DUMBBELLS

The ideal dumbbell weight for your home gym depends on your fitness level and training goals, some general advice to follow for common usage of different dumbbell weights:

• 5kg dumbbells – Ideal for beginners, endurance training, and toning exercises.
• 10kg dumbbells – Great for moderate strength training and general fitness workouts.
• 15kg dumbbells and above – Best for advanced strength training and muscle growth.

For progressive training and to cover all possibilities without taking up space in your home gym, consider an adjustable dumbbell set or a dumbbell set with a rack to increase weights over time.

A dumbbell set is great for quick access to different weights, while adjustable dumbbells allow for flexibility in weight selection without taking up much space in your home gym.

If you have limited space and want a complete set for progressive dumbbell training, adjustable dumbbells are a better investment.

Hex dumbbells are preferred in most home gyms thanks to their stability, mainly because hex dumbbells don’t roll away when placed on the floor. A hex dumbbell set is ideal for home gyms, especially when paired with a dumbbell rack for organised storage.

Both dumbbells and barbells are effective for strength training, however dumbbells generally offer greater freedom of movement and are better for targeting individual muscle groups, while barbells are better for heavier lifts and overall strength development due to their stability and ability to load more weight. Some other key differences are:

• Dumbbells allow for unilateral movement, improving balance and muscle activation.
• Barbells (including barbell weight sets and barbell bars) are better for lifting heavier loads and compound movements like deadlifts and bench presses.

A barbell and weights set is ideal for strength training, while a set of dumbbells offers more flexibility for various exercises.

For most home gyms and workout routines dumbbells are the better options, however for more advanced strength training and conditioning, consider adding barbells to your home gym setup.

Dumbbells are ideal for targeting chest, back, shoulders, and arm exercises, however full body workouts are possible thanks to dumbbells versatility. Dumbbell presses and rows can enhance muscle tone and strength, offering a variety of movements that engage different muscle groups.

Dumbbells are versatile and can be used for a complete range of exercises, including:

• Squats with dumbbells for leg strength
• Dumbbell presses for chest and shoulder workouts
• Dumbbell rows to target the back muscles
• Bicep curls and triceps extensions for arm development

For home gyms an adjustable dumbbell set, or a hex dumbbell set on a rack is a great option thanks to their range of weights and ability for progressive training.

A dumbbell rack keeps your home gym organised and protects your equipment from wear and tear. A hex dumbbell set with racks is particularly useful for keeping different weights neatly stored and accessible.

Different dumbbell weights will suit different workouts, exercises and home gym setups. Generally speaking the following weights should be considered for beginners, intermediate or advanced workouts:

• 5kg dumbbells – Ideal for beginners, endurance exercises, and rehabilitation.
• 10kg dumbbells – Suitable for general strength training and toning.
• 15kg dumbbells – Best for heavier strength work and muscle building.

For flexibility, adjustable dumbbells or a complete dumbbell set with a rack offer progressive training and give a variety of weights for all types of workouts.

You can buy dumbbells, dumbbell sets and adjustable dumbbells here at Northern, with a wide range of options including adjustable dumbbells, hex dumbbell sets, and barbell racks for home or commercial use.

Adjustable dumbbells allow you to change the weight by adding or removing plates. Our convenient adjustable dumbbell sets are now available in 16kg, 24kg and 40kg options and provide a wide range of resistance levels, making it a space-saving alternative to a full dumbbell set with rack.

Using a dumbbell stand or dumbbell tree helps keep your weights off the floor, preventing damage and making workouts more efficient. A dumbbell set with a dumbbell rack is perfect for small spaces.

Thanks to their versatility it’s possible to build muscle with just dumbbells. Dumbbell sets can be just as effective as barbells for muscle growth. By using progressive overload with heavier dumbbells up to 20KG over time can help you build strength and size with just dumbbells.

For serious lifters, an adjustable dumbbell set of 2x 24KG provides enough weight for progressive overload. If you prefer fixed weights, a hex dumbbell set with a rack of increments up to 30kg, or 50kg dumbbells is ideal.

Both are effective, but dumbbells offer more range of motion and muscle isolation, while barbells allow for heavier lifting and compound movements like squats and deadlifts.