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You may have always liked to work out at home. Or maybe you’ve never been there before. No matter which group you belong to, making home workouts work can be hard for a number of reasons, including a lack of tools. But with some work, you can make a “gym” at home that really works for you. Buying a few key pieces, like a set of best dumbbells, will be the key to turning your home workouts from boring to fabulous.
But if you look up “dumbbells” on Google or Amazon, you’ll see that there are a lot of choices. And if you don’t know where to start or what to look for, it can get stressful fast. We looked through hundreds of choices to find the best ones for every level of experience, type of exercise programme, and price.
Best Dumbbells Comparison Table
| Product Name | Weight Range | Weight Increments | Adjustment Mechanism | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells | 5-52.5 lbs (per dumbbell) | 2.5 lbs | Dial System | 2-year warranty |
| Nonzero Gravity PowerDyne Adjustable Dumbbell Weights | 5-25 lbs (per dumbbell) | 2.5 lbs | Pin System | Limited lifetime warranty |
| NordicTrack Dumbbells | 10-55 lbs (per dumbbell) | 2.5 lbs | Twistlock System | 1-year warranty |
| PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells | 5-90 lbs (per dumbbell) | 2.5 lbs (up to 50 lbs), 5 lbs (up to 90 lbs) | Pin System | 5-year warranty |
| FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell | 5-52.5 lbs (per dumbbell) | 2.5 lbs | Dial System | 1-year warranty |
| ProForm Weight Dumbbells | 10-50 lbs (per dumbbell) | 5 lbs | Twistlock System | 1-year warranty |
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 5 to 52.5 pounds |
| Number of weight settings | 15 |
| Weight increments | 2.5 pounds up to the first 25 pounds |
| Dimensions (each) | 15.75 inches long, 8 inches wide, 9 inches tall |
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 flexible dumbbells can add some variety to your strength-training workouts and are a good choice for home gyms. You can change the weight of the dumbbell by turning a dial on the end. This lets you change the weight to fit your workout and fitness level. With 15 different weight levels to choose from, the dumbbells are a cheaper way to add to your home gym without spending a lot of money or taking up a lot of space on a rack of dumbbells.
I like to change up my strength-training workouts, so I was excited to try out the Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells. I used them regularly for nine months, doing a range of exercises to strengthen my upper and lower body with different weights. During my lessons, I looked at the quality, durability, and grip of the dumbbells. I also paid attention to things that were specific to adjustable dumbbells, like how easy it was to change the weight.
The Good
The Bad
Nonzero Gravity PowerDyne Adjustable Dumbbell Weights
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 5 to 60 pounds |
| Number of weight settings | 15 |
| Weight increments | 5 pounds |
| Dimensions (each) | 18 inches long, 10 inches wide, 10 inches tall |
The Nonzero Gravity PowerDyne dumbbell is ideal for usage in the home, in a commercial setting, or for one’s own personal development. It provides a full-body workout. You may adjust the level of resistance anywhere from 5 pounds all the way up to 80 pounds of weight on each dumbbell with simply the turn of a dial. You should make your adjustments in 2-pound increments for the first 15 pounds so that you may gradually build up your strength.
Because they take up so little room, you can finally get rid of all those different dumbbells that were cluttering up your workout area. Exercises may be performed more quietly and smoothly thanks to non-slip grip grips and strong moulding that surrounds the iron plates. To use, just detach and remove the pins from the pin boxes on both ends, then rotate and adjust the handle grip so that it is aligned with the weight you want it to be.
The Good
- With a wide range of weights, you can do a variety of exercises.
- The design saves space and gets rid of the need for multiple dumbbells.
- You can get a good workout by changing the weight quickly.
The Bad
- The plastic that goes around the plates can crack or break if they are used a lot.
NordicTrack Dumbbells
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 10 to 55 pounds |
| Number of weight settings | 10 |
| Weight increments | 5 pounds |
| Dimensions (each) | 16 inches long, 8 inches wide, 9 inches tall |
There are only three parts: the handle, the weights, and the stand. To set up, all you have to do is put the weights into the stand. Then, to change the weights, you just turn a number on the inside of the dumbbell back and forth. When you pick up the dumbbell, the right weights will be attached to the handle. It’s important to note that there are other movable dumbbells that have smoother changes.
For example, you can change the weight of the Core Home Fitness movable dumbbells by simply turning the handle. No matter what, you’ll have to stop your workout for a short time to change settings. The pattern is made up of a lot of plastic. The plastic stand didn’t scratch our floors, which was a plus, but the dumbbells’ plastic dial felt cheap and weak. If this dial gets stuck, it’s hard to switch between weights. This happens sometimes because the dial is smaller than the metal plates it’s trying to move.
