It’s hard to know where to begin when searching for a new pair or set of dumbbells because there are so many choices on the market. Some options have changed little in over a century, but there are also some innovative new products that have only just appeared, from adjustable dumbbells, to the insanely hi-tech dumbbells. We’ve broken down our favorite dumbbells for all different goals and budgets, so if you’re on the hunt for a new set of dumbbells, this list is for you.
Best Dumbbells
Best Dumbbells Overall: Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Best Dumbbell Set: American Barbell Series IV Dumbbells
Best Dumbbells for the Money: Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Best Adjustable Dumbbells: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
Best Loadable Dumbbells: Rogue Loadable Dumbbells
Best Rubber Dumbbells: Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Best Premium Dumbbells: Rogue Urethane Dumbbells
Best Block Dumbbells: PowerBlock Series EXP
Best Hex Dumbbells: Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Best Dumbbell Rack: Rogue Universal Storage System
Best Dumbbells Overall
If you’ve worked out for any length of time, you’ve probably used a pair of rubber hex dumbbells. Well priced and very robust, they are the workhorses of countless gyms across the world. They aren’t the prettiest piece of equipment you’ll see (we say that subjectively), but when you factor in value, a pair of classic rubber hex doubles are hard to beat.
Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Ranging from 2.5lbs all the way up to 125lbs, Rogue has definitely got the weight you need to tone or build muscle mass. The heavy duty rubber that coats these dumbbells is durable and great at reducing damage to flooring, and the hex shape means they aren’t going to roll away from you in the rest periods if you don’t pay attention. For what you get, we like the price point on these dumbbells too.
Best Dumbbells
Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Rubber Hex Dumbbells
These classic dumbbells are perfect for throwing around the gym with their rubber coating to protect your floor and hex design to keep them from rolling. these dumbbells are available up to 125 pounds for serious strength athletes.
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Who Should Buy the Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Athletes who need strong, durable dumbbells for their training.
CrossFitters who don’t want their dumbbells to roll away during WODs.
Consumers who want a dumbbell that is less likely to damage their floor.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Buyers who don’t have space for multiple sets of dumbbells.
Athletes who would prefer to buy one set of dumbbells they can adjust.
Trainees looking for a flashy set of dumbbells.
You see these dumbbells everywhere for a reason. Durable and affordable, they will survive a lot of punishment in training and do so without breaking the bank.
Best Dumbbell Set
If you want a full set of dumbbells for your workouts, the American Barbell Series IV set is the best option we’ve discovered on the market today. With a few different packages, they can cover everything from a really extensive home gym to a fully outfitted commercial gym.
American Barbell Series IV Dumbbells
While the upfront cost may be significant, these dumbbells have incredible longevity. The solid steel core and urethane covering mean they’ll survive the most egregious abuse. The handles have a medium knurl so you shouldn’t struggle with grip, but also shouldn’t have your skin shredded. Plus, the design is timeless.
American Barbell Series IV Dumbbells
American Barbell Series IV Dumbbells
The American Barbell Series IV dumbbells are solid, commercial-grade dumbbells with a steel core and urethane coating. If building your home gym includes a set of high-quality dumbbells, it'll be hard to beat this set for the price.
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Who Should Buy the American Barbell Series IV Dumbbells
Athletes who want a comprehensive set of dumbbells.
Lifters looking for a smartly designed set of gym equipment.
Buyers who want a urethane covering for greater durability than rubber.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the American Barbell Series IV Dumbbells
Consumers with a tighter budget.
Lifters who don’t need such a large range of weight.
Buyers who have minimal space to store their equipment.
For lifters that want the entire range of weights, this dumbbell set is ideal. Smartly designed with high quality materials, it’s hard to take issue with this dumbbell set.
Best Dumbbells for the Money
Everyone has a dream equipment list, but it likely remains a dream as price and space constraints bring you back to reality . If you want to workout, but know you can’t afford to mortgage your house to do so, we think the Fringe Sport dumbbell pairs are a great option for the money.
Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Made from cast iron, with a steel chrome plated handle and a rubber coating on the heads, these hex dumbbells are just about the best value you are going to find. While they are well priced, we also found them to be very reliable, and don’t seem to suffer from any durability issues that can often plague cheaper offerings. They even come with a 1 year warranty if the low price point gives you pause.
Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Find the exact pair of dumbbells you need without breaking the bank with the Fringe Sport dumbbell pairs. Despite a lower price point than other manufacturers, they're reliably built with cast iron and a durable rubber coating.
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Who Should Buy the Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Athletes who want great value for the money when it comes to dumbbells.
Lifters who are looking for easy to clean and maintain equipment.
Trainees who want durable, no-frills dumbbells.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Trainees who don’t have enough space for multiple sets of dumbbells.
Buyers looking for more aesthetically designed dumbbells.
Anyone looking for adjustable dumbbells.
About as affordable as you can get, these rubber coated hex dumbbells are a great option for anyone whose budget is limited.
Best Adjustable Dumbbells
Adjustable dumbbells are a trade off in many ways. Greater upfront expense and less durability, but far lower space requirements and long term you will save money because you don’t need to buy new sets of dumbbells to fill in weights as you progress.
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
An adjustable pair of dumbbells with a weight range of 5lbs to 52.5 lbs, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable dumbbells are perfect for people low on space who need a wide range of dumbbell weight for their workouts.
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Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
We love the Bowflex adjustable dumbbells for beginner all the way to intermediate lifters. They are well made and well priced considering the market. And with adjustability from 2.5lbs up to 52.5lbs, they should be enough for most casual athletes and home-fitness enthusiasts. The downside is, you need to be careful not to drop them, as the weights will survive, but the adjusting mechanism may not.
Who Should Buy the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
Athletes who have minimal space for equipment storage.
Buyers looking for a more affordable adjustable dumbbell.
Trainees who want a flexible set of dumbbells that have small enough increments for all accessory movements.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
Advanced trainees who need access to very heavy dumbbells for their program.
Consumers whose dumbbells are more likely to be dropped or be used more intensely.
Lifters who have a tighter budget.
If you’re short on space and want just one pair of dumbbells that can help you train without breaking the bank, look no further than this pair of Bowflex adjustables.
Best Loadable Dumbbells
If you love barbells, then odds are you may love these loadable dumbbells. Essentially a miniaturized barbell, they feature the same knurling, bar diameter and rotational capacity that you’d expect from your bar, but in dumbbell form. Rogue Fitness manufactures these dumbbells to the same specifications as the Ohio bars, so we think it’s safe that durability isn’t going to be an issue.
Rogue Loadable Dumbbells
Compatible with the standard plates you’ll encounter in any gym, you have the option of getting a smaller 10lb dumbbell or a 15lb dumbbell with a longer 6.75in loadable sleeve. Rogue have really pulled out all the stops on these. The only issue we can find is that they aren’t cheap. If you have the cash on hand though, these are some beautiful dumbbells.
Rogue Loadable Dumbbells
Rogue Loadable Dumbbells
The Rogue Loadable Dumbbells are for people who want to get serious about dumbbell training. Beautifully designed, these dumbbells have the same knurling and rotational function of a barbell, and the weight can be loaded and unloaded as needed.
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Who Should Buy the Rogue Loadable Dumbbells
Athletes who want a really durable, yet adjustable dumbbell system.
Lifters who want a dumbbell that can rotate as movements are performed.
Trainees searching for a great looking set of dumbbells.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Rogue Loadable Dumbbells
Buyers with a tight budget.
Customers who don’t want to have to adjust their dumbbells.
Trainees who don’t need such a large range of weights.
The ultimate in adjustable dumbbells are not cheap, but they look awesome and perform just as well. If you have deep pockets and are training often, we highly recommend these loadable dumbbells from Rogue.
