Category Archives: Adjustable Dumbbells

Benefits of Cheap Weight Sets

Posted on by
Reply

Using weights are the best way to get stronger and larger muscles.  However, weights can be prohibitively expensive, so many people may not have the budget to buy them.  A full sized weight machine can cost well over one thousand dollars, and multiple sets are required for a complete upper body workout.  Thankfully, there are plenty of cheap weight sets that are easy to afford and obtain.

Free weights are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get an upper body workout.  A cheap dumbbell set costs a fraction of the price of machines, so it can be purchased by almost anyone.  Free weights are also small and easy to store, so it will not require a dedicated gym area to keep them.  After using them, it can be placed in a cupboard or other storage compartment to be used later.  For something extremely tiny, look into a compact adjustable dumbbell set.

The best thing about free weights is that they can be used to work all parts of the body.  Machines only focus on one area of the arms or chest, but free weights allow you to do a variety of exercise to work different muscles.  Since it is fairly cheap gym equipment to afford, it can be upgraded as your body gradually gets stronger and capable of lifting heavier loads.  If you have a slightly larger budget, consider purchasing a rack or shelf to place them on.

Free weights are cheap, but it is one of the most recommended workouts by fitness experts.  This is because it requires full body strength to lift each time.  Machines take away much of the effort, so you will not get as much exercise with them.  You can find these weights at a variety of online stores and local fitness shops.  If you purchase the adjustable types, the bars will be easy to upgrade to heavier options once your body is stronger.

Best Adjustable Dumbbells

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

When setting up a home exercise gym, you are going to have to get dumbbells eventually.  Some home gym enthusiasts swear by dumbbells that are of a set weight and setting them in a dumbbell rack.  This is a nice option, but not for everyone.  It is more expensive and takes up far more room than adjustable dumbbells.

When searching for the best adjustable dumbbells, the choices seem endless.  To make it easier for you, I have selected the best four options, divided into two categories: manual dumbbells and automatic dumbbells.

 

Confidence Pair of 40 lb Fitness Pro Adjustable Dumbbells Set with case

We’ll start with the less expensive manual adjustable dumbbells.  The main complaint for these types of dumbbells is that they take up a bit more time between reps because of having to switch the weights yourself.  If you aren’t willing to pay over $100 though, this is the option for you.  Check out the Confidence Fitness Pro weights or the Cap Barbell Adjustable Dumbbell Set.  Both are competitively priced manual adjustable dumbbell sets that come complete in a case which is handy for keeping your weights organized and makes it easier to store.

 

Cap Barbell 40-Pound Dumbbell Set

Most simple manual adjustable dumbbells sets will usually come with a few weight plates to get you started, but those looking for bigger results may need to buy some additional weights.  The weights can also be used in conjunction with a barbell if you have one, which is a huge plus, can save you money down the line and makes it more versatile.

But if you have a few extra bucks to spend and want to lift with some larger weights, an automatic dumbbell is a great way to go.  By simply turning a knob on the side, you can decide how much weight to use.  Its speedy and compact.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

The best brand are the Bowflex SelectTech.  They are sturdy and comfortable during the workout and look a lot nicer than some of the the other products out there.  The two most popular Bowflex adjustable dumbbells models are the 552 and 1090.  The 552 goes to 52.5 pounds for each of the dumbbells in the pair, but the 1090 goes to a whopping 90 pounds, which is more than enough.

Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Single Dumbbell

I recommended the 1090.  It is a great investment which you won’t outgrow and one of the best adjustable dumbbells out there.  Automatic dumbbells are great time savers and have a great amount of weight, so you will be able to use them for a while as you grow stronger.  And while you are at it, you may want to consider the weight stand that Bowflex makes as well.  It is not only convenient, but can help you to avoid injuring yourself by keeping them at a safer height.

The important factor that make dumbbells necessary is they utilize muscles that gym machines don’t work.  When you are lifting a free weight and you have to steady the motion, your are exercising your stabilizer muscles.  By working on machines alone, you won’t get the nice definition in your muscles that you want.

Hopefully this information helps you out of the quagmire of having to research your own dumbbell purchase and avoid the mistakes that so many people make when buying their first dumbbells.  Remember that you get what you pay for, so if you find a deal that is too good to be true, you may want to reconsider.  Good luck and be safe!

Home Exercise Gym Basics

Posted on by
Reply

If you’ve saved up some money and want to invest in some new equipment for your home exercise gym, the pieces you buy need to be used for several different workouts.  There is no point spending your money on anything that targets just one muscle group at this point.  Thinking broad can save you money right now and help you in your workouts.

