A set of dumbbells is an essential component of any home gym, as they are one of the most iconic and versatile pieces of equipment in the history of weightlifting.
No matter what you are hoping to achieve, a good set of dumbbells is certain to help you get there.
The problem is, you either need to have a huge range of dumbbells of different weights, which takes up a great amount of space, or waste time between sets changing the plates on the pair you have, during which time your muscles will cool, and your workouts will begin to drag.
In recent years, a new type of adjustable dumbbell has become increasingly popular, as it looks to combine the convenience of a full set of dumbbells with the space saving advantages of a single pair.
Today, we are going to be looking at one such option, in the form of the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells.
We will analyse every detail of the product and show you all of its strengths and weaknesses, to hopefully help you decide if these, or another type of adjustable dumbbell, is the solution you have been seeking.
What Are The Weider Adjustable Dumbbells?
The Weider Adjustable Dumbbells are a free-weight system, designed by the legendary Weider Company, that aim to make changing between dumbbells of different weights as quick, easy, and hassle free as possible.
Founded by Joe Weider, the man responsible for the creation of both the IFBB (The International Federation Of Bodybuilding & Fitness) and the Mr. Olympia competition, the Weider Company have long been considered one of the standard bearers in the fitness equipment industry.
The Weider Adjustable Dumbbells are designed to be used to perform an incredible range of different exercises and are intended to eliminate the need for a traditional rack of dumbbells of differing weights.
They come as a pair and can be used either together or individually, depending on the exercise you are performing.
Weider Adjustable Dumbbells Details
Weider Select-A-Weight Adjustable Dumbbell Weights
- Smooth Selector System
- Weight Increments: 10, 20, 30, 40, And 50 Lbs.
- 10 Lb. Handlebars
- High-Quality Materials
Weight Range
The weight range of the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells goes from 10lbs (4.5kg) to 50lbs (22.67kg) per dumbbell.
This allows it to replace a traditional dumbbell set, or at the very least a large part of it, making it a fabulous way to save space.
While more experienced lifters may require additional, heavier dumbbells to complete their entire workout, most people will find these sufficient to complete most of the exercises they require.
Increments
The weight on the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells can be adjusted in increments of 10lbs (4.5kg).
This will be fine for any of the larger, compound exercises, however it may be a little big of a leap for some of the smaller, isolation moves, where increments as low as 4.4lbs (2kg) are often more beneficial.
Weight Plates
The weight plates on the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells are metal coated with plastic.
This provides a level of balance, as they can afford to be smaller than options filled with other materials, but don’t clank or rust like dumbbells made exclusively from metal.
Their dodecagonal, 12 sided design also provides the advantage of greater stability when placed on the floor.
They won’t roll around like dumbbells with circular plates but are easier to move when required than options with fewer sides, such as the more common octagonal options.
Recommended Alternative:
NordicTrack 55 lb Select-a-Weight Dumbbell Pair, Black
Engineered to deliver a powerful strength-training workout in the comfort of your own home gym, the NordicTrack 55-pound Select-A-Weight adjustable dumbbell set provides top-notch performance in a space-savvy package.
- 5-pound or 2.5-pound increments for totally customizable training
- Each tray is clearly marked with easy-to-read weight identification
Bar
The bar on the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells is ergonomically shaped, making it fit better in your hand and feel more comfortable than a regular straight bar.
Limited knurling means grip may not be solid as with some competitors, but some of that is made up for by the overall design.
Adjustment
The Weider Adjustable Dumbbells are quick and easy to adjust, with a slider allowing you to seamlessly move from one weight to another in seconds.
However, as convenient as this may be, it can be slightly less secure than using traditional grips or collars that lock the weights firmly in place.
Price
With a recommended retail price of $309.99 (£230), the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells are by no means a cheap alternative to regular dumbbells.
However, when you take into consideration the fact that they are capable of replacing an entire set of dumbbells, they still offer good value, as that would be significantly more expensive.
Size
When fully loaded, the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells feature dimensions of 23.6 x 19.3 x 11.9 inches (60 x 49 x 30 centimetres) per dumbbell.
This makes them a good size for the vast majority of exercises, as you won’t have to worry about hitting your sides during curls or not being able to bring them close enough together on presses.
Other Considerations
The black and red finish of the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells is aesthetically pleasing, ensuring they fit seamlessly into any home gym and compliment it, as opposed to being an eye sore.
Additionally, the included base unit will secure the dumbbells when not in use, meaning you don’t have to worry about them rolling around the floor.
This removes the need for a larger rack, which helps to save an even greater amount of space.
The Weider Adjustable Dumbbells also come with tips on exercises and access to an online app to give you ideas to maximise your gains while using your new dumbbells.
Who Are The Weider Adjustable Dumbbells Most Suitable For?
The Weider Adjustable Dumbbells are most suitable for intermediate level weightlifters, or those working with a very limited amount of space.
The weight range is suitable for people outside of the advanced range to perform the majority of their exercises, while they are simple to use and go up in increments that are ideal for most traditional compound exercises.
Advanced lifters with limited room in their home gym may also find them useful, as they can replace the lower half of your weight range, allowing you to free up a significant amount of space.
