The 5 Best Hand Weights

With advances in workout tech and the rise of telecommuting, the home gym is becoming more prominent - and more viable - than ever before. With professional workout sessions available on DVD and YouTube and the proliferation of advanced hardware at affordable prices, more people are ditching their expensive gym memberships and sweating at home. If you’re designing a home fitness plan that’s right for you, one of the most fundamental pieces of equipment is hand weights. Hand weights come in a variety of styles, features and of course, prices. We got our arms into shape just for you and came up with the 5 best hand weights available on the market today.

BalanceFrom GoFit All-Purpose Dumbbells

The All-Purpose Pump-Up

Get yourself both fit and organized with this all-in-one set of hand weights and storage rack from BalanceFrom.

Best Overall

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If it’s time to get serious about getting fit at home, then it’s time for you to pick up this all-in-one set from BalanceFrom. Featuring three sets of dumbbells in 8-pound, 5-pound, and 3-pound sizes, you’ll get enough weight to start any beginner’s fitness program and work your way up to an intermediate level. Each weight is constructed from cast iron and coated in a durable, neoprene material for an easy, comfortable grip. In fact, the handles are contoured for your grip, which makes them perfect for indoor aerobics as well. The easy-to-assemble weight stand is included and even comes with the necessary tools to put it together. Best of all, the stand is compact, making it easy to find space to store your new hand weight set.

Pros:

Comes with 2-year warranty
Hex-shaped to prevent rolling
Clearly marked and color-coded

Cons:

Weight sizes are for beginners
Stand construction can be challenging

Egg Weights Hand Dumbbell Set

Eggsactly What You’re Looking For

For a scientifically-proven method of boosting all your workout routines, Egg Weights are a must-have item.

Best Small Weights

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Looking for a proven way to kick-up your workout a notch but don’t want to carry large, bulky and weights? Then Egg Weights are your answer. Originally designed to help patients afflicted with Cerebral Palsy or Muscular Dystrophy, these tiny, one-pound, egg-shaped weights bring an added level of muscle engagement to any workout. Especially effective with shadow boxing or kick-boxing, Egg Weights work with your body to increase muscle memory and strength, leveraging your body’s natural motions. The patented “finger loop” grip and small, egg-shaped design means you’ll never drop the weight during a workout, nor will they impede any of the natural flow of movement in your workout.

Pros:

Great for yoga or crossfit
Available in sets from one to four pounds
Easy to clean

Cons:

4 lb. set = two 2-lb. weights
Small size object can get easily lost

Day 1 Fitness Wrist Weights

Your Wrist Is On My List

For the benefits of hand weights but the freedom gripless motion, use Day 1 Fitness Wrist Weights.

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Sometimes, you don’t want to be holding a weight in your hand during your exercise routine, but still want the toning benefits of added weight. Enter Day 1 Fitness’ Wrist Weights, a series of pads that strap directly to your wrists or ankles and provide the extra resistance you’re looking for. Constructed with a moisture-absorbing, breathable fabric that reduces slipping and sweating, Day 1 works great for yoga, Pilates, gymnastics, kick-boxing and other workout routines. Extra fabric on the inside seam prevents discomfort and chaffing, and with the adjustable straps, you can be sure these weights will fit almost anybody. Best of all, they’re “stackable,” like workout bands, so you can add weight as you progress. It’ a great alternative to typical hand weights!

Pros:

100% satisfaction guarantee
Available in ten different weights
Heavy-duty bands prevent slippage

Cons:

Ankle style requires long socks
Unwieldy if stacked too thick

Zumba Toning Sticks

Z-T Tone Home

The hand weight made exclusively for the leader in online workouts, Zumba Toning Sticks add more burn to your dance.

Best Proprietary Hand Weight

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past twenty years, you know that Zumba has been the biggest dance-fitness craze to hit the United States since The Twist (Google it, kids). Combining Latin-inspired dance moves with leg and core exercises, Zumba has become the go-to aerobic program for both dance and home fitness buffs. With the addition of Zumba Toning Sticks, you can now work your upper body and improve arm and chest strength as you dance away the calories. Zumba Toning Sticks are more effective than regular hand weights, as they are nearly a foot long and have greater weight on the ends. Get a pair and start dancing!

Pros:

Fun and easy program
Nearly unlimited workout programs
Adds onto any Zumba session

Cons:

Not made for other exercises
Make a maraca sound when they shake

Trademark Innovations Weighted Exercise Toning Ball

Get On The Ball

Trademark Innovations provides comfort, resistance and flexibility with their ergonomic exercise toning ball.

Best Ball Weight

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Think of a toning ball as having the bulk of a hand weight but the shape and size of an egg weight (only spherical). Though certainly considered a specialized piece of equipment – as it functions best for forearms, chest, and shoulders – toning balls build general strength and flexibility during any aerobic exercise. Trademark Innovations’ Toning Ball is made with a PVC outer coating and filled with iron sand, so it feels balanced in the palm but provides for yoga and Pilates practices. They’ll also feel familiar to people who’ve recently undergone physical therapy and are a great way to keep practicing your rehab exercises at home.

Pros:

Available in 2-pound and 4-pound sizes
Perfect for throwing exercises
Come in assorted colors

Cons:

May require kneading to distribute the sand
Doesn’t come with storage container

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between training with dumbbells and training with barbells?

Because of the way they’re designed, dumbbells can allow you a greater range of motion than barbells can. Hand weights (dumbbells) typically have a smaller grip area as well, meaning they won’t slip in your hands when you do more aerobic exercises, like running.

Is there a design difference between ankle weights and wrist weights?

No. They are both designed the same, so they’re interchangeable for use on ankles or wrists.

Should I buy a heavier hand weight in order to burn more calories?

Starting a weight lifting regimen with heavy weights will burn more calories – and hence more body fat – than if you use lighter weights. In addition, you’ll burn more calories with each rep if you use heavier weights. There are long-term benefits as well, as fat-burning hormones are created from using heavy weights – hormones which will continue burning fat hours after your workout is finished. That said, you should not use a heavier weight if your body is not in proper shape to use it, as this can cause injury. We suggest talking to your doctor first anytime you are going to start a new exercise program.