Prior to COVD-19, home based weights were very unpopular and most people would store them in the corner of their garage to capture dust. Fast forward to today, our world has dramatically changed and so has the ways in which people are keeping their health goals in check. Most experts believe that majority of the people won’t be hitting the gyms anytime soon, thus they will continue to invest in home based fitness products. There are a million products in this segment but nothing compares to the good old dumbbells. No matter what your fitness goals are, you can almost always get a great workout with just a few dumbbells in the comfort of your home.
Dumbbells can be used for a variety of exercises. Machines allow one motion in one specific movement pattern to place load on one muscle or muscle group. Due to their length, standard barbells are best used for compound movements in one specific plane of motion. Due to their size and the fact they can be held in each hand, dumbbells can be used to create a variety of different movement patterns to develop task- or movement-specific strength.
Are dumbbells only good for strength training?
Absolutely NOT. Some of the best weight loss workouts are achieved via free weights and due to the range of motion, you can work muscles with dumbbells that you won’t be able to target with machines. Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscles, tone down or improve your overall health, you can achieve it all with the help of a few dumbbells. With a click of a button, you can access thousands of free instruction videos that will guide you through various dumbbell based exercises.
Expert advice on picking the right dumbbell for your needs.
When it comes to choosing the right dumbbell, Rebecca Kennedy, Peloton Master Tread Instructor, stresses function over fashion (unless you can have both!). “Your biomechanics should not have to adjust to accommodate odd shapes or overly large dumbbells,” Kennedy says. She prefers rubber material dumbbells since they don’t get slippery, which can be a major safety factor during your workout.
Lauren Jenai, CrossFit co-founder and CEO of Manifest, adds that your pick should be practical when it comes to working out at home. “When considering dumbbells, especially for home use, you want to choose something safe on floors and other surfaces, stores easily, and is quiet,” says Jenai. Kennedy adds, “Rubber is best for sound when it goes on and off the ground, and protects your flooring more than iron or other materials.” Kennedy also feels that stability is key and is a fan of hexagonal shape dumbbells that won’t roll when you need them to be stable, such as holding a plank or performing pushups.
Based on our expert unbiased research and thousands of positive customer reviews, below are our top 3 recommendations.
OUR PICK : CAP Barbell coated Hex Dumbbell Weights
Our top pick features hexagonal shaped heads that prevent the dumbbells from rolling, a medium depth knurling on the ergo contoured handle to provide essential grip and security during workouts, and a coating that is extremely durable and will protect floors and equipment from being scratched, scuffed, and dented.
Reasons why its our #1 Pick:
Anti-slip Grip: The medium depth knurling on the contoured chrome handle provides essential grip and security during use, so your hands do not slip while working up a sweat.
Anti-Roll Design: Avoid hazards while working out with these hexagonal shaped dumbbell heads that prevent the weights from rolling when you set them down to perform other exercises.
Versatile & Functional Dumbbells that are perfect for isolations, full body workouts, functional training and HIIT workouts. Use dumbbells to target specific muscles or get a full body workout! This product is available in sizes from 5-50 pounds in 5 pound increments. The 40-pound dumbbells are ideal for strength training routines and can be used for the fitness enthusiast’s HIIT workouts.
Based on the number of satisfied customers, we highly recommend this product.
| Total Customers Reviews on Amazon | 4,364 |
| Ratings | 5 stars – 84% 4 stars – 9% 3 stars – 2% 2 stars – 1% 1 stars – 5% |
| Main reasons for 5-star reviews | Solution to painful metal grip great product awesome customer service |
RUNNER UP : CAP Barbell Neoprene coated Dumbbell Weights
Built for safety & comfort, the CAP Neoprene Coated Dumbbells have an iron core and are precision dipped in 3mm of neoprene. Each weight showcases the poundage on each end. This product compared to it’s pair has a neoprene coating on these dumbbells which offers a comfortable grip and protects fitness equipment from getting damaged. The neoprene also protects your hands from getting callused and offers a layer of padding for your hands and wrists while performing dumbbell exercises. The hexagonal shape of the dumbbell heads prevent the dumbbells from rolling away when setting them down to perform other exercises. Their anti-roll construction prevents hazards, like the dumbbells rolling over your feet, from happening in the first place.
| Total Customers Reviews on Amazon | 7, 965 |
| Ratings | 5 stars – 79% 4 stars – 9% 3 stars – 4% 2 stars – 2% 1 stars – 6% |
| post-workout reasons for 5-star reviews | Perfect neoprene hand weightsFinally was able to get some dumbbells during this crazy time2-lb pairs fits in peloton holders |
| Main reasons for 1-star reviews | Not a set. DingyArrived damaged and BEWARE it’s just one weightCovering was already split and exposing the metal when it arrived |
BUDGET PICK: SPRI Vinyl Dumbbell Hand Weights
Because of SPRI’s dedication to offering the highest-quality products that they are considered by many of the largest gym chains and most prestigious athletic-training facilities to be the most trusted brand on the market. With Millions of fitness enthusiasts around the world depending on SPRI products daily as part of their health and fitness routines, and with SPRI’s wide variety of products to choose from we highly recommend this product as there’s always something perfect for every person and every fitness goal.
This product is recommended due to its level of Comfortability, a no-slip color-coded vinyl coating which is easy on floors and helps to protect dumbbells from wear and tear over time. These durable hand weights are the perfect addition to aerobics and step workouts, as well as any standard strength training with weights for added intensity and resistance
This is an outstanding product as its weights are built to a professional-grade quality and designed for commercial gyms and clubs to be used 100 times a day versus 100 times a year in a home gym, not to mention the fact that its quality gives fair justice to it’s the price.
| Total Customers Reviews on Amazon | 4,320 |
| Ratings | 5 stars – 82% 4 stars – 10% 3 stars – 3% 2 stars – 1% 1 stars – 4% |
| Main reasons for 5-star reviews | Perfect for rotator cuff recovery and strength training beginnersGrippy4-inch space for your handEasy to use therapy weights |
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