When buying dumbbells, many people will ask "what are the best dumbbells you offer?". This is a loaded question. The best dumbbells for a garage gym owner will not be the best dumbbells for a commercial gym. Many IRON COMPANY gym equipment customers consist of commercial gyms, military bases, universities, professional sports teams, etc. All these locations will require a commercial rated dumbbell for maximum safety and longevity.
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The word “commercial” is defined as a product that is capable of withstanding all day use in a commercial environment, such as a dues paying facility, with little to no risk of structural failure. Structural failure usually means bent or broken handles, heads or plates and loosening or broken bolts and end caps. Usually this is always caused by abuse such as repeatedly dropping the dumbbells after chest or shoulder presses. Even some of the best dumbbells out there cannot and should not be expected to hold up to this unnecessary abuse.
So, now let’s dive in and educate ourselves on some of the best dumbbells and dumbbell sets that differ in design, construction and price.
Economy Dumbbells
Economy commercial quality dumbbells are often a no-frills type of dumbbell that are typically purchased for schools, training studios and locations where budget may be a top priority. And even though they are labeled “economy” they can still have certain advantages over some of the higher dollar models. Take Pro Hex Dumbbells by York Barbell for example. These are a one-piece solid cast iron dumbbell design that makes them totally maintenance free. No hex bolts or end caps to ever come loose. The cast iron heads are actually cast around the steel handle that has a “fishtail” shape at each end making it impossible for the handle to back out and separate. They’re also more compact than a plate loaded dumbbell, such as a Pro-Style dumbbell, which means they are less cumbersome and allow for a wider range of motion when exercising.
Rubber Hex Dumbbells
The rubber hex dumbbell is the go to dumbbell for garage gyms and CrossFit boxes. Their affordable price and maintenance-free design makes them the best dumbbell choice for many. Their protective hexagonal shaped rubber encased heads make them exceptionally durable, which is a must in harsh training environments. When purchasing the best rubber hex dumbbell sets for commercial use, make sure to purchase a brand that properly secures the head and handle together to prevent breakage and separation and make sure a minimum one-year warranty is included. Cheap rubber hex dumbbells often only include a 90-day warranty and are simply glued together making them a liability hazard if used outside a home or strictly controlled area. Reputable brands of rubber hex dumbbells suitable for CrossFit boxes and other commercial environments are IRON COMPANY, Ivanko Barbell, York Barbell and TKO. If you are buying hex dumbbells for your home or a smaller area with inadequate ventilation, consider the IRON COMPANY urethane hex dumbbell. It offers the same durable design as the IRON COMPANY rubber hex dumbbells without any rubber odor.
For a larger selection in colors and handle types a run of Pro-Style dumbbells might be the answer. Ivanko Barbell manufactures what many consider to be some of the best pro-style dumbbells in the fitness industry. Their R2B/EP1.25B are constructed using cast iron plates that are painted black with a machined center hole. In order to keep the cost low, the faces of the plates are not machined like other more expensive dumbbells Ivanko makes and will have a “sand casting” texture to them. But rest assured, anything with the Ivanko name on it is a quality product. The chrome Pro-Style handles include a deep knurl, which offers a great grip especially when your hands are sweaty and you’re trying to grind out the last couple of reps of shoulder shrugs or bicep curls! The ductile iron end caps really give these dumbbells a polished look especially with the brass-inlaid name and number stickers. If you like to set your dumbbells on your quads before pressing exercises or tricep extensions you’ll find that the Ivanko Pro-Style dumbbells with end caps are just as comfortable as rubber hex dumbbells because these designs offer a smooth face with nothing protruding. Other build-it-yourself or “DIY” Pro-Style dumbbells that only offer a small chrome washer instead of a smooth end cap for the Allen bolt to pass through can be quite painful when sitting on your legs as you get fired up for a set of presses.
Ivanko offers another economy Pro-Style dumbbell which is the R/EP1.25. Like the R2B/EP1.25B the R/EP1.25 offers non-machined plates, ductile iron end caps with inlaid brass name and number stickers and a deep handle knurling for a solid grip. Really the only difference here is the plates and end caps are painted with a grey polyester hammertone paint that is baked on. This type of finish tends to be a little better wearing than the flat black. And the handles feature a triple chrome layer with nickel base.
