Interested in adding dumbbells or weight sets to your home gym this year, but wondering about the best place to buy dumbbells and weights?
If you’re serious about health and strength training, dumbbells and weight sets are a must-have. We got you covered.
If you’re like most people your budget is not huge for you home gym, so we also break down where to buy cheap dumbbells in this article.
Our Top Picks at Amazon
Quick Guide
Where is the best place to buy dumbbells or weight sets?
The below retailers would be the best place to buy dumbbells or weight sets for your average home gym.
All of these retailers offer a very large assortment of dumbbells and weights at low and competitive prices.
Almost all of the retailers above will offer free or discounted shipping, even on heavy items like dumbbells. In addition, Amazon offers Amazon Prime, giving you free 2-day shipping on thousands of items (in addition to numerous other services like free streaming of TV shows and movies).
Target offers its RedCard which gives you 5% back on all purchases (learn more here). So, if you purchase the same exact item from Target as any of the other retailers, you’ll get it for cheaper just for having a RedCard.
Why are these stores the best place to buy dumbbells?
The above retailers have shown to be good places to buy weights for the following reasons:
- Trustworthiness
- Customer loyalty discounts
- Return policies
- Customer reviews
- Free shipping available
- Large number of options to choose from
- Offer budget-friendly options
Plain and simple, people trust places like Amazon because they have good experiences there. In addition to the free shipping options, places like Amazon and Target make it very easy for the customer to shop there and enjoy good experiences.
Finally, you can view hundreds or thousands of other customer reviews to determine which product will suit you best. These retailers have been around for decades and have a large number of products suitable for any buyer.
You May Also Be Interested In: Dumbbells for Women
What are the best dumbbells or weights for sale at Amazon?
Below are the best individually-sold and dumbbell sets at Amazon, definitely the best place to buy dumbbells online that are high-quality at a reasonable price.
Without a doubt, the best individually-sold dumbbells at Amazon are their AmazonBasics Rubber Encased Hex Dumbbells. We detailed more about this dumbbell in this review post, but, let’s just say, it’s the best of the best!
Whenever I recommend any type of dumbbell to anyone, I always point them towards these dumbbells that have the rubber encased and hex-shaped ends. Not only will they last forever, but you also won’t scrape your arms or shins during lifts and they won’t roll around when they’re on the floor.
These dumbbells are sold in pairs or individually so you can build your home gym within your budget and at your own pace.
This set is superior to most other sets when building your home gym. It features the rubber-encased, hex-shaped ends that we love and comes with a stand and a rubber mat.
This set by Rep will include nearly all of the weights you’ll need for a basic home gym and will last forever. Read more in our detailed review post here.
- 5 pound pair
- 10 pound pair
- 15 pound pair
- 20 pound pair
- 25 pound pair
- 30 pound pair
- 35 pound pair
- 40 pound pair
- 45 pound pair
- 50 pound pair
You May Also Be Interested In: Best Weightlifting Shoes for Women
What are the best dumbbells at Target?
Below are the best individually-sold and dumbbell sets at Target, one of the best place to buy dumbbells and weights when you don’t want to worry about shipping or you want to see something before you purchase it.
If you’ve ever browsed the fitness section at Target, you’ve likely noticed their neoprene hand weights by All in Motion. While these hand weights may not seem as heavy-duty as steel or rubber-encased dumbbells, they are well-made and have their place in the fitness world.
These neoprene dumbbells are high-quality and will last for years of aerobic-based or Yoga-based home workouts. The soft coating is ideal for these types of workouts and is a great addition to your home gym for this reason. These are by far the best dumbbell option that Target offers.
This set is superior to most other sets when building your home gym. It’s a space-saver and home-gym-enthursiasts favorite. You can select weights up to 50 pounds with just one set of dumbbells.
