If you are a gym enthusiast, you know the importance of home gyms. They are comfortable, time-saving, and easily accessible when you want to work out during work breaks. Plus, monthly gym subscriptions can be expensive, so having a home gym is a plus on so many levels. If you have space and can afford to create a gym in your space, just go for it.
After making up your mind to create a home gym, the first thing to do is make the list of gym gears you want. Most of you already have a ‘must haves’ list in your mind and we know dumbbells are one of the gym gear you have already written there.
If you have nodded yes, great. If that’s not the case, add it to your list as the dumbbells are one of the best gym equipment for resistance training. Instead of buying bulky cable machines, you can get dumbbells and make the most out of them.
What are Dumbbells?
Dumbbells are free weights that are used for various exercises and weight training. With a dumbbell in each hand, you can utilize them solo or in pairs. They are versatile and offer multiple benefits. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), a dumbbell offers the following benefits:
- It targets different muscle groups, activates them, and helps with muscle growth.
- You can build intermuscular and intramuscular coordination with dumbbells.
- It is perfect for joint-isolation exercises.
- Dumbbells enhance your flexibility and strength.
Dumbbells have different types, shapes, materials, and weights. You can buy them as per your need and preference. When you search the internet, you probably find neoprene and hex dumbbells as the two most favorite conventional dumbbells.
They are easy to use and portable. You can carry these dumbbells around and incorporate them into different workouts. Even if you are doing cardio or aerobic exercises, you can use dumbbells. Both these types are affordable and readily available.
But what would be the best choice for you between these for a home gym? Let’s find out!
What is the Difference Between Neoprene Dumbbell and Hex Dumbbell?
Well, there are five types of dumbbells. These types are adjustable, fixed, hex, round, and studio. These categories contain different dumbbells that you see on the market and the internet. Some people might think that neoprene and hex dumbbells belong to the same category because of the hex heads, but that is not true.
Neoprene dumbbells come under the category of studio dumbbells, whereas hex dumbbells are itself a category. Also, their heads can either be round or hexagonal.
For those who don’t know about hex, it is derived from hexagonal. It means the hex dumbbell is the one having six cornered heads. Although neoprene dumbbells also have hexagonal heads, they have an additional neoprene coating, hence the name neoprene dumbbell.
Both of these dumbbells are made with cast iron and are fixed weights. However, some of the features, pros, and cons do vary in both of them. Let’s see what they are offering to you separately!
Neoprene Dumbbell
Neoprene is a synthetic polymer coating in different colors that makes the dumbbells extraordinarily comfortable and easy to lift. It is an anti-sweat material providing a better grip and wrist support. The dumbbell, on the other hand, is made of cast iron. The regular weight of neoprene dumbbells ranges from 1lbs to 50 lbs.
When you talk about home gyms, you are talking about less space and regular exercise with a particular focus on cardio as it is easy to do cardio at home. For that, you need a dumbbell that is small-sized, and the dumbbell is compact and comes in less weight than the hex dumbbell making them ideal for a home gym.
DMoose neoprene dumbbells are ideal for home gyms and studios because of their compact and durable design. They are available in a range of weights from 2 to 20 lbs, and you can get them in different attractive colors. They help improve your flexibility and muscle growth.
Features of Neoprene Dumbbell
Some of the critical features of neoprene dumbbell are:
- Beginner-friendly
- Neoprene covering
- Weight between 1-50 lbs
- Easy-to-grip dumbbell
- Anti-sweat and anti-slip
- Portable
- The neoprene material is non-toxic
Hex Dumbbell
As mentioned before, hexagonal/hex dumbbells are dumbbell types with solid hexagonal heads and a rubber material on top. Most of the weight of the dumbbell is present in these heads. Such dumbbells work amazingly in-home gym setups because of their anti-rolling nature. They are heavier than neoprene dumbbells and their weight ranges from 5 lbs to 100 lbs.
You can easily use these dumbbells for various exercises, especially floor activities and bench exercises. They are compact and can easily fit your home gym. So, if you are looking for more professional dumbbells, these can be your perfect choice.