Pro-Style Dumbbells
We touched on the Economy Pro-Style dumbbells by Ivanko in the Economy Dumbbells section above. Now let’s get into the real meat and potatoes of this style of dumbbell. The Pro-Style dumbbell has been around for a very long time. They can be traced back to some of the most hard-core, old school gyms there ever was. Starting at a weight of 5 lbs. and going up to as high as 200 lbs. (each) the Pro-Style dumbbell doesn’t “sweat” anyone. And for anyone reading this asking themselves what the hell someone could do with a 200 lb. dumbbell in each hand, believe it or not there are freakishly strong individuals that roam the earth that routinely chest press these things. Eight time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman comes to mind.
One reason the Pro-Style dumbbell is considered by many to be one of the best dumbbells for commercial gyms is the solid design it offers which is comprised of a solid steel handle, cast iron plates that slide over top of the handle sleeve and then a heavy-duty 5/8” fine thread aircraft quality Allen bolt and large chrome washer or end cap to torque it altogether. The company that has absolutely perfected the science of building the best Pro-Style dumbbells in the fitness industry is Ivanko. Each Ivanko fixed weight dumbbell is built using top quality components and incorporates their PermaLock fastening system which employs a proprietary machining tolerance and surface preparation to achieve a metal to metal bond that requires 400 foot pounds of torque to twist apart. That being said, if you are purchasing a set of pro-style dumbbells, a manufacturer that uses the right quality components and assembly techniques is crucial to the performance and longevity of this design. Some brands of pro-style dumbbells can be more trouble than they are worth due to the constant loosening of the bolts. This is because of inferior components used and lack of proper assembly know how. So, saying that you get what you pay for is definitely an understatement here.
What type of Pro-Style dumbbell handles are best?
Now that we’ve covered some of the important mechanics, next is deciding what handle type you prefer. Handles can vary in thicknesses and knurling patterns from one manufacturer to the next but the most noticeable choice is that between an ergonomic handle and a straight round handle. If you cup your hand you will notice that the palm is concave. Now look at the convex shape of the ergonomically shaped dumbbell handle. The two fit together like a glove. However, we can tell you that over the years we have found not everyone prefers the ergo, or “contoured”, handle because of their tendency to be a little too big in diameter for smaller hands. So if you've got your eye on the best dumbbells for your club make sure to do your due diligence on your handle choice first.
What is the best Pro-Style dumbbell coating?
Pro-Style dumbbell plates can be painted, chromed, rubber encased and even urethane encased. Since these are essentially plate loaded dumbbells, size can be a bit of an issue when it comes to Pro-Style dumbbells so the most compact version of course would be the painted or chrome plated. Painted will be your most affordable option but the quickest to show wear as the paint makes contact with the floor and other equipment. You won’t see the chrome plated dumbbell plates around much anymore but their thin plating makes them just as compact as the painted. If a protective coating is what you need, Ivanko was the first company to bring the rubber dumbbell to market back in . Today they manufacture one of the best, if not the absolute best, plate loaded rubber dumbbells, the RUB/EPR. A little known fact about these dumbbells is that instead of 10 lb. plate build outs they use 7.5 lb. plates up to 125 lbs. This is due to the extra bulk that the rubber coating adds. Over 125 lbs. and up to 200 lbs. they have to use a 10 lb. build out with custom length handles. These dumbbells are great but not the best dumbbells one should consider if looking for a compact dumbbell.
Solid Steel Dumbbells
The solid steel dumbbell has it all, including a bigger price tag. However when you compare the overall "big picture" value that the added longevity offers as well as performance, this choice makes most sense to those that can make it work within their budget.
What is the difference between Solid Head Dumbbells and Solid Steel Dumbbells?
Solid head dumbbells are best described as a solid cast iron or steel slug that is affixed to a dumbbell handle through a large bolt or other fastening method. American Barbell, aka GP Industries, offers their Unilock Series Solid Head Urethane Dumbbells. The Uni-Lock design is sort of a different take on the Pro-Style dumbbell but with a more solid way of locking the weights and handles together. Instead of featuring a bolt that is torqued down inside the sleeve of the handle, the end of the sleeve itself is threaded allowing for a very large locking nut to be applied. Because of the construction and the materials used, solid head dumbbells are most often more affordable than welded solid steel dumbbells.
