Some people seem to think that dumbbells aren’t as good for working out as barbells. But in some ways, dumbbells are actually better than barbells.
They’re easier to use, especially when you’re adding a bit of resistance to your workouts. They’re certainly safer than barbells, so you won’t even need a spotter. And dumbbells are great to balance things out, especially when you work out too much with your dominant arm. That’s why dumbbells are especially useful for tennis players.
They also don’t take up as much space as barbells, plus they’re reasonably affordable. You can live in an apartment with your dumbbells, but that might be more difficult with barbells.
So, the question is, if you’re planning to buy some dumbbells for home use, which ones should you get? Here are some recommendations, depending on your situation:
You’re a Newbie: Amazon Basics Neoprene Hand Weights
These go easy on your hands as they’re very easy to grip, and that’s due to the neoprene coating. They’re even pretty to look at. So, you can display them in your tiny apartment and they’ll look nice.
Plus, they’re very affordable too. Yet just because these are cheap doesn’t mean they’re not good.
This is actually a set of 3 pairs of dumbbells, starting at 3 pounds. The others are at 5 pounds and 8 pounds. You don’t really need heavier dumbbells if you’re a newbie, since you’re supposed to start slow, anyway. When you need the heavier weights, you’re not a beginner anymore.
The dumbbells come with a hexagonal shape, so the dumbbells won’t roll when you lay them on the floor. And you even get a rack with the purchase, so you have a handy stand to put them.
You’ve Got a Lot of Money: Bowflex SelectTech 1090i Adjustable Dumbbells
If you have a large budget to work with, then this is what you get. Sure, you’re paying a quite a bit, but you’re getting a lot in return. This is an adjustable pair of dumbbells that offer 17 different weight settings. They range from just 4 kilograms (a little less than 9 pounds) to 41 kilograms (a little over 90 pounds).
That means you can start small and then you can gradually increase the weight for your workout as time passes. And with 17 different weight settings, you won’t have to deal with a shocking increase in weight. Usually, the weight increase involves adding 2 or 3 kilos.
The selection dials are easy to use, and then you can just get the weight you need. Your purchase comes with a rack for the dumbbells as well, so you can leave the unneeded weights there.
Your purchase even comes with a 1-Year Membership to the JRNY digital fitness platform. So, if you’re not a member of the local Bodyplex gym, you’ll still get some guidance on using these dumbbells.
You Want Expandable Dumbbells: PowerBlock Sport EXP
With expandable dumbbells, you can stick to your old dumbbells even as you add extension packs. That way, you can start as a newbie, and even when you’re a veteran with years of dumbbell use, you still have your old dumbbells to use. And that’s certainly true if you get the PowerBlock Spirt EXP.
The base model gets you a weight range of 2.5 pounds to 50 pounds, and you can increase the weight in just 2.5-pound increments. That means you can gradually increase the weight without shocking yourself.
It’s also easy to use with its auto-lock pin, so changing the weight is easy, quick, and safe. The dumbbells also have a square shape, so rolling isn’t an issue.
And yes, they’re expandable. The first expansion pack gets you to the 70-pound range, and the next expansion pack gets you to 90 pounds. With these expansion packs, you really boost the usefulness of these dumbbells, and you really get your money’s worth. This set of dumbbells can replace a lot of separate weight dumbbells.
Good luck with your dumbbells!