Choosing dumbbells for your home
Many people dream of having a well-equipped home gym, with several types of cardio equipment, running a treadmill at home and working out with various home gym equipment, doing barbell exercises, and doing activities with one or two weights to do dumbbell training.
But for most, this dream remains a dream due to lack of space. So we have to accept reality and make do with only the bare necessities.
One of the most essential and necessary items for exercising at home is dumbbells. They are relatively inexpensive, require little space, and it is possible to buy prefabricated dumbbells and use different weights for different exercises. It is also possible to purchase a set with fixed weights for greater convenience.
Sounds convincing, doesn’t it? Hold on, before you run off to buy a set or two, read our article on how to choose the right dumbbells and check out our recommendations.
Buyer’s guide: What to consider when buying dumbbells?
A good set should be comfortable enough without damaging your floor. These are the parameters to look out for when buying:
- Form. Hexagonal dumbbells are an excellent choice. They are handy for exercises such as the renegade pull and don’t roll around under your feet if you just leave them on the floor.
- Features. As with all sports equipment, a general rule of thumb applies: the fewer the component parts, the less likely something will go wrong. Be careful with collapsible kits, they may crack if used frequently and not very carefully.
- Weight. If you’re planning on buying a single pair with a fixed weight, you need to remember that dumbbells with a lower weight have more advantages over heavier ones, and in price as well. By choosing dumbbells that are too heavy, you will have to forget about several very worthwhile exercises. Simultaneously, with a lighter set, it is possible to increase the number of repetitions. A collection of 12kg is ideal to buy.
- Material. Some may find dumbbells with rubberised discs less attractive than shiny chrome ones. But they do have one significant advantage: Rubber softens impact, which is quite relevant when it comes to keeping your floor and, more importantly, your feet safe. The knurled, chrome-plated handles provide a secure grip and are easy to clean.
- Length: Dumbbell bars should not be too short. Otherwise, you will not be able to use enough barbells and put a lot of weight later on. Excessively long bars can interfere with training – this too should be taken into account.
- Locks: Locks on collapsible versions come in threaded, spring-ring, Olympic and screw-lock versions. The threaded clamp is considered the most reliable, especially for larger weights, the spring clamp allows quick element changes.
Note
When choosing a bar, remember that you will have to buy more discs in the future. It is worth choosing a product with standard dimensions suitable for most pancakes.
Three main types of dumbbells
With fixed weight
These are ordinary dumbbells with an unchangeable weight, most have seen them at the gym.
The minimum weight in fixed weight dumbbell sets is usually 2 kg and increases in increments of 2 kg.
Buying a pair of dumbbells with a fixed weight is the most budget-friendly solution. However, with this choice, you will have to use the same weight in all your exercises.
This can be quite uncomfortable, as for some exercises the load will be too low (e.g. squats and lunges) and for others too high (e.g. standing dumbbell expansions and dumbbell presses from behind the head). Of course, you can buy a whole set of dumbbells with a fixed weight, but that’s really expensive and is likely to take up some space.
With adjustable weight
This is a better choice for those training at home with free weights.
Using such a set, you can quickly increase or decrease a dumbbell’s weight by adding or removing additional discs.
This allows you to use dumbbells for different exercises and vary the weight range at home.
Plus, if you get stronger and need more exercise, there’s always the option of adding more discs. Although you cannot add weight indefinitely and limit the number of discs, you can count on each side.
Automatic Dumbbells
The load on these high-tech dumbbells is adjusted by adding or removing weights directly on the dumbbell stand using a unique selector.
This means that the weight can be adjusted much more quickly than with a standard set of dumbbells.
Using a cassette set, you can achieve a much heavier load than conventional dumbbells. In other words, such a set can prove to be quite a bargain.
But these dumbbells have a few drawbacks: they are considerably more expensive than the others and too heavy when it comes to moving.
Dumbbells plates
Discs weighing 0.5-1.0 kg should not be neglected. Having them in your home kit will allow you to pick up the right mass, changing it smoothly.
The 5.10kg discs are suitable for putting on heavyweights. For training, you will need at least two pancakes per piece to start with, with the number increasing later on.
The best dumbbells for exercising at home
The best-cast iron dumbbells
Body Power 30kg set with screw locks
Different weights are required for other exercises, so this 30kg maximum weight screw-lock dumbbell set is ideal for home training.
