been able to. Maybe I never will be able to but this training tool that I am featuring here might be my best piece of training equipment to accomplish this goal.
The Thomas Inch Dumbbell is a thick handled 172 pound dumbbell that the old time strongmen would challenge people to try to pick up with one hand. When men would attempt it; it would just roll out of their hand. Their grip was not strong enough to hold something that thick or heavy.
This homemade rotating fat handle dumbbell will allow me to progressively add weight and mimic that famous dumbbell.
As seen in the video, this dumbbell was made with a piece of 2″ pipe, another shorter piece of pipe that fits around the 2″ pipe (handle), some plates and two bar collars. I was given the chunks of pipe from a good friend of mine Mike Lacondro (thanks Mike!) and I had the bar collars and plates so the whole thing cost me nothing to make. Hey guys, pipe is cheap and easy to pick up if you are looking for it. Just start asking around to people who work with pipes. Chances are they cut off pieces this size all the time doing a job and then just throw out the left over chunks. Remember, it does not cost anything and never hurts to ask.
You can also make a thick barbell this way with longer pieces of pipe. Also, there will be no gnarling so you may want to use a little chalk.
If you have never worked with fat handled equipment give it a try. It will give your normal exercise a whole new feel and work your grip like never before. If you do not feel like building a pipe dumbbell then just try this; take a towel with you to the gym and wrap it a couple of times around a dumbbell or barbell. This will make your bar thicker to mimic a fatter bar. You will notice a significant difference right away.
Hope this helps!
To your health,
Jerry
PS: If I ever pick up the “Inch” I will let you know and hopefully I catch it on film!!
Nice! Looks intense. Love the homemade equipment “how-to” videos!
John,
Thanks for the comment. Watch for my next post on how to make a tire dragging sled. It is amazing how much money you can save by making your own training equipment.
Jerry
hi Jerry
I have a question about thick rotating handled dumbbells : because of the rotation does it not make heavy dumbbell rows for example very much more difficult to do because the bar rolls out of your hand ?
Using a mixed grip on an olympic bar while deadlifting counteracts this rolling factor, but obviously holding a db in one hand you cannot mix your grip.
I look forward to your reply
Mark,
Thanks for the comment. Yes, the thickness and that the handle can rotate make this much more difficult. You will really be required to focus on your grip. Try this little workout. Use the rotating handle and work on 2 sets of 8-10 reps of one arm dumbbell rows then go to a traditional dumbbell and finish with 3 sets of 6-8 reps. You will be able to row much more weight with the traditional dumbbell. I really like this combination!!