Getting in a good workout at home has never been easier or more achievable. In the last five years, companies have been creating more and more solutions that make at-home workouts more enjoyable and convenient than ever.
In fact, in 2025, the home gym market was estimated to be a $12 billion industry. And you don't even need a lot of fancy equipment to create a great fitness setup at home. While high-tech treadmills and bikes can get you far, you'd be surprised by the number of exercises that you can do with just a pair of dumbbells alone.
Of course, even picking the right pair can feel like a big decision. There are so many options on the market, ranging from adjustable versions to multi-weight sets. To help you decide, I'm breaking down everything you should be looking for when buying weights. I used my background in fitness to come up with the five best weight sets that will give you the most value for your home workout.
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What to look for when choosing weights for your home gym
Your health may be the greatest investment you make, so getting a piece of equipment that you may quickly outgrow or tire of is a risky venture.
But you probably won’t have to break the bank at first. However, once you outgrow those models (and for most of us, that won’t take long), investing in a quality set of equipment will keep you engaged longer — and will last a lot longer, as well.
But how do you know what you should be looking for? Start with the following:
- Space: Are you building a home gym in your garage? Or, are you relying on a few things that you pull out then return to your closet at the end of each workout? Although having rack full of dumbbells or kettlebells looks awfully nice, sometimes efficiency works best in a limited space. Know your area before you make a decision on which equipment to purchase.
- Purpose or skill level: Think about what your goals are. Are you hoping to continue setting personal records with or are you supplementing Peloton sessions with a quick five-minute weight session? Both workouts are fine; however, select the equipment you think you’ll get the most use from over the long run.
- Price: You kind of get what you pay for when it comes to the quality of your equipment. Think of fitness as an overall lifestyle and not an overnight fad. Equipment should be an investment and, for the most part, should last many years. (Though you likely don't need to be paying $800 for a set of dumbbells.)
The best dumbbells and weights for at-home workouts
Kickstart your fitness journey with this affordable choice. The no-slip vinyl cover feels comfortable and sturdy in your hands during your workouts. The best part? The dumbbells are available in every weight increment from one to 20 pounds, making them perfect for every fitness level.
If you’re a traditionalist and single fixed-weight dumbbells are your thing, you can build a quality weight room from the ground up with this pick from REP Fitness. You can work your way up from 2.5 pounds all the way to 100 pounds per dumbbell.
The dumbbells' knurled handles allow for a tight, slip-resistant grip, which comes in handy during those final reps. If one drops, REP’s low-odor rubber coating will help dull out the thud when it hits the floor.
If you have room for more than one kettlebell in your home, the First Place comes in 15 different sizes (each color coded), meaning the stronger you become, the more you can build up your bell collection. These ones are color-coded by weight.
Known for their wearable ankle and wrist weights, these handheld ones from Bala have the means to intensify any workout, but especially those that include low-weight, high-repetition movements.
Available in five different colors, these silicone bands are easy to hold, according to reviewers, even when your palms become sweaty.
Take your talents away from the bike and bring them towards the weight room with this set of dumbbells from Peloton that range from five to 30 pounds.
With ergonomic handles, even weak grips are sure to get the most out of their workout with these weights.
Frequently asked questions
Exercise, especially, strength training, is more important than ever: Regular exercise is a critical element of maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle — from weight loss to heart health to stronger muscles and bones — to keep you moving in your 60s, 70s and beyond.
“It's so important to do weight strength training because we need to add muscles to our bodies," according to fitness expert Stephanie Mansour. "Adding muscle mass helps us to burn calories, speed up the metabolism, it helps with joint flexibility [and] it helps to energize our bodies."
The goal of any strength training program is to progressively get stronger. It won’t be an overnight process, so it’s going to take a consistent commitment to a workout program.
If you're a beginner, Mansour recommends starting with two- to three-pound dumbbells. You can begin your strength-training journey with this one-month plan for beginners, or join Start TODAY's workout plan that focuses on heart-healthy strength training exercises. But once you get rolling, you should be consistently advancing to heavier weights — sooner than you think — so it may be wise to plan ahead in your selection of equipment.
All of the adjustable dumbbells I recommend above come with "cradles," like little shoeboxes in which you increase or decrease your load. Most of them, including SMRTFT, have racks as accessories that are sold separately. They're nice, but in my opinion, they're more of a luxury than a necessity.
How we chose the best weights and weight sets
While this list is far from comprehensive, your home gym will get an instant upgrade with the addition of any of these recommendations. With more than a decade’s worth of experience as a fitness writer, I’ve been able to test most items from nearly every top brand, as well as some lesser-known, on-the-rise brands.
At the same time, I’ve been able to pick the brains of some of the industry’s finest muscle minds to get their unbiased take on which pieces are worth it — and which are worth skipping. I also suggest checking out customer reviews, another good research tool to give products a second look.
Laura Geller The Baked Starter Kit
Laura Geller The Baked Starter Kit