The Best Hand Weights
Hand weights are a great way to squeeze some focused fitness into your everyday routines. They can be used while running to enhance your cardio workout or utilized entirely on their own to let you customize your own weight lifting routine. But not all weights carry the same kind of gravity when it comes to quality, which is why we're bringing you this list of the best hand weights available for your lifting pleasure right now. Read on and get ready to make some gains.
What to Look For
We had a few questions that needed answers before any of these hand weights could claim our gold medal: Do they have good weight options? Does the grip feel solid and secure? And are they durable enough to be used for a long time? A few options ended up truly impressing us. Portozon’s neoprene hand weights ended up getting our top spot for their superb grip and wide range of options. We also appreciated Gaiam’s weight set, which came with velcro straps that made them ideal for use while running or jogging. Keep reading to see what else these and other hand weights did to make our home gyms that much more rewarding.
Portzon Neoprene Dumbbell Hand Weights
Better grip for bigger gains
Simplest is sometimes best, as these delightful neoprene hand weights from Portzon so clearly demonstrate. The cast-iron cores are covered in neoprene coating to ensure they have a nice heft without running the risk of slipping. Aside from making them easier to hold, the neoprene exterior also makes them easier to clean. These hand weights should be an essential part of any workout arrangement that needs a dose of dependability and comfort.
Pros
- They come in a range of fun colors and a good variety of different weight classes.
- They’re very compact, making them easy to store in small living spaces or home gyms that might already be overcrowded.
- The steady grip makes them ideal for older people who still want to stay in shape, but without having to worry about dropping heavy weights.
Cons
- Most of the weight options are fairly light, so they’re generally better for toning than for building muscle mass.
Amazon Basics Rubber Encased Hand Weight
Crush those curls
The ever-reliable Amazon Basics comes through again with hand weights that serve a number of needs. The hexagon weights and sturdy cast iron build prevent them from rolling around while simultaneously giving them a satisfying feel in your hands. They also come in weights between 10 and 50 pounds, making them great whether you’re toning or resistance training. These may be basic hand weights, as their name implies, but that doesn’t make them less excellent.
Pros
- The stable design makes them ideal for worry-free home use.
- They’re made of the same quality materials as name brand hand weights, and retail for a small amount of the cost.
Cons
- The order is for only one weight, which some people find confusing.
Gaiam Soft Walking Hand Weights
Concentrate on your cardio
These hand weights are perfect for when you want a bit of resistance added to your cardio routine. These weights are coated in neoprene to ensure a soft grip and include hand straps to make sure you don’t drop them. They’re also filled with sand as opposed to having an iron core, making them easier to carry. Joggers and runners need to look no further than these hand weights for a great addition to their workout.
Pros
- The hand straps make them ideal for older people or individuals with grip issues.
- Its sand interior allows it to conform to the shape of your hand, increasing comfort.
Cons
- The weight in the item description describes the combined weight of both weights, so each weight is fairly light.
Flybird Adjustable Hand Weights
Add pounds with ease
These are the ideal hand weights for those who want to condense their weight collection into one convenient package. A simple handle mechanism lets you adjust your weights from 5 to 25 pounds. There’s also a 55-pound variant too, for those who want some heavier lifting. Better yet, the strong locks ensure weight won’t shift during lifting, and they also come with a storage tray to prevent floor damage. Getting the most from a single set of hand weights has never been so easy or satisfying.
Pros
- The metal handle has an excellent grip even without padding.
- The locks are super strong, so you can hold the weights vertically without the plates shifting or slipping.
Cons
- They can get stuck inside the tray when trying to lift them.
Epic Fitness Heavy Duty Hand Weights
The heavyweight champion
This is the ultimate set of hand weights for anyone who’s on the search for serious gains. These dumbbells go up to 25 pounds and feature handles with subtle metal lacing that improves your grip. They also come with a thick, heavy rack that prioritizes verticality to save floor space. These hand weights and their storage rack deserve a place in any home gym that’s focused on building muscle.
Pros
- The rack is surprisingly easy to assemble and move around despite its size.
- Its range of available weight sizes makes it accessible to everyone from neophyte weightlifters to old-school gym rats.
Cons
- This premium set is definitely more expensive than buying individual dumbbells.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for if I’m interested in starting to use hand weights?
The most important things are to make sure the weights have a good grip and that they’re available in a decent poundage range. You probably don’t know your own lifting capacity when you’re just starting out, and you don’t want to get stuck with a set that’s too light to be useful at one extreme or too heavy to lift on the other.
Do I still need to hit the gym if I have the right set of hand weights?
Hand weights are really meant to supplement and enhance a fitness routine more than make up the be-all, end-all of one’s exercise. Researching a nutritious diet that’s right for your body, and getting fitness tips from verified experts in a controlled environment, are other important tools you can use to reach your fitness goals.
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