Looking to create a home gym but you’ve got very limited space? Two words, one solution: adjustable dumbbells.

One pair can replace anywhere from 10 to 16 sets of free weights! That alone is mind blowing. Imagine how much space all those dumbbells take up?

If you haven’t considered adding adjustable dumbbells to your gym equipment wish list yet, it’s time to re-write that letter to Santa.

Now, let’s take you through the pros and cons of adjustable dumbbells:

The Pros 

Save Space

Most of us don’t have room for multiple sets of dumbbells, let alone 10 sets, if we’re looking to work with weights from 5 to 50 lbs. The great thing about adjustable dumbbells is you don’t have to sacrifice strength for space. You can still lift anywhere from 5 to 50 lbs (or up to 90lbs, depending on the set you purchase) while only needing the space to store one set of weights.

It’s a Marie Kondo level miracle! (If you’re looking to build a home gym but space is a problem, may we recommend reading “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”? You will find you have more space than you think.)

Save $$

The cost for a single pair of dumbbells isn’t excessive (depending on how heavy the set). So, when comparing a $50 set of 15lb dumbbells to a pair of $400 adjustable dumbbells it might seem crazy. It might seem like you’re spending much more than you had hoped or even need. Stay with me though. While adjustable dumbbells are more expensive up front, they are ultimately less expensive in the long run.

When you first start working out, one or two sets of dumbbells might be sufficient for your fitness needs; however, as your strength increases you will need heavier weights to continue challenging yourself. Additionally, some body parts (like shoulders and triceps) will require different weights than other muscles (like pecs and glutes) right from the start. This means your collection of dumbbells must grow as your needs change.

Yes, purchasing one set of dumbbells at a time makes it more affordable in the moment, but we looked at several different free weight sets and adjustable dumbbell sets from 5 to 50lbs and here’s what we found: per pound, the adjustable dumbbells were always cheaper. On average, the adjustable dumbbells cost $0.75 per pound and the free weight sets were on average $1.89 per pound, more than twice as expensive.

That’s a lot more money over time. A little more up front will save you a lot long-term.

Versatility

 Any exercise you can do with a dumbbell, you can do with an adjustable dumbbell. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete, anything you do with dumbbells can be done just as effectively with adjustable dumbbells.

That’s it.

The Cons 

They’re Definitely not Drop Proof

The delicacy of the adjustable dumbbell’s weight changing mechanism means that when throwing or dropping these weights you’ve very likely to break them. Whereas fixed weight dumbbells can be tossed and remain undamaged pretty much forever. Drop an adjustable dumbbell hard enough and you can pretty much bet that she gone.

Although, if you’re working out in your home gym, unless it’s in your garage (maybe even then), dropping weights is a sure-fire way to damage your floors. And that will set back a pretty penny. Plus, if you live in an apartment, tossing weights will likely get you on your downstairs neighbour’s bad side.

So, skip dropping your weights altogether and you’ll be fine.

Final Thoughts?

There’s no right or wrong answer when choosing between fixed weight dumbbells and adjustable dumbbells. Both are fantastic additions to any home gym. And neither is better or worse when it comes to helping you achieve your fitness goals. What is does come down to though is: space, budget and personal preference. For anyone looking to do their workouts at home but who lack space or storage and has the money to invest up front, there is just no solution better than adjustable dumbbells. As long as you remember to practice good gym etiquette and don’t throw your dumbbells around, the pros far outnumber any cons.

Not sure what you’re looking for in your home gym or just not sure where to start? Contact us! We’re here to help make sure your home gym is perfect for you.