Working out at home is a fantastic way to stay fit and active. If you've been searching for ways to increase your strength, improve muscle tone or just looking for an effective workout for arms, consider adding dumbbells to your exercise routine.
Finding the right pair of dumbbells for beginners can be a bit daunting, especially if it's your first time adding weights to your workout. To help you out, we've ranked the top 10 best dumbbells for beginners available to buy online in the UK from Argos and eBay. If you're unsure what weight to pick, or whether to choose a 4 kg dumbbell or one with adjustable plates, read our buying guide for some handy tips and advice!
Quick List - Top Dumbbells for Beginners
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To get you started on your fitness journey, we've put together this simple buying guide to help you find the right dumbbell for your at-home workout. Take a look at our top tips to ensure you make the perfect choice.
When choosing dumbbells, you can buy either a fixed weight or one with adjustable weight plates. There are different advantages to each style, depending on your workout goals, preferences and fitness level.
Adjustable dumbbells consist of a grip and a selection of interchangeable weight plates. These are a great option for those who want to increase strength and improve their endurance as you can gradually increase the weight.
The flexibility of this type of dumbbell lets you decide the intensity of your workout. You can add weight to the bar little by little, so you don't need to worry about overdoing it with a dumbbell that's too heavy.
Fixed dumbbells are the best option for absolute beginners as they're easy to use and they don't require any setting up. In general, fixed dumbbells tend to be smaller, lighter, and more comfortable to hold than the adjustable ones, which is ideal for fitness newbies.
You might want to consider using fixed dumbbells for adding an extra level of resistance to bodyweight exercises or for yoga and pilates. They can even be used to help with recovery exercises and physiotherapy.
You may have noticed that the weights at either end of your dumbbells come in a few different shapes. While the shape shouldn't impact their overall function too much, you might want to take note when it comes to certain exercises and storage.
Hex or square dumbbells have flat edges that are convenient for stacking and will allow you to put them down between sets, without having to worry about them rolling away. These are a great choice for circuit training when you're moving quickly between exercises and can even double as push up handles when rested against a wall.
The standard round shape is one of the most common types, especially on adjustable dumbbells with interchangeable plates. They may not be as convenient to store, but the flatter disc shape and smoother edge does make them more convenient to hold when doing exercises such as goblet squats or tricep extensions.
Vinyl or neoprene dumbbells are the most common type of beginner dumbbell. Sometimes referred to as pilates weights, they're usually made of metal coated with vinyl or neoprene. The soft, rubbery material allows them to be held comfortably, so you won't need to wear gloves while working out.
Dumbbells with an exposed metal bar are often more hardwearing and easier to grip. However, depending on the exercise, the raised texture can cause chaffing and blisters on your hands. To prevent injury, we recommend using with a pair of workout gloves. We also suggest picking a pair with rubber coated weights to protect your floors and hard surfaces.
If you're new to working out, it's important to start slowly. Ideally, you should pick a lighter weight initially and gradually work your way up to heavier sets. You don't need to necessarily go for the lightest weight, though weights under 5kg can be useful for beginners looking to learn form or add some extra resistance to bodyweight exercises.
If your goal is strength building or muscle gain, you could buy a selection of dumbbells of different weights or ones with changeable plates, to help you increase the intensity of your workouts over time. But, don't worry if you're not quite ready to make the investment, you can always try using a light dumbbell and upping your number of reps as you grow more accustomed to the weight.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Opti Dumbbell Tree Set | ![]() | The Best Dumbbell Set for Beginners | |
2 | Opti Adjustable Vinyl Dumbbells | ![]() | Adjustable Weights to Take You From Beginner to Pro | |
3 | Opti Vinyl Dumbbell Set | ![]() | Best Started Set for Absolute Beginners | |
4 | Opti Neoprene Dumbbells | ![]() | A Simple Design to Improve Technique and Form | |
5 | Reebok 4 kg Single Dumbbell | ![]() | The Perfect Starter Weight for Training Isolated Muscle Groups | |
6 | Men's Health Rubber Dumbbells | ![]() | Heavy Duty Professional Style Weights | |
7 | Reebok 1 kg Single Dumbbell | ![]() | Best Lightweight Dumbbell for Injury Recovery and Physiotherapy | |
8 | CCLIFE 2 in 1 Dumbbell & Barbell Set | ![]() | Best Adjustable Dumbbell for Speedy Workouts | |
9 | Reebok 5 kg Single Dumbbell | ![]() | Professional Grade 5kg Dumbbells | |
10 | Opti 1 kg Neoprene Dumbbells | ![]() | Add Some Light Resistance to Your Home Workout |
Upgrade your home gym set up with this fantastic set of 6 dumbbells for beginners. The weights range from 1.1 kg to 4.5 kg, which is a suitable selection for a range of different exercises. Having a good variety of dumbbells to choose from will allow you to train your whole body in an individually tailored way.
