Weights at home

[booklover164]

I’m looking for recommendations for some dumbbells to use at home. I only have a small space for them so would maybe like the ones that stack upright. I haven’t been to a gym for years but I think I want 5kg upwards. I want to be able to work my way up to heavier ones. Can anyone help? Thanks

I started with 5kg too. I now have 7, 8 and 10 dumbells and 12kg kettle.

I bought mine from aldi/lidl/decathlon/argos.

Recommend the hex style, and neoprene coating is much nicer on the hands.

I recommend doing 'bodyfit by amy', a much kinder introduction than Caroline girvan!

Thank you so much. Did you get a stackable ‘ tree’ I think they’re called? Or just random ones? Very helpful cheers

Oh no, just random that I've accumulated over the years. I work out in an open garage so they are dusty and get condensation on when it's cold. There's nothing pretty about them 😬

I like Bodyfit by Amy too! She also does bodyweight videos ie no equipment if you want to dive in and have a go before buying weights.

I have neoprene coated hex weights, from Argos.
I don't have a good storage system tbh... in fact this might prompt me to look for a "tree"...

I started with 1, 2, 3kg and added to them, as it's helpful to have a bit of a range because some moves you can go heavier and others you're better off lighter (but 1kg arr pretty pointless). So I use largely 4, 5, 6kg now but the 2kg are great for adding to a more cardio workout.

I've got neoprene hex dumbbells at 3, 5, 7 and 10kg (considering a 12 kg soon) and kettlebells at 8, 12, 16 and 20kg. Got a nice little tree for the dumbbells. I follow Rebelfit so get my programs from there. 😀

@DistantConstellation i never meet fellow Bodyfit users!

I love Amy. She has been in my life for 6 years and barely a week goes by without me doing her workouts.

I came on here to ask…where the hell do I start with weights so this thread is very useful!

I got myself a motorbike and feel like my arms need a little more strength in them. I will give Amy a shot.

@Oblivionnnnn you won't regret it. She has hundreds of workouts. Some are for beginners too. She always gives options for easy/difficult.

I have a pair of adjustable ones. They go from 5-30kg. They’re great as I can do pretty much any exercise with them.

Caroline Girvan is the best for home workouts with dumbells. Not easy, but what she does really works.

Which ones have you got please? Thanks

We have adjustable ones too they are brilliant and a space saver. https://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/bowflex-2-24-kg-bowflex-selecttech-552i-dumbbells-pair.html?queryID=7d3e5eda143df93c184c3dffc12d2020

I have adjustable and none adjustable and find I barely use the adjustable because they are a lot wider. The width is trickier to accommodate on some of the movements, like overhead press they are a bit close to my head, or even tricep extensions, bicep curls etc ... they are just too close to my body and I have to sort of swing them out to avoid hitting myself and I lose a bit of form

So I much prefer single weight dumbbells. All of mine are from Decathlon, bought as and when I needed them to progress. No tree they just line up under a weight bench.

I have a set similar to this, plus a set of 5kg plates. Sorry for the long link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/York-Fitness-Cast-Spinlock-Dumbbell/dp/B004ELB550?crid=Y6SC39MQICS7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hX4jdSHnIieQMDDT0Gs3Rh9iPdT0vUeN5GoIyxG6Phr2WHdG5lJApDIQufHy9kkFkR7RZd3N7ezfHuV8G0DrNGiIUAe7cCQs7M4j8VD382bpAShNB5uSnJgyuPyIWWcIYWHnqCuuYB1y0Oe13XsHS5Vy9AgbaADvK2pg8srNZ27jWOQLmyzpg-0TzHjcpSxvNcHgaCP9ZR9WFO7SE4WgrFnWDVtieMhsGfh0jGxjSeIIx8Y-f00J5jAIx8IGLVX1iufA3fkONjn-rmBm70n0L4zohJkZe6SnV8KrNObR7EY.Pq5t_dbkGJOuo5K9ZJ31A2K4NJlvY1O5cyJsK2sPe6k&dib_tag=se&keywords=dumbbell%2Bset&qid=1773235874&sprefix=dumbbell%2Bse%2Caps%2C331&sr=8-9&th=1

The bars are about 1.5kg each with the collars, so with the extra 5kg plates they go up to 20kg each. They are a bit cumbersome to swap the weights but not too bad, and a lot cheaper than buying lots of pairs in different weights.

I am thinking of getting these…would they be ok? https://amzn.eu/d/00eaxgDb

Go for an adjustable set that goes at least up to 20–25kg total per dumbbell if you want long-term use. Starting at 5kg is perfect—you’ll grow into the heavier weights quickly.

And if you’re getting back into training after a long break, it helps to follow a proper program so you don’t waste time guessing. You can check out Dukes Gym for simple, structured routines that work well with basic home setups like dumbbells.

I like bodypump by les Mills. It uses slightly lighter weights but emphasises "time under tension". I do 2 workouts of 45 mins a week and have seen a massive change in my body. And I'm an old bird!