Best dumbbells 2020: from cast iron to neoprene dumbbells
WHETHER you’re a workout fiend or not, a set of dumbbells can really up your home workout routine. Dumbbells don’t take up a ton of space, but they do have loads of benefits: they can help tone your whole body, or isolate and strengthen specific muscle groups. Dumbbells can also be used for any type […]
WHETHER you’re a workout fiend or not, a set of dumbbells can really up your home workout routine.
Dumbbells don’t take up a ton of space, but they do have loads of benefits: they can help tone your whole body, or isolate and strengthen specific muscle groups.
Dumbbells can also be used for any type of exercise – from Pilates to aerobics – and their versatility and convenience means you can do dumbbell exercises at your desk, in front of the TV, in the park and even in the pool.
Since you’re in control of exactly what movements you’re doing, using dumbbells can target muscles machines might not.
Dumbbells are also popular because they’re a low-cost way to improve your health and fitness – you’ll find sets with multiple weights for under £25.
Dumbbells have come a long way in terms of variety, convenience and comfort.
Not only will you find them coated in a range of materials – from PVC to neoprene – you can also find adjustable dumbbells that can vary 20kg in weight, as well as dumbbells that can transform into barbells.
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1. Best dumbbells: vinyl dumbbells
Vinyl dumbbells are comfortable to hold and work out with, and this set of six comes in a handy carrycase for easy storage.
You’ll find two 0.5kg weights, two 1kg weights and two 1.5kg weights, which will require some extra strength when you’re doing those squats and lunges, toning your arms and back in the process.
These weights are perfect for beginners or those looking for a lighter workout.
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Opti Vinyl Dumbbell Case Set – 6kg, £17.99 for six on Argos – buy here
2. Best dumbbells: adjustable single dumbbell
A space-saving way to get a serious workout at home, this adjustable dumbbell takes you from a 2.5kg bar all the way up to 25kgs of weight – in one single dumbbell.
Ideal for the serious gym buff, the anti-roll shape weights can be easily added or removed as you move through your workout sequence.
Fans love them – and their value for money.
As one states:
‘I bought two of these to start up a home gym, and I was a little wary as they cost considerably less than many brands of adjustable dumbbells. However, they work and feel just like any other brand, and are solid and robust.
‘Each dumbbell is adjustable in 2.5kg increments between 2.5 and 25kg, and adjusting is as easy as sitting the dumbbell in the cradle, pressing a button and turning the dial to the chosen weight. I can’t recommend these enough!’
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Men’s Health Cast Iron Adjustable Single Dumbbell – 25kg, for £119.99 on Argos – buy here
3. Best dumbbells: neoprene dumbbells
These bone-shaped, cast iron dumbbells with neoprene coating definitely tick the style and comfort boxes – even with sweaty hands, they’re easy to use and grip onto, and the neoprene finish prevents them from rolling away from you on the ground.
They’re colour-coded by weight if you’re keen to invest in a full set, but these 5kg weights are perfect for upper body toning and strengthening (they come with an e-book with exercise ideas, too).
Fans say ‘the neoprene was comfortable to hold and use’, they’re ‘really good dumbbells’ and they are ‘very impressed with the quality’.
- (AD) Core Balance Dumbbells, Neoprene Bone Dumbbell Weights 5kg, £25.99 for two on Amazon – buy here
4. Best dumbbells: dumbbell-to-barbells
For the home gym aficionado, this set of dumbbells to barbells will hit the spot – these let you weight train to a decent standard without needing to go to the gym.
The set includes two handles, four 0.5kg plates, four 1.25kg plates, four 2.5kg plates, four collars, and an extended bar, and the dumbbells are made of quality cast iron.
‘I bought these over similar sets due to the rubber grommets on the securing nuts, this certainly goes a long way to help retaining the weights without constant tightening.
‘Also like the conversion bar which allows you to use as a single barbell. Not much to fault here’, writes a fan.
- (AD) PROIRON 20kg Cast Iron Adjustable Dumbbell Set, for £49.99 on Amazon – buy here
5. Best dumbbells: dumbbell tower
With 1.5kg, 3kg and 5kg pairs of weights, this dumbbell tower is a great starter kit for home free weights training.
Reviewers rate the dumbbells highly – they’re ‘comfortable to hold’, ‘ideal’ and are ‘well made’.
The stand is less popular with reviewers – put it on solid ground rather than carpet for best results.
- (AD) Body Sculpture Smart Dumbbell Tower, for £24.99 on Amazon – buy here
6. Best dumbells: aqua dumbbells
There are dumbbells for the pool, too.
This design from Speedo is to help with aquatic resistance training, to build up upper body strength and muscle tone.
If you don’t like working out, these may be perfect for you, as aqua aerobics and hydrotherapy can be a lot more exciting than plain old gymming.
‘What a brilliant set of water dumbbells, and being Speedo you know they will last. They are feather light but brilliant for resistance in the water. They dry practically instantly.
‘I cannot praise these enough… subsequently lots of my fellow water aerobics class have purchased them’, writes a fan.
- (AD) Speedo Unisex Adult Aqua Dumbbell, for £17.85 on Amazon – buy here
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This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.