Best Rubber Dumbbells
As a material, rubber comes with a host of benefits. Cheap, pretty durable and good at absorbing shocks, it is a great choice for those who are going to be a bit more aggressive in their training. If you want to minimize damage to your floors and to the dumbbells themselves, rubber coated dumbbells are an affordable option.
Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Ranging from 3 all the way up to 100lbs, Fringe Sport has you covered on weights. The reliability of these dumbbells is also second to none, made from solid cast iron. The rubber coating means that unless you’re really ill treating them, they’ll bounce back. We also appreciate the knurled ergonomic handle which allows for easy gripping.
Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Find the exact pair of dumbbells you need without breaking the bank with the Fringe Sport dumbbell pairs. Despite a lower price point than other manufacturers, they're reliably built with cast iron and a durable rubber coating.
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Who Should Buy the Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Athletes who need hard wearing dumbbells.
Lifters who are looking for easy to clean and maintain equipment.
Trainees who want to minimize noise and damage from dropped weights.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Fringe Sport Dumbbell Pairs
Trainees who don’t have enough space for multiple sets of dumbbells.
Anyone looking for adjustable dumbbells.
Buyers looking for more aesthetically designed dumbbells.
Easy to store and great value, these dumbbells are also a good option if you are going to be doing more dynamic movements that could lead to drops.
Best Premium Dumbbells
Urethane coatings have better abrasion, sunlight and impact resistance than rubber coatings. The downside is they are more expensive. Here though, we’re going to assume cost isn’t an issue. Rogue makes an excellent set of round urethane dumbbells that are our pick for the best premium dumbbells.
Rogue Urethane Dumbbells
Urethane aside, every component of these dumbbells is high quality. With solid steel heads welded smartly to a chrome handle with precision knurling, you can rest assured that they are going to stand the dual tests of time and training. The lack of odor you can sometimes catch from rubber coated dumbbells should please those with a sensitive nose too.
Rogue Urethane Dumbbells
Rogue Urethane Dumbbells
It doesn't get much more high quality than the Rogue urethane coated dumbbells. From the welded steel to precision knurling, these dumbbells are a premium option for those who want the best dumbbells in their gym.
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Who Should Buy the Rogue Urethane Dumbbells
Lifters who want top of the range dumbbells that have great longevity.
Consumers looking for dumbbells that require very little maintenance.
Athletes who want dumbbells with strong but not too aggressive knurling.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Rogue Urethane Dumbbells
Consumers with a limited budget.
Lifters who don’t like dumbbells that could roll away or onto their toes during rest periods.
Buyers who would prefer to purchase adjustable dumbbells.
With a classic design, ultra low maintenance requirements and great durability, these dumbbells are more pricey, but they certainly justify it.
Best Block Dumbbells
Powerblock pioneered the adjustable dumbbell in the early 90s, and though there are many more challengers in the market now than before, their block dumbbells still sell well for good reason. These dumbbells have the option of going from 5 to 100lbs and are very well built.
PowerBlock Series EXP
Other small details like the fact that dumbbell weights are marked in both lb and kg help mark these out as truly designed for lifters by lifters. They are relatively expensive, but work out cheap in the long run, especially if you get a heavier set. The main issue we find is that they are pretty large and can occasionally get caught on clothing or interfere with certain movements.
PowerBlock Series EXP Dumbbbells
PowerBlock Series EXP Dumbbbells
One of the pioneers in the adjustable dumbbell space, the PowerBlock dumbbells are solid and reliable if you're tight on space and need lots of weight in a dumbbell. The EXP has options up to 90lbs per hand.
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Who Should Buy the PowerBlock Series EXP
Lifters who don’t want multiple sets of dumbbells.
Trainees who want a durable adjustable dumbbell at a solid price.
Anyone who wants a set of adjustable dumbbells that get very heavy.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the PowerBlock Series EXP
Trainees who want a smaller set of adjustable dumbbells that won’t get caught as easily on clothing while lifting.
