Okay, so I’ve been meaning to beef up my home gym, and I finally decided to grab a 50 to 100 pound dumbbell set. Let me tell you, it was quite the process, so I thought I’d share my journey.
First off, I started by browsing around to see what was out there. I hit up a bunch of different stores online, checking out brands like Body-Solid, Bowflex, and PowerBlock. I was looking for something that was both durable and not going to totally break the bank. It’s tough because some of these sets can get really pricey, you know?
I found a lot of different types of dumbbells, too. Some were made of cast iron, others were rubber-coated. Then there were those adjustable ones that seemed pretty cool, letting you change the weight super easily. It was a bit overwhelming at first, honestly. I saw that CAP Barbell had some adjustable ones that went from 5 to 25 pounds, which seemed good for starting out.
Narrowing it Down
After looking around, I decided I needed to think about what I actually wanted to do with these dumbbells. I mean, it’s important to know what kind of exercises you’re going to do, right? I’m not a pro or anything, but I like to do a mix of things like bicep curls, shoulder presses, and some rows. So, I figured a set that goes up to 100 pounds would be enough for me.
I read somewhere that if you’re a guy just starting, it’s a good idea to have 10, 20, and 35-pound pairs. But I was aiming for heavier weights since I’ve been lifting on and off for a while now. I also saw that some sets had these weight bars too, which seemed like a good way to get more use out of the weights.
Making the Choice
I kept going back and forth between a few options. There was this one set from Body-Solid that was super expensive, like over a thousand bucks! It was rubber-coated and seemed really high-quality, but I just couldn’t justify spending that much. There were others that were way cheaper, but I was worried about them being too flimsy or something.
I also checked out Target, and they had a decent selection. Nothing too fancy, but they had some solid options that were pretty affordable. I almost went with one of their sets, but then I decided to sleep on it.
Eventually, I found a set that seemed like a good middle ground. It wasn’t the cheapest, but it also wasn’t as crazy expensive as some of the others. It’s a 50kg set, so it goes up to about 110 pounds, which is perfect. It has a couple of bars too, so I can do some barbell exercises, which is a nice bonus.
The Setup
Getting the set home was a bit of a workout in itself! Those things are heavy. Once I got them inside, I started setting everything up. The weights were easy to put on and take off the bars, which was a relief. I didn’t want to spend ages just switching weights around, you know?
I started trying them out, doing some basic exercises. They felt pretty good. The grip was comfortable, and they seemed solid enough. I did a few sets of different exercises, gradually increasing the weight to see how it felt.
Feeling the Burn
Man, I was sore the next day! But it was a good kind of sore, you know? It felt like I had a really solid workout. I’ve been using them for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with my purchase. I can feel myself getting stronger, and it’s been great having them right there in my home. No more driving to the gym!
Final Thoughts
So, yeah, that’s my story about getting a 50 to 100-pound dumbbell set. It took some time and research, but I think I made the right choice. It’s definitely been worth it. Now I can work out whenever I want, and I’m seeing some real progress. If you’re thinking about getting a set, my advice is to just do your research, figure out what you need, and don’t be afraid to spend a little more for something that’s going to last. It’s an investment in your health, after all.
- Start small: Don’t go too heavy too fast.
- Mix it up: Try different exercises to keep things interesting.
- Listen to your body: Rest when you need to, and don’t push yourself too hard.
Anyway, that’s it for now. Time for another workout!