Are Adjustable Dumbbells Worth It? (The Truth!)

Adjustable dumbbells are a newer invention in the weight lifting world.

Basically, they make are combining a whole bunch of dumbbells into one single dumbbell. So, instead of having a massive dumbbell rack, you just have two dumbbells that can change weights.

Everybody has been talking bout adjustable dumbbells lately, and since they are a little pricey (much cheaper on Amazon), you may be wondering- are adjustable dumbbells worth it?

Yes! Adjustable dumbbells ARE worth it. Once you buy a pair, I don’t think you’ll ever regret it. Even though they are somewhat pricey at first, they save you so much money in the long run. Plus, they save so much space in the basement and they let you work out on the go if you travel frequently. They are 100% worth it!

Here’s a quick pros and cons list explaining why adjustable dumbbells are, overall worth it.

  • Pros:
    • Adjustable dumbbells do save you money in the long run!
    • They save SO much space.
    • Great for those that travel or need to work out on the go. (Say you travel for a business trip or you have a cabin you go to)
    • Dumbbells are some of the best work out equipment out there- you can put on serious muscle with them.
  • Cons:
    • They are less reliable than normal dumbbells.
    • Different shape and feel than normal dumbbells.

Let’s cover this a little bit more, and explain why adjustable dumbbells are so worth it.

Are adjustable dumbbells worth it? Yes!
Are adjustable dumbbells worth it? Yes!

1 – Adjustable Dumbbells Save SO Much Money In The Long Run

So, right away, let’s look at the price of adjustable dumbbells.

Look, I’m not rich or anything. So, adjustable dumbbells certainly aren’t something I can just swipe on the credit card and forget about.

But, I’d like to make the argument that adjustable dumbbells just save you so much money in the long run.

Let’s look at the facts. When you work out, you naturally get stronger over time- right? Well, eventually, you will have to buy new dumbbells to accommodate that strength growth.

So, let’s say you start off with a few dumbbells going up to 35 lbs. That will run you quite a bit of money, but will last you for a while honestly. But after 1-2 years of lifting, those weights are not going to be enough.

Now, you have to buy even heavier dumbbells that are even more expensive.

Instead of buying so many individual dumbbells and spending money all the time- you can condense them into one adjustable dumbbell and save a lot of money in the long run.

Look at this price comparison:

Adjustable dumbbells are just more cost-efficient in the long run.

And when you get even stronger, the adjustable dumbbells save EVEN more of your money. Buying individual 65, 70, 75 lb dumbbells can cost nearly $200 for each set. Meanwhile, an adjustable dumbbell set going UP to 90 lbs will be nearly 1/3rd of the price.

If you’re really into weight lifting for the long run, adjustable dumbbells will save you money in the long run.

2 – It Saves Endless Space

This one should be pretty self-explanatory, but I think it’s something a lot of people overlook when looking at buying adjustable dumbbells.

Adjustable dumbbells save endless space!

When you first start lifting, buying those 4 sets of dumbbells may take up a little bit of room- right? But as you get stronger, you need to get MORE AND MORE dumbbells, now you have 10 sets of dumbbells and your basement is starting to get crowded.

Meanwhile, adjustable dumbbells only take up the space of well, two dumbbells. You just change the weight at the platform that is the same size as a dumbbell set, and that’s it.

So, if you’re like me and you have a wife that doesn’t want you stuffing the basement with a whole bunch of “junk” (in her words)- the adjustable dumbbells will make her happy. (happy wife, happy life!)

3 – Great For Travel

Let’s be honest, one of the hardest parts of traveling is finding a good gym to work out in.

I’ve had those times where I’ve been on a 7-day long vacation and I feel like I’m having gym withdrawals. The gym for a lot of us is therapy.

Instead of having to slam literally 40 different dumbbells in the back of your car or having to skip your workout entirely- just put your adjustable dumbbells in the back of your car. They are great for travel.

That’s why I recommend adjustable dumbbells for truckers or anybody that usually travels.

Having a set of adjustable dumbbells will let you get most of your workout in. You can do chest presses, curls, tricep extensions, et cetera. Dumbbells are such a versatile tool for working out that they will help you keep that physique in tip-top shape.

4 – Cons of Adjustable Dumbbells

While I love adjustable dumbbells and recommend them to everybody- there are a few drawbacks that you should be aware of:

They do break down…

Normal dumbbells don’t really break down per se. But adjustable dumbbells do have a chance to break down due to the moving parts.

If you get a really cheap brand, the chance of them breaking down is really high. Although, if you take good care of them, they likely won’t break down.

For most people, this won’t really be a problem. But if you’re a commercial gym owner- you may want the standard dumbbells as they will be way more reliable over time. But, if these are just for you, you should be fine.

Different Shape

Due to the fact that adjustable dumbbells literally change shape to add weights, they do have a different shape than normal dumbbells.

This actually can throw some people off, as differently shaped dumbbells can cause a weird center of gravity when you’re lifting- even if it’s the same weight.

Just thought I’d give you a heads up, it won’t make a big difference, but if this is a big deal to you- you may want to reconsider your purchase.

So, Yes, Adjustable Dumbbells Are Worth It

Yes, adjustable dumbbells are so worth it. I don’t think any of my friends have ever regretted purchasing a set of adjustable dumbbells.

It’s honestly the most cost-and-space-efficient way to have dumbbells. Plus, it makes working out on the go much easier.

I highly recommend you pick a good set of adjustable dumbbells, BowFlex is usually the most purchased and reliable brand.

Tell me in the comments below, do you use adjustable dumbbells? And do you like them?

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