Choosing Between Fixed And Adjustable Dumbbells

Fixed dumbbells are fast, durable and pleasant to use. They also need a rack, a lot of floor and a serious budget once you go past twenty kilos a hand.

Adjustable dumbbells give you the whole range in the footprint of a single pair. Modern dial systems change weight in a couple of seconds, which is quick enough for drop sets and supersets. The trade off is a slightly longer handle and a mechanism that needs treating with respect.

For a home gym under twenty square metres, adjustable dumbbells are almost always the right answer. Buy once, buy a set that reaches at least thirty kilos a hand, and put the money you save into a good bench.

If you train explosively, drop weights regularly or run a commercial floor, fixed hex or urethane dumbbells will last longer and take more abuse.