Dumbbells that are heavier are helpful for muscular growth, while lighter ones are better for stabilizing muscles to support tendons and joints. In general, the larger the muscle group, the greater the amount of weight it can lift. Small to medium dumbbells may be used to strengthen your biceps, triceps, and deltoids, while medium to big weights can be used to target your chest, leg, and back muscles. Lifting very heavy weights too soon after surgery may cause pain, so be sure to follow instructions about how much you can lift. The best way to know what size dumbbells will work for you is by looking at your gym's handbook or website. Some companies print guidelines on their products that tell how much weight each unit should be considered as a single piece. For example, one set of 10 pounds is considered to be a single piece because they say that is all that should be used for any one exercise. If you use 12.5 pounds instead, you can still enjoy the benefits of a strong workout but not overstress your muscles. Some people prefer smaller weights to be lifted more frequently in order to gain strength faster, while others like lifting bigger weights more often to increase muscle size. Both approaches have their advantages, but which one is right for you depends on your goals. If you want to improve your overall fitness level by gaining strength along with muscle, then you should choose smaller weights and do more repetitions. On the other hand, if you are looking to build muscle mass alone without worrying about losing weight, then go for heavier sets of 10-12 reps.