While the solid head dumbbell offers a very strong and solid design, it does not match the strength and total maintenance free benefits of the welded solid steel dumbbell. The solid steel dumbbell is also constructed from a steel slug and handle. The difference here though is that a hole is drilled partially or completely through the slug to make room for the slightly larger diameter handle to be press fit and then welded. Even though the hydraulic press locks the dumbbells together pretty well, the slug and handle are still welded together on the inside shoulders or on the outside face of the slug forming a permanent bond. Reputable brands of welded, maintenance free solid steel dumbbells are IRON COMPANY urethane dumbbells, Iron Grip and Intek, which include a 5-year warranty against breakage. Ivanko solid steel urethane dumbbells are not bolted together nor are they welded. Ivanko urethane dumbbells are produced through a proprietary method they refer to as “mechanically fastened”. We don’t have that much info on this manufacturing process as they hold it pretty close to the vest, but if you’ve ever read their articles comparing mechanically fastened to welded Ivanko does make a good case as to the superiority of their dumbbell. Speaking of which, Ivanko urethane solid steel dumbbells do carry a 5-year warranty against breakage, as well.
Which solid steel dumbbells offer the most durable urethane coatings?
This has been one of the biggest debates within the fitness industry that has led to many a heated argument between manufacturers and brand fanatics for years. Who offers the best dumbbells with a solid steel core and urethane coating? Before we get into urethane specifics, do you know the difference between rubber and urethane and what makes urethane the superior dumbbell coating? Rubber has certain disadvantages that are not present in urethane. Rubber is vulnerable to abrasion and ultra-violet light, which can cause it to prematurely crack and eventually peel. Depending on the quality and materials used, rubber can also carry an odor that is exacerbated when confined to small areas. Urethane is immune to all such vulnerabilities and where impact resistance and longevity is concerned, it is superior. In our opinion some of the best urethane formulations are the German made urethane used on all the IRON COMPANY urethane dumbbells and barbells as well as the American made urethane by Ivanko and Iron Grip. Together Ivanko and Iron Grip have probably spent more time and money on polyurethane formulation research and development than all free weight companies in the world combined. And it definitely shows in their products.
Iron Grip urethane dumbbell sets have been a big part of the US Military training programs for years. The fact that Iron Grip beat most other manufacturers to the market with a solid steel urethane coated dumbbell may have played a big part in that but if not the quality and anti-corrosive benefits that urethane and hard chrome plating provide definitely did. When the military sets up a gym on a Navy ship or out in the middle of the desert, the last thing they want is for it all to turn into a pile of rust. The Ivanko solid steel urethane dumbbells are equally impressive and have become favorites among many top universities, pro sports teams and club. There is an article written by Ivanko President and Founder Tom Lincir called “Rediscovering American Quality”. It is a very interesting article that gives a lot of insight on manufacturing overseas as opposed to the US. But in this article Ivanko displays an image of sawed cross sections of solid steel urethane dumbbells to specifically show the differences in urethane thickness between them, Iron Grip and two offshore brands. If this photo is untouched and all images used are using the same scale, then Ivanko does appear to offer the thickest urethane coating compared to these other brands. On a side note, the thickest urethane coating on an imported dumbbell that we currently know of is the IRON COMPANY IC-UDB which features a 3/8” (10mm) thick German polyurethane.
Why are solid steel dumbbells the best dumbbells for commercial use?
We’ve covered a lot of information above about the superiority the solid steel dumbbell has when compared to other styles of dumbbells. And in fact the different choices we have mentioned above are definitely the best dumbbells for somebody. But for the most complete package that includes highest quality, most compact, best aesthetics and hardest wearing, the blue ribbon for best dumbbells clearly goes to the urethane solid steel dumbbell.
About the Author
J.P. Brice founded IRON COMPANY in and is currently President and CEO. He began weightlifting in at the age of 14 and by the age of 25 turned his passion for bodybuilding, powerbuilding and fitness in general into one of the webs first and leading gym equipment suppliers for residential, commercial and Military buyers. He holds numerous Patents and Trademarks on various gym equipment products and is the lead designer of IRON COMPANY branded free weights and strength training equipment. J.P. is responsible for much of the main product page content as well as several in depth gym equipment and flooring articles. Today he works extensively with the US Military in providing the equipment necessary for combat readiness.
Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or exercise newbie, you may have considered buying dumbbells for your home gym.
After all, this versatile piece of equipment can be used in conjunction with most other calorie-blasting exercise equipment or as a weight-building tool all on its own.
But what do you need to look at when buying your first set of dumbbells?
Or perhaps you are looking for an upgrade to your current set and you are overwhelmed by the variety on the market?
Many dumbbells come with a pretty price tag and you may want to do some research before you invest.
To simplify this process, we have compiled the ultimate guide to buying dumbbells. This step-by-step guide will ensure that you make the right decision for your needs.
So, read on to find out exactly what you need to look out for before investing in a new pair of dumbbells.
Dumbbells are one of the most popular (and most basic) types of exercise equipment and their popularity is still on the rise.
This is mostly because of their versatility and the fact that they can add resistance to any type of workout you do.
But before we begin, let’s look at the most important questions to ask when shopping for dumbbells.
For example, do you want thebest dumbbells for home use at a fair price or are you willing to splurge a bit? How much space do you have? And what do you want out of your dumbbells in terms of the look and feel?
If you already feel overwhelmed, keep calm because we have asked all the necessary questions, so you can take the guesswork out of it.
After reading this guide, you will know all there is to know on how to make the best choice when buying dumbbells. Let’s look at the most important question first.
The type of dumbbell you choose is all going to depend on what you want to use it for.
For example, as an addition to cardio exercise, the dumbbell needs to be lightweight and have a good sense of grip.
This will ensure that you can hold onto them while engaging in cardio exercise or doing a brisk walking exercise.
For weight training, you may want to have a variety of sizes and work your way up. Think shoulder presses and bicep curls.
For these types of exercises, you need a heavier dumbbell so that you can actually feel the muscles in your shoulders and arms working.
So before you make any decisions on the type of dumbbell, firstly consider what you want to use them for.
If you’re thinking dumbbells don’t take up a lot of space, you are probably right. But, it is important to remember that many of us do not have a dedicated space for a home gym.
In most cases, you probably have one corner of a room or some space between the couch and the tv to roll out your exercise mat.
For this reason, it is important to consider the size of the dumbbells and where you want to put them. If you want a huge set of various sizes, it will probably not fit snugly underneath your coffee table.
If you have a dedicated shelf for your dumbbells, you have to ensure that they fit and that they won’t roll off in different directions.
Also, remember that it is not a great idea to place your dumbbells on the floor where people can trip over them or stub their toes.
So after deciding what you will use them for, consider where you want to place them before you make a purchase.
It should also be noted that some bigger sets of dumbbells come with their own storage rack or case, which will make them easier to store away in your home.
Once you have a dedicated space to put your dumbbells in mind, you can start looking at a size that is suitable for your needs.
Again, the size will depend on what you want to do with them.
Different exercises have different weight requirements e.g., a bench press will require a heavier resistance than a lateral shoulder raise because it engages bigger and stronger muscles.
But, the size is also dependent on your own size and strength.
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For example, female dumbbells are often more lightweight than those for males. In fact, the recommended weight range for the average female is between 2kg and 12kg.
If you are an exercise newbie, you probably also need to wait before you invest in a heavyweight dumbbell.
Rather start small, and work your way up from there.
In general, a good recommendation is that you will need to increase the weight of your dumbbells every one to two months depending on your exercise regime.
There are twodifferent types of dumbbells, fixed dumbbells and adjustable dumbbells (more on that later).
Fixed dumbbells have a set weight and are more or less the type you have in mind when you think of dumbbells.
They are stable and sturdy and offer great grip.
Each dumbbell has a certain weight so if you want to change it up, you need to switch dumbbells.
This also means you probably need more than one set (1,3 and 5 kg are good for an entry-level training session with lots of cardio).
Or, you can up the weight to 10kg if you are a bigger (or stronger) guy (or girl).
These are a popular option but they require more storage space since you will probably have more than one pair lying around.
And even when you only buy a single pair, you will probably need to increase the weight eventually and end up buying a new pair very soon.
But, despite this, many people see this as an easy and effective dumbbell to support their exercise needs.
