How To Add Weight To Fixed Dumbbells

Adjustable Dumbbells vs Stock-still Dumbbells: Which Dumbbell Prepare Should You lot Buy?

If you are setting upward a new home gym, chances are yous're comparing adjustable dumbbells vs fixed dumbbells to make up one's mind which type is correct for your setup. That's what I'm going to help yous effigy out today. Unfortunately, at that place is no i-size-fits-all answer to this question. Because after all, stock-still and adjustable dumbbells both serve very valid functions in the gym. It's simply a matter of the post-obit factors:

Budget
Space
Other needs and preferences

I'll discuss all three of the above items later in this article. But commencement, I'll embrace the basics that you lot need to know nearly adjustable dumbbells and fixed dumbbells, respectively:

Adjustable dumbbells

Adjustable dumbbells refer to a unmarried pair of dumbbells, whose weight can exist adjusted as needed to be heavier or lighter. The max weight, minimum weight, and weight increments depend on the item set up that you buy. Additionally, adjustment mechanism varies between different brands. Y'all can dissever the aligning machinery into 2 broad categories:

Plate-Loaded Adjustable Dumbbells

Plate-loaded adaptable dumbbells are adjusted by manually removing a locking machinery, adding or removing plates, then re-securing the dumbbells by putting the locking back in identify.

Now, information technology is of import to annotation that within this category of plate-loaded adjustable dumbbells, there are MAJOR differences between the types of locking mechanisms that can brand the difference between:

A low-quality adjustable dumbbell prepare with subpar features, and ease of employ issues that make aligning an inefficient and tedious process
A very high-quality adaptable dumbbell fix with premium features, and intuitive ease of utilise that makes adjustment fast and easy.

I'll give you lot an instance of each of the two above-mentioned types of locking mechanisms:

Example #1: Low Quality = Spin-Lock Adaptable Dumbbells

Spin-lock dumbbells are the ones about people call back of when they think of "adaptable dumbbells." You lot'll see them at any big box shop like Dick's Sporting Goods or Walmart.

Although this very bones type of plate-loaded adjustable dumbbell set tin can become the job done for certain uses, they do have some major flaws:

The Plates Rattle

The spin-locks come up loose during utilize. All it takes is a little bit of move for the plates to rotate reverse the spin-locks from momentum, which will crusade them to loosen ever so slightly. As soon every bit you lose a completely tight lock, the plates will shift dorsum and along, making noise, and giving a very noticeable feeling of instability during the exercise. I'm not proverb the locks will spin all the way off the handle (unless the handle is at max capacity). All the same, the noise and instability of the shifting plates are a very noticeable negative point to consider.

Limited Max Capacity (Unless You Use Big-Diameter Plates):

Most spin-lock dumbbell handles are fourteen inches long. Six inches of that the grip area. That leaves 4 inches of threaded area on each side. But when you business relationship for the locks, which are about a half-inch each, yous only have about 3.v inches per side for weight plates. Technically, you could fill up this space with upward to three 25 lb or 50 lb standard weight plates per side, which would give you a massive 155 to 305 lbs per dumbbell, BUT that would exist ridiculous and impractical to the point of being useless because those plates are so tall that you couldn't practice any exercise. Not to mention, it starts to go pricey when you purchase several of those heavier standard plates. You're not saving money at that point, only you lot are getting a subpar solution. The ten lb standard plates are the largest plates that are practical to use on spin-lock dumbbells in terms of size (not getting in the way) and toll. You could fit four 10's per side this fashion, for a max of just 85 lbs per dumbbell. Now, there are likewise longer spin-lock handles bachelor. Sixteen-inch handles are the next most mutual, followed by 18-inch handles which are much rarer. These would permit y'all get into the low 100s in terms of max weight chapters. However, as discussed beneath, this comes with other issues...

NOT Compact

The spin-lock dumbbells are always as long as the length of the threaded handle. This is usually 14-xvi inches long, rarely 18+ inches. So, regardless of if y'all're using x lbs or 100 lbs, it's still xiv+ inches long. This becomes a major hindrance on exercises like dumbbell curls or lateral raises because the ends of the handles knock into your sides.

