Adjustable Dumbbells

Adjustable dumbbell buying guide

Adjustable dumbbells (also called dial dumbbells, selectable or interchangeable dumbbells) are a pair of handles that sit in a base holding a stack of weight plates. You turn a dial or handle to pick a weight, lift the dumbbell out and only the plates you selected come with it. The rest stay in the base. One pair gives you the range of a whole dumbbell rack in the floor space of two shoe boxes, which is why they are the most popular free weights for a home gym.

Compare our adjustable dumbbells

Is a 48kg or 80kg set the weight of each dumbbell?

No. A dumbbell set is named by the combined weight of the pair, so halve the number to get the maximum for each dumbbell:

• 48kg adjustable dumbbell set – two 24kg dumbbells
• 50kg adjustable dumbbell set – two 25kg GEN2 Pro dumbbells
• 72kg adjustable dumbbell set – two Eon 36kg dumbbells
• 80kg adjustable dumbbell set – two 40kg dumbbells
• 90kg adjustable dumbbell set – two Eon 45kg dumbbells

Compare the weight per dumbbell, not the set total, when you shop around.

Which weight should I buy?

Choose for your heaviest lifts, not your lightest. Curls and shoulder raises only need a few kilos, but squats, deadlifts, lunges and rows need much more, and most people get stronger quickly in their first months of training.

• 24kg or 25kg per dumbbell – a good start for beginners, circuits and lighter upper-body work.
• 36kg or 40kg per dumbbell – the all-rounder for most people building strength at home, with room to grow on squats and rows.
• 45kg per dumbbell – for experienced lifters who want heavy presses, rows and lunges without outgrowing their set.

Most exercises use two dumbbells, so a pair is the better buy if you plan to press, row or lunge. A single dumbbell suits goblet squats and one-arm work, and you can add a second later.

Which adjustable dumbbells are best for you?

• Best for beginners and small spaces: the 48kg adjustable dumbbell set (2 × 24kg). It starts at 2.3kg and has 15 settings, so it is the easiest to progress on in small steps.
• Best all-rounder: the 2 × 40kg adjustable dumbbells. With 17 settings from 4.5kg to 40kg, it has more weight options than any other set in our range.
• Best cast iron set: the Eon 72kg pair (2 × 36kg), with cast iron plates and a quick dial that moves in even 4kg steps.
• Best for heavy lifting: the Eon 90kg pair (2 × 45kg), the heaviest adjustable dumbbells we sell.
• Best for simple, large-step changes: the GEN2 Pro 25kg pair, with a one-turn handle and clear weight markers.

Dial or one-turn handle?

Dial dumbbells (24kg, 40kg and Eon) let you select the weight while the dumbbell sits in its base, so changing weight between sets takes a few seconds. The GEN2 Pro uses a one-turn handle with large weight markers, and comes with a 5kg rubberised handle that can be used on its own.

Adjustable dumbbell sets with a stand

A stand (or rack) holds your dumbbells at waist height, so you pick them up and change the weight without reaching down to the floor. It also keeps your set tidy and off the floor between sessions. Every range except the GEN2 Pro is sold as an adjustable dumbbell set with a stand, or you can add a heavy duty dumbbell stand later. Eon 36kg owners can choose the matching 150kg Eon dumbbell stand.

Adjustable vs fixed dumbbells

A fixed dumbbell set with a rack covers a handful of weights and takes up a wall. A pair of adjustable dumbbells covers up to 17 weights in a corner of the room, and lets you keep adding weight as you get stronger without buying a heavier pair. Adjustable dumbbells also make supersets and drop sets easy: you change the weight with a turn of the dial and keep going.

Fixed dumbbells have a compact shape at every weight and can be dropped. Adjustable dumbbells stay the same length at light settings, and the selector should be lowered back into its base rather than dropped. For most home gyms, the space and value of an adjustable set wins.

Build out your home gym

Pair your dumbbells with a weight bench for presses, rows and step-ups. Want to train with a bar as well? The Eon 41kg adjustable barbell set uses the same fast-dial system, with 16 settings up to 41kg. For swings and carries, see our adjustable kettlebells.

Spare parts

We stock spare parts for our own dumbbells, including replacement 24kg and 40kg plate bases and replacement handles. They are listed at the end of this page.

Delivery Australia-wide, pick-up and payment

Our adjustable dumbbells are stocked in our own Melbourne warehouse. In-stock orders are generally dispatched within one business day, and delivery to metro areas including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide is usually 1–5 business days (longer for regional and remote areas). Every order comes with a tracking code. You can also pick up from our Melbourne showroom, open 7 days – please call first to check stock. Pay with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna, PayPal or card.

Watch: 5 simple exercises with adjustable dumbbells

Deep squats, alternating lunges, bent over rows, sumo deadlifts and a crunch leg-raise – a full-body routine you can do at home.

For more routines, see our adjustable dumbbell workouts for beginners, the adjustable dumbbell buying guide and the benefits of adjustable dumbbells on our fitness blog.

Adjustable dumbbell FAQs

Are adjustable dumbbells worth it?

For a home gym, yes. One pair replaces up to 17 pairs of fixed dumbbells, costs far less than a full rack and fits in a corner of the room.

How do adjustable dumbbells work?

Each dumbbell sits in a base that holds its weight plates. Turning the dial or handle locks the chosen plates to the handle, and the rest stay behind in the base when you lift it out.

What weight adjustable dumbbells should a beginner buy?

A 48kg set (two 24kg dumbbells) or a 50kg set (two 25kg dumbbells) suits most beginners. If you plan to squat, lunge and row regularly, a 36kg or 40kg dumbbell gives you more room to progress.

How heavy do adjustable dumbbells go?

Our range goes up to 45kg per dumbbell (90kg for a pair) with the Eon 45kg, and starts from 2.3kg on the 24kg dumbbell.

Is an 80kg adjustable dumbbell set 80kg each?

No. An 80kg set is a pair of 40kg dumbbells. Adjustable dumbbell sets are named by the combined weight of both dumbbells.

Can you drop adjustable dumbbells?

No. The selector mechanism is precise, so lower your dumbbells back into their base or onto the floor rather than dropping them. A stand makes this easier at the end of a heavy set.

Can I use adjustable dumbbells on a weight bench?

Yes. A flat or incline bench adds chest presses, shoulder presses and one-arm rows. A stand next to the bench keeps the dumbbells at hand between sets.

Do you deliver adjustable dumbbells to Perth, Brisbane and regional areas?

Yes, we deliver Australia-wide from Melbourne. Metro delivery, including Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide, is usually 1–5 business days, with longer times for regional and remote areas.

Will strength training make me bulky?

Not on its own. Bodybuilders get their size from years of high-volume training and a very high-calorie diet. Training with dumbbells a few times a week builds strength without that kind of bulk.