What kind of weights should i buy

We much prefer using fixed dumbbells because they are more durable and they have flat ends rather than the handle sticking out on both sides. The latter point is important for many exercises because the protruding handle gets in the way.

To us, fixed dumbbells are more convenient and way more versatile. Now, in terms of quality for fixed dumbbells , always go for dumbbells that have rubber or urethane encased bells. These are the most durable and long lasting. Let's say your dumbbells are starting to feel light, but you don't want to buy more As you can see, there are many ways to increase the difficulty of your workouts without going up in weight.

Progressive overload which means progressively making your workouts harder over time so your muscles need to continually adapt can be done in many ways.

In regards to building muscle, for any given exercise, if you are doing 15 reps easily with 60 seconds rest, then it's time to go up in weight i. This may take weeks. Note: When you go up in weight, your reps will likely go down to the lower end of the ideal hypertrophy range.

From there, you can work your way back up to the 15 reps before jumping up in weight again. For strength, the same applies. If you can do 6 reps easily and with minimal rest, then you should go up in weight. Again, you will be limited on building serious strength with dumbbells for certain exercises like squats, but you can still get very strong with dumbbells alone.

Aim to decrease rest time, switch up exercises, increase intensity by being more explosive, etc. Fat loss is about keeping your heart rate up so you can burn calories. There really is no easy way to generalize what's the right size dumbbell to buy, as each individual is different. We suggest following our advice above and using your best judgement.

For beginners, when it doubt, go light. You can always make the dumbbells more effective by slowing the tempo, shortening the rest time, adding more reps or sets, increasing the volume of your workout, and so on.

Moreover, you can focus on building a solid foundation with proper form, which you can't do if your dumbbells are too heavy for you. If you have the money, go for a wide range of dumbbells that you think will be suitable for you. That is the best option. If you are on a tighter budget, get a two or three pairs of dumbbells suitable for lower body and upper body. Focus on compound movements rather than isolation exercises which typically require a wider range of dumbbells.

Overall, see how you feel and do your best to get killer workouts with what you have. People can build muscle with bodyweight exercises alone, so any dumbbells size will be advantageous to your fitness goal So, keep that in mind if you are on a tight budget. You can always add to your dumbbell arsenal over time. Related: Other great affordable equipment for your home gym. If you have specific questions for us about choosing a dumbbell set, please contact us, we are happy to help.

Here are the best choices for dumbbells on Amazon, all of which we listed above except the adjustable dumbbell a good option if you are on a tight budget :. November 11, Read More. November 10, November 09, Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases, killer workouts, actionable fitness content and more. Happy New Year! Thank you for taking the time to give feedback! And Happy New Year to you as well! This has been a very educational article. I have been looking for the best weights and lbs for a beginner such as myself.

Congrats on the weight loss! And thank you for your feedback! Thanks for this super helpful post. I am hoping to buy only a pair of dumbbells for now… how do I know how heavy of the pair I should get ie. Hi Mae! And even heavier for your back and lower body muscle groups. That might be a little heavy for some shoulder and triceps exercises but on the light side for biceps, back, chest and lower body. But once you get started you can decide which weight would be the next best size for you.

I hope that helps! Thanks for the cool review, I was just about to step up weight in my dumbbells so this is perfect timing! Love the humor too! There are so many choices to make when it comes to buying dumbbells! It can be overwhelming. Walmart has a few of the smaller weights priced modestly.

You can go try them out before ordering online. Your email address will not be published. Listen to the podcast now! The on-demand services can be clunky and confusing to use. I've put together something that can help you use on-demand workouts easily hassle-free so you can exercise smarter not harder.

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Created by kiddo from the Noun Project. My First Dumbbell. A pair of chrome dumbbells. A pair of neoprene dumbbells. A pair of vinyl dumbbells. A pair of rubber dumbbells. Nivy says:. February 22, at am. Emma says:. February 6, at am. Rachel says:. December 18, at pm. December 21, at am. Phyllicia Obbo says:. October 22, at pm. October 23, at pm. Amy says:. September 2, at am. September 3, at am. August 4, at am. August 5, at pm. MommieP says:.

June 17, at pm. June 18, at am. Tanja Tudhope says:. May 18, at am. May 19, at am. Hannah says:. January 28, at pm. Laura Lee says:. March 21, at pm. March 23, at am. For professional-level dumbbells, try this impressive set.

It includes pairs of dumbbells ranging from five to 25 pounds and comes with an upright standing rack to keep your home gym looking organized. The dumbbells start at 40 pounds and go all the way up to pounds, making them the perfect option for heavy lifters looking to do some serious workouts in the comfort of their home.

This all-in-one dumbbell set doubles as a barbell for a more versatile workout. Simply use the included connecting bar to attach the adjustable dumbbells together to create a barbell. The connector bar is encased in foam to ensure extra comfort during your workout. These weights are certainly the most expensive option on this list, but for good reason.

Plus, each dumbbell adjusts from 10 to 90 pounds, making them great for a range of different workouts. IE 11 is not supported. Toward the end of your sets, you should feel fatigued but not so much that your form breaks down. If you aren't able to complete all of your reps with good form, consider smaller dumbbells. Or, if you could easily perform 2 to 3 more reps with good form, opt for heavier weights.

Select a dumbbell size that feels challenging but not impossible to lift for your desired number of repetitions. You should be able to finish all of your reps with good form. If you can't, choose a smaller size. Your training goals will largely decide what size dumbbells to use and purchase, especially if you don't want to buy several pairs. Consider the skill you'd like to hone: If you're lifting for muscle strength and size, the American College of Sports Medicine ACSM suggests doing 5 to 8 reps for 1 to 3 sets.

In this case, you'll want to err on the heavier dumbbell side. But if you're training for muscle endurance and tone, the ACSM recommends doing 15 to 20 reps for 1 to 3 sets.

Lighter dumbbells are ideal for this rep range and set scheme.