Circular Plates

The plates on spin-lock dumbbells are round. This isn't really a big deal, but it's still a negative, at least in my opinion. When it comes to dumbbells, at that place's really no functional reward to having round plates, other than maybe the ability to roll from indicate A to point B. All the same, I merely find this to exist an annoyance since you have to deal with the dumbbells rolling away from the position you set them if the floor is even slightly uneven.

Can't Residuum Ends of Dumbbells on Thighs

If you do whatsoever dumbbell variation of the bench printing or seated shoulder printing, then the inability to stand the dumbbells up vertically on your thighs is a major negative. If you want to safely and efficiently practice perform these exercises with heavier amounts of weight, then you lot demand to be able to outset the practise past having the dumbbell ends on your thighs. This mode, yous're able to "kick" the weights dorsum and up toward your shoulder to go them into place for the pressing motion. However, unless the spin-lock dumbbells are filled all the fashion to the end of the handle, then you volition have the 1-inch diameter handle jamming into your thigh, causing hurting and making information technology difficult if not impossible to remainder the weight in that location.

Example #2: Loftier Quality = Ironmaster Quick-Lock Adjustable Dumbbells

I bought a pair of Ironmaster Quick-Lock adjustable dumbbells 7 years agone afterward much inquiry and deliberation. These were arguably the best adaptable dumbbells on the marketplace and then, and that's still the case today. I wrote about them in detail in my Ironmaster adjustable dumbbells review, which I recommend checking out if you want to hear my complete in-depth analysis.

For the purpose of this article, I want to talk near the Ironmasters because they are the criterion example for a loftier-quality plate-loaded adaptable dumbbell set. Below, I'll cover each of their stand up-out features, and discuss how and why they are so easy to suit and train with, particularly in comparison to spin-lock dumbbells discussed previously.

Tranquillity and Secure

The Ironmaster adaptable dumbbells do not rattle at all. The quick-lock pivot locks tightly and stays that style throughout the elevator. Plus, the plates interlock onto each other, which gives an additional corporeality of security in terms of preventing plate-on-plate movement Quick and Piece of cake Adjustment The Ironmaster'southward are so easy to adjust because of 3 things:

Their patented "quick-lock" system, which includes partially threaded pins. They simply demand to be inserted and turned ¼ -½ rotation to lock them in identify. To have them out, you just practice the opposite. The plates lock up tightly.
The plates are all the same size in terms of height and width, which makes it easy to pick upward and move multiple plates at the aforementioned time.
All of the plates also interlock together, and onto the stop of the dumbbell handle. This makes the plates "stackable," which makes them easier to handle so you tin can add together or remove multiple plates faster and with greater ease.

Meaty and Scalable in Size

The Ironmasters are compact in size. They are 6.vii inches alpine past 6.7 inches wide, at all weights. And the length of the dumbbells scales up as the weight gets college. And so fifty-fifty as y'all add more plates and the length increases, they are however compact for their weight. Specifically, the Ironmaster'south length ranges from:

~vii inches in length at 5 lbs (just the handle, no weights, no pins), to...
14.5" at 75 lbs, to...
18.v" at 120 lbs, to…
23.5" at 165 lbs

Compare this to spinlock dumbbells and some selectorized dumbbells. They are the same length at their minimum weight as they are at their maximum weight. As covered earlier, this is fourteen-18 inches for spin-lock dumbbells and up to eighteen or and then inches for selectorized models with the dial adjustment mechanism.

Square Plates (Won't Roll Away)

As mentioned before, I don't like circular dumbbells because they curlicue away on uneven surfaces. Hex dumbbells set up that problem. And of course, so practice the square plates that are unique to Ironmaster.

However, the square plates have an advantage over the hex dumbbell shape: They are significantly more stable when doing exercises that involve grasping the handles while the dumbbells are on the floor. Examples include:

Dumbbell Push-Ups
Dumbbell Incline Push button-Ups
Renegade Rows
Dumbbell Planche Variations
Dumbbell V-Sits
Dumbbell Plank Rotation

You can exercise these exercises with hex dumbbells. But, you won't be as stable and the dumbbell may ringlet over if you're using a lighter weight and aren't careful.

Very Loftier Max Capacity

With the Ironmasters, you are able to add a ton of weight. More than the vast bulk of lifters would ever need on a dumbbell.

