Olympic dumbbells: a high-performing, economical alternative to fixed dumbbells
The pair of Castor & Pollux Olympic dumbbell bars is designed to let you use the weight plates you already own. At 51.5 cm long, they offer an effective, versatile solution for your home workouts, without the bulk or the cost of traditional dumbbell sets.
These bars let you adjust your load with extreme precision, from as little as 250 g, to progress steadily. Thanks to quality knurling and a smooth rotation system with a brass bushing, they ensure an optimal grip and a controlled movement.
Their zinc finish (black zinc handle, bright zinc sleeves) gives them excellent wear resistance while adding an elegant touch to your equipment.
Why choose Castor & Pollux over an entry-level bar
Many entry-level dumbbell bars have no rotation and no real knurling, and are made with low-grade steel and a low-end finish. Castor & Pollux bars follow the standards of a strength bar.
- Rotation. On an entry-level bar, the sleeve is fixed and the load twists your wrist on every curl or press. Here, the sleeves spin on brass bushings and the movement stays smooth.
- Knurling. A smooth or poorly knurled handle slips as soon as your hands sweat. The Ø 28 mm handle matches the diameter of Olympic bars, with knurling similar to a high-end bar for a solid grip without excessive aggressiveness that would tear your hands.
- Steel. Low-grade steel eventually bends under load. Castor & Pollux steel is rated at 170,000 PSI and supports 300 kg per pair.
- Finish. A low-end finish chips and ruins the knurling. The Castor & Pollux finish resists wear and preserves grip over time.
Compatible collars. To lock your plates on the 50 mm sleeves, use our 50 mm clamping collars or our 50 mm aluminium collars.
Technical specifications of the pair of Olympic dumbbell bars
| Detail |
Specification |
| Contents |
Pair of 2 bars |
| Plate compatibility |
Olympic standard (50 mm bore) |
| Overall length |
51.5 cm |
| Sleeve length |
17 cm (weight loading) |
| Handle width |
14.4 cm |
| Handle diameter |
28 mm |
| Weight per bar |
6 kg |
| Load capacity per bar |
150 kg (300 kg per pair) |
| Steel tensile strength |
170,000 PSI |
| Rotation system |
Brass bushing |
| Handle coating |
Black zinc (bright zinc sleeves) |
Exercises to do with Olympic dumbbells
| Exercise |
Primary muscles |
Secondary muscles |
| Dumbbell biceps curl |
Biceps brachii |
Forearms, front deltoids |
| Seated or standing shoulder press |
Deltoids, trapezius |
Triceps, core |
| Lateral raises |
Middle deltoids |
Upper trapezius |
| Single-arm row |
Latissimus dorsi, rhomboids |
Biceps, lower back |
| Dumbbell bench press |
Pecs |
Triceps, front deltoids |
| Dumbbell lunges |
Quadriceps, glutes |
Hamstrings, calves |
Usage tip
Always remember to secure your plates with suitable barbell collars to avoid unwanted movement while performing the exercises. Also make sure that your plates are compatible with a 50 mm bore.
Easy storage and sturdiness
With just 51.5 cm in length, these bars are easy to store and support up to 300 kg per pair. Their sturdiness makes them a lasting choice for a compact home gym, with no compromise on performance or on the quality of the feel.
Frequently asked questions
What are the specifications of the Castor and Pollux Olympic dumbbells?
Pair of 51.5 cm bars, 17 cm sleeves for Olympic plates with a 50 mm bore, handle 14.4 cm wide and 28 mm in diameter, 6 kg per bar, capacity of 300 kg per pair, rotation on a brass bushing, black zinc handle and bright zinc sleeves.
What is the advantage of Olympic dumbbells over fixed dumbbells?
They use the Olympic plates you already own and let you fine-tune the load, from 250 g, without the bulk or the cost of a set of fixed dumbbells.
Which exercises can be done with these dumbbells?
Biceps curl, shoulder press, lateral raises, single-arm row, dumbbell bench press and lunges.
Are collars needed?
Yes, always secure the plates with suitable collars and check that the plates have a 50 mm bore.
