Are Adjustable Dumbbells Good? (A Busy Doctor’s Review)

Should you invest in adjustable dumbbells?

Are they good for home gyms?

In this post, you will learn:

• the pros and cons of adjustable dumbbells compared to regular dumbbells,
• how they work,
• and whether adjustable dumbbells are the right investment for you.

Let’s get started.

Disclaimer:

Although we are doctors and personal trainers, we are not your doctors. The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not substitute the advice from your healthcare professional. All kinds of exercise and dietary activities are potentially dangerous, and those who do not seek counsel from the appropriate health care authority assume the liability of any damage or injury which may occur. Please read our full Disclaimer for more information. Also, this post may contain affiliate links: meaning we may receive a commission if you use them.

Okay, let’s get started.

Are Adjustable Dumbbells Good?

Yes, adjustable dumbbells are good. They are convenient, space-saving, and feature an extensive enough weight range to satisfy the majority of lifters.

Modern adjustable dumbbells are an excellent investment if you build a home gym and are short on space.

They are also a good option if you want to save money by buying one set of dumbbells instead of multiple sets.

What Are The Benefits Of Adjustable Dumbbells?

The primary benefits of an adjustable dumbbell set include:

• Easy to use
• They save space (one pair can replace over 20 pairs of dumbbells)
• Most adjustable dumbbells allow you to use small weight increments, such as 2.5 lb or 5 lb.
• They come with a range of max weights depending on how heavy you want to go
• You can use them for a wide variety of exercises
• More portable than standard dumbbells

What Are The Cons Of Adjustable Dumbbells?

Despite the advantages, adjustable dumbbells are not without their disadvantages. These include: 

• Some adjustable dumbbells are generally larger and longer than regular dumbbells, restricting movement in some exercises.
• Adjustable dumbbell mechanisms might get broken or stop working as intended
• Adjustable dumbbells come with a set weight limit, which might not be enough down the line

In addition, adjustable dumbbells are not cheap.

You can expect to spend several hundred dollars to own a pair. If you want a heavier set (>50 lbs), you might pay upwards of $600.

Another disadvantage is that adjustable dumbbells work using a mechanism. While not a common issue, there’s no guarantee that the mechanism for selecting and adjusting the weight will work forever.

If it does break, you’ll have to contact the manufacturer or buy a new set.

What’s Better- Standard Dumbbells Or Adjustable Dumbbells?

If you are looking for maximum convenience, having a large stack of fixed-weight dumbbells is better. It is much easier to pick up the weight you need, put it back, and pick up a different weight rather than having to adjust the weight on each dumbbell every time.

Also, multiple people can use dumbbells simultaneously, which is not possible with one pair of adjustable dumbbells.

However, having fixed traditional dumbbells come with a cost. You will need an entire dumbbell rack (especially if you want to use heavy weights) which takes up a lot of space and is costly.

If you want to save space and money, adjustable dumbbells are the better option. You can get a complete set of weights for the price of two or three fixed-weight dumbbells.

An adjustable set of dumbbells can replace 10+ pairs!

Can You Build Muscle With Adjustable Dumbbells?

Yes, you can build muscle with adjustable dumbbells because they offer a wide range of weights to challenge your muscles.

Any type of resistance training can help you build muscle when used properly. The best way to build muscle with dumbbells is to follow a progressive overload program. 

This means gradually increasing the weight, reps, or sets over time to force your muscles to adapt and grow.

If you keep challenging your muscles with progressively more stress, they will continue to grow larger and stronger in response.