Adjustable Dumbbells – A Must For the Average Home Gym

For the average person working out at home adjustable dumbbells can be the perfect addition to their home gym. They save hundreds of dollars and a lot of space compared to the traditional dumbbell setup. There are pros and cons to both, which we’ll look at, but most of the time people are more concerned about saving money and fitting everything into the room they’ve set apart as their “gym.” Those in fact are the big pros to an adjustable dumbbell system.

Advantages

#1. Money!!!- Usually the average price per pound for normal hex dumbbells is $1.50. That’s for your normal, run-of-the-mill, non-rubber coated dumbbell. Cheap adjustable dumbbells will run you lower than half that price. Usually people will start with a set of dumbbells ranging from 5-50 lbs. in 5 pounds increments, which would give you enough resistance and diversity to work your shoulders, biceps, triceps, back, and legs. Total that’s 550 pounds, or $825 when using $1.50/lb. One of the nicest sets of adjustable dumbbells, the Powerblocks, start at $.53/lb. A set of 10 pairs of dumbbells lying around your room is going to take up too much space in your average home gym, so a stand is crucial, which adds another $50 at least. So the hex set comes out at close to $900. Again, almost all adjustable weight dumbbells out there are going be about half that price.

#2. Space- This is pretty self explanatory- one set of adjustable dumbbells, or ten pairs of traditional hex dumbbells?

Cons:

#1. Durability- This depends on the type you get, but in general when you add moveable parts to a weight system it won’t last as long. Some companies, like Powerblock, offer a lifetime warranty on their products, so this ends up being a wash when comparing durability. But not all companies offer that warranty, so be sure to check that out before buying. I’ve read a couple adjustable dumbbell reviews saying the adjustable dumbbell weight from certain sets actually fell out of the dumbbell and almost landed on the person. So again, be sure to check the warranty and read as many reviews as you can. (I’ll be writing reviews on what I think are the 3 best sets, which include the Powerblock, Weider Powerswitch, and the Lifecore Dumbbells sets).

#2. Bulky- In your hands they’re a little larger than hex bells, and this can be limiting in some but very few exercises. For example, when doing bicep curls, the weights might hit your chest before you’ve fully flexed your arm. When doing upright rows, the weights might hit your forearms or chin as you reach optimal height. But these are the only two exercises I’ve found where my extension or flexion is limited.

#3. Weight limitations- If you’re into lifting heavy with dumbbells, working over 50lbs. per hand, than you only have two options, Bowflex or Powerblock adjustable dumbbells, which are not cheap adjustable dumbbells, but they are very good. Most adjustable dumbbell weight sets only go up to 50 or 55 pounds, which would limit some back and leg exercises. But for most people that would be sufficient.