Fitness Flohmarkt · Guide
Buy a dumbbell set: which weights you really need
Most dumbbell sets are planned too small or bought too large. This guide explains which pairs cover most of your training and which set will still suit you in two years. Find the current selection in our dumbbell set overview.
Choose dumbbell type · Plan your dumbbell set · Hex dumbbell details · Find your starting weight · Choose adjustable dumbbells
In short
A suitable set contains the pairs and increments your exercises and users actually need. Check the full weight series, contents, storage and expansion options. The complete sets compared here include a stand; configuration matters more than a fixed number of pairs.
The basic principle
Which pairs belong in your dumbbell set?
List your exercises, current pairs and missing increments. Account for simultaneous users. Compare the list with the set’s full weight series. More pairs help when they are needed; fewer can suffice when they cover your exercises sensibly.
Two test steps remain before the purchase: how fine the increments are where you train today, and how far the top pair goes. Material and form are secondary, because a rubberized cast iron core with a chromed handle is the same in every set.
The decisive number
How many pairs of dumbbells do you really need?
There is no fixed pair count for every home gym. Required weights and their gaps matter. Moving from 5 to 10 kg doubles the load; from 25 to 30 kg adds 20 percent. Check every step around your exercises, not just the maximum weight.
| Spring | Relative increase | Practical consequence |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 5 kg | plus 25 percent | feasible, noticeable |
| 5 to 10 kg | plus 100 percent | too big, step missing |
| 10 to 12.5 kg | plus 25 percent | smooth progression |
| 15 to 20 kg | plus 33 percent | borderline for shoulder work |
| 25 to 30 kg | plus 20 percent | unproblematic |
Whoever thinks this calculation through to the end ends up with the adjustable alternative. A adjustable dumbbell with rotating handle for CHF 125 covers 15 increments from 2.5 to 24 kg in a single device and solves the increment problem in the smallest of spaces. Which version fits when and what is included is clarified by the Buying guide for adjustable dumbbells.
Set or Individual Purchase
Buy a dumbbell set or put together dumbbells individually?
A complete dumbbell set is cheaper per kilo than buying items individually and includes the rack, whereas a custom-assembled set is tailored precisely to your workout. The math behind this makes sense: the 1 to 20 kg set contains ten pairs at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and 20 kg. Added up and doubled, that is 192 kg for CHF 795.--, which comes out to CHF 4.14 per kilo, rack included. Anyone who buys only the four pairs they actually use pays less in total, but more per kilo, and does not get a storage rack. Buying items individually is therefore worthwhile if you are specifically closing gaps or deliberately want only a few weight increments.
For additions, you can buy Hex Dumbbells in individual weights. Check the selected unit and supplied contents. Handle diameters and dimensions are covered in the hex dumbbell guide.
The three sets in comparison
Which dumbbell set fits which budget?
At Fitness-Flohmarkt, there are three complete sets to choose from, and they differ less in price than in their intended use. The 1 to 10 kg set is the finest, the 1 to 20 kg set covers the widest range and, at CHF 4.14 per kilo, is also the most affordable, while the 5 to 30 kg set reaches the highest maximum weight. All three include rubberized hex dumbbells with a cast iron core and the matching rack. The decisive difference lies in the footprint: the two lighter sets stand vertically on about 48 by 42 cm, while the heavy set requires a horizontal rack with a width of 120 cm. Anyone working out in their living space should check this point before the price.
| Set | Pairs and Steps | Total weight | Price | Price per kilo | Stand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 10 kg | 10 pairs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 kg | 110 kg | CHF 490.- | CHF 4.45 | 48 x 42 x 127 cm, vertical |
| 1 to 20 kg | 10 pairs: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20 kg | 192 kg | CHF 795.- | CHF 4.14 | 49 x 42 x 157 cm, vertical |
| 5 to 30 kg | 6 pairs: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 kg | 210 kg | CHF 890.- | CHF 4.24 | 120 x 56 x 80 cm, horizontal |
A point that is not on any packaging: The rack of the 20 kg set can hold up to 250 kg and already carries 192 kg. The reserve of around 58 kg is enough for one or two light pairs, not for a real expansion. Anyone who wants to expand significantly later should plan for a larger rack right from the start.
Dumbbell set 1 to 10 kg incl. rack
- 10 pairs
- 1-kg increments
- 110 kg total
- Rack 48 x 42 x 127 cm
- Art. F-98168
Ten pairs in seamless 1 kg increments, plus a vertical rack weighing 21 kg with a 250 kg load capacity. The finest gradation in the range, making it the right choice where small increments matter. The maximum weight tops out at 10 kg per hand.
Ideal for: Living room gyms, rehab and physiotherapy rooms, gymnastics, and anyone who needs fine increments.
View set 1 to 10 kg
Dumbbell set 1 to 20 kg incl. rack
- 10 pairs
- 1 to 20 kg
- 192 kg total
- CHF 4.14 per kilo
- Item F-86641
Ten pairs from 1 to 20 kg, at the bottom in 1 kg and 2 kg increments, at the top in 2.5 kg increments. A single set thus covers light and heavy exercises without missing a single step, and at CHF 4.14 per kilo, it is the most affordable. The rack is 157 cm high and, despite a load capacity of 192 kg, takes up only around 0.2 m².
