As the pandemic continues, many people are still hesitant about returning to gyms and fitness centers. While many forms of exercise can take place outside or at home, owning a complete set of weight-lifting dumbbells isn’t practical for many – especially those of us who live in apartments. This is where adjustable dumbbells come in.
An adjustable dumbbell allows you to change the amount of weight on a dumbbell (most commonly from anywhere between five and seventy pounds) via a dial or pin system, or by switching out screw-on weight ends. You basically get one dumbbell that transforms into multiple dumbbells of varying weights.
Like most everything these days, there are numerous options available, and deciding which to purchase can be overwhelming. Here are some of the best (and highly rated by Amazon reviewers) adjustable dumbbells for your home gym.
With 15 weight settings, these Bowflex dumbbells adjust from 5 to 52.5 pounds via a selection dial. They come with a stand/base and premium ergonomic grips. At 15.75 inches wide (no matter how much weight is on them) smaller humans might find them a bit long for certain exercises. For instance, if your shoulder span is in the narrow range, you may not be able to hold both dumbbells in a parallel position while doing deadlifts.
The purchase of these also includes a 1-year JRNY membership which you’ll need to cancel prior to the end date if you don’t want it to auto-renew. The JRNY membership includes daily workouts, on-demand classes and videos, and streaming entertainment.
PowerFlow dumbbells have 5 weight settings adjustable in 5-pound increments from 5 to 25 pounds. Because they only go up to 25 pounds, these dumbbells are suited for someone just starting out with weight lifting. Like the Bowflex, they come with a base from which you can alter the dumbbell’s weight by way of a slider – leaving the weight you don’t want to be secured in the base.
They have a textured steel handle and are 13.5 inches wide which makes them a bit easier to use for smaller framed people. I am one such person and use these regularly and find the size quite manageable.
If you want both dumbbells and a barbell for your home gym, consider these from RUNWE. The 35 pound (per dumbbell) version comes with 12 weight plates that allow for adjustments in increments of 8.8 or 11 pounds. If you’re interested in the math, the 12 piece set includes four 4-pound plates and five 5-pound plates. The plates are secured to the handle via a wing bolt spinlock.
The handles are rubber-coated steel which makes them feel more secure in your hands without the use of gloves. To convert into a barbell, the dumbbells screw onto each end of the bench press pole.
They are also available as 20, 45, or 50 pounds (per dumbbell) sets.
If you’re looking for a smaller dumbbell and don't need a weight higher than 11 pounds, these Nice C dumbbells are a great option. They’re also available in a lighter, 4.5 pound per bell version.
To change the weight, you attach the appropriate bell ends by screwing them on and off. The curve-shaped handle is made from non-slip neoprene. At 9.5 inches long, they’re a much more compact design than the other options included in this article – though they don’t allow for more than 11 pounds per dumbbell.
Strength training builds muscle mass and stronger bones, as well as helping protect your joints from injury – especially as you get older (I point this out as a person who is in the second half of their life). All of these adjustable dumbbell sets are great options for your home gym, even if it's just a small corner of your living room. Whichever set you choose depends on your own personal needs of weight and size.
If you’re into New Year’s resolutions, adding a weight lifting routine to your regular exercise regime is one that can be relatively easy to implement with adjustable home dumbbells. May we all remain strong as this world spins on.