How to log dumbbell weight: per hand or total?
Write the load basis next to every dumbbell weight, for example 20 kg per hand for two 20 kg dumbbells, and include the unit (kg or lb). Choose a basis for each exercise, repeat it when you log that movement again, and mark one-arm reps as per side.
There is no single convention shared by all apps and logbooks. The International Fitness Professionals Association describes recording total exercise load, while Strong and StrengthLog document app-specific rules. Label what the number means so later comparisons stay clear.
The recommended format
- Two dumbbells:
Dumbbell bench press: 3 × 8 @ 20 kg per hand - Pair total instead:
Dumbbell bench press: 3 × 8 @ 40 kg total (2 × 20 kg) - One arm:
One-arm dumbbell row: 3 × 10 per side @ 24 kg - Each side separately:
Split squat: L 8 / R 8 @ 16 kg per hand - Pounds:
Lateral raise: 3 × 12 @ 15 lb per hand
A public logging guide from PlanMyGym uses the same idea: write "22 kg/hand" rather than a bare 22, and its split squat example records each side as L 8 / R 8.
Pick one convention and keep it
Per hand is a short label that describes the weight on each dumbbell. Pair total also works. What breaks comparisons is mixing them for the same movement: "20" one week and "40" the next for the same pair looks like a big jump that never happened.
For example, the IFPA describes a total-load system, while StrengthLog's guidance varies by movement: it uses the combined dumbbell weight for lunges and one dumbbell for a chest press. Pick a clear basis for your own log, and follow an app's own instructions when comparing its volume totals.
If you change conventions, add a short note on the day you switch, or go back and relabel older entries.
Why apps disagree
Apps handle dumbbells in different ways, so an app's volume totals may not match your written numbers.
- Strong's help center says that on iOS you can choose how dumbbell exercises are counted with a "Count Dumbbells Twice" option under Profile, Settings, Bonus Options, while on Android weight for all dumbbell exercises is automatically doubled.
- StrengthLog's help article on one-sided exercises says to enter the weight and reps of one working side, and the app doubles the volume. The same article says to enter the combined weight of both dumbbells for lunges but one dumbbell for a chest press.
If you move between apps or paper, check how each one counts dumbbells, and keep your own "per hand" or "total" label in the entry so the number means the same thing everywhere.
Logging dumbbells in Fitness Diary
Whichever convention you choose, use the same label, such as "per hand", every time you log a dumbbell exercise so your history reads the same way. See how workout logging works, and track body measurements alongside your sessions.
FAQ
Should I log dumbbell weight per hand or as a total?
Either can work as a personal log if you label the basis and repeat it for that exercise. For one clear entry, write 20 kg per hand when using two 20 kg dumbbells. If you prefer total load, write 40 kg total (2 × 20 kg).
Is there a standard way to record dumbbell weight?
There is no single convention shared by all apps and logbooks. IFPA describes recording total exercise load, while Strong and StrengthLog document app-specific rules. Label what the number means so later comparisons stay clear.
How do I log reps for one-arm dumbbell exercises?
Mark the reps as per side, for example 10 reps per side, or log each side separately, such as L 10 / R 10. Write the weight of the single dumbbell you used.
Do I need to write kg or lb?
Yes. A bare number does not say whether it means kilograms or pounds, so write the unit with every weight, such as 20 kg per hand or 45 lb per hand.