Welcome to our Dumbbell Buying Guide – your reliable source for making your future dumbbell purchase. If you have reached this home gym buying guide, it means that you are either fed up with spending far too much on gym subscriptions or that you want to start exercising from the comfort of your own home with the help of adjustable weights dumbbells a fixed dumbbell set or maybe even adjustable barbell weights in the future. Regardless of what your reason for exploring the dumbells buy process is, you can rest assured that you have come to the right place. Dumbbell weights sets are an excellent alternative for those who want to save money by exercising at home, but also for those who want to ease into developing a healthier lifestyle. Nevertheless, to buy dumbbell isn’t simple. There are numerous factors that you need to take into consideration beforehand. You will probably be asking yourself questions like:
- How much do dumbells cost? How much is a set of dumbbells?
- Which dumbbells to buy? What are the best dumbbells to buy?
- Where can I buy dumbbells? What is the best place to buy dumbbells from?
- How to use dumbbell sets?
- How much dumbbell weight can I take on from the beginning?
- Can you deadlift with dumbbells
- Should I buy used rubber dumbbells or new ones?
- Would it be wise to also get a dumbbell weight stand?
There are countless other questions that are most likely invading your thoughts at this moment; our dumbbell buying guide has the answers you need. Even though we won’t end up teaching you how to make dumbbells yourself, you will learn everything you need to know about choosing between metal free weights and a hand dumbbell set, if you should get dumbbells only or some other accessories, if it’s better to get a used dumbbell set with rack and even how to add weight to dumbbells after you have bought them as bonus tips. Read all about how to buy dumbbell sets below. All the relevant information you need before purchasing more dumbbells is broken down in sub-chapters of our easy to navigate dumbbell buying guide.
Dumbbell Buying Guide 101: Different Types of Dumbbells
Dumbell sizes and shapes are as various as you can imagine. Round metal dumbells don’t work the same as rubber square dumbells, just like dumbbells with adjustable weights aren’t the same as fixed dumbbells weights. Fortunately, you have a wide selection of dumbells weights to choose from when you go shopping, but it’s best to know a little bit about each type of weight dumbbell before you go out buying some. Our dumbbell buying guide will begin by identifying several kinds of methods to classify weights dumbells so you know what dumbbells to buy that meet your requirements and preferences.
Fixed Weight Dumbbells
The traditional weights and dumbbells are the ones that are fixed, meaning that they are not dumbbells that change weight. The fixed dumbbell system you get from the beginning will remain the same number of pounds, kilograms or pudi (look up 1 pood in pounds to understand) for the whole time you’re using it. There are plenty of fixed dumbbell sizes and dumb weights to choose from, it’s just that you won’t be able to mix up your workouts using them without buying additional five, ten or even one pound dumbbells (depending on your preferences). As a solution, you can invest in a fixed gym dumbbells set so you can alternate the various weights and dumbells as you progress with your workout session.
Adjustable Weight Dumbbell
Round, hexagon or square adjustable dumbbells have recently gained popularity as options for individuals looking to buy dumbells. As opposed to a fixed, light weight dumbbell set, a dumbbell adjustable weight set will provide you with multiple options at the tips of your fingers. Nonetheless, set of dumbbells with adjustable weights will require learning how to take dumbbells weights off and adding weight to dumbbells. In this regard, we have included a dedicated section on how to change weights for dumbbells at the end of our dumbbell buying guide, for those who have recently purchased an adjustable weight dumbbell set.
Dumbbell Weights Set
Exercise enthusiasts have the opportunity to either buy dumbell separately or in pairs or to buy dumbbell set. An all in one dumbbell set can serve as a reliable investment for long-term exercise, no matter if you’re looking into free weight dumbbell sets, a pink dumbbell set for ladies, a small dumbbell set, a full dumbbell set, a rubber weights dumbbell set or a metal dumbbell set. The idea of having multiple select weight dumbbells close by at all times is appealing especially to those who want to get their dumbbell set up together to progress with weightlifting in time. In the end, you can buy dumb bells separately or invest in dumbbells kits, however is more convenient for you.