Specifically, this is done with the utilise of "add-on" kits. Information technology'south a pretty simple concept: Each addition kit includes more than weight plates and a longer pin:

120 lb add-on kit : This includes four longer locking screws and four 22.5 lb weight plates. It requires already having the 75 lb dumbbell set.
165 lb improver kit : This includes 4 even longer locking screws and 4 additional 22.5 weight plates. Information technology requires having the 75 lb dumbbell set besides as the 120 lb add-on kit. Information technology should exist noted that the pins in this kit are different in that they're fully threaded instead of partially threaded. This is required for actress security at these very loftier weights.

As mentioned before, every bit the weight increases, the only other dimension that increases is the dumbbell'southward length. The plates do not get taller or wider than the original vi.seven" x half dozen.vii" square size. Note: There is also a 75 lb "Quick-Lock Dumbbell Upgrade kit." This is a bit different than the "addition" kit because information technology doesn't have whatsoever quick-lock pins. You would only buy this one if you have the 45 lb Quick-Lock dumbbell set (without the stand) and wanted to increase it to a max capacity of 75 lbs. Yous don't need whatsoever extra pins considering the pins used on the 45 lb fix will besides work all the way upward to the 75 lb weight.

Selectorized Adaptable Dumbbells

Selectorized dumbbells come in different designs, just the concept behind them is like. You simply select a weight past:

turning a knob or dial, or…
moving a pin up or down in a weight stack

At that place is ane articulate reward to this category of adaptable dumbbells over the plate-loaded type: They are significantly faster to conform. This is no uncertainty a major selling betoken and some lifters will value it over other factors. However, in that location are a few notable ways in which selectorized dumbbells tin can fall short in other areas:

Less Durable

Selectorized adjustable dumbbells are more decumbent to damage from drops than plate-loaded adjustable dumbbells. This is because they necessarily have a more intricate weight adjustment mechanism. In the case of the selectorized dumbbells that use a dial to adjust weight, this means in that location are several extra small parts, including many made of plastic. That's not a adept recipe for longevity. At that place are other, more durable selectorized dumbbells, such as those with different sized weight cages/brackets that stack inside each other and use a pivot to adapt the weight stack. Because of the simpler design with no small plastic parts to worry about, these are significantly more durable. Still, they're still more prone to damage than a high-quality plate-loaded dumbbell ready, since the weight cages/brackets can bend if dropped as well hard. In my view, the reduced durability is the biggest negative trade-off that comes with faster adjustment. So if you desire this kind of dumbbell, you just accept to remember to be extra careful when handling them.

Unnatural Dumbbell Await and Feel

All selectorized dumbbells volition either look or feel different than a regular dumbbell. For instance, some models will have supports around the handle, which box-in your wrist. This may limit your range of motion on some lifts or prevent you from grasping the handle in sure means. The selectorized dumbbells with the dial adjustment mechanism will have gaps between some weight plates, depending on which weight is selected (e.m. there might be a 10 lb plate, followed by a couple of empty slots, followed by a 2.5 plate). This is a visual issue only though; not a functional one. Additionally, all of the decent selectorized dumbbells I've seen do not have a raw iron handle with knurling on it for grip. Instead, they accept some type of condom. At that place are some that practise have the metal handles, just they either take a very depression max weight chapters, or they autumn so brusque in terms of overall quality that they're not fifty-fifty worth because.

Handle Length Is As well Long on Some Models

All of the selectorized dumbbell models that use a turnable dial machinery for aligning take this one major issue. That is, the total length of the dumbbell is the same regardless of if you're using 5 lbs or the maximum capacity. This is the same issue as with the spin-lock dumbbells, which I discussed before. With both dumbbell designs, you're stuck with whatever the length of the handle is. For selectorized dumbbells with dial adjustment, this is usually between sixteen to 18 inches. That is long enough to arrive your style on curls, lateral raises, and other exercises. This isn't the end of the earth, only it's however a negative point to consider.

Stock-still Dumbbells

At that place are different types of fixed dumbbells out there. Some have dumbbell ends that are round, as shown in the image above. Others have the classic "hex" dumbbell shape, shown below:

Even more uniquely, some are square, similar the Ironmaster stock-still dumbbells, shown below:

Another major difference between the different types of fixed dumbbells is whether or not dumbbell ends have any type of rubber coating (east.g. urethane, neoprene). The higher quality dumbbells will be rubber-coated, while the less expensive fixed dumbbells will be bare. The rubber coating serves a protective function in the result that the dumbbell is dropped: It protects the dumbbell itself, the floor, and your anxiety or hands if they get in the way. Regardless of the specific features of a given set of fixed dumbbells, they are, as a category, pretty crawly. I'll explain why in the following sections.