Pros And Cons Of The Weider Adjustable Dumbbells
Weider Select-A-Weight Adjustable Dumbbell Weights
- Smooth Selector System
- Weight Increments: 10, 20, 30, 40, And 50 Lbs.
- 10 Lb. Handlebars
- High-Quality Materials
Pros
- Quick and easy to adjust the weight
- Good range of different weights
- Ergonomically designed bar
- Convenient size for most exercises
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Docking station included to secure them when not in use
- Plate design and material helps to prevent clanking, rusting, and rolling
- Fabulous option for saving space
Cons
- Reasonably expensive
- Plates aren’t as secure as when using traditional collars
- Limited knurling on the bar
- Increments are a little big for some of the smaller isolation exercises
User Reviews:
Weider Vs Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells
Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell
Swing into action with the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell, the adjustable kettlebell that provides 6 different weights in one compact design! Save space by selecting the weight you want with the turn of a dial, allowing you to achieve total-body results from the comfort of home. With the 840 Kettlebell, you'll combine cardio and strength in one quick, effective workout, helping you build muscle, burn fat, and boost confidence.
- Space-efficient design replaces up to 6 kettlebells
- Ergonomic handle with durable molding around metal plates
While the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells appear to be a good product on the surface, it is sometimes hard to know exactly how good something is when examining it on its own.
With that in mind, we are now going to take a look at another of the market leaders in this category, the Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells, and see how the two compare to one another.
Weight Range
The Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells have a weight range of 5 to 52.5 pounds (2.27 to 23.8 kilos).
This means they not only allow the user more room for growth (they are 2.5 pounds heavier), but they also go lower at the bottom end as well (by 5 pounds).
Weider 0 – Bowflex 1
Increments
The Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells increase in increments of 2.5 pounds up to 25 pounds, then continue in 5 pound increments thereafter.
With the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells going up in 10 pound increments throughout their entire weight range, this makes the Bowflex the much more versatile option.
Weider 0 – Bowflex 2
Weight Plates
Much like the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells, the Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells are also made from metal coated in plastic, which offers the same benefits.
However, their decision to opt for the traditional round shape means they will be much more prone to rolling around when put on the floor while not in use.
Weider 1 – Bowflex 2
Bar
The bar on both of these sets of dumbbells is very similar. Both feature an ergonomic shape yet offer very little in the way of knurling for added grip.
That said, the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells are slightly better fitted to the hand, so give them a small edge in this area.
Weider 2 – Bowflex 2
Adjustment
The Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells feature a dial mechanism that makes it quick and easy to change between the different weights.
However, they also have the same drawback as the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells, in that this makes them less secure than using a traditional collar.
As a result, there is nothing other than personal preference to separate them in their adjustment ability.
Weider 3 – Bowflex 3
Price
The Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbell has a recommended retail price of $399 (£296).
This means they are significantly more expensive than the $309.99 (£230) Weider Adjustable Dumbbells.
Weider 4 – Bowflex 3
Size
The Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells have dimensions of 16.9 x 8.3 x 9 inches (43 x 21.2 x 22.8) at their heaviest setting.
This makes them the notably smaller option, which will lead to them being slightly less cumbersome when in use.
Weider 4 – Bowflex 4
Other Considerations
Aside from the specifications we have already looked at, the Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells are almost identical to the Wieder version in nearly every way.
They feature a sleek, black and red design that is aesthetically pleasing, come with a docking station to stop them rolling around, and even include access to training guides to help you to get the most out of your purchase.
Weider 5 – Bowflex 5
Which Adjustable Dumbbells Are Better: Weider Or Bowflex?
Weider Select-A-Weight Adjustable Dumbbell Weights
- Smooth Selector System
- Weight Increments: 10, 20, 30, 40, And 50 Lbs.
- 10 Lb. Handlebars
- High-Quality Materials
The Bowflex and Weider Adjustable Dumbbells stack up incredibly well against one another and finish neck and neck in our direct comparison.
The Bowflex were superior in terms of weight range, the increments the weight increases in, and the compactness of the dumbbell. Meanwhile, the Weider was the preferred option in terms of the bar, shape, and price.
However, when it comes to choosing a winner, I simply have to go for the Weider, for one glaring reason.
While the Bowflex had a better range of weights and increments, it wasn’t a huge difference, and certainly didn’t justify the massive increase in price.
If the increments or slight weight difference is important to you then, by all means, go for the Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells.
However, for the majority of people, I would recommend the Weider Adjustable Dumbbells as the better option.
Conclusion
The Weider Adjustable Dumbbells are a great product that compares favourably even when going toe to toe with alternatives made by other top brands in the industry.
They can help you to save both space and time, making your workouts more efficient and stopping you from cluttering up your home gym with unnecessary racks of dumbbells.
While there will always be some drawbacks when trying to get so much out of a product, the vast majority of people will greatly benefit from adding a pair of adjustable dumbbells to their collection.
If you are someone who sees that value in doing just that, then I would highly recommend the Wieder Adjustable Dumbbells as one of the best adjustable dumbbells on the market right now.
Also, while we’re on the subject, if you are thinking of switching to alternative free weights, then I’d also suggest taking a look at the Bowflex Adjustable Kettlebell as well, to give you even more options.