Lifters who want a more aesthetically designed set of dumbbells.
Buyers with a tighter budget.
PowerBlocks’ marketplace longevity is well warranted. These are solid adjustable dumbbells that can help expand your training repertoire.
Best Hex Dumbbells
Hex dumbbells have gained in popularity compared to round dumbbells in previous years as they are generally easier to store and are more affordable. They also don’t roll (very far) when dropped. The hex dumbbells made by Rogue are our top pick for this category. You’ll struggle to find better dumbbells as the quality and design is excellent.
Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Featuring a chrome plated handle with knurling for added grip, these hex dumbbells are rubber coated to minimize noise and damage to the floor if dropped. They have a classic hex look and you can order up to a 125lb set, so you should be covered for your training progressions and heavy lifting days.
Best Dumbbells
Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Rubber Hex Dumbbells
These classic dumbbells are perfect for throwing around the gym with their rubber coating to protect your floor and hex design to keep them from rolling. these dumbbells are available up to 125 pounds for serious strength athletes.
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Who Should Buy the Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Trainees who want simple equipment that is less likely to break.
Buyers with enough space to store their dumbbells.
Lifters who want dumbbells that won’t roll away during rest periods.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Athletes that want urethane covering for extra durability.
Consumers who want a more aesthetically designed set of dumbbells.
Buyers who would prefer a set of round dumbbells for lifting.
Aside from space requirements, hex dumbbells are hard to beat. These are well priced and have a proven track record in gyms all across the world.
Best Dumbbell Rack
Storing any form of strength equipment can be tough due to the enormous strain it can put on shelving. However, if you’re going to purchase a set of dumbbells, you’ll want to store them properly. It’s going to increase the longevity of your weights, make them easier to keep clean, and allow you to stay organized rather than searching around to find the right weight.
Rogue Universal Storage System
Built with 11 gauge laser cut steel, you need not worry about this shelf crumbling under pressure. The heavy duty wheels make it easy to move about, and it’s got enough surface area to store sixteen 70lb kettlebells on each shelf. Finally, Rogue’s universal rack system means you can bolt on other accessories, like a barbell holder if you want.
Rogue Universal Storage System
Rogue Universal Storage System
Whether you need a clean space to store a set of dumbbells or have miscellaneous gym equipment you need to organize, this storage system from Rogue can handle it with 11 gauge steel and heavy duty wheels.
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Who Should Buy the Rogue Universal Storage System
Lifters who want to clean up their training area.
Consumers who need a durable storage system for their weights.
Buyers who want to purchase multiple training implements for their home gym.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Rogue Universal Storage System
People with adjustable dumbbells that don’t need a rack.
Trainees who aren’t so concerned about organizing equipment.
Buyers who would rather spend the money on more workout rather than storage equipment.
When standard shelving just won’t do, get yourself a heavy duty storage solution like this one from Rogue that can deal with really heavy weights.
What to Consider Before Buying Dumbbells
Dumbbells are something you absolutely want in your training toolkit at some point. Here are the major factors you’ll want to think about before you buy a pair or a set.
Adjustable or Fixed
The first major decision to make when buying dumbbells is whether to get adjustable or fixed weight dumbbells. If you plan on dropping your dumbbells regularly during training, go for fixed dumbbells for their durability. Adjustable dumbbells will have a higher price tag for a pair, but you’ll end up paying the same or more for an equivalent set of fixed dumbbells that can cover the same weight range. Does the versatility of the adjustable dumbbells make up for the fact they’ll need more care? Or would you prefer the simplicity of fixed sets?
Consider space as well. If you’re looking to build strength and progress in your training, then you’ll need to continue upping the weight. With fixed dumbbells, this can start to take up a lot of space — fast. But one pair of adjustable dumbbells can help you progress without taking up a lot of space. Our advice: assess your training goals and strength trajectory to make an informed decision.
