Dumbbells are Expensive!

Vune

I've checked the usual "discount" stores, craigslist, and Facebook marketplace. Any secret places to find reasonably prices 15 lb dumbbells, or am I stuck paying at least $40 for a set?

Also, could I "season" rusty old dumbbells like I could a cast iron pan?

jeffjeff85

As a rule, weights - including dumbbells - run a dollar a pound for new. If they want.more than that, move on to another store.

fitom80

And even rusty ones doesnt require too much work, you need few hrs and $ to renew it.

Shortgirlrunning

Target and Amazon have options cheaper than $40

hesn92

I don't see why you couldn't remove the rust. I would not let some rust stop me.

I guess I got lucky, I got a pretty good deal on a barbell, plates, rack, bench etc. If it were me I'd just keep an eye out on facebook for a while. I also offered less than they had it listed for and they took it. A lot of workout equipment, people are just trying to get rid of it.

jeffjeff85

You dont need to spend much to get a workout.
An empty milk jug filled with waste water (what you washed your face with will work) weighs about 8 lbs - and keeps some stuff out of a landfill.
A piece of discarded iron pipe about 3 feet long, fill two metal cans (old coffee cans have been used well) with concrete, stick the pipe ends in the cans, instant curl bar.
POINT IS, theres a workout everyhere. O ly get 'sucked into' paying for 'shiny' if you choose to.

Vune

Shortgirlrunning wrote: »

Target and Amazon have options cheaper than $40

You're right, and they're my favorite color at Amazon. How did I miss this? I guess I wanted them to be even cheaper the other day. I'm going to let them sit in my cart and hope they go down a little...

lorrpb

Goodwill or other thrift stores. You might need to check back a few times to find what you want. It’s not like they maintain a certain inventory.

ponycyndi

I bought an old set from a fire station on Craigslist. For $60 I got a bar, ez curl bar, 4 adjustable barbells, clips, and 120lbs of plates.
I got my hubby to build me a squat rack out of 2X4's for a few bucks. And someone gifted me a bench, but that could be made easily also.

Inspirationalwaterjug

Or buy a select a weight system, cost is up there for new but they take up almost no space.

kaizaku

Buy used weights from gumtree, ebay.

Vune

Thanks for all the great ideas! I have specific limitations and goals, but some of these will be great for others with bigger budgets and and spaces.

riffraff2112

Used ones are a lot cheaper, I've been lucky and found decent stuff from garage sales and online resellers.

Cat_A_89

I tend to see cheap workout gear on facebook marketplace

giantrobot_powerlifting

I bought new rubber hex dumbbells with comfort grips for less than $1 a pound by purchasing them from Walmart.com and saving even more by picking them up at the store.

Walmart will run sales at different times of the year. Trick is to monitor the site for when they go on sale. Brand doesn’t matter really. Also, I paid for my 5-60 lbs set by flipping equipment.

smithker75

Vune wrote: »

I've checked the usual "discount" stores, craigslist, and Facebook marketplace. Any secret places to find reasonably prices 15 lb dumbbells, or am I stuck paying at least $40 for a set?

Also, could I "season" rusty old dumbbells like I could a cast iron pan?

I use some light, velco wrap gloves when I lift. A bit of rust wouldn't bother me.

rainbow198

I've gotten a lot of my equipment from estate/garage/moving sales from people relocating or downsizing.

Barely used items and they were practically giving them away.

I also monitor store sales and try to get things out of season.

Vune

Update: So I was worried that I wasn't actually strong enough for 15lb dumbbells, and the 12lb dumbbells were priced more appropriately. It turns out I'm wimpier than I thought, and these are going to be useful for a while. I can use one, then the pair, while I save up or keep my eyes peeled for an adjustable set.

Ebay was laughable. The shipping costs alone were twice what I paid for just the pair of dumbbells with free shipping from Amazon. I paid a little over $1/lb for the convenience.

deetucker70

In January at Sporting goods stores! Got two barbells and 600 lbs of weights as well as 15, 25, 35 and 45 lbs dumbbell sets for 40% off😊

zoom789

Check out used sporting good stores. EBay, Amazon, etc. Just watch out for shipping charges.

The advantage and problem with buying weights is that they never go bad, so there is no reason to discount them, other than to move them out for a higher profit margin item

Courtscan2

You want expensive dumbbells, come to Australia. I just spent $180 on a set of 10kg dumbbells

kshama2001

hesn92 wrote: »

I don't see why you couldn't remove the rust. I would not let some rust stop me.

I guess I got lucky, I got a pretty good deal on a barbell, plates, rack, bench etc. If it were me I'd just keep an eye out on facebook for a while. I also offered less than they had it listed for and they took it. A lot of workout equipment, people are just trying to get rid of it.

I wouldn't even worry about the rust if they were cheap enough

I bought a 5-25 pound set with rack and free shipping with Prime on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RNW3OQ/

I bought 8 and 12 pound dumbbells at Walmart. There (and probably other places) coated are more expensive than naked. These are $13.99 each for the 15# https://www.walmart.com/ip/Weider-Cast-Iron-Hex-Dumbbell-3-70-lbs-with-Knurled-Grip/52049064?selected=true

deannalfisher

i would also say black friday and then cyber monday is coming up - so if you can wait - you may find some deals

HamptonsGuy

Ive picked up my dumbbells and weight sets listening to classifieds, yard sales and I found my 15# on the side of the road. I havent spent a lot but have probably 2-3 sets of weights, bars and a bench.

BrianSharpe

Check for sales, look for used but keep in mind that buying your own equipment means not having to pay for a gym membership and/or travel to the gym.

jeffjeff85

The price of dumbbells is the only reason I endure some of those poops at the gym. Well, that and it's cold outside.

The local rec center is pretty low cost and has a great set,(plus cable machines, squat racks) for a year for.less than a set of dumbbells.

MikePfirrman

From what the OP has written about their strength, they also make some incredible resistance bands now. I don't like the metal grommett ones (can be dangerous) but they make some now strictly rubber and with handles that you can slide one, two or three different bands into. You can do a lot of versatile exercises with them. Probably for less than $40.

Lifeline is just one brand that has these three resistance band handles. I've seen more brands. You can get the Lifeline handles and three beginner resistance bands for around $20 on Amazon.