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Regular weight training is importantfor many reasons.
Courtesy of the brands / Laneen Wells
So, what are the right weights?
Below, experts weigh in (heh) on how to find the right weights for your home gym.
And for newbies, dumbbells are likely the better option.
Daley prefers hex dumbbells, a pop in of dumbbell with a hexagonal-shaped weight plate.
Barbell trainingis a great way to find muscle imbalances due to the stabilization of each exercise.
Poor form and misuse of your equipment can easily lead to injuriespotentially severe ones.
If you have a lot of space to work with (lucky you!)
Daley recommendspurchasing a weight benchto increase the amount of exercises you’re able to do with your dumbbells.
If you accidentally drop them, the padding will do less damage than a metal weight, says Nakhlawi.
Look for rubber or neoprene coatings that can take a beating.
She says theyre also safer for certain exercises, like renegade rows.
But if you want to lift pretty heavy weights, then barbells might be a better fit.
Atkins adds that you should also be thinking about your go-to workouts as you shop.
How do you like to move, and which equipment will you use the most?
We also tested some of these weights ourselves as part of SELFs Home Fitness Awards.
All of the handles are chrome-plated, rust-resistant, and ergonomically designed for a secure, comfortable grip.
I like that they allow you to change the weight without needing a rack of dumbbells, Nakhlawi says.
Theyre hexagon-shaped and rubber-coated, so they wont roll around or scratch up your floors.
Meanwhile, contoured chrome handles offer great grip.
SPRI dumbbells are sold in pairs and come in weights ranging from 3 to 40 pounds.
The plates have threaded collars, so youll have to screw them on and off to change the weight.
Still, its a pretty simple process (even if its not the quickest).
These weights are perfect for my needs, one SELF tester says.
I just wanted something to be able to do a little morestrength trainingat home, so these are perfect.
Its very easy to change the weight amount, which is key for me also.
Theyre great quality, with a sleek design.
The range in weight is impressive toothese weights range from 5 to 80 pounds.
Reviewers say the knurled handlebars offer superb grip (no slippage here).
This one from Titan Fitness is available in 20-pound to 110-pound options.
The ends are threaded too, so the included collars will stay put while you lift.
Yes4All claims this barbell has a 480-pound weight limit.
While bumper plates tend to be more expensive, these from Titan Fitness arenttoopricey.
Amazon reviewers describe them as solid and well-made.
However, urethane can be a bit slippery, which may make these plates tricky to grip at times.
If you havent found your perfect match yet, one of these sets could be the winner.
This set is super compact (its only 10 inches long).
We also like that it comes in fun colors, like dusty lavender and sky blue.
Over 13,000 satisfied Amazon shoppers call out the weights durability, comfy grip, and great value.
Home workoutscan help you be consistent because of their flexibility, she adds.
What weight dumbbells should I buy?
People tend to underestimate how much they can lift and opt for very light weights, according to Atkins.
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