What is the Best Type of Dumbbell for My Home Gym?

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Dumbbells are a staple of any home gym. The right set of dumbbells can make all the difference in your ability to maximize your at home workouts and get the best results. The best dumbbells can push your muscles to get stronger and show better muscle definition.

Dumbbells are a great piece of equipment to own that offer many benefits to your workout including:

Boost resting metabolic rate.
Increase the strength of your bones, muscles, and connective tissue.
Activating a number of different muscles and stimulating muscle growth.
Improve both muscle force and flexibility.
Promote coordination and stability for muscles and joints.
They can be used for a variety of different exercises.

Choosing the right set of dumbbells for your home can be tricky because there are so many options available. In this blog, we’ll discuss the various types of dumbbells available and which may be best for you.

What Type of Dumbbell is Best?

Dumbbells come in a variety of sizes, shapes, weights, and materials. You can choose to buy individual dumbbells, a set, or adjustable weight dumbbells. In many cases, buying a set is ideal because you have a variety of weights available to you.

Many people want to consider the following factors when choosing dumbbells:

Price
Storability
Personal fitness goals and ability levels

There are three main types of dumbbell: adjustable, fixed, and studio.

Adjustable Dumbbells

Adjustable dumbbells allow the user to change the amount of weight they are lifting with a single pair of dumbbells. An adjustable dumbbell enables the user to adjust the weight simply by clicking and locking more or less weight onto the dumbbell handle. This type of dumbbell, such as the MX55, removes the need to manually add or remove weight plates. For example, the York adjustable dumbbells.

This type of dumbbell is ideal for those who are short on storage space but want to use a variety of weights during their workout.

Fixed Dumbbells

Fixed dumbbells have a consistent, unchanging weight. They can be purchased individually, in pairs, or as part of a larger set. Fixed weights come in a variety of materials and shapes.

The biggest downside to this type of weight is that they require a lot of room to store. If you do not have a lot of space in your gym you want to consider a different option.

Studio

Studio weights are lighter weights that are covered in a coating such as textured neoprene or rubber. This coating protects the weight and helps add slip resistance.

Although these weights can be used for strength training, the lighter weight range and better grip make them ideal for cardio workouts. They also tend to be sold at a lower price point and are ideal for those who are new to using dumbbells.

Dumbbell Plates

Dumbbell plates (1″ standard weight plates) are a cross between a dumbbell and a barbell. They consist of a dumbbell handle with clips to hold weight plates. Plates can be added and removed based on how much weight you want to lift. Most sets come with several sized weight plates.

These dumbbells offer a wide range of weight options and are easier to store than fixed dumbbells. However, they’re not as convenient to store as dial turn adjustable dumbbells, and the process of changing weight plates can add time to your workout.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Dumbbells

There are several factors to consider when finding the best dumbbells. Your goals, fitness level, and available workout space influence which set will work for you.

Workout Goals

If your goal is to build muscle, you need dumbbells at higher weights. However, if your goal is to tone your muscles, you need low to mid-range weights. Lightweight fixed dumbbells or studio dumbbells may work better if toning is your ultimate goal. Or, you may want to consider adjustable dumbbells if space is an issue but don’t want to lose the wide benefits a full fixed dumbbell set offers.

Dumbbell Shape

Round or Pro Style dumbbells, a term used in the industry, tend to roll when placed on the ground. In addition, you will also need a special dumbbell rack with a saddle. This will ensure your pro style dumbbells don’t roll on the weight rack. Hex style or hexagons shaped dumbbells are the most popular type of dumbbell, an ideal shape because they evenly distribute weight but remain stationary when placed on the ground. Octagon-shaped weights aren’t as common, but they offer a mix between pro style and hex style weights.

Dumbbell Material

Cast-iron is what the majority of dumbbells are made of. This is because it’s heavy and durable. Exterior coating such as rubber, urethane and PVC are found on most dumbbells. Rubber will tend to wear over time from dropping and rolling, as PVC or urethane will last the test of time.

Studio dumbbells are usually wrapped in vinyl or neoprene to help sweaty hands to maintain a tight grip. This material also protects the floor if the dumbbell gets dropped, while protecting the iron within the dumbbell from indentation.

Weight Range

Dumbbells can be found in weights as high as 130 pounds per dumbbell. Some custom made dumbbells can far exceed this weight. For a home gym, if you want higher weights, you may want to consider an adjustable model since they take up far less room than a set of fixed weights. If you want to go above 50 pounds per dumbbell, consider a fixed weight dumbbells.

Grip

A textured grip called knurling, helps the user safely hold the dumbbell during their workout as your hands become sweaty. For some people, however, a textured grip can be rough on the skin. To alleviate this some manufacturers sell dumbbell grip covers that maintain grip but don’t dig into the skin. Other users choose to apply tape to prevent the texture from tearing the skin or wear weightlifting gloves.

Available Space

If space isn’t an issue, fixed weights offer the best durability, weight distribution, and ease of use. However, if space is an issue, adjustable weights are ideal.