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RS Recommends: The Best Hand Weights for Working Out at Home

An easy, portable way to start strength training at home or on-the-go

By Natalli Amato

Natalli Amato

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February 10, 2022

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Getting in a good workout at home doesn’t have to involve costly, space-consuming equipment. A set of hand weights is all you need to start implementing strength training exercises into your daily fitness routine.

Are Hand Weights Effective?

There’s a reason that hand weights, also called free weights, are a staple of nearly every gym. They can be used to strengthen several different upper body muscles, including your pectorals, deltoids, triceps, and biceps. While doing free weight exercises is a workout in its own right, you can also incorporate them into other at-home-friendly fitness regimes, like pilates, CrossFit, yoga, aerobics, and barre. Even a simple walk can be enhanced by taking hand weights along with you.

What Are the Best Hand Weights?

When you’re shopping for the best hand weights, you’ll first decide what weight level best fits your fitness activities and personal strength. For example, two to five-pound hand weights would be ideal if you want to add an extra level of challenge to a pilates or aerobics workout. However, if you want to build power and strength by way of free weight lifting, you may choose a set of weights that increase in their weight level.

The best hand weight set for you will depend on the weight range you’re looking for and how compact you need your weights to be. Some sets come with multiple pairs of hand weights. Others save space by adding or decreasing weight to one pair of hand weights. Both styles are effective; discerning one from the other will depend on your personal preferences and your available storage space.

1. BalanceFrom Hand Weight Set

This is the perfect starter set if you’re just getting started working with hand weights. With three different pairs of weights – 5lbs, 8lbs, and 12lbs – you can build up your strength, engage in resistance training, and work on increasing your range of motion. The weights are coated with Neoprene, which helps you maintain a steady grip. For organization’s sake, the weights also come with a storage stand.

best hand weights

Buy BalanceFrom Hand Weight Set $43.99

2. Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbell Weight

If you head straight to the free weights when you hit the gym, this is the weight you need for your home workouts. The adjustable dumbbell design lets you experience 12 different weight levels while only using one dumbbell frame. Whether you set the weight to as little as 2.5lbs or to its max of 55lbs, it’s an easy piece of equipment to help you build up your strength.

Everything comes on an included stand and the space-saving set tucks away easily under the bed or in a closet when you’re don.e

best hand weights

Buy Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbell Weight

3. Nice C Adjustable Dumbbell Pair

Most hand weights are compact by default. However, this pair of adjustable hand weights takes compact to another level. These weights come with a set of removable weight bars; to increase or decrease the weight, you simply unscrew the ends of the hand weight and add or remove a metal bar. Without the metal weight bars, each hand weight weighs 2.3lbs. When you add two blocks, the hand weight weighs 3.4lbs. At its max, it can weigh 4.5lbs.

This is one of the easiest ways to get started with using hand weights — and one of the most portable too.

best hand weights

Buy Nice C Adjustable Dumbbell Pair $79.99

4. Kole Imports Walking Weights

These soft-grip hand weights weigh 1lb each and have straps that wrap around your hand. Light yet firm, these weights are perfect for adding some extra resistance training to your cardio routine. Whether you’re going for a walk or doing pilates, these hand weights gently enhance your workout.

best hand weights

Buy Kole Imports Walking Weights $12.99

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