Will my dumbbells fall apart?

Daniela78

Member
Hello everyone- I am brand new to this forum and have been exercising with Cathe for only a few weeks, and WOW how she's changed my view on exercise! I LOVE exercising now! I actually look forward to her workouts! I have a question for all you experts: I am looking to purchase the best cost-effective dumbbell set. I have been reading through these forums , and I see most of you recommend the metal hex dumbbells - are these the BASIC metal hex dumbbells that they sell at sport's Authority & Dick's sporting goods? The reason i am concerned, is beacuse those are coated with enamel and the sales person said the paint tends to chip off and peel after a while- should i buy them anyway, or do they "fall apart" after a while? thanks for any and all advice!

Daniela :D
 
Welcome Daniela!

Yes, we're talking about the basic hex dumbbells. I've had some of mine for years, and have never experienced any chipping or peeling. Perhaps the sales person was trying to upsell you?
 
Welcome Daniela! :)

Shelley's right - the basic hex dumbbells will last a long time. They shouldn't chip or peel as long as you handle them properly (ie, don't repeatedly drop them on a concrete floor or something like that). Dick's and Sports Authority may not be the best/cheapest place to buy them, though - in case you're looking for a good deal. This website puts their hex dumbbells on sale from time to time with FREE SHIPPING - and they're super cheap!
http://www.esportsonline.com/
I ordered a pair of 30lb dumbbells from them a couple weeks ago and was very pleased. Wayyyy cheaper than Dick's. :)
 
Welcome! What an exciting journey you are going to be on here. I got mine at Walmart I have the hex/silver ones and odd sizes in the other. I have 1 25 lber hex in black Can't remember where I got it I need to get the match. I have 7 year old twin girls and a 4 year old boy they drag them all over and throw them around on carpet and our cement basement floor no chipping of mine yet.
beth6395

"You didn't pause your dvd and go make popcorn did ya"
-Cathe Friedrich

http://www.picturetrail.com/juicyfruities2002
 
Daniela - When I first started buying dumbbells, I bought the ones that were coated with plastic. They were "cute" and looked better to me than the metal ones. Now, I own almost all solid metal hex dumbbells. I would highly recommend just sticking to those. Especially, if you ever decide to buy platemates. Platemates are little magnetetic weights that attach to the outside of each dumbbell (one on each end). I have 2 sets of 1.25 lb platemates, so now instead of just having a set of 10 lb dumbbells, I can add on a pair of plate mates to each dumbbell and have 12.5 lb dumbbells. The platemates will stick to my vinyl coated dumbbells, but not securely enough for me to feel safe using them for anything overhead. I eventually plan to replace my 5 & 8 lb vinyl sets with standard silver hex ones. All that said, none of my old dumbbells are pealing or fraying yet and I have had them for about 5 years.

ETA - Oops, I didn't realize when you said enamel coated, that you were talking about the standard hex ones. I've never had any pealing on chipping on those. What were trying to sell you instead?
 
I've got the basic hex as well. I haven't had any problems. I have a couple that have minor little chips in the finish here or there, but they are also between 15 and 20 years old, so that's kind of to be expected. I used to stack them all in a box before I got a dumbbell stand for them. The hex are definitely the way to go.
 
Hello- WOW- thanks for all the quick & helpful replies! I can tell you guys have a warm and caring community here! The sales person at Sport's Authority surprisingly was not trying to sell me any kind of dumbbells- I approached him with the metal hex one and asked about it's durability - he said they will eventually chip & peel- that was it- he didn't suggest anything else. Thank's for your help - you guys are the best!-

Daniela
 
Hubby and I have lots of hex dumbbells, and there is one pair of 8 pounders that have chipped a bunch of times. None of the others have. No idea why, and I can't even remember where I got them. But even though they have chipped a bit, they still work fine. Heck, they look more "real" that way, like they're really being used (which they are!) :7
 
Welcome Daniela!

If you're thinking of getting the hex dumbbells, you might want to check out the rubber-covered ones (I don't know what the price difference would be, though).

I used to have metal barbells and some of them chipped and left rust imprints on my training room floor, but that must have been due to the type of metal used.
I now have barbells with rubber-covered plates and I found them more cost-effective since I can modify the weight according to the muscle group worked. Also, I think they might be better if you plan on starting STS in the future.

Cheers,
Chris.

:)
 
Not unless she plans on using Platemates with STS. Unfortunately, Platemates won't stick to rubber dumbbells. At least, they don't stick to my 5 pound dumbbells. Thankfully, I have poured metal dumbbells from 10 pounds to 35 that can be used with the Platemates. Thankfully, I haven't had a problem with them chipping or rusting. I have the dark colored ones from Sports Authority.

Wendy
 
Catherine,

Thanks for the heads up. I'm positive mine will be chipped by the time I finish STS! It's a good thing. :)

Wendy
 
Welcome Daniela. I love your avatar. :)

*♥´¨)
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(¸.•♥´ (¸ ;.♥•Jennie•♥


Smoke free since: 2/05/08
 
Oh and by the way....I ended up going with the rubber covered chrome hex dumbbells - They are a little pricier, but SOOOO nice- I am really glad I got them - they are 20% off at Sports Authority thru Saturday if anyone's interested!

Daniela
 

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