Adjustable vs Fixed Dumbbells: Types and Weights
Fixed dumbbells are one weight each and ready to grab; adjustable dumbbells change weight with a dial or plates and replace a rack in the space of one pair.
By Adolph GreenContributing writer.
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The short answer
There are two kinds of dumbbell:
- Fixed dumbbells are cast at one weight. You pick up the one you need and start, but every new weight is another pair to buy and store.
- Adjustable dumbbells use one handle and a set of plates. You change the load with a dial, a pin or by adding plates, so one pair covers a range of weights.
NordicTrack's dumbbell guide puts the choice down to preference rather than one type being better: adjustable sets give flexibility, fixed sets save the time spent changing weight.
Adjustable vs fixed dumbbells
| Feature | Fixed | Adjustable |
|---|---|---|
| Weights per pair | One | A range, set by dial or plates |
| Changing weight | Grab another pair | Turn a dial or swap plates |
| Floor space for a full range | A rack of pairs | About one pair plus its stand |
| Moving parts | None | Dial or locking mechanism |
As an example of the range one adjustable pair can cover, Bowflex lists its SelectTech 552 at 5 to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell in 15 settings and says it replaces 15 sets of weights. Its SelectTech 1090 goes from 10 to 90 pounds and replaces 17 sets. Bowflex changes the weight in 2.5 or 5 pound steps, and it notes that individual settings may differ slightly from the stated values because of manufacturing tolerances.
Are adjustable dumbbells worth it
They make the most sense when you want many weights in a small room. A pair that replaces 15 sets saves a rack and a lot of floor. They make less sense if you switch weights constantly in a circuit, if several people train at once, or if you mostly use one or two weights: a couple of fixed pairs then does the job with nothing to adjust.
What weight dumbbells should I get
Pick by how many clean repetitions you can do, not by a number on a chart. Bowflex's beginner guide suggests 8 to 12 reps per set for 2 to 3 sets. If you finish a set without feeling tired, move up a step next set. If you tire within the first few reps, go down. Good form comes before extra weight.
Most people need more than one weight, because a weight that suits a squat or a row is too heavy for a lateral raise. That is the main argument for an adjustable pair or a small run of fixed pairs. For how often to train, US federal guidelines call for muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days a week for adults.
Other weight types
Our listings for weights and accessories, in the sports and outdoors department, include 22 dumbbells, 20 weight belts, 9 wrist and ankle weights, 6 bars, 6 plates and 4 collars, the clips that hold plates on a bar. Plates and bars build a barbell set; wrist and ankle weights add light load to walking or bodyweight moves.
How we count
Counts come from our listing data on October 26, 2026, for the weights and accessories product type. The type is read from each store listing, and listings that do not state a type are left out.