The weight is quick and easy to adjust, so you can always provide your muscles with the ultimate workout for a more muscular, stronger and slimmer body. Price $80
Opti Cast kit 20kg
These sturdy dumbbells made from cast iron are a great bargain. If 20 kg is not enough weight for your workout, you can order additional cast-iron weights from the Argos Opti range and increase each dumbbell’s weight to 35 kg. Price $42.93
TurnerMAX 30 kg set
You can order a set of TurnerMAX dumbbells in a weight range from 20 to 60 kg. Each dumbbell set comes with a carrying case for easy transport, which is quite handy for those who prefer to take the dumbbells with them on any journey. Price: 30 kg for $78.06
York Fitness with screw lock
If you dreamed of having a Hulk body as a teenager, perhaps the York Fitness dumbbell set will be your first meaningful purchase from the world of fitness equipment, gracing the bedroom floor.
Although, then it’s very likely you would have chosen the plastic sand-filled Agros dumbbells so popular during the nineties and noughties instead of those cast-iron beauties.
But you’re all grown up now, and you’re choosing responsibly, so treat yourself to some York Fitness cast-iron dumbbells.
The set comes with four pancakes weighing 0.5kg, 1.25kg and 2.5kg, easily removed or fitted with a screw lock. Price $52.03
The best dumbbells with quick weight adjustment
Bodymax Selectabell
Switch weights quickly and easily by turning the knob on the Bodymax Selectabells. There are ten possible load options, with a minimum of 2.5 kg and a weighted step of 2.5 kg. You can buy one dumbbell, but it is more convenient to have a pair in the editor’s opinion. Price from $193.88
Bowflex SelectTech
With the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbell, every weight change is accompanied by just a small click. There are 15 different modes with a choice of weights from 2 to 24 kg. Price from $538.20
Ironmaster with quick locking
These are adjustable dumbbells, but they are more like ordinary dumbbells. Setting the weight may take a little longer than the competition, but the maximum possible weight is as much as 34kg. If you use sets with additional discs, the maximum weight can be brought up to 75kg, which is quite amusing, but completely useless. price from $766.40
The best-rubberised floor dumbbells
Bodymax Deluxe
The maximum weight that can be achieved with the Bodymax Deluxe is 15 kg for one dumbbell. The set comes with eight 2.5kg pancakes, four weighing 1.25kg and four weighing 0.5kg. This range allows you to start with low weight, suitable for performing dumbbell lifts in front of you, and then increase the weight for biceps curls. Price from $64.38
Hexagonal rubberised
BodyPower Rubber Hex is our favourite dumbbells for performing the renegade pull. The straight sides and rubber coating on the Power Rubber Hex dumbbells reduce the chance of them slipping in your hand. The disadvantage of these dumbbells is that you cannot vary the weight, and the price per set is around £50. However, if you’ve got the space and don’t mind the cost, you can buy a set with five different weights and a dumbbell rack for under £200. Price per pair 12.5 kg from $66.35
With Gallant Neoprene Hand Dumbbells
These dumbbells are suitable for muscle mass training and rehabilitation exercises or as an extra workout during cardio sessions.
The dumbbells range in weight from 0.5 to 5kg, and the discs on the dumbbells are given a hexagonal shape to prevent the dumbbells from rolling under the sofa during your workout. Price from $7.14 (0.5 kg pair) to $28.61 (5 kg pair)
The best chrome dumbbells
Body Power Chrome Ergo
This pair features an anatomically shaped handle that fits snugly to the hand and reduces the chance of accidental slippage. These dumbbells also have an attractive appearance, although, of course, fixed weight dumbbells are less practical than adjustable dumbbells. Price from $98.88 (pair 12.5 kg)
Viavito
These beauties can be described in one word: smoothness. Adjustable dumbbells with a maximum weight of 20 kg come with four 2.5 kg weights, four 1.25 kg weights and four 0.5 kg weights. Your neighbours won’t thank you if you drop them on the floor, but it’s hard to resist the sight of such shiny chrome surfaces.
We’ve taken a look at various types of dumbbells and examples of products you can buy. Give it another thought, what will have the most significant impact.
The choice is yours.