EXERCISING at home is a great way to stay in shape if you can't commit to the gym or you just want to do a little extra when you're back from your favourite HIIT class.
To help you get on track, we've rounded up the best cheap dumbbells you can buy right now.
Dumbbells are some of the most versatile pieces of gym equipment you can buy as they allow you to work out almost every body part you have, as long as you know the right exercises.
But they come in different shapes and sizes depending on what you're planning to use them for.
If you're planning on using your dumbbells to go along with a fitness DVD or a workout app, you're probably not going to need anything heavier than 5kg.
But if you're planning on building strength and size at home, the sky is the limit with the amount of weight you can use.
Just be kind to your floor (and to your neighbours!) by getting a mat to lessen the impact when you put your dumbbells down.
Where can I buy dumbbells?
Dumbbells are in high demand right now, so we've listed a few stores below you might be able to buy them at.
- Buy Dumbbells at Amazon
- Buy Dumbbells at Argos
- Buy Dumbbells at JTX Fitness
Dumbells at a glance:
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York Fitness Neoprene Hex Dumbbell
You can't go wrong with York weightlifting equipment.
This dumbbell is coated with neoprene to lessen the impact they have on your hands and on your floors.
It's available in a variety of sizes starting from just £1.99.
Weight: 0.5kg - 8kg, Material: Neoprene, Adjustable: No
Bone Dumbbells pair
If you love a HIIT workout with weights or a cheeky barre class then check out the Bone Dumbbells from Core Balance.
They're less than £10 and are perfect for doing lots of reps or small movements with weights increasing by increments of 0.25kg all the way up to 3kg.
Weight: 0.5kg - 3kg, Material: Cast Iron, Adjustable: No
We tested: Mirafit Weights
Mirafit's range of classic soft-touch dumbbells are ideal to work on different areas of the body, and you can choose a pair ranging from 1kg to 20kg, depending on your personal needs.
We tried them out for a 40 minute at-home HIIT workout, and we loved how comfortable they are to use. They're not too soft as there's slight grip which means that you don't feel like you're going to drop them whilst you're working up a sweat.
Another plus is that they come in pairs, allowing you to carry equal weight as you squat, lunge and punch, defining muscle equally in all areas.
They arrive in a box, perfect for keeping them neatly tucked away when you're not using them too.
Weight: 0.5kg - 10kg, Material: Soft touch finish, Adjustable: No
MuscleSquad 32.5kg Adjustable Dumbbell - 12 in 1 Dumbbell
Before you scroll past the high-end price tag, hear us out. The MuscleSquad 32.5kg Adjustable Dummbell is 12 weights in one so it's a decent investment buy.
As someone who usually does HIIT workouts with 10kg, we were a little over our head with the 32.5kg, but managed to work out how to adjust it really simply to suit us and even tried squatting with 20kg!
It's easy to use, although we would have liked the actual bar to be long enough to fit two hands for us weaker people out there. But in terms of comfort and versatility, this is an amazing investment for your at-home workout.
The best thing about this bad boy is how much space it'll save for you at home.
Weight: 5kg - 32.5kg, Material: Alloy steel, Adjustable: Yes
Opti Neoprene Dumbbell Set
- 2 x 1kg Opti Neoprene Dumbbell Set, £8 from Argos - buy here
- 2 x 2kg Opti Neoprene Dumbbell Set, £12 from Argos - buy here
- 2 X 3kg Opti Neoprene Dumbbell Set, £16 from Argos - buy here
- 2 X 4kg Opti Neoprene Dumbbell Set, £21 from Argos - buy here
- 2 X 5kg Opti Neoprene Dumbbell Set, £26 from Argos - buy here
- 2 X 6kg Opti Neoprene Dumbbell Set, £34 from Argos - buy here
Argos rarely lets the side down with its fitness gear and it's no different with dumbbells.
This set are coated with neoprene to be soft on your hands and are available in pairs all the way up to 6KG.