What we love most of all, is that this set come with a handy tree, so you can rack your weights after use, keeping them tidy and out of the way.
These adjustable vinyl dumbbells are perfect for improving strength and muscle tone. With the option to add weight incrementally, you can start off small and work all the way up to 15 kg.
These dumbbells let you add as little as 1.25 kg at a time, encouraging you to go at your own pace. They even feature a spin-lock mechanism so you can exercise freely, knowing that the weights won't fall off.
This set of dumbbells for absolute beginners is guaranteed to get you into the fitness mindset. Included are three pairs of dumbbells ranging from 0.5 kg to 1.5 kg, providing a variety of weights. A fantastic weight-training starter set, this gives you the freedom to choose how heavy you lift.
Each of the dumbbells come with a vinyl coating, making them easy to grip with sweaty hands without needing to wear workout gloves!
If you've been wanting to pick up a versatile pair of dumbbells to help you to really feel the burn, check out these ones from Opti! Whether you're doing strength training or HIIT, their simple, yet effective design will see you through a range of activities.
3kg is a very useful weight for beginners looking to improve their technique and form. Try holding these while practicing your squat or to find the right range of motion when doing a bicep curl.
This fixed dumbbell from Reebok is ideal for helping you to tone and strengthen your arms. Weighing in at 4 kg, it's a fantastic starter weight to isolate and target specific muscle groups.
Not too heavy, but not too light, the blue vinyl coating will allow you to securely grip the weight throughout a range of motions. Unfortunately, as with the other Reebok dumbbells on the list, If you would prefer a pair you'll need to purchase them individually.
To really build your chest and biceps, these professional-looking dumbbells are an excellent choice for those just starting out. The chrome bar offers a great grip to help support your lifting, so you can exercise safely.
If you're wanting to pick up a trustworthy pair of 5 kgs, rest assured, Men's Health is a reputable brand used by pro trainers across the nation. Best of all, you can find some great deals online to save you a bit of cash!
While you likely won't be using it for a heavy lifting session, this 1 kg training dumbbell is perfectly suited to lighter resistance exercises.
Sticking to lighter weights can be beneficial for those with reduced strength or who are recovering from injury. That's why we recommend this dumbbell for physiotherapy exercises and building hand, wrist and grip strength.Try using it to increase the difficulty, without causing excess strain.
With its compact design, this dumbbell was created for speedy workouts, letting you jump between sets without any unnecessary fiddling around changing weight plates. Easy to adjust with the help of four spin lock collars, this dumbbell safely avoids any dropped weights or sudden imbalances in your lifting.
While this one of the more expensive options on our list, the degree of versatility you get from this dumbbell will surely pay for itself!
Turn it up a notch with these 5kg dumbbells from Reebok. Made from tough cast iron inside a tough vinyl cover, these weights are robust enough for the heavy sessions at the gym. Even better, the squared corners mean that they won't roll away when you're taking rests between reps!
Before you buy, note that this listing is for one single dumbbell only. Although they are exceptionally high quality, they probably won't be the most cost-effective option.
These lightweight dumbbells are ideal for those looking to build on their home workouts. They are small, portable and comfortable to hold, with a convenient hex shape for easy stacking and storage. The dumbbell itself features a cast iron centre encased in a strong neoprenes exterior for improved durability even after extensive use.
At only 1 kg you're probably going to want to upgrade pretty quickly. That said, it's a great starter dumbbell to add some light resistance to your training!
Ready to get your pump on but don't know where to start? Check out this full-body dumbbell workout for beginners! It only takes 15 minutes to complete and can be done from your own home. It will introduce moves to do with the dumbbells, including lunges and squats.
All you need is a yoga mat and your comfiest workout clothes. So why not grab your new dumbbells and give it a go?
Having the right gear can help you to train safely and stay motivated. To help you reach your fitness goals, check out these other articles on exercise equipment for more ideas on how to upgrade your home gym!
Selecting the right fitness equipment will help you to improve your at home workouts and encourage you to maintain consistency over time. We hope you will find our buying guide useful when shopping for the perfect pair of beginner dumbbells online!
Author: Annie Speight
No. 1: Opti |Dumbbell Tree Set
No. 2: Opti |Adjustable Vinyl Dumbbells
No. 3: Opti|Vinyl Dumbbell Set
No. 4: Opti|Neoprene Dumbbells
No. 5: Reebok|4 kg Single Dumbbell
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