Back in the day, only the most committed muscleheads could have dreamed of owning a complete set of dumbbells. It was too expensive, and you needed a lot of space in your basement or garage to store a few sturdy racks ranging in size from 10s to 75s. Over the past decade, however, everything has changed due to the availability of increasingly sophisticated sets of adjustable dumbbells.
These products use a variety of ingenious mechanisms to quickly convert, for example, a collection of 10-pound dumbbells used for weighted arm circles into a set of 30-pound dumbbells used for Zottman curls. These dumbbells are cheaper than a complete set and take up less space, so anyone can buy a pair and start strength training. Our favourite adjustable dumbbells include durable staples from top fitness brands, heavyweights for intensive training, connected workout accessories, and more.
Smrtft Nüobell
We recommend Smrtft’s Nüobells if you lift heavy or want an excellent set of dumbbells. The brand offers 5–50-pound sets, but we tested the 80-pound pack. The well-balanced, attractive machined steel plates have a plastic locking mechanism, so don’t drop them from a great height. Also, the Nüobell is adjustable—twist the centre knurling to your desired weight, lift from the stand, and press away.
Bowflex SelectTech 552
The original adjustable dumbbell is still helpful today. Check out the Bowflex SelectTech 552s with an impressive 15 weights from 5–52.5 pounds. The included plastic stand holds each Dumbbell, but the Bowflex Dumbbell Stand raises the base for more accessible storage and has a tablet holder for following your favourite workouts. Also, the SelectTech 552s include a one-year Bowflex JRNY membership for live and on-demand classes.
Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells
Yes4All’s dumbbells are a good value because they contain four 3-pound and 7.5-pound plates. You can even connect two dumbbells to make a barbell for more training. The downsides? Unscrewing the collars at each bar and adding or removing leaves to adjust weight takes longer than the competition. Cast iron plates are durable but can damage floors if thrown. Add a pad or carpet to your workout area, or watch your feet at the end of each set.
Nice C Adjustable Dumbbells
Strength training doesn’t require heavy weights. It would be best to carry a light pair of dumbbells during cardiovascular exercise to change your routine. Nice C adjustable dumbbells can be loaded with 16 small and two large weight bars for five weights ranging from 2.3–11 pounds. While those densities aren’t record-breaking, they can add some resistance to your next run or walk. The slip-resistant Neoprene Nice C Adjustable Dumbbells make training comfortable. These fitness accessories are less than 10 inches long and fit neatly in a corner, under a desk, or anywhere else.
Ativafit 66 lbs. Adjustable Dumbbells
It doesn’t make sense to buy a huge set of dumbbells for athletes just starting dumbbell training. Buyers love Ativafit’s new 66 lbs. Adjustable Dumbbell sets 11–66 pounds in 5-pound increments, which lets you build a solid foundation while still providing heavy resistance for rows. The adjustment mechanism was simple and practical, with a safety lock that kept all plates in place regardless of weight. These dumbbells have a honeycomb rubber grip instead of a knurling patch, which can slip and slide during sweaty workouts. This rubber patch may be comfortable for beginners.
