GIVE YOUR HOME GYM A BIG LIFT
Go hard or go home? Who says you can’t do both? We tested the best adjustable bells to size up your gym-free training sessions
Here at Men’s Health, we’re fans of the gym. Often, there’s little more cathartic than a heavy squat session or a competitive WOD with friends. At other times, however, efficiency is key – which is why you need a home set-up that’s fit for purpose.
If you only invest in one piece of kit for your home workouts, an adjustable dumbbell is a smart choice.
While taking up little more space than a couple of shoeboxes, dumbbells in different weights can help you forge strength and endurance from anywhere.
Stash a set in the corner of the bedroom, the cupboard under the stairs or in your car’s boot for an endless range of workout options, whenever required. (For inspiration, we’d advise signing up to Men’s Health SQUAD.) Plus, a variety of weight increments means you won’t need a wall-mounted rack.
The best sets don’t come cheap, however – and be wary of any that do. While dumbbells are a worthy investment, it pays to ensure you get good value. Our Lab team tested these five for durability, versatility, comfort and user-friendliness. Pick the set best suited to you and turn your living room into a part-time iron paradise.
01 LET’S GET DIGITAL 94/100
Jaxjox DumbbellConnect, £500, argos.co.uk
HI-TECH These futuristic weights make switching the resistance easy. Pop them in the holding dock and select the load (max 22.7kg; min 3.6kg) with the buttons and the plates attach in seconds. EXPERT OPINION Weight changes were simple and the plates stayed secure at all times. They’re sold in pairs, giving them an edge over single dumbbells, too.
02 EASY LIFTING 94/100
Bowflex SelectTech 552i, £249, amazon.co.uk
COMFORT IS KING The grooved rubber handles are more comfortable than their metal counterparts, while 15 weight options between 2kg and 24kg (selected using dials on each end of the bell) provide plenty of variety for your training.
EXPERT OPINION The compact, rounded shape of the weight plates made them easy to adjust. And, as they are plastic, there was none of the usual metallic clanging during overhead presses or snatches, which will be greatly appreciated by your neighbours.
03 IRON GIANT 92/100
Mirafit 40kg Cast Iron, £119.95, mirafit.co.uk
OLD SCHOOL Mirafit didn’t see a need to reinvent the wheel with these classic spinlock dumbbells, which come as a pair. They’re fitted with a selection of hardy cast iron weight plates that can be combined to achieve a broad spectrum of loads.
EXPERT OPINION These traditional dumbbells are reliable and easy to use; just spin the collars into place to secure the loaded plates. There are also 20kg, 30kg and 50kg sets available, catering to lifters of all abilities.
04 THE OUTLIER 87/100
Northdeer Steel Dumbbells, £189.90, amazon.co.uk
A RARE BREED These Northdeer dumbbells were different from anything else we tested, with the screws and screw holes built into the plates themselves for attachment. The weight maxes out at 25kg.
EXPERT OPINION Not for beginners. The four load options start at 12.5kg (fairly heavy for isolation moves such as lateral raises), but the weights fix sound in place – good for dynamic moves such as snatches.
05 HEAVY DUTY 87/100
MuscleSquad 40kg, £460, musclesquad.com
BIG HITTERS We’d like to extend hearty congratulations to anyone who can max these dumbbells out on the bench. It has 24 weight options up to 40kg, which should be enough to satisfy most lifters.
EXPERT OPINION You can change the weight quickly by twisting a single dial on each dumbbell, making these an ideal drop set companion. The metal plates wobble and rattle slightly during some movements, but that’s our only gripe.