Your Dumbbell Discovering Guide

If you are interested in supplementing gym work with home workouts, purchasing quality dumbbells is imperative. However, before deciding on the type of dumbbell you need, it’s best to put some thought into the different available varieties. The type of dumbbell you require, of course, depends on your unique fitness goals and the available space in your home gym. The budget you have will also affect your final decision.

Thanks to GetLocal, you don’t have to break the bank when purchasing quality dumbbells. Whether you’re looking for a rack and a dumbbell set, or adjustable dumbbells, GetLocal has you covered. Of course, before you purchase, you must know what dumbbell type is right for you. Today’s article will compare and contrast the various dumbbell types.

Hex Dumbbells

Hex in name and hex in shape, most hex dumbbells are coated in rubber, making them slightly soft to the touch. The rubber coating protects floors from dents and scratches. The hex shape means that they won’t roll away when placed on the floor. Some of the higher-end hex dumbbells include a textured handle to improve grip even when you have a sweaty palm.

Advantages of hex dumbbells

• The hex shape prevents the dumbbell from rolling away when placed on the floor
• The rubber coating reduces the possibility of scratches on a floor
• Textured handle improves grip

Disadvantages of hex dumbbells

• This dumbbell type isn’t adjustable, so you’ll need to discover an individual set for each weight
• If you have multiple sets of dumbbells, you’ll likely need a lot of space to store them properly

Loadable Dumbbells

Do you have a set of dumbbells gathering dust somewhere in your attic? We bet the farm that these dumbbells are loadable. This hugely popular piece of workout kit continues to be a favourite with Irish consumers. It’s little wonder to see why. Loadable dumbbells don’t require much space, can be easily adjusted for all workout intensities and are usually inexpensive. As the name suggests, loadable dumbbells are essentially dumbbell bars that can be loaded with weight plates. Due to the ability to adjust the weight, a single loadable dumbbell set can be used for a massive variety of exercises.

Advantages of loadable dumbbells

• Usually, this dumbbell type is the most cost-effective on the market
• You don’t need much space to store a complete loadable dumbbell set
• As you become stronger, you can purchase additional weight plates

Disadvantages of loadable dumbbells

• The round weight plates mean the dumbbells can roll across flat surfaces
• The weight plates usually aren’t coated with any protective material. Therefore you can damage floors, walls and other exercise equipment if you’re not careful
• The constant need to change plates mean exercises like supersets can be challenging to perform

Adjustable Dumbbells

One of the more recent innovations in weight lifting is the adjustable dumbbells. This space-saving solution gives a home gym a complete dumbbell set that is contained within one or two adjustable holders. Users can adjust the weight using a switch system built into the dumbbell holder. Unlike loadable dumbbells, switching weights can take seconds, making adjustable dumbbells fast and convenient.

Advantages of adjustable dumbbells

• The innovative design is incredibly space-saving, meaning dumbbells can be tucked away when not in use
• Adjustable dumbbell sets can be expanded with additional weights as you get stronger
• They have a sleek modern design

Disadvantages of adjustable dumbbells

• If you’re not familiar with using these types of dumbbells, the switching system can take a little while to – pardon the pun – adjust to
• Compared to some other dumbbell varieties, adjustable dumbbells demand quite a high upfront cost
• The unusual shape of the weights means specific exercises can be difficult to perform

Dumbbells with Rack

As simple as it sounds, dumbbells with a rack are dumbbells that come with a storage rack. There are various rack types, including pyramid-shaped dumbbell racks and traditional straight shelves.

Advantages of dumbbells with a rack

• It mimics how dumbbells are displayed in a commercial gym
• Easy access to all your weighted dumbbells
• Tidy and clean display looks great in a home gym

Disadvantages of dumbbells with a rack

• Quite a high upfront cost as you need to pay for each pair of weighted dumbbells individually along with the actual rack
• You will need quite a bit of space in your workout area to accommodate a dumbbell rack

Cast Iron Dumbbells

For those who want to keep their work-outs old school, choose the cast iron dumbbell. Cast iron dumbbells come in various shapes, including hex and rounded varieties. Usually, they are one complete piece as the weight is in the actual iron.

Advantages of cast iron dumbbells

• Extremely durable
• Cast iron dumbbells will last a lifetime
• They usually have a sleek minimalistic design that looks great in a home gym

Disadvantages of cast iron dumbbells

• The price for each set of dumbbells can become prohibitively expensive
• Cast iron can damage floors, other exercise equipment or even walls if not handled properly

Neoprene Dumbbells

Neoprene dumbbells are often associated with cardio workouts and are a great addition to any home gym. These brightly coloured dumbbells are soft and smooth to the touch. Neoprene is water resistant and never gets slippy. These dumbbells are often available at a relatively low weight. They increase the difficulty of aerobic exercises like jumping jacks and running on the spot.

Advantages of Neoprene Dumbbells

• Perfect for increasing the difficulty of various aerobic exercises
• Soft and smooth to the touch
• Available in a range of colours and shapes

Disadvantages of neoprene dumbbells

• Usually, these dumbbells are only available in low weights
• Non-adjustable weight, so an entire set needs to be purchased

Thanks For Reading

There you have it, an outline of the pros and cons of the various dumbell types. When purchasing exercise equipment like dumbbells, support local sports retailers. GetLocal makes it easy to compare and contrast dumbbell sets between local Irish retailers. With GetLocal, you can get the best set of dumbbells for your needs at the best price possible.