Grab and Go

With fixed dumbbells, there's absolutely Zippo time needed to accommodate. Because – duh! – fixed dumbbells by definition don't adjust. Each dumbbell is a stock-still weight! Every bit such, fixed dumbbells are by far the most efficient type of dumbbell prepare for fast, efficient, and completely uninterrupted training sessions. Of course, it'south non like adjusting dumbbells is a difficult or a major hindrance to your workout menstruum. Simply it is i more thing you have to think almost and exercise between sets. If you have a completely stock-still dumbbell fix, then yous tin focus 100% on what you're doing: intense dumbbell training.

Instant Supersets and Drop Sets

If doing supersets or drib sets is an integral part of your preparation, so you lot should strongly consider getting stock-still dumbbells instead of adjustable dumbbells. If you use either of these training techniques, then yous know that the fundamental to doing them correctly is the ability to switch from one corporeality of weight to another, as fast as possible. Especially in the case of drop sets. With fixed dumbbells, you lot will have no delay.

Meaty and Scalable in Size

Each fixed dumbbell is made to exist compact for its size. Information technology'due south no longer or bigger than it needs to exist for its weight. As fixed dumbbells get heavier, they get proportionally larger in size. Sometimes this means that the dumbbell ends simply increase in length, and the diameter of the dumbbell end remains the same whether it's a v lb or a 95 lb dumbbell. However, with other fixed dumbbell sets, the diameter of the dumbbell ends as well increases somewhat as the weight gets heavier; though never to a size that'due south too big or bad-mannered to handle.

More than Durable

The fact of the matter is that even the almost rugged adjustable dumbbells aren't equally durable as whatever decent ready of fixed dumbbells. This is considering all adjustable dumbbells have multiple components that are designed to be removed. Whereas, fixed dumbbells are either:

Completely molded/welded into one solid block, or…
If they have multiple components, they are permanently secured by very strong bolts or other hardware.

So, the chances they'll be damaged from crude use are significantly less than with adjustable dumbbells.

Stock-still Dumbbells Are Awesome but Expensive

In an platonic globe, everyone would get a fixed dumbbell fix. They offering better overall durability, longevity, convenience, and ease of apply, compared to adjustable dumbbells. Even so, as I'll discuss in the next sections, a fixed dumbbell fix is sometimes an inaccessible pick due to upkeep and/or infinite restrictions.

What to Consider When Deciding Between Adjustable vs Stock-still Dumbbells

Budget

It's no hole-and-corner that fixed dumbbells are going to cost you significantly more than than any adjustable dumbbell set up. Think about it: Let's say you have the bones 75 lb Ironmaster Quick-Lock adaptable dumbbell ready that lets you accommodate anywhere from 5 to 75 lbs. This volition toll you $589 (at the fourth dimension of writing this). Technically, you can adjust in increments of ii.five lbs, just for this example, lets only use five lb increments, since it will be easier to compare to a comparable fixed dumbbell gear up because fixed dumbbells go upwards in 5 lb increments… ...And then, using only five lb increments, the Ironmaster Quick-Lock dumbbells give you lot the equivalent of xv pairs of dumbbells (once more, I'grand using 5 lb increments for this example; you'd really get the equivalent of 30 pairs since you can add together weight in 2.5 increments). In other words, the Ironmaster adjustable dumbbells would replace 1200 lbs worth of fixed dumbbells (ii x [v+x+xv+20+25+30+35+40+45+50+55+60+65+70+75] = 1200). What does this mean in terms of budget? Well, if you assume that new dumbbells normally price around $1.25 per pound (give or accept), then the 15 pairs of fixed dumbbells ranging from 5 to 75 lbs will cost $1500 (1200 x one.25 = 1500). You lot should probably factor in a dumbbell storage rack, which volition probably cost at least an extra $200-300. Clearly, this is far from being a budget-friendly choice for your average home gym lifter. However, if you want them and are in the financial position to beget them, then they are an excellent value for you.

