If you wonder why are dumbbells so expensive right now? you can check out this article. Here, you’ll see some of the important reasons why dumbbells are so expensive, how to pick the best ones, and where you can get them at the best price.
Dumbbells are the most useful sports equipment that allows us to perform myriad exercises and help build strength, muscles, power, and endurance, but they are also costly, and there can be multiple reasons behind that.
Related: 30-Day Dumbbell Workout Plan with PDF
Top 9 Reasons Why dumbbells Are So Expensive
- Shipment Charges
- Supply and Demand
- Cost of Materials
- Marketing
- Brand
- Inflation
- Import Taxes
- Multiple Third Parties
- Additional Features
1. Shipment Charges
The primary reason for the exorbitant dumbbell price is the shipment or delivery fee.
There can be many reasons why a manufacturer charges a hefty amount on the shipment of dumbbells. For example,
- The size and weight of the package: The shipping charge depends on the weight and dimensions of your package. Since the dumbbells are heavy, the seller adds high delivery charges, and it is one of the reasons the prices of dumbbells go up.
- Type of delivery: If you want your product early than the estimated delivery time, you’ll have to pay more, and this also increases the price of dumbbells.
- Distance between two countries: The dumbbells are manufactured in some countries but transported globally, and this also adds extra charges to the dumbbell prices.
2. Supply and Demand
The demand for fitness equipment is growing with time, whether for dumbbells, bands, or workout benches.
People are setting up their own home gyms as well as businesses are opening more commercial gyms. As a result, the demand for equipment is rising at a fast pace, so the price of dumbbells is.
Sometimes the prices also go up when the supply doesn’t meet the demand.
3. Cost of Materials
The cost of materials is directly related to the cost of dumbbells.
The dumbbells are made of different materials, such as iron, metal, carbon, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and steel. And when the cost of these materials rises, the price of dumbbells also goes up.
Nowadays, dumbbells also come with some rubber coating to make them flexible and waterproof. They are designed to protect the floor if you drop them while working out. Adding more material makes dumbbells more pricey.
4. Marketing
The companies spend a huge chunk of money on advertising and promotion. And they recover these expenses by charging extra on their products.
You may see dumbbell ads on Google search pages and certain websites when you search about dumbbells on Google and Youtube.
Marketing is an essential part of a business, but its expenses always have to be bear by end users, that is us.
5. Brand of Dumbbells
When new brands get recognition in the market, their brand value increases. And that’s the reason they slightly but constantly increase their product prices. After all, every business’s primary motive is to earn money. And it can be one of the reasons why dumbbells are so expensive right now.
6. Inflation
The global economy is facing a high inflation period at the moment. That’s the reason the price of everything is shooting up, including dumbbells.
There can be multiple reasons for hyperinflation, including the increase in demand, change in money supply, and low-interest rates.
7. Import Taxes
Dumbbells are sold in all countries, but not all countries manufacture dumbbells. Most dumbbells are imported from different countries, like China. And when the products are imported, they are subject to taxes. The amount of tax depends on the country to country.
For example, if you’re ordering a set of dumbbells from a company that imports dumbbells from different countries and suppose that company charges $20 for 50 pounds. So if the price of 50 pounds of dumbbells is $40, including national taxes, then the company can charge $60 for those dumbbells.
8. Multiple Third Parties
Sometimes several parties are involved in selling the dumbbells, and all of them want to make a profit, which ultimately increases the price of dumbbells.
This is because each vendor will have to pay their own shipping costs and mark up their products to cover their costs. In addition, they will also charge a fee for handling your order and other added services that they offer.
7. Additional Features
These days dumbbells come with some additional features, such as adjustable and locking options, which is one of the reasons why dumbbells are expensive. The additional features provide more functionality, but for a simple feature, they charge high money.
How to Pick The Best Dumbbells
When it comes to buying dumbbells, you should know their different types. For example, the most common dumbbells are:
- Adjustable Dumbbell
- Rubber Dumbbell
- Iron Dumbbell
- Studio Dumbbell
- Neoprene Dumbbell
1. Adjustable Dumbbells
The adjustable dumbbells cost you slightly more but provide you an option to adjust the resistance depending on your strength and the kind of exercises you do. For example, you can adjust the weight from 5 pounds to 50 pounds.
