What category of exercise equipment includes barbells and dumbbells?

Free weights refer to equipment that is not fixed to a machine and allows for a wide range of motion during exercises. Barbells and dumbbells are quintessential examples of free weights. They are versatile tools used in various strength training exercises, enabling users to perform movements that engage multiple muscle groups. Free weights also help improve functional strength and enhance coordination and balance, as they require the stabilizing muscles to work harder compared to exercising on machines.

Resistance machines, although they provide weight training, involve a fixed path of movement and typically guide the user to ensure proper form, which distinguishes them from the versatile nature of free weights. Cardio machines are primarily designed for cardiovascular workouts and do not focus on building strength, while stability tools refer to equipment like balance boards or stability balls that help with core strength and stability, rather than traditional strength training.