Why I Recommend Neoprene-Coated Hexagon Dumbbells

When I am asked to recommend dumbbells for someone I ask a bunch of questions and tailor my answer to that person. But my favorite dumbbells to use and the ones I recommend most often are neoprene-coated hexagon dumbbells.

Benefits of Hexagons

Have you ever set a dumbbell on a chair or a bench? Have you ever had it roll off?

The hexagon shape makes it easy to set it on a flat side.

Some of my weights are only flat on two sides. I have to be careful with those!

Benefits of Neoprene Coating

The neoprene coating protects the dumbbell and prevents rust. This means your dumbbells will last a long time. The coating also protects surfaces you set the weights on. If you workout in a room with a hardwood floor, you don’t have to worry about scratching it.

The most important benefits are that the neoprene coating protects your hands and makes the weights easy to grip. Whether you are gripping the bar or holding the ends with two hands, the entire surface is coated.

The least important benefit is that the dumbbells often come in pretty colors.

Vinyl coating has most of the same benefits, but can be slippery.

A Couple Downsides

The biggest downside can be cost. Buying a pair of every single weight that you may want to use can add up. And once you have them, they can take up a fair bit of space.

Another option is to purchase adjustable dumbbells. They come on a tray and have a slider or dial that allows you to select how much weight releases when you pick up the bar. One of the downsides to this option is that alternate grips can be uncomfortable and possibly a bit oily.

All of this adds up to me recommending neoprene-coated hexagon dumbbells.