These dumbbells are best for all, from beginners to pros. If you want to set up a home gym, you can get adjustable dumbbells.
Prices of Different Brands
| Brands | Price | Weight Range | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowflex | $379 | 5 – 52.5 lbs | 5/5 |
| Fly Bird | $94 | 5 – 25 lbs | 4.5/5 |
| Ativafit | $334 | 5-55 lbs | 4.5/5 |
2. Rubber Dumbbells
Most of the dumbbells are made of metal and iron and coated with synthetic rubber. They are flexible and waterproof. You can even drop the dumbbells from one to two feet height above the floor.
Rubber dumbbells are of different types, such as fixed as well as adjustable. And their prices are also different.
The one downside of rubber-coating dumbbells is that the rubber comes out of dumbbells over a period of time if you drop them from higher heights.
Prices of Rubber Dumbbells
| Brands | Price | Weight | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papababe | $264 | 5,10,15,20,25 lbs pair | 4.5/5 |
| Amazon Basics | $27 | 20 lbs, one pair | 4.5/5 |
3. Iron Dumbbells
The Iron dumbbells are extremely durable and long-lasting. They are made of high-quality cast iron and can be used over and over again without losing their shape or strength.
They are also non-magnetic, which means that they will not attract or retain any magnetic particles from the environment.
However, you need to take care of them if you plan to use them for the long term. For example, you have to wash them and color them from time to time to protect them from dust and rust.
Prices of iron dumbbells
| Brands | Price | Weight | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| TELK | $159 | 45, 65, 105, and 200 lbs | 4.5/5 |
| Yes4All | $356 | 5, 40, 50, 55, 60, 100, 105, 200 lbs With Connector Option | 4.5/5 |
4. Studio Dumbbells
Studio Dumbbells are lighter weights than normal dumbbells and are coated with neoprene or rubber. These dumbbells are not costlier than iron or rubber dumbbells.
Most women use studio dumbbells for strength and cardio training.
The studio dumbbells are adaptable, and you can take them anywhere you want because they are safer and lighter.
Prices of iron dumbbells
| Brands | Price | Weight | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics | $55 | 2, 3, 5 lbs pair | 5/5 |
| Hola Hatha | $165 | 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 lbs pair | 4.6/5 |
5. Urethane Dumbbell
The urethane dumbbells are considered to be better than rubber and iron dumbbells in terms of usage and durability. Because they are impact-resistant, shock-absorbent as well as have a higher tear strength. However, when it comes to price, they cost you more than rubber and iron dumbbells.
| Brands | Price | Weight | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ziva | $115 | 20 lbs pair | 4.6/5 |
How to pick the best dumbbells?
You should buy the dumbbells that are strong, useful, and, most importantly, durable.
The weight adjustable dumbbells are the best option to go with. Adjustable rubber or iron dumbbells allow you to use weight according to your strength and exercise. And the good thing is that once you buy it, it will last almost your lifetime. But for that, you have to pay higher.
The second best choice is urethane dumbbells as they are durable, smell-less, impact-resistant, shock-absorbent, and have a higher tear strength.
There are both cheap, and high-quality dumbbells are available in the market. And dumbbells are something you buy once or maybe twice in a lifetime. So it is best to buy high quality dumbbells from a trusted manufacturer that provides a warranty.
Where You Can Get The Best Dumbbell at The Best Price
Here is the list of websites where you may find various dumbbell styles at a reasonable price (I have made this list based on some public reviews available on the “Reddit” app):
1. Amazon: It is the best online store where you’ll see various ranges of dumbbells from different brands. The best thing is you can read thousands of reviews before buying the dumbbells.
2. eBay: eBay is also a good place to buy dumbbells at a decent price. It is a platform that allows users to list items for sale that other users can buy.
3. Walmart: Walmart is a huge company that sells everything from groceries to fitness equipment. You’ll find a wide selection of dumbbells on this site at a fair price.
4. New York Craigslist: This is a place where people sell used products. Here you can find dumbbells at the best price. But you can’t order online. You’ll have to contact the person who posted ads about his products.
5. Buy & Sell Fitness: It is another credible site from where you can find various types of dumbbells at a reasonable price.
A local store is also one of the best place where you can get dumbbells at a fair price because this eliminates shipping costs.
I’ve shared this information based on research and surveys so you can get relevant and helpful information.
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