Dumbbells Are Genuinely the Best Investment
I built a home gym during 2020 like everyone else, and if I had to sell everything except one piece of equipment, I’d keep my dumbbells without hesitation. You can work basically every muscle with just a pair. Chest, back, shoulders, arms, legs - all of it.
The main decision is whether you want adjustable or traditional fixed weights. I’ll break down both.
What’s Worth Your Money
Bowflex SelectTech 552
These have been around forever and there’s a reason - they just work.
Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 pounds using a dial mechanism. That’s 15 pairs of weights in two dumbbells. I’ve had mine for about four years now and they still work perfectly.
The dial system takes maybe three seconds to change weights. Way faster than loading plates. The whole setup fits in a corner of my bedroom.
The only complaints: they’re a bit long when maxed out at 52.5 lbs, which feels slightly awkward for certain exercises. And you really can’t drop them like you would at a gym - the internal mechanism would break. Treat them gently.
For most people doing home workouts, these are the obvious choice.
PowerBlock Elite
If your space is really tight, these are more compact than the Bowflex. They use a magnetic selector pin instead of a dial, and the rectangular shape stacks more efficiently.
Goes from 5-50 lbs in the base set, but you can buy expansion kits later to go up to 90 lbs. That’s a nice feature if you’re getting stronger over time.
The shape takes some getting used to - they don’t look or feel quite like traditional dumbbells. My buddy has these in his studio apartment and loves them though. The adjustment is quick once you get the hang of it.
NordicTrack Select-A-Weight
I’ll be honest, these are basically Bowflex competitors that look nicer. If aesthetics matter for your home gym setup, they’re worth considering.
10-55 lbs per dumbbell with a smooth dial adjustment. They look premium, feel good in your hands, and the mechanism is quiet.
Starting at 10 lbs is annoying though - can’t do lighter exercises like lateral raises when you’re fatigued. And you’re paying extra for the design.
Amazon Basics Neoprene Set
Just getting started? Don’t overthink it.
This set comes with 2, 3, and 5 lb pairs with a little stand. The neoprene coating is soft and easy to grip. You’ll outgrow these fast if you stick with it, but for twenty-something dollars they’re a perfectly fine starting point.
My girlfriend uses these for her morning routine and hasn’t needed anything heavier in over a year. Depends what you’re doing.
REP Fitness Rubber Hex
Sometimes you want that real gym feel. Traditional hex dumbbells with rubber-coated heads that won’t roll away.
You buy them individually to build your own set, which gets expensive fast if you want a full range. But the quality is there - these are the same thing commercial gyms use.
The hex shape means they stay put when you set them down. The rubber coating protects floors. If you’ve got a dedicated gym room and space for a rack, there’s something satisfying about traditional dumbbells.
Quick Comparison
| Dumbbell | Weight Range | Type | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowflex 552 | 5-52.5 lbs | Adjustable | Most users | [Check Price] |
| PowerBlock | 5-50 lbs | Adjustable | Small space | [Check Price] |
| NordicTrack | 10-55 lbs | Adjustable | Premium | [Check Price] |
| Amazon Basics | 2-5 lbs | Fixed | Beginners | [Check Price] |
| REP Hex | Any | Fixed | Gyms | [Check Price] |
Adjustable vs Fixed - The Tradeoff
Adjustable
- Save a ton of space
- Cheaper than buying multiple pairs
- One purchase covers most weight ranges
But weight changes take a few seconds, they’re bulkier than traditional dumbbells, and you can’t drop them without risking damage.
Fixed
- Instant weight changes (just grab a different pair)
- Traditional gym feel
- More durable for rough use
But you need a lot of space and it gets expensive to build a full set. Plus you need a rack.
What Weight Should You Start With?
This is rough guidance since everyone’s different:
Beginners:
- Women: 5-15 lbs adjustable or a small fixed set
- Men: 10-30 lbs adjustable or a few pairs
Intermediate:
- Women: Up to 25-30 lbs
- Men: Up to 50-60 lbs
Advanced:
- Women: 40+ lbs
- Men: 75-100+ lbs
When in doubt, start lighter. You can always go heavier, but you can’t uninjure your shoulder.
My Take
Bowflex SelectTech 552 for most home gyms. Good range, reliable mechanism, reasonable footprint.
PowerBlock Elite if space is premium or you want expandability.
Amazon Basics Neoprene Set if you’re a complete beginner testing the waters.
Prices change frequently so check current prices before buying!