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If you’re considering equipping your living room with a set of hand weights, you aren’t alone. Many people have begun to enjoy the convenience of at-home workouts. Although getting the body of your dreams from the comfort of your home seems fun, it can be hard to set up your gym because some equipment costs a fortune.
Thankfully, you don’t need all the big, heavy equipment you see in your commercial gym. If used correctly, hand weights bring versatility to the table and help you achieve various goals, from building muscle mass to improved cardio and toning your body.
Hand weights are extremely easy to work out with and come in different weights to choose from according to your fitness level. If you’re planning to tone up your body, keep on reading — we’ve reviewed the leading hand weights of 2024 to help you break a sweat in your sweats.
Detailing the Top Hand Weight of 2024
Portzon Resistance Loop Hand Weights — Best Overall
This outer layer of these hand weights is thoughtfully designed after a multi-layer process to offer you optimal safety. Perfect for high-impact workouts, these weights are coated with anti-collision safety material that distributes the severe impacts equally. Coming to you in assorted colors, these weights allow you to pick the right weight on the go. What’s even better is that there's a weight number printed on each weight for quick and easy identification.
You don’t have to worry about these weights rolling around either, as their hexagon-shaped heads keep them in place. These weights are also made with high-quality and durable cast iron to last years of use. Boasting a non-toxic, easy-to-clean neoprene coating and sturdy construction, these hand weights have made it to the top of our list.
Pros
- Skin-friendly coating doesn’t cause calluses
- Hexagon shape prevents rolling
- Easy to clean and store
Cons
- Some may find the grips narrow
Amazon Basics Neoprene Hand Weights — Most Beginner-friendly
If you’ve been away from the gym for a long time or are just starting your fitness journey, these hand weights are a great choice. Coming in different weight categories, Amazon Basics’ Neoprene Hand Weights let you slowly increase the difficulty according to your fitness level. They are also color-coded, allowing you to quickly identify them without interrupting your workout.
These hand weights have a high-quality neoprene coating, giving you a firm grip and keeping your floor and surfaces scratch-free, along with hexagonal heads to keep them from rolling around. They also come with a weight stand, eliminating the risk of stubbing your toe once you’ve set them down.
Pros
- Comes in different weight options
- Neoprene coating offers a non-slip grip
- Weight stand is easy to assemble
Cons
- They have a seam
Yes4All Hexagon Hand Weights — Most Versatile
If you’re looking for versatile equipment to tone your arms, strengthen your core muscles, and work the glutes, these hand weights are the ideal choice. That being said, this set is equally good for core training, yoga, aerobics, and full-body workouts. Constructed with a high-quality cast iron core and neoprene coating, these hand weights will serve you a lifetime.
These weights have a thicker neoprene coating than usual dumbbells, making them more durable and preventing them from chipping the floor. Plus, they provide a comfy grip, allowing you to work out without needing gloves. Available in different colors and weight choices, these dumbbells also have weight numbers printed on them for quicker identification.
Pros
- Contoured handle for better grip
- Available in 2 to 20-pound weights
- Iron core for enhanced durability
Cons
- Constant sun exposure can degrade them
P.volve 2-Pound Hand Weights — Most Travel-friendly
By incorporating these hand weights into your cardio routine, you’ll achieve your fitness goals quicker than expected. They are small enough to fit the palm of your hand and compact enough to pack in your backpack, making them ideal for carrying with you while traveling. What’s more, the non-slip grip makes them equally suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
One of the biggest perks is that you get a 30-day trial to P.volve’s online platform to get a free 15-minute consultation with fitness experts. There, you can also access hundreds of pre-recorded workouts to get your dream body.
Pros
- Non-slip, easy to hold grip
- Compact size for traveling
- Lightweight but highly effective
Cons
- A bit more expensive than the alternatives
Signature Fitness Hand Weights — Great Value
The alloy steel core coated with high-quality neoprene makes this hand weight set ideal for both beginners and experts. They are available in an assortment of colors to help you identify a different dumbbell so that you don’t pick up a heavier one during an intense workout. This way, you won’t end up having sprains or stiffening muscles after each session.
Designed to serve you throughout your fitness journey, this dumbbell set includes three pairs of hand weights in 3, 5, and 8-pound sizes and offers great value for the money invested. For added convenience, you also get a weight stand to store them in style when not in use.
Pros
- Easy to assemble weight stand
- Contoured grips for safe handling
- Non-slip texture offers a firm grip
Cons
- Stand could be better quality
Buying Guide: Hand Weights
Setting a workout routine has never been easier. You’ll get your desired results quickly if you’re using the right type of hand weights. If you are on the lookout for the very finest hand weights, this buying guide has all the essential information to assist you in making a smart purchase.
Factors To Consider When Buying Hand Weights
Comfortable grip
Dumbbells tend to be heavy and can lead to serious injuries if not handled properly. You should test the grip to ensure that you won’t end up hurting yourself during workout sessions. Vinyl, rubber, or neoprene grips are easy to hold and won’t slip, even if you sweat badly.
Shape
Though the shape of the dumbbells doesn’t seem like an important thing, it keeps them from rolling. Most hand weights have hexagonal or square shapes to keep them in place and prevent chipping the floor.
Design
If you get an attractive pair of dumbbells, you’ll feel more motivated to work out harder. Basic colors can be unpleasant for the eyes and make the whole workout session a bit boring. On the other hand, dumbbells that are vibrant and colorful refresh your mood on the days when you feel a bit down.
Other than that, colors also help you quickly identify each dumbbell to transition between them during your intensity training.
How To Use Dumbbells
There is a misconception that dumbbells are only used to tone your arms, but you can use them in many other ways to strengthen your whole body. Here are a few ways you can use hand weights to get in shape.
While walking or running
Walking is a light form of cardio and can help you work up a sweat without feeling too exhausted. You can easily burn up to 500 calories by walking for an hour. But, if you want a workout that’s a bit more intense and will help you shed more weight, you can incorporate dumbbells. By holding a weight in each hand when you walk, you gain arm strength and burn more calories.
During resistance training
You can give resistance training a go if you want to strengthen your muscles and improve your endurance. Resistance training is an efficient way to get work glutes and get lean at home. This training also includes the use of dumbbells to strengthen your core.
During squats
If you’re a fan of defined and toned thighs, you can use dumbbells during squats since they help build endurance and tighten your calves and glutes. There are also other leg exercises where you can incorporate hand weights to speed up the results.