Metal Dumbbells
If you want to buy dumbbell weights, you need to know what materials you’re working with. Free weight dumbbells and dumbbells in general often are made of solid metal, like cast iron. Even though they might have a rugged appearance, many prefer investing in metal free weight dumbells for their grip efficiency and other purposes. Dumbbells that are made entirely of metal will have the weight number welded directly onto the handles, so you don’t have to worry about not seeing how heavy the dumbbell is when picking it up. It’s a matter of preferences, in the end, but most serious athletes or those who want to develop their strength through dumbbell lifting usually go for metal products. One of the most popular choices of beginner metal dumbbells among Amazon customers is the CAP Barbell Cast Iron Hex Dumbbell.
Rubber Dumbbell Weights or Vinyl Coated Dumbbells
Almost any dumbbell buying guide will also talk a bit about rubber dumbbells or those coated in vinyl. Rubber dumbbells usually come in different colors so you can easily identify them and are considered to be the safer alternative to metal dumbbells (also like vinyl coated ones). The softer material is used for protection, but it might become a bit annoying if your palms start to sweat while lifting heavier weights. An advantage that rubber dumbbells and vinyl coated ones have over their metal counterparts is that they don’t have any paint that will chip off in time. Durability (even of aesthetic details) should always be kept in mind by any reliable dumbbell buying guide. You can look into SPRI Deluxe Rubber Dumbbells as a starting point for this type of dumbbells.
Colored Dumbbells
Metal dumbbells will usually come only in black, grey or silver varieties, depending on the base metal used and what paint was applied as an outer coat. Rubber ones, on the other hand, can be in all sorts of different shades. Pink dumbells are a popular alternative for ladies, but also a way in which you can identify a lighter dumbbell. Some prefer colored dumbbells to point out different weights with ease, while others don’t rely on color codes for identification. Of course, the color of dumbbells is also a matter of aesthetics and personal preferences, as well as interior design for the space you are planning to transform into your home gym. The CAP Barbell Neoprene Coated Dumbbell comes in 12 different colors, which makes it a fine choice for customers who want a variety in color. Our dumbbell buying guide won’t advise you on best colors since this is up to your preferences, but we will say that if you equipment comes in a more cheerful design, this visually pleasing detail can help motivate you to keep going.
Hexagon, Round or Square Dumbbells
If you have done a bit of basic research on dumbbells, the terms ‘round’, ‘square’ or ‘hexagon’ / ‘hex’ will tend to come up. These shapes refer to the handles or ends of dumbbells; many rubber or vinyl coated dumbbells have round handles, while most metal dumbbells have hexagon or square ends. The majority of customers tend to migrate towards the hex varieties for safety reasons. A dumbbell with a hexagon handle won’t roll around in your home gym, reducing the risk of injury from the beginning. However, if you find round dumbbells more visually appealing, you can always get a pair or a set like this. We recommend that you always use heavy fitness accessories like dumbbells with caution. The best-selling dumbbell on Amazon is the CAP Barbell Color Coated Hex Dumbbell, so you might want to consider this as a starting point.
Weight: Small Dumbbells to the Heaviest Adjustable Dumbbells
As we mentioned before, dumbbells come in lots of different sizes. They can weigh anywhere from one pounds to more than 120 pounds, but we highly recommend that you start off small and work your way up to the heavier class. If you want to have all the tools at hand to facilitate your growth in training, you can consider getting a complete set like the Body Solid GDR363-RFWS Dumbbell Rack with Rubber Dumbbells so you can begin with the lightest ones and slowly progress to the heaviest in the set. We highly recommend that you do not jump into the heavier dumbbells from the beginning, as this could lead to serious injury. Patience is a virtue and practice makes perfect!
Fixed Dumbbells or Adjustable Weight Dumbbells? Which Are Better?
There is quite some debate around choosing fixed dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells. Both of these have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Having a fixed dumbbell set saves you a lot of hassle with changing weight plates and wasting time and doing so. Unfortunately, fixed dumbbell sets with a large number of dumbbells are pretty expensive, even though most of them are worth the money. Adjustable dumbbells are a great solution for those who don’t want to spend a lot from the beginning or who don’t want to take up a lot of space in their house for their home gym. If you find yourself in the latter situation, it might be best to purchase free weights or adjustable dumbbells that have them included.
Adjustable Weight Barbells versus Fixed Weight Barbell: What to Choose?
