Dumbbells are fantastic for keeping you fit and healthy, not to mention for building those big biceps too. However, normal dumbbells are quite cumbersome and you need a pair for every weight level which you wish to lift. That is not the case with adjustable dumbbells though because they can be set to various weight levels to suit all of your weight lifting needs. That’s why we are here today, to talk about the best adjustable dumbbells.
We’re going to talk about the various exercises your can do with dumbbells, how to choose a good pair of adjustable dumbbells, and finally, we have our top 5 picks too.
Summary: The Best Adjustable Dumbbells
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What to Look for in Adjustable Dumbbells
There are a number of things that you should always look out for before buying adjustable dumbbells. These considerations include:
Min/Max
One thing to look out for before buying a particular set of adjustable dumbbells is what the minimum and maximum weight they encompass is. You want to be sure to have a set of dumbbells that will satisfy all of your weight requirements.
Easily Adjusted
Another thing to keep in mind when getting adjustable dumbbells is if they can be easily adjusted through a quick lock or some other sort of plate attaching mechanism. You want adjustable dumbbells that can be simply adjusted on the fly without taking too much time out of your workout routine.
Compact
The next thing to keep in mind when choosing your own set of adjustable dumbbells is their size. Since the point of these is that they are versatile, you also want a pair that is fairly compact and easy to store in a small place.
Tightness
Yet another thing to look out for before buying a specific pair of adjustable dumbbells is if they have a locking mechanism that firmly secures the weighted plates into place. You don’t want dumbbells where the weights can clank against each other or move around.
Material
The final thing to look out for before making your purchase is what material the dumbbells are made of. As a rule of thumb, the more metal is involved the higher their durability will be.
Some Great Exercises To Do With Adjustable Dumbbells
Adjustable dumbbells are great to have at home because they replace the need to have several sets of them, something which ends up taking up a lot of space. Of course, there are also a wide variety of exercises that you can do with dumbbells to keep you fit.
Dumbbell Exercises For Your Core
- Dumbbell side bend
- Weighted leg raise
- Weighted crunch
Dumbbell Exercises For Your Chest
- Bench press
- Incline bench press
- Decline bench press
- Lying fly
- Straight arm pullover
- Bent arm pullover
Dumbbell Exercises For Your Shoulders
- Shoulder press
- Lateral raise
- Deltoid raise
- Shoulder shrug
- Front raise
- Upright row
- Push press
- Rear deltoid circle
Dumbbell Exercises For Your Biceps
- Biceps curl
- Alternated curl
- Hammer curl
- Concentration curl
- Isolated curl
- Supine curl
- Preacher curl
Dumbbell Exercises For Your Triceps
- Triceps extension
- Triceps kickback
- Triceps bench press
Dumbbell Exercises For Your Back
- Wide row
- Bent row
- Dead lift
- Bend to opposite foot
- Back fly
Dumbbell Exercises For Your Legs
- Squat
- Lunge
- Reverse lunge
- Stiff legged deadlift
- Toe raise
Dumbbell Exercises For Your Forearms
- Wrist curl
- Palm down wrist curl
Adjustable Dumbbells Reviews
Of course, we are here to review the top adjustable dumbbells. To be exact we have picked 5 of them based on different qualities such as their design, their value for the price, and the build quality of the item in question. Let’s start with our number one pick.
Our Rating
The Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells are extremely durable, versatile thanks to their multiple weight settings, easy to adjust, and very compact too. The only reason they don’t get 5 stars is because they are quite expensive.
Design
These adjustable weights are designed for the most hardcore of weight lifters because each dumbbell can go up to 75 pounds in weight in increments of 2.5 pounds. There are 28 different weight settings to account for the strength levels of all and adjustments are made using a quick lock pin design. The weight plates are square and are thus great for easy storage and for setting them down on the ground without having them roll away. Also, the square design combined with the quick lock system ensures that the weights don’t rattle around while in use. Even though these weights can go to a very heavy weight, both of them together take up less than 2 square feet and are thus very compact.
Value for money
The Ironmaster 75 lb Quick-Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System with Stand has a great value for its price. Yes, it is quite expensive and costs around 600 dollars. However, that being said, these weights are extremely versatile thanks to the 28 different weight settings, they are convenient and maneuverable, and they are extremely durable too.
Build quality
The build quality of the Ironmaster adjustable dumbbells is outstanding. There are no plastic or rubber parts and they are made out of solid steel to ensure that they don’t break. They can even be dropped from significant heights without fear of damage. As well the quick lock system is designed to hold the plates firmly in place so there is no worry of having them drop on your feet.
Pros
- Great for beginners and experienced lifters
- Perfect for many different exercises
- Feature 28 different weight settings
- Solid metal design ensures their longevity
- Compact square shape makes them maneuverable and easy to store
- Easily adjusted with the quick lock system
Cons
- Very expensive
Our Rating
The Bayou Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells are extremely durable, have many weight settings, and are perfect for beginners and experienced weight lifters. The only negative aspect being that they are fairly expensive, but that is only because they are so reliable.
Design
The design of the Bayou Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells is very solid and features a sturdy metal handle and core with heavy-duty steel plated chrome weight plates. The weight settings are easily adjusted in 5-pound increments ranging from 10 to 50 pounds, with the adjustments being done with a simple pin system. The shape of the handle and the plates are ergonomically designed to be easy to lift and to provide for maximum maneuverability to allow for the performance of various exercises. These adjustable dumbbells also come with a rack for storage and to hold the plates that are not in use.