The first things that come to my mind as being necessary items are dumbbells or free weights and something to sit on while doing certain exercises.  There are many different options for free weights and dumb bells and there are pros and cons to both.  You could buy dumbbells that are of varying weights or you can buy free weights that you can change the weight of depending on your desire.  The con with the latter is that changing the weights can be a time waster, but buying all of the dumbbells at different weight sizes can be more expensive.

A good compromise for me is to get a few lighter dumbbells (2 lbs, 3lbs, 5lbs) for use when you are doing aerobic routines and just need a bit more weight to push yourself, and get free weights with adjustable weight options for the heavier lifting exercises.  This is an ideal start to a fitness home gym.

A lot of people will use a household chair while doing exercises requiring you to sit or spend unnecessary money on a workout bench.  The perfect solution is a multipurpose balance ball.  Try sitting on one of those while doing shoulder presses or laying on one while doing chest presses.  It forces you to work your muscles harder to balance yourself and do the actual workout.  With a small investment you will increase your productivity exponentially.

These few items together are not that expensive especially when you think of how expensive a gym membership is a month.  A smart investment now will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.  Click here for some really wonderful and inexpensive options.

Compact Adjustable Dumbbell Set

Featured

Posted on by
1

The most important factor for most people when looking for a good home gym purchase is if it is nice and compact.  The majority don’t have a lot of excess room to spare in regards to building a home gym.  Finding items that help you get healthy and don’t take up much room is great, but finding ones that are versatile is a gold mine.

SportBell Adjustable Dumbbell

Adjustable dumbbells take up far less room than purchasing many dumbbells of a set weight.  For starters, there is the fantastic SportBell Adjustable Dumbbell.  What is fantastic about this cheap adjustable dumbbell is that it is lighter and has smaller increments.  If you are planning on using any home workout DVDs or exercising with workouts from a fitness television channel, you are going to need a variety of lighter weights to aid in the workout.  The SportBell Adjustable Dumbbell can weigh anywhere from 1 to 10 pounds using 1 pound increments.  Not only will this save you space and money compared to buying ten pairs of different weights it is earth friendly.  This adjustable dumbbell uses 82% less raw materials in comparison to individual dumbbells.  It is also aesthetically pleasing and comes in a variety of vibrant colors.

Cap Barbell Dumbbell Set

While ten pound adjustable dumbbells can be helpful for lighter fitness oriented exercises, you will require a bit more weight to build muscles.  One of the best compact adjustable dumbbell sets that you will find is the Cap Barbell Dumbbell Set.  It is still quite compact as it comes in a handy plastic carrying case which measures 20 x 9 x 8 (LxWxH).  This pair of adjustable dumbbells can go up to twenty pounds each or you can set one of them as forty pounds.  It is incredibly easy to increase to heavier weights by simply purchasing more weight plates down the line.  The included weight plates can also be used if you ever decide to buy a barbell.

Bowflex Selecttech 552 Dumbbells

For an adjustable weight dumbbell that will stand the test of time, check out the Bowflex Selecttech 552 Dumbbells.  Bowflex is one of the most popular and well respected home fitness brands out there, so you know that you can trust the product.  Each of the two dumbbells has a range of 5 to 52.5 pounds with fifteen different increments throughout.  This small dumbbell will effectively replace fifteen different weights that could be cluttering up your home.  It also has an extended warranty of five years for the weights and two years on the parts, so you can rest assured that you will get your money’s worth from this dumbbell.

X Mark Pair of 50 lb. Adjustable Dumbbells

While most don’t think in an aesthetic way when thinking about their home gym, it doesn’t hurt to have equipment that looks attractive.  Case in point is the X Mark Pair of 50 lb. Adjustable Dumbbells.  They work just as well as other adjustable dumbbells and also use chrome plated steel which looks nicer than a lot of the other weights.  Similarly to Bowflex dumbbells, a simple turn of a knob is all it takes to switch between different weights.  This model also comes with a storage tray to keep the weights in place when not in use and for easy storage.  If 50 pounds is too much for you, there is also the X Mark Pair of 25 lb. Adjustable Dumbbells.

Whatever you are looking for in an adjustable dumbbell, there is one out there for you.  If what you are looking for isn’t featured in these weights, don’t give up your search.  There are hundreds of options available, with a bit more research you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for.  Good luck!

What Are Some Must-Have Pieces of Equipment for a Home Gym?

Posted on by
Reply

Working out at home has a number of advantages of working out in a gym. The main reason people generally like to workout at home is because it saves them a lot of money. Gym memberships are not cheap and although you get access to a number of different machines, you don’t really need them and you probably don’t even use most of what you see in a typical gym. You can get a highly effective workout with a few simple, inexpensive pieces of equipment.

