Fitness Flohmarkt · Guide
Buy dumbbells in Switzerland: which type is right for you?
This guide helps with the basic choice: fixed or adjustable dumbbells, individual weights or a set. The specialist guides then cover configuration, design and weight selection.
Choose dumbbell type · Plan your dumbbell set · Hex dumbbell details · Find your starting weight · Choose adjustable dumbbells
In short
Clarify type, weight increments, quantity and total cost including storage and shipping. Also compare handles, coating and space. Price per kilogram alone does not reflect mechanisms, supplied equipment or usable settings.
The fundamental question
Which dumbbell type suits your training?
Fixed dumbbells are ready in individual weights. Adjustable dumbbells combine several loads and need adjustment between sets. A set is a configuration rather than a dumbbell type: it may contain fixed pairs, adjustable dumbbells or bars and plates. Choose for your exercises, simultaneous users, storage and space.
If you want to choose between the two adjustable sizes, the Buying guide for adjustable dumbbells the work off: He puts all weight levels side by side and answers the question of whether one dumbbell is enough or two are needed.
What is almost always underestimated is how much a dumbbell grows with its weight. A 5 kg hex dumbbell measures around 28.5 cm, at 20 kg it is 36.5 cm, and at 40 kg around 43.5 cm. A shelf board that easily accommodates three light pairs is immediately overwhelmed by the heavy ones.
| Type | Weight range | Change | Space requirement | Drop | Typical case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed dumbbell, rubberized (Hex) | 1 to 60 kg per piece | Immediately | high, per pair | Check product instructions | Basement gym, two people |
| Fixed heavy dumbbell (round) | 40 to 70 kg each | Immediately | high, per pair | Check product instructions | Studio, club |
| Adjustable dumbbell | 2.5 to 24 kg in one device | Seconds | around 0.1 m² | no | Living room, little space |
| Dumbbell set with rack | 1 to 10 kg, 10 pairs | Immediately | 48 × 42 cm | Check product instructions | Physiotherapy clinic, family |
| Aerobic dumbbell | 1 to 5 kg per piece | Immediately | low | no | Rehab, group class |
Recognize quality
How do you recognize a good dumbbell?
A dumbbell consists of three parts, and each of them tells you something about its lifespan. The core bears the weight: cast iron is dense, dimensionally stable, and makes the dumbbell compact. Plastic or cement fillings achieve the same weight only through significantly more volume and are more likely to break when dropped. The surface determines noise, flooring, and rust. A rubber coating dampens the placement, protects parquet and tiles, and shields the core against sweat. Chrome-plated dumbbells look more elegant, but are noisier and more delicate. Finally, the grip determines how long you can hold out: With the Hex dumbbells from 1 to 60 kg it measures 28 mm up to five kilos and 34 mm from six kilos onwards, with a grip length of around 13 cm. That is the difference between a dumbbell you hold securely and one that slips out of your hand.
Also check the shape. Hexagonal dumbbells stay where you put them down and are suitable as a support for push-ups. Round dumbbells roll away, but with very heavy loads they are sometimes more comfortable in the hand, which is why the HEAVY Round Dumbbells up to 70 kg are manufactured in this design. If heavy dumbbells hit sensitive flooring, a protective mat is part of the equation: which thickness withstands which load is explained by the Flooring buying guide.
make prices comparable
What belongs in the total cost of your dumbbells?
Check the selected unit: one dumbbell, a pair or a complete set. Then compare the weights needed and add storage, accessories and shipping. Mechanisms, ranges and contents differ, so a kilogram comparison is insufficient. Set calculations are in the dumbbell-set guide.
Buy affordably without regret
Buy dumbbells cheap: what you should check on a bargain
Affordable dumbbells are available as promotional items at discount stores, as clearance stock, and used from private sellers. All three options can be worthwhile, but they share the same weakness: you are buying a snapshot in time rather than a product line. Therefore, check three things before making a purchase. First, the core material, because a dumbbell with a cement or plastic filling is significantly larger for the same weight and withstands drops much worse than cast iron. Second, future availability: can you reorder the same pair in the next weight increment in a year, or does the series disappear after the promotion? Third, for barbell sets, the collars, because cheap spin-lock collars shift under load, which is precisely where the safety risk lies. And factor in the consequential costs: an offer that is CHF 30 cheaper, but requires a rack and a floor mat, was never a bargain. Anyone who clarifies these four points buys wisely rather than cheaply.
At Fitness Flohmarkt, you'll find display items, clearance items from studio liquidations, and secondhand goods in the Outlet. The difference compared to the discounter lies not in the discount, but in the fact that these are the exact same product lines that are also part of the regular assortment. By the way, the same logic applies outside of dumbbells, as the Kettlebell Buying Guide for cast iron, rubber coating, and urethane.
The Swiss Sonderfall
What works differently when buying dumbbells in Switzerland
Dumbbells have the worst weight-to-value ratio in the entire fitness sector, and that is precisely where the Swiss difference comes into play. At Fitness-Flohmarkt, delivery takes place within one to four business days via Swiss Post or freight carrier, in each case to the curb. You should be aware of two special cases: shipments over 100 cm in total length and individual items over 30 kg that cannot be split into multiple packages are classified as bulky goods and may incur additional costs. Therefore, a 65 kg dumbbell is not simply double the portion of a 32 kg dumbbell, but rather a separate case with its own rate. In addition, the product weight does not correspond to the shipping weight because packaging and cushioning add to the weight. All details can be found under Payment and Shipping.