The Good
- With a wide range of weights, these dumbbells can be used for many different exercises.
- It is made of metal plates and has a strong handle.
- Large weight increments make it easy to make quick and simple changes.
The Bad
- Some exercises can be hard or uncomfortable to do with dumbbells because of their size.
PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 5 to 90 pounds |
| Number of weight settings | 16 |
| Weight increments | 2.5 pounds up to 50 pounds, 5 pounds from 50 to 70 pounds, 10 pounds from 70 to 90 pounds |
| Dimensions (each) | 16 inches long, 6 inches wide, 6 inches tall |
The Powerblock Adjustable Dumbbells (#ELITE-EXP) go from 2.5 pounds to 50 pounds in 2.5-pound steps. We also sell expansion kits for each Powerblock Dumbbell that let you increase the weight to 70 or 90 lbs as your exercise needs change. Powerblocks are a cheap, small dumbbell set that can be used at home and can be stored under most beds. Plus, they take up a lot less room than multiple pairs of traditional dumbbell weights.
Changes to the weights are made with an easy-to-use slider pin, which is very similar to how resistance is changed on gym weight machines. The dumbbell has bars on each side that are marked by colour. The bars match up with a chart on the top of the dumbbell, which helps the user figure out the weight of the dumbbell. This color-coded bar and chart method lets you change your weight quickly and easily without stopping your workout.
The Good
- The small size saves space and makes it easy to store.
- Workouts are more effective when the handle is easy to hold and changing the weight is simple.
- Durable construction ensures long-lasting use.
The Bad
- For users who need heavier weights, the weight range may not be enough.
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 5 to 52.5 pounds |
| Number of weight settings | 15 |
| Weight increments | 2.5 pounds up to 25 pounds, 5 pounds from 25 to 52.5 pounds |
| Dimensions (each) | 16 inches long, 7.9 inches wide, 7.9 inches tall |
FLYBIRD Fitness manufactures and retails budget-friendly home gym equipment under the brand name FLYBIRD Fitness. They provide flexible dumbbells in two different weight ranges: 25 pounds and 55 pounds. The 55-pound version, which can be purchased singularly or in pairs, was evaluated by our team.
The fact that the weight of the FLYBIRD dumbbell can be increased by 11 pounds is the first thing that sets it apart from other dumbbells. This is a significant change, and as we will discuss further on in this article, it may have an impact on your path to become stronger through strength training. Aside from that, they are not too difficult to understand. They have the appearance of standard dumbbells, but the price is significantly lower because they are made of cheaper materials.
The Good
- Wide weight range lets you do a lot of different exercises.
- The design saves space and gets rid of the need for multiple dumbbells.
- Workouts are more effective when the weight can be changed quickly and easily.
The Bad
- Some exercises can be hard to do with square dumbbells because they can be hard to hold.
ProForm Weight Dumbbells
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 2 to 12.5 pounds (set of 2) |
| Number of weight settings | 5 |
| Weight increments | 2.5 pounds |
| Dimensions (each) | 11 inches long, 4 inches wide, 4 inches tall |
It’s fun to lift weights, but it’s not fun to try to find a place for a whole rack of dumbbells. We made the 50-pound Rapid Strike movable dumbbell set so that everyone could have a space-saving and effective way to build muscle at home. Each dumbbell can be set to any weight between 10 and 50 pounds, making it easy to find the right weight for a wide range of exercises that build lean muscle and increase stamina.
Download the iFit app and start your free trial to find a huge library of workout videos that you can watch whenever you want. These workouts are led by the best iFit Trainers. Follow along with your choice of instructional strength, endurance, and recovery lessons to learn how to get the most out of your home exercise routine.
The Good
- The design saves space and gets rid of the need for multiple dumbbells.
- A simple dial lets you change the weight in a smooth way.
- Workouts are more effective and less painful when the grip is comfortable.
The Bad
- Some workouts may not be varied enough because there are only a few weight settings.
FAQs
Dumbbells are hand-held weights that are used to build muscle. They range in size and weight from a few pounds to more than 100 pounds and are usually made of metal or materials covered in rubber.
Dumbbells can help you get stronger, last longer, and be more flexible. They can be used for a range of exercises that work different muscle groups and can also help improve balance, coordination, and posture.
When buying dumbbells, you should think about how much weight you need, the material and coating of the weights, the form and design of the handles, and the price. You should also think about your health goals, your level of experience, and the exercises you plan to do.