Ease of Use
This really only applies to adjustable dumbbells, as fixed dumbbells are (we hope) foolproof. Changing the weights on adjustable dumbbells hasn’t historically been the easiest, quickest, or most reliable process. Thankfully, with the recent surge of interest in gyms and gym equipment — generally — a lot more thought has gone into these mechanisms. It’s true that you can still find wacky, difficult-to-use models out there, but you should be able to spot them from reviews and by asking around. We made sure to pick models we know to be solid for our list, but there are a ton of decent options out there, so research accordingly.
Durability
As we just noted, adjustable dumbbells won’t be as durable as fixed weights. Fixed weights have zero moving parts and are usually cast as one single, solid block. This doesn’t make them indestructible, but they can endure some serious punishment. You only need to watch CrossFit or strongman athletes dropping dumbbells at the end of the workout to see this in action.
If you plan on doing any kind of intense training, fixed dumbbells may be your only choice due to their durability. On the other hand if you plan on doing mostly bodybuilding, powerlifting, or recreational lifting, your dumbbells are rarely going to be used in situations where you’re pushing to failure and dropping them immediately. They’re usually for accessory movements where you’ll be less likely to drop the dumbbells.
Common Dumbbell Materials
There are a variety of materials you’re going to see used to construct dumbbells, so we’ve highlighted the most common ones and their pros and cons below.
Rubber
This is generally the most common covering for dumbbells. Virgin rubber is cheap. Recycled rubber is even cheaper, but can smell odd. It is a decently durable material and will survive an average trainees’ workouts so long as they aren’t chucking the dumbbells on the floor every time they finish a set (and even then they might still be fine). Relatively soft, rubber will help cushion a dumbbell’s fall and can prevent some of the excess damage to your floor if you drop them regularly.
Urethane
This is the premium option for covering dumbbells. Hard wearing and great for customization, it is very resistant to damage. The obvious downside is the price. Urethane dumbbells are going to be significantly more expensive than their rubber counterparts, but if you’re on the hunt for a good-looking premium dumbbell, then urethane is probably what you’re looking for.
Steel
Alongside iron, steel is a very common base material. It is more expensive than iron, but will not oxidize quite so easily, or almost at all depending on the type of steel used. It can, however, be more brittle due to the added carbon. This means that if you weaken the dumbbell over time, it may snap. We make this sound like a simple task, but trust us, you’ll have to put in quite a bit of time and effort to have this happen.
Cast Iron
Cheaper than steel, this will commonly be used in lower cost dumbbells, with a lot of the hex models being prime examples. It’s great so long as it remains covered by the rubber, urethane, or chrome plating. Once exposed it is easily oxidized and will rust, which isn’t the end of the world in the short run, but long term can result in structural weakness.
Plastic
Plastic is rarely used with fixed dumbbells, it is almost always used to manufacture the adjustment mechanisms for adjustable dumbbells. It is almost impossible to create a lightweight mechanism out of anything else, but the trade off is the fragility of the plastic. This is why you have to be careful not to drop or smash a pair of adjustable dumbbells. The weights themselves will survive, but the mechanisms can be easily damaged.
How Much Space Do You Have?
This is either a major pain point for, or a passing thought unless you accumulate an unusually large collection of weights. If you don’t have much space, then adjustable dumbbells are the obvious move. They save so much space when you consider the wide range of weight they can cover. On the other hand, they can be expensive if you opt for a high-quality pair.
You will save money by purchasing pairs of dumbbells for weights that you use regularly, but fixed weight dumbbells will inevitably take up much more room if you end up buying a whole set. Those with a dedicated garage gym should have space to store them, but if you’re looking to discreetly plant some dumbbells in your bonus room behind the treadmill, be sure to consider what you need and how much space you have.
Premium Dumbbell Features
There are some high end features that may be of interest if your budget isn’t a factor and you’re looking for the best of the best. Beware, this can get expensive fast.
Knurling
Several brands offer custom knurling on dumbbells. Knurling won’t be a big deal for most people as the weights they use aren’t heavy enough to be seriously impacted by this. If however, you’re going super heavyweight on dumbbell rows and need some aggressive knurling for a solid grip, know that there are options available.