Infinite

The amount of free space you have available in your training area is a major consideration in determining which type of dumbbell is right for you -- or more accurately, which (if any) blazon is wrong for you. Specifically, if yous have an already small-scale area for your home gym, and then you should probably avoid a fixed dumbbell set in favor of adjustable dumbbells. This is because a skilful fixed dumbbell set will take up several cubic feet of storage, fifty-fifty if stored neatly in a rack. When you're already tight on space, as of space counts. If you get an adjustable dumbbell set, y'all could relieve most of that space:

as an area to perform exercises in, or…
to install or store dissimilar pieces of equipment that permit you do more than and unlike types of movements

If you lot have plenty of space to spare in your home gym, then that doesn't exclude stock-still dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells. You'll have to make up one's mind based on upkeep (see above) and other needs and preferences (meet below).

Other Needs & Preferences

Your needs and preferences are major considerations when deciding between adjustable vs fixed dumbbells. Hither are some of the most common examples of different needs and preferences that would affect your decision:

If the ability to do supersets or drib sets with no delay is essential, and then stock-still dumbbells are the way to go.
If maximum convenience is very of import to you, then fixed dumbbells are a better pick.
If you ofttimes workout with 1 or more than training partners in your domicile gym, then fixed dumbbells may be the meliorate solution. This way, multiple people can do dumbbell exercises at the same time. And y'all guys don't take to suit the weight each time you switch dumbbells from i person to another.
If you're a personal trainer who travels to clients, then adjustable dumbbells are a must, considering of their portability.
If you're ownership dumbbells for employ in a commercial gym, so you should go with a fixed dumbbell arrangement. Whatever of the diverse parts and pieces in whatever adaptable dumbbell fix are bound to get lost or damaged when used past a bunch of unlike people. Not to mention, you tin can just have one person using the dumbbells at a time. The simply scenario when adjustable dumbbells would be appropriate in a commercial gym setting is if it is a very small, private commercial gym with responsible and respectful lifters who will treat the equipment with care and put things back where they belong.

The above are but recommendations, and they assume all other deciding factors are neutral. In reality, y'all also have to weigh these needs and preferences against your budget and space requirements, as discussed in an before section of this article.

Conclusion

To epitomize, later on reading this guide, y'all should now be able to:

Sympathise the central differences within the two broad categories of adjustable dumbbells and fixed dumbbells:
- Adjustable DB differences: Plate loaded with high quality locking mechanism, plate loaded spin-lock style machinery, selectorized mechanism
- Fixed DB differences: Circular, hex or square dumbbell ends, safe coated or not-coated dumbbell ends.
Sympathise the key differences between these 2 wide categories of adaptable dumbbells and fixed dumbbells:
- Adjustable DBs: Cost less and take up less infinite; but they do require some amount of fourth dimension to conform when needed and are somewhat less durable.
- Fixed DBs: Cost significantly more and take upwards a lot more than space; just they are very durable and extremely convenient (i.e. but pick information technology upward and lift; no time needed to accommodate)
Know what factors to consider when deciding:
- Budget
- Available space
- Needs and preferences

I thing to recollect – for whichever type of dumbbell yous buy – is that you can offset small and build your way up to a heavier capacity for adaptable dumbbells or larger collection of stock-still dumbbells. This is a practiced solution if your budget doesn't comprehend the dumbbell ready you lot want. For example, if you want fixed dumbbells, you can commencement with a 5-l lb ready to begin with. And then in one case y'all have more than cash in the futurity, y'all can spring for the 50-100 lb set, and and then on. Aforementioned with adaptable dumbbells. Permit'due south say yous ideally desire the Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbells that go upwardly to 120 lbs, but it's a little out of your budget. Well, y'all can just get the base of operations 75 lb. set first. Then after you've saved some more money, you tin can buy the 120 lb add-on kit. That'southward what I did when I bought my set 7 years ago. Whichever dumbbells you end up ownership, be sure to get the nearly out of them by training hard, being safe, and taking care of them to maximize their longevity.

Alex V. is the writer of Rex of the Gym, a weight grooming web log for anyone looking to become stronger and look better. He seeks to thoroughly explain essential training and nutrition topics in a mode that the average lifter can sympathize. He also has a passion for discussing all types of home gym equipment including adjustable dumbbells like the Ironmasters!