Dumbbells
Gym Equipment Essentials
Nearly all weight trainers would have dumbbells in their top 3 essential pieces of gym equipment. I can’t think of any other piece of kit that is as versatile as a pair of dumbbells. But the reason they are so essential is that the exercises that you can do with dumbbells are often the most effective. So that is why you will nearly always see some kicking around in any gym.
Dumbbells: Select a Category
But I've got a Home Gym, why Dumbells?
Dumbbells have been around since the beginning of weight training. So the list of exercises that you can perform with them is almost endless. You can train every body part with multiple exercises; many of these exercises would be regarded as the most effective out of all the variations. Despite all the technological advancements since the start of weight training, dumbbells still reign supreme.
Even better, given the amount of variety and their effectiveness, dumbbells are great value. Plus they don’t take up a lot of space considering what a machine with less than half the exercises would consume. A rack of fixed dumbbells is the most expensive option, but still an outstanding investment considering they are not going to be superseded by a new design or piece of equipment – not like spending money on a TV which becomes out-dated in a year.
So what's your limitation? Money or Space
In many cases, your choice of dumbbells will come down to these two factors.
If you have loads of money and space, you will naturally get a rack of fixed dumbbells. This means you will have a pair of dumbbells for each weight increment. The more money and space will mean a great range of weight with smaller weight increments. These are the racks of dumbbells that you will typically see in gyms. But dumbbells have never been more affordable so many home users are now treating themselves to these pro style set ups.
If you don’t have a lot of space, but don’t mind spending a bit extra, you can opt for quick change adjustable dumbbells like the Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbells. This style of adjustable dumbbell offers a range of dumbbell weight configurations, but are designed to move between these weights increments quicker than normal adjustable dumbbell sets.
Suitable for any budget or environment
If you are tight on space and on a budget, you can get standard dumbbell or Olympic dumbbell handles. The best way to describe these is like mini barbells for your hands. Just like barbells, you put the weights on and secure in place with screws or spring collars.
The disadvantage with these arrangements is that they take longer to change between weights. Plus you can’t do all the exercises you can do with a fixed dumbbell. The handles are fixed in length, whereas fixed dumbbells are shorter for lighter dumbbells. So some isolation exercises are difficult as the handles are just too long.
But like all hurdles in the gym, part of the fun of training is finding ways around these constraints.
Typically these quick change adjustable dumbbells come on stands, which also makes them easier to use in the gym as you don’t have plates and handles lying everywhere on the floor.
All our fixed dumbbells are Power Maxx and are commercial quality. You may pay a bit extra, but you are getting a better quality product that will withstand the demands of hard training. We have sold these for over 10 years and they have been put through their paces in gyms all around Australia during that time.
Affordable, flexible, value for money
Our rubber hex dumbbells offer a more affordable way to get fixed dumbbells. The manufacturing process is simpler compared to the round rubber dumbbells which explains the price differential. But they are still highly effective and one reason why these are frequently seen in CrossFit boxes.
Round rubber dumbbells are what you will find in most commercial gyms. Not only are they more aesthetically pleasing, being round has its advantages. You are able to roll heavy dumbbells to your bench, to save your energy for your lifts. Plus when dropped, the round dumbbells offer a more predictable bounce, whereas rubber hex can shoot off in all angles.
Our Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbells are referred to as the World’s Strongest Adjustable Dumbbells. They have expansion kits out to 70kgs per dumbbell which gives you an indication of their durability. They have been sold worldwide for many years now and are the adjustable dumbbell for the hardcore lifter.
Regardless of your specific choice of dumbbells, all our dumbbells for sale will give you loads of quality exercises, in a relatively small footprint. Even if you decide to go for the more expensive options, their quality and durability will ensure that you get great value for money. Plus I do not see any equipment replacing them in a hurry!