  • Dumbbells or Hand Weights. You can find dumbbells just about anywhere. You don’t have to visit a specialty exercise equipment store to find them and they are very inexpensive. If you’re looking for a heavier set – say over 25# – then you may need to visit a sports equipment store. Dumbbells should definitely be at the top of your home gym equipment list because they can be used to complete hundreds of different strength training exercises. Strength training exercises will build muscle and help your body burn more fat. If you don’t want to spend the money on dumbbells or hand weights right now, you can substitute soup cans or water jugs.  A great space saver is an adjustable dumbbell.  A pair of adjustable dumbbells will take up about 75% less space than a collection of set weight dumbbells.
  • One Cardio Machine. I’m not a big fan of running outdoors. If you’re like me, you can still get some great cardiovascular exercise by investing in a cardio machine. You might choose a treadmill, elliptical or recumbent bike. Just choose something you think you’ll get the most use out of. If you’re looking for cheap home gym equipment you can visit second-hand stores, garage sales or ask friends or family members if they have something they aren’t using – chances are you’ll find something fairly cheap. You don’t have to buy exercise equipment brand new!
  • Jump Rope. Jump ropes are very handy to have because you can get a great cardio workout using them. You could jump rope as a warm-up or as your cardiovascular workout for the day. It’s easy to change up the intensity to keep things interesting and you’ll be making your heart stronger too.

All things realized, you can furnish your own home gym at a fraction of the cost of a monthly gym membership. You don’t have to start with everything and it doesn’t have to be fancy. Just start slowly if you need to and build up your equipment as your budget allows.

Lifting With Bowflex Dumbbells

Posted on by
Reply

Dumbbells are the most common fitness equipment; it is an important component of fitness gyms just like butter is to bread. The bowflex dumbbells 1090 is the top of the line brand of dumbbells and it is exceptional because it saves an immense amount of space in your workout area or home gym. You do not need a rack with a lot of weights because the Bowflex dumbbells are just two handle grips that attach to a base with plates that are adjustable at the end of the grip. You can simply adjust the knobs at the end of the Bowflex dumbbells to change the weight from five pounds to over 150 pounds on each dumbbell. The bowflex dumbbells 552 replaces 15 sets of weights and you only need to use the knobs to adjust the weights.

I have rated below the dumbbells on its different aspects with a scale of 1 to 5. A score of 5 means that it is great and at the end I will judge it whether to Pump It or Dump It:

I gave a rating of 4 for its price. This is relative and I think that this would probably deserve a higher score. Unfortunately, I saw bowflex dumbbells for sale at a store that sells sporting goods and the signs were vague because it said you can buy the BowflexSelectTech 2 in 1 Stand for $160 and the dumbbells for $400. I had to get some help and I found out that it was really $400 and it made me hesitant to take out my credit card. You can get used Bowflex dumbbells online that costs around $200 to $300. The risk you take is on the condition of the dumbbells and the wear and tear to the equipment.

I have mentioned the relativity of the price before and I believe that it is worth it if you consider the money and time that it would cost to buy a complete rack of weights.

More Versatile Home Exercise Gym Options

Posted on by
Reply

Buying a few well thought out gym pieces can save you so much money in the long run.  We’ve covered some of the more basic options, so lets move on to a few items that are the best gym solutions in many home exercise gyms.

A great exercise bar is a necessity.  There are many different sizes, styles, shapes and weights to choose from.  For starters, thinking in a versatile manner, I would go with the simple, straight, light gym bar.  If you already have those free weights that I recommended previously, you have some started weights to go with your gym bar.

You may want to purchase some heavier weights too.  These can also be used on your adjustable dumbbells as well.  Down the line as you get stronger and need a challenge, you can easily add on to your current home exercise gym.

You may want to get some cardio exercise in your workout as well.  Treadmills, stair climbers and elliptical can be really pricey.  If you don’t have a bicycle (which I always recommend for health workout reasons and to save gasoline) you can buy a low priced product that turns your bike into a stationary workout bike.  I think this product is fantastic because it allows me to burn a ton of calories while watching my nightly TV shows.

By now, you should have the basics of a complete home exercise gym.  The stationary bike for cardiovascular exercise, the light dumbbells to use with the workouts you find on TV, the heavier free weights and gym bar for a bevy of other workouts and your balance ball to do your exercises on as well as for stretching after.

The next step would be items specifically geared towards one muscle group or a more expensive home fitness gym if you are interested.  For the time being, click here to check out the items I mentioned early in this page.