Features of Hex Dumbbell
- Mostly sold in pairs
- Rust-proof
- Anti-rolling and portable
- Weight between 5-100 lbs
- Smooth chrome plating finishing
- Easy-to-grip handle
What are the Pros and Cons of Neoprene Dumbbell?
The following are some of the pros and cons of the neoprene dumbbell:
| Pros | Cons |
| Due to neoprene coating, the dumbbell becomes anti-scratch, keeping the floor safe. | With time, the neoprene covering may tear off. |
| These dumbbells are affordable and make it to your home gym easily. | They are hard to clean |
| They are compact and easily fit in different cabinets. | They don’t satisfy the needs of those looking for heavier weights. |
| Neoprene dumbbells are aesthetically appealing because of their colorful covering. | |
| They are lightweight and perfect for incorporating into a cardio routine. |
What are the Pros and Cons of Hex Dumbbell?
The following are some of the pros and cons of the hex dumbbell:
| Pros | Cons |
| They have better stability because of the hex-shaped heads. | It is not easy to find good-quality hex dumbbells with rubber heads. |
| You can easily switch the hex dumbbells between exercises as they are anti-rolling. | They often come in contoured handles instead of straight ones. |
| Hex dumbbells are relatively cheaper than coated dumbbells. | Sometimes they may crack the wood flooring because of their weight. |
| They are excellent if you are into resistance training and tone your muscles quite well. | |
| The hexagonal dumbbells are robust and last longer. |
As you can see, both these dumbbell types have advantages and disadvantages. Now, it is up to you to make a decision about which one will be the perfect fit for you. For your convenience, we will be discussing the factors to consider before buying the perfect dumbbells for your home gym, so let’s move on to that.
How to Find the Perfect Dumbbell for Your Home Gym?
The pros and cons of neoprene and hex dumbbells are clearly mentioned in the article, but certain factors make it easier to choose the dumbbell you want to include in your home gym.
Space
Everyone’s home gym is unique. Some prefer larger rooms, such as their garage or basement, while others may not have this luxury and must store workout machines or weights in a spare room in their home or apartment. In either case, the quantity of space available may dictate the dumbbells you purchase.
If you have plenty of space and can afford a huge dumbbell set ranging from 5 to 100 pounds, rubber hex dumbbells can be the perfect choice for you.
However, a larger dumbbell set would be a mess if you have limited space. Studio dumbbells like neoprene are the best solution to this situation. You’ll be able to enjoy your training with them in a noise-free space that won’t disturb your roommates or neighbors.
Purpose
It’s crucial to think about why you want to add dumbbells to your home gym. Everyone has various strength and fitness goals. Neoprene dumbbells may be your best bet if you desire lighter weights for cardio-centric or plyometric training. You can then order individual dumbbells or sets of dumbbells based on your personal training needs.
More strength-based athletes may prefer fixed hexagonal dumbbells. Whichever type you select, a dumbbell will help you advance your workout and push it to the next level.
Budget
Another factor to look into is the budget. Everyone’s budget varies. Some people may only afford a few sets of dumbbells, while others want a full-fledged commercial home gym. The appropriate dumbbells will enhance your home gym and help you get the most out of your workouts despite your budget.
From the price point of view, heavier weights are more expensive than their lighter counterparts. It means if you are heavier hex dumbbells are more expensive than neoprene dumbbells. Generally, they both are affordable and can be a perfect fit for your gym.
The Bottom Line
Dumbbells are among the priority home gym gears. They have multiple benefits, like targeting multiple muscle groups and stimulating their growth. Dumbbell exercises are perfect for improving flexibility, coordination, and strength. Plus, you can do multiple types of exercises using dumbbells.
Among different types of dumbbells, neoprene and hex dumbbells are the most suitable for home gyms. These are available in a wide range of weights, colors, and materials. Both have pros and cons besides unique features that make them worth buying. However, it is essential to look for your purpose, space, and budget before any of the two dumbbells.