When speaking about barbells, the situation is almost the same as it is with dumbbells, just that you’re dealing with heavier weights. It would be ideal to have a couple of fixed weight barbells, but the costs might increase more than your budget can permit. For home gyms, it is usually best to go with adjustable barbells and a reliable set of plates that you can change around when you want to work with different weights. As a general recommendation, you should start training with dumbbells before you work with barbells, so you can gradually get used to this form of exercise without putting too much strain on your muscles at once.
What Dumbbells Should I Buy?
We would love to have a solution for the best dumbbells on the market for you, but the truth is that the situation is as subjective as it gets. There are no wrong or right options for dumbbells, only preferences and quality standards. The right dumbbells for you may be quite different from the right dumbbells for another fitness enthusiast, depending on the training needs and budget of each. That is why no dumbbell buying guide should ever claim to have a definitive answer on this topic. Here are a few examples you can look into for a better idea of what you can invest in.
Body Solid GDR363 Dumbbell Rack with Hex Dumbbells
If you want to set your home gym up from the beginning with all the dumbbells you’ll need, then the Body Solid GDR363 Dumbbell Rack with Hex Dumbbells is the way to go. If you get this product on Amazon, you not only will get an awesome price, but you’ll also get a lifetime warranty and free shipping (which says a lot for such a heavy set). Your package includes two weights each ranging from 5 to 50 pounds, a dumbbell rack and a protective mat, all for a very fair price. This is a fantastic solution for those who don’t want to keep purchasing dumbbells as they develop their skills.
Cap Barbell Solid Hex Single Dumbbell
Customers searching for variety should check out the Cap Barbell Solid Hex Single Dumbbell. This product comes in weights that range from 5 to an amazing 120 pounds, all with decent prices fit for most budgets. As their name suggests, they have hex handles (ends in the form of hexagons) that will protect both you and your flooring. They are made from cast iron and were built to last. As a side note, the Cap company has multiple products in the Amazon best-selling list for dumbbells, which recommends them as a reliable manufacturer for products in this area.
Yes4All Adjustable Weight Dumbells
The Yes4All Adjustable Weight Dumbells come in five different sets, according to their weights: 40, 50, 52.5, 60 and 105. They are very inexpensive compared to numerous products in their class and are known for delivering top quality. They are among the top 10 best-selling Amazon dumbbells that have a high rating to support their quality and customer satisfaction (customer rating average of 4.4 out of 5 stars). Any dumbbell buying guide up to speed with the latest releases and trends should definitely feature the popular Yes4All dumbbells.
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
Diversity, quality and versatility are all key features of the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells. These dumbbells have 15 weight settings, over 30 exercise options with more than 80 variations, making them equivalent to 15 dumbbells. They aren’t the cheapest dumbbells on the market, but they are perfect for those looking for top-notch products to boost their workout sessions.
What to Consider When Buying Dumbbells
First and foremost, you need to think about where to buy dumbells and how much are dumbells that you want to get. You should know that the cost of dumbbells varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and also on a series of factors like dumbbell grips, coating, dumbbells how much weight is involved and so on. Sophisticated dumbbells cost more than basic ones, of course, so make sure you keep this in mind when shopping. In addition, the answer to ‘where to buy dumbbells?’ is just as relative, but we always recommend Amazon as a reliable source. Any dumbbell buying guide shouldn’t recommend shadier, unreliable sources for equipment shopping, even if their prices may seem more attractive occasionally.
Accessories for When You Buy Dumbbells
You can choose to get a dumbell only for individual use or you can buy a large or small dumbell rack to add to your home gym. The benefits of getting a rack for your dumbbells is that you know they will all be safely in one place and they won’t fall off or roll around. Moreover, a useful accessory you can also get is a fitness equipment mat either to put your rack on or to set the dumbbells on directly, so you can protect your floors. Some individuals want to mix up their workouts by getting an exercise bench to combine various routines with dumbbells involved.
Bonus: How to Add Weight to Dumbbells
Adding weights to adjustable dumbbells is easy, it all depends on the kind of dumbbells you own. Some have a magnetic system, while others are loaded on by spiraling them in. Make sure that you always secure the edges after you load any plates on your dumbbells so they won’t fall off. If you have any questions regarding how to add weights to your dumbbells after you have purchased them, you can directly contact the manufacturer for additional assistance. For general inquiries, if you haven’t found the answer in our dumbbell buying guide, feel free to drop us a line or two in the comments section and we’ll get back to you asap.