How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?

How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, Anime
Founded	August 5, 2016 (2016-08-05)
Founder	Yabako Sandrovich (author), MAAM (illustrator)
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga volumes, anime adaptation
Parent	Shogakukan
Website	urasunday.com/title/123

is a Japanese manga series authored by Yabako Sandrovich with illustrations by MAAM. It has been serialized since August 2016 on Shogakukan's Ura Sunday website and the MangaONE app. As of August 2024, the chapters have been compiled into twenty volumes. The North American distribution rights are held by Seven Seas Entertainment. An anime adaptation consisting of twelve episodes, produced by Doga Kobo, was broadcast from July through September 2019.

Plot

Hibiki Sakura, a second-year high school student whose large appetite has caused her to gain weight, hesitantly decides to join Silverman Gym. There, she realizes that her classmate Akemi Soryuin shares the same interest. Upon encountering the trainer Naruzo Machio, Hibiki becomes enamored and commits herself to shedding the extra pounds.

Characters

Main characters

A second-year high school student who enrolls at Silverman Gym aiming to lose weight. Initially challenged by poor exercise habits and dietary choices, she steadily improves and uncovers a natural aptitude for combat sports. Occasionally, she assists at her brother’s yakiniku restaurant.

The student council president and Hibiki’s peer, Akemi is distinguished in both athletics and academics and hails from an affluent family. Possessing a fascination with muscular physiques, she joins Silverman Gym to pursue this interest and motivates others to develop strength. She maintains excellent physical condition and is connected to the author’s earlier work Kengan Ashura as the younger sister of Shion Soryuin.

Hibiki’s closest friend and daughter of a former professional boxer who founded Glory Gym. Having trained in boxing since childhood, Ayaka is in peak physical shape and serves as a coach at their gym, proficient in advanced techniques such as shadow boxing and the "Dragon Flag."

A competitor from Silverman Gym’s Moscow branch who becomes Hibiki’s rival after an arm wrestling defeat. She relocates to Japan, transfers schools, and stays with Hibiki without permission. Gina practices sambo for fitness purposes while embracing an otaku persona despite her Russian background. She uncovered Satomi’s secret cosplay hobby and is related to a character from Kengan Ashura.

A history teacher at Koyo Women’s Academy who secretly indulges in cosplay as Yuria Riko. After joining Silverman Gym, she also develops feelings for Machio. Gina was the first to discover her hidden cosplay identity.

The dedicated trainer at Silverman Gym responsible for coaching Hibiki and Akemi. His charismatic personality contrasts with his extremely muscular build that causes his clothes to strain when flexed. He attended school with Hibiki’s brother and Ayaka’s sister and trained under Harnold Dogegenchonegger.

Supporting characters

An American film star and mentor to Machio, admired by Hibiki and Ayaka. This character parodies Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ayaka’s elder sister who coaches boxing at Glory Gym.

The homeroom teacher for Hibiki and Ayaka, who also secretly participates in cosplay.

Homeroom teacher for Akemi and Gina, known for her exceptional physical fitness and aversion to being called old. This character references the author’s previous series Kengan Ashura as a member of the Kure Clan, a family of assassins.

A television station director.

Secretary to Harnold Dogegenchonegger, serving as a parody of Jason Statham.

Media

Manga

How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? is a manga series authored by Yabako Sandrovich with illustrations by MAAM. Sharing its universe with Sandrovich's earlier work, Kengan Ashura, the series began its serialization on August 5, 2016, through Shogakukan's Ura Sunday website and the MangaONE application. The publication entered a hiatus period in October 2023, before resuming again in August 2024. Shogakukan has released the chapters compiled into individual volumes, with the inaugural volume hitting shelves on December 19, 2016. By August 19, 2024, a total of twenty volumes had been published. For the North American market, Seven Seas Entertainment secured rights to the manga in April 2019, releasing the first English volume on November 26, 2019.

Anime

The announcement of an anime TV adaptation came on January 15, 2019. Produced by Doga Kobo, the series was helmed by director Mitsue Yamazaki, with Fumihiko Shimo overseeing series composition. Character designs were crafted by Ai Kikuchi, while Yukari Hashimoto composed the soundtrack. The anime aired from July 3 to September 18, 2019, across networks including AT-X and Tokyo MX, spanning a total of twelve episodes. The opening theme titled Onegai Muscle (お願いマッスル) featured vocals by Hibiki Sakura (voiced by Fairouz Ai) and Naruzo Machio (voiced by Kaito Ishikawa). The ending theme, Macho A Name? (マッチョアネーム？), was performed by Machio (Ishikawa).

Outside of Asia, the series was licensed by Funimation, which later transferred streaming rights to Crunchyroll following Sony's acquisition of that platform. In Southeast Asia, licensing rights are held by Medialink.

Reception

In 2019, the manga earned a nomination in the shōnen category at the 65th Shogakukan Manga Award. Additionally, Gadget Tsūshin recognized phrases from both the opening song and training video in their annual list highlighting popular anime buzzwords for that year.

At the 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards, the anime received nominations for Best Boy for the character Naruzo Machio and Best Comedy; however, these awards went to Tanjiro Kamado from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, respectively.