Value for money
Coming in at just under 300 dollars, the Bayou Fitness Dumbbells have a great value because they feature 9 different weight settings and are built to last thanks to their steel construction. Buying dumbbells with these weight increments separately would easily cost 3 times the price. No, these ones aren’t cheap in terms of adjustable dumbbells, but they are solid and versatile.
Build quality
One of the best parts about these dumbbells is that they are made complete out of steel coated chrome, something which won’t break even when dropped on the ground. Even the pins that hold the weight plates in place are made of solid metal and ensure that the plates don’t clank around while in use.
Pros
- 9 different weight settings
- Easily adjusted with the simple to use pin system
- Solid metal construction and extra durable
- Ergonomically friendly
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Slightly less compact than other models
Our Rating
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are some of the best adjustable dumbbells on the market. They are durable, have convenient weight increments, and are ergonomically sound.
Design
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells feature a specialized dial to change the weight with a simple turn of the knob. Each dumbbell can be adjusted in increments of 2.5 pounds (up to the first 25 pounds) and can go anywhere from 5 pounds to 52.5 pounds with ease. A simple turn of the dial attaches more or less weight plates depending on your preference, with the plates which are not in use resting on the stand that comes included with the dumbbells. The 15 different weight settings per dumbbell let you choose the weight which is appropriate for the exercise at hand and they also feature an ergonomically designed handle to make them very easy to grip.
Value for money
The Bowflex 552s have a great value for their price because they can be adjusted to multiple weight settings to fit various needs. Coming in at just under 300 dollars means that you will save a lot of money compared to buying a whole set of weights, plus they are built to last.
Build quality
This model of adjustable dumbbells has a solid metal handle and core to which the weight plates attach to, making the main component very strong and durable. Also, the weight plates are made of high-quality materials which ensure that they won’t break with prolonged use, plus they don’t click or move around while in use either. These dumbbells also come with a solid built resting tray to keep them safe while you aren’t using them.
Pros
- Easily adjusted with the dials
- Contain 15 different weight settings
- Solid metal core
- Compact and easy to store
- Adjusts in small increments
Cons
- Plates may de-attach if they aren’t perfectly connected
Our Rating
The Universal PowerPak Adjustable Dumbbells are solid, will do the job no doubt, and have a great value for their price.
Design
The Universal PowerPak Adjustable Dumbbells are designed with versatility in mind because they can be adjusted to weigh anywhere from 5 to 45 pounds in increments of 5 pounds. This means that you have effectively replaced 9 sets of dumbbells with just one. Comfort was also kept in mind when designing these dumbbells because they are ergonomically made to fit the hands perfectly. Also, the thermoplastic rubber handle with a non-slip grip makes working out easier than ever. They feature an easy to use dial to adjust the weight settings in a snap which securely locks the desired plates in place. Any plates that are not in use can rest on the well-designed stand that comes with the Universal PowerPak dumbbells.
Value for money
The Universal PowerPak dumbbells have a good value for their price. Even though they are fairly expensive, coming in at 300 dollars, they do remove the need to have several sets of hex dumbbells.
Build quality
The Universal PowerPak Dumbbells are built to last using a special coated iron which makes them sturdy and resilient to damage. Furthermore, the quick locking mechanism makes sure that the plates stay firmly in place while lifting the dumbbells.
Pros
- Easily adjusted to 9 different settings
- Stand included
- Ergonomic handle design
- Quick locking mechanism keeps the plates in place
- Comes with a workout guide
Cons
- Limited weight range
- Will probably break if dropped
Our Rating
The Power Block GF-SPDBLK24 Adjustable SpeedBlock Dumbbells have a durable design with easily adjusted settings, with the only drawback being that they are limited in their weight.
Design
The Power Block Adjustable Dumbbells feature a very unique design which is usually only seen on professional gym equipment. These dumbbells use a pin system to adjust the weight setting, where the pin can be inserted into the stack of weights and any plates above the pin constitute the weight you will be lifting. This model of dumbbell is very compact to make them great for use at home, plus they can be adjusted anywhere from 3 to 24 pounds in 3-pound increments. Unlike most other adjustable dumbbells, these ones are square in their shape and the padded handle plus compact shape make them ideal for doing general weight lifting exercises with proper form.
Value for money
The Power Block Adjustable Dumbbells have a great value for their price, especially when you consider that they cost around 150 dollars. Using conventional dumbbells you would need 8 different sets to get the same weight increments as this one dumbbell, something that would end up costing you a lot more.
Build quality
These adjustable dumbbells have a solid design that features a plastic case, a metal core handle with padding, and standard weight plates. With prolonged use, the Power Blocks won’t break, but they are also not meant for intense exercising. This model of dumbbell can be used safely on a daily basis thanks to their durability. However, they are meant for beginners and are not intended for rigorous punishment.
Pros
- Easily adjusted with the pin selector
- Magnets and bands hold the plates firmly in place
- Padded handle makes it wrist and hand friendly
- Compact size is ideal for small spaces
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Only go up to 24 pounds per dumbbell
- Do not come with a stand
Conclusion
When it comes to the question of what are the greatest adjustable dumbbells, our answer would be any of our top 5 picks listed above. Adjustable dumbbells are great because just 2 of them can replace a whole rack of weights in your home. They are affordable, they are durable, and they actually go a long way in creating those muscles that you have always wanted.
Have you ever had a pair of adjustable dumbbells? If so what are your experiences with them? Did you find that they work just as well as regular dumbbells or would you rather use the old fashion kind? Any comments or question that you have are greatly appreciated, especially if it’s in relation to a great pair of adjustable dumbbells that we forgot to mention. Feel free to leave us a comment!
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