Rotating Handles
If you look back at the Rogue Loadable Dumbbells, you’ll see an example of this feature. The theory is that, like a barbell, having bearings or bushings that allow rotation leads to better movement of the dumbbell, which can lead to more weight lifted. This is a really cool option, but it is probably the most expensive of all of these premium features and the benefits may only help a few in the top tier of strength sports.
Handle Diameter
Another option that has recently garnered discussion is handle diameter. Theories abound that thicker grips lead to greater irradiation and thus muscle activation overall. If you find this to be true for you, larger diameter handles are more and more available to consumers.
Other Customizations
The sky really is the limit here, especially with urethane dumbbells. You can have a custom logo or name added to your dumbbells. You can change colors or have different finishes. Companies have realized that there isn’t much of a downside to offering these options, so if you want it, they’ll almost certainly do it and charge you extra for the privilege.
Kettlebells vs Dumbbells
So onto the first of a few face offs. Kettlebells are a great conditioning tool and have their own hardcore following. They are a fantastic tool for people who like HIIT training and a wide variety of workouts to perform. If you’re a huge fan of kettlebells, there are ways to perform almost everything you can do with a dumbbell, but movements tend to be geared more towards using multiple muscle groups or the entire body, whereas dumbbells can more easily target individual muscles. Let’s just say it’s a lot easier (and comfortable) to do a bicep curl with a dumbbell than a kettlebell.
Barbells vs Dumbbells
Both barbells and dumbbells can fulfill similar roles in training, but they both have strengths when compared to each other. Generally barbells are better for super-heavy weight training and 1 rep max days as it is difficult to hold or even afford dumbbells that heavy. On the other hand, dumbbells allow for more movement variations, better unilateral training, and higher rep sets with less weight. What you get is really going to depend on what you want to prioritize in your training.
Fatbells vs Dumbbells
Fatbells are a new entrant into the equipment market and should technically be classified as “center mass bells”, but the inventor’s name has stuck. The way these dumbbells work is by placing the bar within a centered, round weight. The weight is generally closer to your hands and evenly distributed, as opposed to flaring out far beyond your wrists like traditional dumbbells do.
Center mass bells are as good as dumbbells in basically every respect other than price. They’re generally pretty expensive and that’s probably the biggest deal breaker for most consumers.
Final Word
We can’t recommend dumbbells highly enough. The versatility available from a single pair of dumbbells is unequalled by virtually any other piece of equipment (don’t worry, we love the barbell immensely). Ask yourself how wide a weight range do you need and how robust do the dumbbells need to be?
Adjustable dumbbells will bring that range, but can come at a cost. You may be paying for more weight than you need. In terms of durability, they can’t match fixed dumbbells.
Fixed dumbbells are great if you want to do movements like the dumbbell snatch, as they are much more durable, but you lose some versatility if you don’t by a whole set, or you’ll need more space. Have a think about your training and choose accordingly. You won’t regret adding a quality pair (or set) of dumbbells to your training arsenal.
FAQs
Are adjustable dumbbells better or fixed dumbbells better?
This all comes down to your goals. Adjustable dumbbells have great versatility, but are more fragile. Fixed dumbbells are durable but take up much more space with all the different pairs of weights. Think about your own training and choose accordingly.
What range of weights do people normally use with dumbbells?
We think that you can get an incredible workout in with dumbbells up to 50lbs. If you’re good at manipulating tempo, adding pauses and changing leverage of lifts, you can eke out some incredible workouts even when you’re very strong and only have access to dumbbells up to 50lbs.
Is unilateral training easier with dumbbells? What is it and why should I do it?
Unilateral training simply means training with one side. An example would be doing a single arm dumbbell row. This kind of movement is great for equalizing out strength, coordination and size differences between body parts, but there are plenty of other reasons to add this training in too.
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