This results in two rules. First: Bundle your order. The dumbbell set weighs around 131 kg with 110 kg of weights and a 21 kg stand, which is roughly five units of weight. Distributed over five individual orders in a year, you pay the base rate five times. Second: If you live within reach of Liestal, pick up the goods. Anyone who during the Pickup times stops by, saves the shipping costs entirely. If, on the other hand, you order from abroad, customs clearance and import duties are added, and in the event of a warranty claim, the dumbbell goes the same way back.
The products in detail
Four dumbbells, four purposes
These four models do not differ in quality, but in which problem they solve: space, price per kilogram, access time, or load reserve.
Adjustable dumbbell 24 kg with twist grip
- CHF 125 each
- 2.5 to 24 kg in 15 increments
- Central adjustment on the handle
- Storage tray included
- Article F-89377
Replaces fifteen individual dumbbells in the footprint of a shoebox. You select the weight inside the handle instead of separately on the left and right, and adjustments are only made in the storage tray. The catch: the mechanism cannot handle being dropped.
Ideal for: Beginners who train in the living room or office.
For the adjustable 24 kg dumbbell
Hex Dumbbell | Hexagon Dumbbell
- from CHF 3 each
- 32 levels from 1 to 60 kg
- cast iron core with rubber coating
- Handle 28 mm up to 5 kg, then 34 mm
- Article F-13162
The cheapest way to bring a lot of weight into the house. Hexagonal shape, doesn't roll away, withstands controlled dropping while protecting the floor. For this, you need a separate pair for each level.
Ideal for: Cellar gyms where two people work out at the same time.
View Hex Dumbbells
Dumbbell set 1 to 10 kg incl. rack
- CHF 490.-
- 10 pairs from 1 to 10 kg, total 110 kg
- Stand 48 × 42 × 127 cm, up to 250 kg
- cast iron core with rubber coating
- Article F-98168
All weights are ready to hand at the same time, without rearranging. The vertical stand takes up less than half a square meter of floor space. However, it tops out at ten kilos per hand.
Ideal for: Families, physical therapy practices, and everyone starting from scratch.
For the dumbbell set
Dumbbells up to 70 kg | HEAVY Round Dumbbells
- CHF 120.- to 210.- each
- 40 to 70 kg
- Cast iron core, fully rubberized
- Chrome-plated steel handle
- Article F-78884
Right where adjustable dumbbells end. Round design, fully rubber-coated cast core, intended for performance-oriented training in gym use. Stands and heavy-duty flooring are a requirement here, not an option.
Ideal for: Studios, clubs, and equipped weight rooms.
View HEAVY Round DumbbellsRecommendation by situation
What is worth it for whom
You are working out alone in the living room
Space is tight and the dumbbells shouldn't be lying around in plain sight. A adjustable dumbbell with twist grip covers fifteen steps and disappears into a corner of the room. Expect to need two once you train with both hands.
You are working out together in the basement
Two people and a single adjustment mechanism do not mix well because you are constantly waiting. Fixed hex dumbbells in three to four pairs solve this and cost the least per kilo. Plan for the rack right along with it.
You are equipping a practice or a classroom
Here, access time, organization, and fine gradations in the lower range count. One complete set from 1 to 10 kg with rack is built precisely for that.
You are setting up a studio or a club weight room
Constant use, many users, heavy loads. The path leads to solid rubber-coated cast iron dumbbells in the upper weight range and to racks that can actually support the weight. Above a certain quantity, a call is worth it instead of a shopping cart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buying dumbbells in Switzerland: the most important answers
Where can you buy dumbbells in Switzerland?
You can get dumbbells in Switzerland in specialized sports stores, in online shops with Swiss warehouses, as promotional items at discounters, and secondhand from private individuals. The difference lies less in the product than in availability and reordering: only those who carry a permanent assortment can sell you the exact same dumbbell again in a year.
How much do dumbbells cost in Switzerland?
Total cost depends on weights, quantity and supplied equipment. Check the chosen version’s current price and add suitable storage and shipping. Also compare fixed and adjustable dumbbells by usable loads and storage space.
Are rubberized or chromed dumbbells better?
For home use, rubber-coated dumbbells are almost always the better choice. The rubber coating dampens impact when putting them down, protects parquet and tile floors, makes workouts quieter, and shields the cast iron core from sweat. Chrome dumbbells look more elegant, but they are noisier, harder on the floor, and more sensitive.
Can I pick up dumbbells at Fitness Flohmarkt?
Yes. The goods are in the warehouse in Liestal in the Basel region, and you can pick up your order yourself during the pick-up hours. For heavy orders, this completely saves you the shipping costs. An appointment can also be booked for the showroom.
Can I buy individual dumbbells later?
That depends on the product range, not the product itself. Fixed dumbbells like hex dumbbells are available individually in 32 weight increments from 1 to 60 kg, so you can expand your set pair by pair. With promotional items from discount supermarkets, on the other hand, the series is usually gone once the promotion is over.
Ready for the first order?
Dumbbells, sets, and racks are in stock in Liestal, shipping within one to four business days in Switzerland.
View all adjustable dumbbells