The Selecttech set has been sold out for months, so snatch it up if you’re serious about building your home gym, especially if you live in a small space. Bowflex is a renowned and well-known gym brand, so you can trust their product and rest assured that it will last a lifetime. Bonus: use your RedCard to get another 5% off!
- 5 pound pair
- 10 pound pair
- 15 pound pair
- 20 pound pair
- 25 pound pair
- 30 pound pair
- 35 pound pair
- 40 pound pair
- 45 pound pair
- 50 pound pair
- 52.5 pound pair
What are the best dumbbells at Walmart?
Below are the best individually-sold and dumbbell sets at Walmart.
The BalanceFrom Barbell Dumbbell is very similar to the AmazonBasics dumbbell. In addition, the BalanceFrom brand is an extremely trustworthy brand with well-made products.
This dumbbell features the same contoured steel grip and rubber-encased, hex-shaped ends that we love. This will be a great addition to your gym and will last you a lifetime.
In addition, the BalanceFrom brand is a household name in the fitness space that has been around forever. They are well-known for their impeccable customer service.
This Weider dumbbell set is a great set, although it is smaller than the other sets offered at Target and Amazon. Even though it is a smaller set, this may be preferable for beginners or women who are just looking for a low-range of weights.
The weights included in this set are the following pairs:
- 10 pound pair
- 15 pound pair
- 20 pound pair
- 25 pound pair
- 30 pound pair
You May Also Be Interested In: Best Gym Bags
Is a commercial gym store a good place to buy dumbbells or weights?
Typically, commercial gym stores are physical brick-and-mortar storefronts that you can visit in person.
In general, these stores are higher priced than online retailers. However, they sell top-of-the-line fitness equipment that may not be available at normal retailers.
In addition, you would likely need to purchase a large set of dumbbells or weights rather than a small number of pairs to fill your personal needs.
So, depending on your needs, a commercial gym store may or may not be right for you. For most people, the stores mentioned in this article or second-hand gym gear is probably your best bet.
Where is the best place to buy dumbells that are inexpensive?
The above 5 stores (Amazon, Walmart, Target, Overstock, and Kohl’s) will likely have the best prices on dumbbells sets — especially when you are buying one pair at a time, adjustable sets, or small sets.
If you don’t mind a little wear and tear on your weights, you might look into buying second-hand weights. You can sometimes get great deals on used weights! More on that below.
You May Also Be Interested In: Best Ankle Weights
Are second-hand or used dumbbells good options to purchase?
Second-hand dumbbells are a great place way to add weights to your home or garage gym for a fraction of the cost.
Many people start building their home gym with high motivation and expectations, only to fall off the weight lifting bandwagon. This is where you can find great deals on second-hand dumbbells.
In addition, sometimes gyms will sell their old equipment when they close or remodel.
Cast Iron or plated dumbbells are going to be better second-hand options. If you’re looking for neoprene or vinyl dumbbells, you might want to opt for a new version since these can break down and tear over time and can even absorb sweat (which definitely ups the ick factor in used dumbbells).
I recommend setting up alerts in Facebook Marketplace or Craig’s List for dumbbells or weight sets. That way you can be alerted right away to a good deal.
Stay on the lookout for gyms that are closing in your area or tell friends to let you know if a gym near them is closing. Simply call or stop by the gym and ask if they are willing to sell their equipment. The worst they can say is no.
Rule of Thumb
- New dumbbells should cost about one dollar per pound
- Second-hand weights or dumbbells should cost about 50 cents per pound
You May Also Be Interested In: Best Weightlifting Journals
Wrapping Up the Best Place to Buy Dumbbells
Dumbbells and weights are available at most retailers, and you’ll likely find the best deals at the above stores.
Don’t forget to shop second-hand if you don’t mind investing in a used product. Keep in mind that used weights and dumbbells typically sell for 50 cents per pound, so look for prices at or below that price point.
Over time, you can add weights and dumbbells to your home gym at your own pace and budget and have a great place to stay fit!