Why Are Dumbbells So Expensive?
Dumbbells are expensive for the following reasons:
- Dumbbells are produced abroad and due to their weight, they are expensive to ship. This is the main reason, contributing to the biggest part of the price.
- Dumbbells are made of iron, which costs much more than most other materials used in various products.
- Dumbbells need to be very durable, which means that their build quality needs to be top notch, whicn in itself adds to the price increase.
How to Save Money When Buying Dumbbells
- Opt for a pair of adjustable dumbbells. In that case, you won’t have to buy a big set of dumbbells, saving you space and money in the long run (these are the best-selling adjustable Dumbbells on Amazon).
- Try to find a pair of used dumbbells. I personally don’t like buying used gym equipment, because I don’t like run down equipment. Having said that, if you are able to find used dumbbells in good shape, go for it. You might save hundreds.
The Price Formula
Dumbbells are made of steel, which will never come cheap. On top of that, they are often produced in foreign countries, namely China, so high shipping expenses are tacked on. Plus, depending on your country, certain taxes or tariffs make these products even more expensive.
Another reason behind the cost is related purely to business economics. The higher the demand, the higher the price.
Due to a variety of reasons, the companies that manufacture and sell dumbbells have found that dumbbells are always in high demand. Because people are willing to pay the price, that price becomes higher.
A possible method to get around this is to purchase used equipment. I always check out eBay or Facebook before I buy something new; you never know what gear you might find that people are desperate to get rid of.
You could stumble across very lightly or never-used dumbbells at a low price. Garage sells can help here as well, but the results of garage sale shopping are a little less certain.
Another aspect that factors into the price is the extensive durability of dumbbells. When buying a set of dumbbells, rarely will a consumer ever have to purchase another whole set. These things are sturdy and definitely long-lasting.
Plus, in this area, we (as well as the manufacturer) know that there won’t be any technological updates that will make your 20-year old set of dumbbells irrelevant.
Dumbbells are not iPhones. You’re only buying once, which means consumers are generally more willing to shell out more cash, something the manufacturer knows and obviously exploits.
Which Ones To Choose?
I’m going to explore certain alternative or less expensive options to dumbbells, but first it is important to point out that sometimes the expense is worth it. A few hundred dollars for a solid set of dumbbells will last a lifetime.
Within that realm is the Bowflex adjustable dumbbell, which is especially expensive, or Bowflex’s main competitors – the Powerblock adjustable dumbbells, that are also around the same price range (see this article comparing the two industry giants).
The great thing about these weights is that they are adjustable; you end up saving a ton of space, without sacrificing performance.
There have been plenty of adjustable dumbbells on the market; I have a set of Block weights at my house. They work, but they’re big and clunky, where the Bowflex weights are shaped like your average dumbbell. This is an instance where, if you can afford it, it might be worth it to splurge.
An inexpensive dumbbell option which can be found on Amazon are the AmazonBasics neoprene dumbbell sets. These aren’t quite as good as your regular steel dumbbells, but they can still get the job done. Or you can check my top 5 recommended cheap dumbbells.
The problem for these lies in weight; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a set of neoprene dumbbells above 20 pounds.
You certainly don’t need to go higher, and depending on the kinds of workouts you plan on performing, you may not have to, but if your intent is to gain muscle weight, you’re going to want to use heavier weights.
Some of the better neoprene sets can also get up there in price. At that point, you’re better off just buying a full set of regular dumbbells instead.
Alternatives
You can always improvise a bit and build your own dumbbells. Of course, this option is not available to everyone, but it is possible, especially with Youtube as your instructor.
Really, the best money-saver method is to engross yourself in calisthenics instead of weights. Calisthenics are also known as body-weight training, and involve activities based off a series of core exercises; pushups, pullups, planks, and sit ups.
On Amazon, you can get a Power Tower, which is essentially a pullup bar mounted on a free-standing dip bar.
The setup can easily fit in a corner somewhere, as it doesn’t take up that much space, plus you get the benefits of longevity. I purchased the Stamina Power Tower off Amazon over 5 years ago and have been using it since.
And you don’t even need to go that far. It certainly helps, but even the monkey bars at a local park are enough of a pullup bar that your expense for body-weight training can be $0.
With a little googling, and the help of one book on calisthenics, I can perform full body workouts at my leisure.
Calisthenics do get a bit of a bad rap, as it is often thought that the results of calisthenics workouts don’t compare to those of weight-training.
That is partially true. Calisthenics won’t help you gain a ton of weight. But you will get stronger and leaner.
Additionally, the exercises you perform in calisthenics are based off of natural bodily movements where the motions involved in weight lifting are unnatural in that they are more linear.
This strengthens the muscles that are in everyday use, while also strengthening stabilizing muscles across your body – calisthenics are healthier, safer, and provide you with more usable strength (plus higher odds of a six-pack).
To Sum It Up
Regardless of if you decide to drop the money on dumbbells, a gym membership, a pullup bar, or maybe all 3, modern society has granted us all options.
Having the opportunity to get strong without needing to spend hundreds on dumbbells is potentially huge and should definitely be looked into before you throw your hands up and hand over your credit card.
However if you do want to increase the effectiveness of your home workouts, a pair of these probably won’t break your bank:
- SET OF 2 DUMBBELLS – 60 LBS TOTAL: TWO 14”x1” handles, FOUR 5-pound plates, FOUR 8-pound plates, FOUR collars
- COMPLETE WORKOUT SET – This dumbbell weight set is fit for both beginners and experts alike. With a range of weights from 1.25 to 10 lbs, you can find…
- LONG-LASTING DURABILITY – Our dumbbells are made with heavy-duty cast iron and coated with a protective layer that prevents rusting and chipping….
- VERSATILE USE – Use this dumbbell set for a full body workout, including arms, chest, back, core, and legs. You can also use them as an alternative to…
- ERGONOMIC HANDLES – The ergonomic handles provide superior comfort while lifting, allowing you to exercise longer without fatigue or discomfort. Work…
Article by:
Daniel DeMoss
I’m a personal trainer based in Denver (Matrix Gym) and a true fitness nerd. If I’m not training clients or working out at my home gym, I’m probably skiing, cycling or hiking with my dog Rufus.
Get in touch: daniel@dumbbellsreview.com
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