Could be beneficial for many. They take more coordination and move the joints in a more natural pattern and could assist in mobility and flexibility. The ancient Greeks used dumbbell like stones called halteres to lift and jump with. I think many people focus on weight as opposed to creating a contraction with the weight and make the mistake of pushing too much weight.

Here lately I've been incorporating overhead dumbbell presses into countdown workouts. Alternated with rotating handle push-ups and sit-ups, I use 25 pound dumbbells to countdown 12 to 1. As a PED free trainer, I used to be decent at overhead pressing when I was much younger - being able to press behind the neck 135 pounds for 5 reps and military press that same weight for 12. I also could alternate dumbbell press two 75 pound dumbbells for 5 reps.

On one hand, one of the weaknesses with the Atlas style of training is lack of training overhead strength. On the other hand, during the times I could press a lot of weight overhesd, my shoulders were stiff and mobility was lacking. If you can't use your strength to do daily tasks and athletic things, what is the point?

So anyway, for me, at an age where heavy weights are not a good prospect for joint health, the 25's are a good compromise. I can do more, but the idea is not to develop the ability to lift heavy dumbbells, but to strengthen my joints and range of mobility. With a 12-1 countdown you are doing 78 total repetitions within a relatively short period of time along with supersetting them with push-ups and the sit-ups. which are done 24 to 2. It is a tough workout that promotes stamina, mobility and strength.