Adjustable Dumbbells & Dial Dumbbell Sets

Adjustable dumbbells are dumbbells where you change the weight instead of owning a separate dumbbell for each weight. On a dial or selector dumbbell, you sit it in its base, turn a dial or the handle to the weight you want, and lift: only the selected plates come with it. On a spin-lock dumbbell, you slide plates onto a bar and screw on collars to hold them.

For most home gyms, yes. One Powertrain 24kg dumbbell gives you 15 weights in a 42cm-long unit, and the GEN2 Pro pair replaces 10 fixed dumbbells. That saves floor space and usually costs less than buying the same range of fixed dumbbells and a rack. The trade-off is that you change the weight between exercises, which takes a few seconds.

Buy for where you want to be in a year or two, not where you start. A 24kg or 25kg dumbbell covers most upper-body work for beginners and people training for general fitness. If you also want to train legs with goblet squats, lunges and Romanian deadlifts, or you already lift, look at 36kg to 45kg per dumbbell, like the Eon 36kg, 40kg or Eon 45kg.

It depends on how you train. For small weight steps on arm and shoulder work, the Powertrain 24kg adjusts in 2.5lb (about 1.1kg) steps at the light end. For heavy training, the Powertrain Eon 45kg goes from 5kg to 45kg with cast iron plates and a knurled grip. The Powertrain 40kg has the most settings, at 17. On a budget, the GEN2 Pro 25kg pair uses simple 5kg steps.

Dial dumbbells change weight in seconds, so they suit supersets, drop sets and circuits, and the plates lock in place. Spin-lock dumbbells cost less and have no mechanism to wear out, but you need to unscrew the collars and swap plates by hand each time. They also suit lighter weights: our spin-lock sets, like the 30kg set, hold 30kg across two dumbbells.

Set the dumbbell flat in its holder, turn the dial (or, on the GEN2 Pro and Eon 36kg, the handle) to the weight you want, then lift it straight out. The plates you did not select stay in the holder. Only change the weight when the dumbbell sits fully in its holder.

Treat them as a close guide. Our Powertrain listings note that the weight markings on the dial are approximate. If you need an exact figure, for example to track progress precisely, weigh the dumbbell at each setting on a scale once and note the results.

Check the title. Our Powertrain models are sold as a single dumbbell, a pair, or a pair with a stand. For example, the Eon 36kg is one dumbbell, the Eon 72kg is a pair of 36kg dumbbells, and the Eon 72kg with stand adds the stand. A pair is best for most exercises; a single is fine for one-arm rows and goblet squats, and you can add a second later.

You do not need one, but a stand holds the dumbbells at waist height so you do not bend to the floor between sets, which is easier on your back. Match the stand to your dumbbells: the ergonomic stand suits the Powertrain 24kg dumbbells only, and the 150kg Eon stand is made for the Eon 36kg dumbbells. For the 24kg, 36kg, 40kg and 45kg models, the easiest option is the pair sold with a stand.

Yes. We sell replacement handles for the 24kg and 40kg Powertrain dumbbells, and plate bases for the 24kg and 40kg models. Handles and bases are sold without weight plates.

No. Dial dumbbells have a locking mechanism and a plastic or ABS holder, and dropping them can damage both and loosen the plates. Lower them under control, and train on a rubber gym mat to protect the dumbbells and your floor. If you plan to drop weights, use fixed rubber hex dumbbells instead.

The Powertrain Eon 45kg adjusts from 5kg to 45kg in 5kg steps. Buy it as a 90kg pair or a 90kg pair with stand.

Yes. The Powertrain Eon adjustable barbell has 16 settings up to 41kg and comes with a storage tray. The Powertrain adjustable kettlebell adjusts from 2kg to 20kg in 7 settings.

Almost any free-weight exercise: presses, rows, curls, lateral raises, squats, lunges and deadlifts. Add a weight bench for chest presses and supported rows. See our top 5 full-body workouts with adjustable dumbbells to get started.