If you have limited space and want more versatility and flexibility in terms of your weight requirements, the adjustable dumbbell is for you.
Adjustable dumbbells come with a standard centre, with weight discs of various sizes to be placed on the ends.
These are also called threaded collar dumbbells because the handle has threaded ends and you load up the weight disc of your choice and screw them to the collar to ensure that they remain in place.
This provides great variability in terms of the weight that you want to load and this can be adjusted as you go along.
For this reason, they are often considered the best all-in-one dumbbell for home use. A newer, and less familiar type of adjustable dumbbell allows you to choose the weight with a simple dial system.
Adjustable dumbbells are a good option if you have limited space since you have one dumbbell that you can adjust according to your needs.
But, when you look at the threaded collar dumbbell, you will find that the bar that you grip is slightly less sturdy than your average fixed dumbbell.
For this reason, they are often considered uncomfortable to use.
An adjustable dumbbell that allows you to select the preferred weight presents a solution to this issue of grip but they are quite expensive.
In addition, the selector mechanism can easily break if you drop your dumbbell, which means they are more vulnerable to damage.
So all in all, fixed vs adjustable dumbbells provides various benefits and it is all about your priorities when making a choice between the two.
Once you have decided the type of dumbbell, it is important to note what the dumbbell is made of.
Dumbbells are either made of bare steel, chrome, or rubberized material.
Most people opt for a steel or rubberized dumbbell.
For an adjustable dumbbell, the middle handle will generally be made of steel and the discs will be made of chrome or cast iron (or have a rubber coating that makes it easier to handle).
Rubberized fixed dumbbells mean the entire dumbbell is coated in rubberized material.
The chrome option consists of bare metal with rust protection, but rubber-coated dumbbells are an appealing option for those who enjoy a firm grip.
They also make less noise when dropped and will suffer less damage from falls and bumps.
As an added bonus, fixed rubberized dumbbells often come in different colours.
Thechrome ones will last longer but have a slightly more rustic feel, which some people might prefer but are not to everyone’s taste.
Dumbbells come in two shapes, either round or hexagonal.
There is really not much of a difference between these two in terms of using them during exercise.
But, one major benefit of a hexagonal dumbbell is that it doesn’t roll away when you place it down somewhere.
This is really great if you need to place your dumbbells on the floor or on a shelf because it will keep them in place.
If you have taken all the above factors into account, it’s time to decide on a budget.
The price range of various types of dumbbells differs based on a variety of factors.
Imagine finding the perfect dumbbell, just to realize that it is way over budget.
So, look at the factors that will affect the price of a dumbbell and the best dumbbells for your price range.
We will also discuss the general price range for dumbbells so that you do not spend more than you need to.
First of all, one pair of fixed dumbbells of a certain weight is a good entry-level option for exercise newbies.
You will only be buying one pair and if you go for a lightweight option (such as a 5kg pair) you won’t pay more than $30.
But, the heavier the fixed dumbbell set, the more the price will increase.
So, if you are looking for something on the heavier side, it may be cheaper to opt for an adjustable dumbbell set.
This will allow you to pay the same price you would for a heavier set of fixed dumbbells but with more variety in terms of the weight it provides.
An adjustable dumbbell set will cost you between $50 and $150 depending on the required weight, with heavier sets costing you more.
So, the main thing that affects the price of a dumbbell is the weight.
The heavier the dumbbells, the more the price increases.
For this reason, if you are interested in heavy lifting, you will save money by buying an adjustable set but if you only need a few lightweight options, you can get away for under S100 for more than one set of fixed dumbbells.
It is difficult to establish a one-size-fits-all dumbbell that will work equally well for all people.
There are so many different factors that need to be taken into account when making a purchase.
But, there are several factors you can look out for, which will make your experience of using the dumbbells more efficient, despite what you end up choosing.
For example, before buying a dumbbell, you might want to look for something that:
Is suited to your exercise regime
If you take the above factors into account and can make the best decision between adjustable and fixed sets, you are sure to enjoy all the benefits that dumbbells can offer you.
Not only can they enhance your at-home fitness experience, but they have also been proven to be one of the most effective tools for weight loss and strength training.
So, why not invest in a pair that can last and support you on your fitness journey?
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