Cheap DIY Dumbbell Alternatives At Home

Concrete and cement are similar materials that can be used to create cheap dumbbell alternatives as well. Or so you thought. Actually, making these dumbbells yourself can be time consuming, pricey and will require some craftsmanship. The dumbbells are made from a metal bar dipped in buckets containing cement. Once the cement dries, you’re left with something that resembles a typical dumbbell.

Cement is not particularly expensive, however it’s tough to get your hands on a small quantity, as it is usually sold in bulk. The weights you make, if not reinforced, will likely erode over time – making them dangerous to train with. Overall this is a messy process that will result in a questionable set of dumbbells and will likely be more trouble than it’s worth!

Resistance bands are another great alternative to dumbbells, and are typically cheaper. In fact, resistance bands can be used to reproduce almost every dumbbell exercise, and can also be used to replicate cable exercises, and can assist with bodyweight exercises by reducing your effective bodyweight. Resistance bands also have a ton of other uses – just check out our Article on The Many Uses Of Resistance Bands. This makes resistance bands much more versatile than dumbbells, and not to mention much lighter and more convenient to travel with.

Despite how light they are, resistance bands can create a ton of resistance and can help you grow muscles at the same rate as dumbbells and weight training. Resistance bands also have a few small shortcomings. The main one is that the force they generate is not equal throughout exercises. The longer the resistance band, the greater the restoring force it produces, hence as you continue to push or pull the resistance band, the force increases. This is not the case with dumbbells as the force of gravity remains the same, and therefore the resistance provided by dumbbells does not change throughout resistance exercises.

Another drawback, is that resistance bands are stretched and lose tension with prolonged use. This happens very slowly however, and typically only becomes an issue after 1-2 years of heavy use. Cheap resistance bands are also known to snap, however more expensive ones with layered designs do not.

Kettlebells are another alternative to dumbbells. They cost about as much and have a similar level of convenience. Dumbbells and kettlebells allow for similar exercises, but certain exercises are easier with one or the other.

Dumbbells are generally better for exercises that require symmetrical movements such as shoulder press, chest press and flies. Kettlebells on the other hand allow for unique dynamic exercises such as kettlebell swings. For most people, especially beginners and those with lower back pain, there is no reason to buy kettlebells over standard dumbbells.

Although there are many dumbbell alternatives, there’s just something familiar and satisfying about real dumbbells. If you’re really set on getting yourself a pair of dumbbells then you should at least consider some improved dumbbell designs.

Although modern dumbbells are still quite pricey, there are some cheaper alternatives that provide a good standard of quality and some enhanced features. For the longest time, dumbbells have been cement or steel rings clamped onto a metal stick. The process of changing weight was at best annoying and at worst impossible.

Luckily in the 21st century dumbbells have been largely reinvented. One of the best modern dumbbell designs is called the Smart Adjustable Dumbbell. This design features easily removable disks that can be taken off with a single twist of a switch – this mechanism ensures a fast way to change your desired weight while retaining the highest level of safety. These dumbbells are not only affordable, but let you focus on training rather than fiddling with dumbbell screws.