Ideal for: the classic home gym designed to last for years with a single purchase.
View 1 to 20 kg set
Hex Dumbbell Set 5 to 30 kg incl. rack
- 6 pairs
- 5 kg increments
- 210 kg total
- Rack 120 x 56 x 80 cm
- Art. F-77224
Six pairs from 5 to 30 kg on a two-tier steel rack with a 480 kg load capacity. The set with the greatest load per hand and, at 210 kg, also the heaviest, but the coarsest: there is nothing under 5 kg, and the first jump doubles the load.
Ideal for: Trainers, studios, and clubs that need reach instead of fine nuances.
View set from 5 to 30 kgOccasion
Buying a used dumbbell set: what you need to look out for
When buying a used dumbbell set, completeness determines the price, not the condition of the individual dumbbell. Cast iron with a rubber coating barely ages; scratches are cosmetic. Three other points are critical. First, missing increments: you have to replace a gap at 8 or 12.5 kg individually at full price. Second, the rack, which is designed for a specific dumbbell size and quantity. Third, loose handles: if the chrome-plated handle can spin in the rubber head, the connection is worn out.
Convert every secondhand item to the price per kilo and compare it with the table above. If it is not significantly below CHF 4 per kilo, the effort is rarely worth it. In addition to new goods, Fitness-Flohmarkt also carries secondhand items and clearance stock in the Outlet Category, from warehouse in Liestal.
Honestly
When a dumbbell set is the wrong choice
A complete dumbbell set is the wrong choice if you cannot permanently clear half a square meter, if the equipment needs to be put away, or if you mainly do momentum exercises. In the first two cases, an adjustable dumbbell is the better answer: 15 fixed pairs in about 0.1 m², and it fits in the closet. For swings and cleans, the dumbbell is the wrong tool because the handle is centered and the load cannot swing beneath the hand. That is a job for a Kettlebell here.
And a tip that often comes too late: 192 or 210 kg of cast iron rests on a small area. On parquet flooring, a protective base is needed underneath, otherwise the rack feet will leave marks. What thickness is sufficient, the Fitness Flooring Buying Guide after exertion.
Recommendation by situation
What is worth it for whom
Living room entrance
workout in the living room, small increments, nothing that looks like a gym: the 1-to-10-kg set for CHF 490.- with seamless 1-kg increments on 48 by 42 cm.
Home gym in the basement
Plenty of space, buy once, peace of mind after that: The Set from 1 to 20 kg covers both ends with ten pairs and costs CHF 4.14 per kilo.
Studio, club, physiotherapy practice
Multiple people at once, changing settings takes time. Here, reach and robustness matter: the Set 5 to 30 kg on the steel rack with a load capacity of 480 kg.
Limited space, varying loads
No fixed training space, the device has to be able to disappear. Then a set is not the answer, but rather the adjustable dumbbell with 15 settings, ordered twice for two-handed exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buying a dumbbell set: the most important answers
How many pairs of dumbbells do you need for a home gym?
The number depends on exercises, loads and simultaneous users. List the pairs you need first, then check whether a ready-made set covers them. A fixed recommendation of three, six or ten pairs does not suit every household.
Is a complete dumbbell set worth it or are individual dumbbells better?
A complete set is cheaper per kilo and includes the rack: The 1 to 20 kg set costs CHF 4.14 per kilo, the 5 to 30 kg set CHF 4.24, and the 1 to 10 kg set CHF 4.45. Individual hex dumbbells are worthwhile if you are specifically adding a missing increment or only want a few weights from the start.
How much does a dumbbell set cost in Switzerland?
At Fitness-Flohmarkt, complete sets including racks start at CHF 490.- for ten pairs ranging from 1 to 10 kg. The set from 1 to 20 kg costs CHF 795.-, and the set from 5 to 30 kg costs CHF 890.-. Individual hex dumbbells are available in 32 weight increments, with the price depending on the chosen weight.
Is the rack included with a dumbbell set?
For all three complete sets, yes. The 1 to 10 kg and 1 to 20 kg sets come with a vertical rack with a footprint of about 48 by 42 cm, while the 5 to 30 kg set comes with a horizontal steel rack measuring 120 by 56 cm. If you buy dumbbells individually, the stand is separate.
Can I expand a dumbbell set later?
Individual hex dumbbells can be purchased at any time; they are available up to 60 kg. The limit is set by the stand: the rack of the 20 kg set holds 250 kg and is already well utilized at 192 kg. For a larger expansion, it is better to plan for a larger storage rack from the beginning.
What do I need to look out for when buying a used dumbbell set?
For completeness, the matching rack, and firm handles. You have to buy missing steps individually at full price, a rack does not automatically fit added pairs, and a handle that can spin in the rubber head is worn out. Calculate the price per kilo and compare it to new goods.
How much space does a dumbbell set need?
Less than most think. The rack for the 1 to 20 kg set takes up 49 by 42 cm with a height of 157 cm and holds 192 kg. The 5 to 30 kg set requires more wall width at 120 by 56 cm, but only a height of 80 cm.
Ready for your dumbbell set?
Alle Kurzhantelsets, Einzelhanteln und Ständer liegen an Lager in Liestal und gehen in 1 bis 3 Arbeitstagen raus. Bei Fragen zur Zusammenstellung beraten wir dich persönlich.
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