Weight: 1kg - 6kg, Material: Rubber, Adjustable: No
MIRAFIT 12KG Dumbbell Weight Set & Rack
Getting a dumbbell tower or stack is a good way to save.
This set from MIRAFIT costs less than £50 which is not bad considering you get three pairs of light weights for your money.
Weight: 1kg - 3kg, Material: Neoprene, Adjustable: No
Opti Vinyl Barbell and Dumbbell Set
An adjustable vinyl dumbbell set is useful for when you want to vary up the weight depending on the exercises you're doing.
Weight: Up to 26kg, Material: Vinyl, Adjustable: Yes
Opti Cast Iron Dumbbell Set
Cast iron adjustable dumbbells make it easier to increase the weight you're using.
As far as we can work out, the bars only rated for the 20kg of weight they come with, but seeing as they're made from cast iron, you'd do well to find the upper limit of the weight these dumbbells can handle.
Weight: Up to 20kg, Material: Cast Iron, Adjustable: Yes
Opti Cast Iron Bar and Dumbbell Set
If you want to take things to the next level with your home workout, you can invest in a dumbbell-barbell combo.
The barbell means it's easier to compound exercises such as squats and bench press with heavier weights.
This set from Opti comes with 48.8kg of weight which is more than enough to get you started.
You can always add your own plates once this gets too easy.
Weight: Up to 48.8kg, Material: Cast Iron, Adjustable: Yes
DTX Fitness Hand Weight Set
If you're looking for a cheap and cheerful set that will get you going on the right weight lifting path, these DTX hand weights are just the ticket. Perfect for beginners who want to up the ante on their fitness workouts, they're not the heaviest weights, but they're a great starter set.
Each cast iron weight is covered in colourful neoprene and the set come in a handy storage container that's easy to hide away.
Weight: 0.5kg - 2kg, Material: Neoprene, Adjustable: No
Everlast Dumbbell Set
Everlast have long been on the fitness equipment scene and the brand's products are known for their reliability and great value.
This dumbbell set is no exception and depending on your needs, there's a set to suit – from 15kg up to 30kg. On this 15kg set, the weight is distributed between four 2.5kg plates and four 1.25kg plates, plus the bars include knurled polyurethane grips, meaning you're less likely to drop them.
Weight: 1.25kg - 2.5kg, Material: N/A, Adjustable: Yes
Decathlon Hex Dumbbell
Specifically designed for cross training, the hexagonal shape of this Decathlon dumbbell means it won't go rolling away mid workout.
A versatile piece of kit, the durable rubber exterior can take a few knocks and hundreds of glowing reviews from shoppers praise the product for its comfy grip and quality finish.
Weight: 10kg, Material: Rubber, Adjustable: No
SONGMICS Hex Dumbbell Set with Storage Rack
For a set of dumbbells that are reasonably priced and also look nice and aesthetic at home, may we introduce to these ones from SONGMICS.
A hexagonal shape that makes them perfect for dreaded burpees, elevated press ups or any exercise that requires stability from your equipment, the lighter sizes make these the perfect fit for HIIT, Barre, Zumba or any other form of activity that requires a small amount of resistance but a high number of repititions.
Weight: 1kg - 3kg, Material: Cast iron with neoprene coating, Adjustable: No
What is the best dumbbell weight for beginners?
The weight of your dumbbells will vary depending on your fitness/strength level and the exercise you're planning to use them for.
If you're planning on having accessories to your HIIT workouts, you can probably get away with 5kg or less.
If you're taking your first steps into body building, you're best off investing in a cast iron set that you can add weight to later.
Can I build muscle with dumbbells?
Of course! Most competitive body builders and power lifters will have dumbbells incorporated into their routines somewhere along the line.
You can build muscles almost anywhere on your body using dumbells, whether you're doing bicep curls, chest press, squats, lunges, or using extra weight with your core exercises.