How to Choose Adjustable Dumbbells: Steel, Quick-Change or Olympic Bars

To choose adjustable dumbbells, start from three questions: what maximum load per hand you need, whether you need to be able to drop them, and how fast you want to change the load. At Uni Strength, this gives three families: 100% steel dumbbells that withstand drops (Titan 60 up to 60 kg, HR-36 and HR-20 expandable up to 65 kg), quick-change dumbbells adjusted by turning the handle (HR-41.5 and HR-32, in 2 seconds), and the budget option of Castor & Pollux Olympic dumbbell bars, which you load with your 50 mm plates.

The 3 criteria that decide your model

1. Maximum load per hand

Take your heaviest dumbbell exercise (often the bench press or the one-arm row) and add some room to progress. Up to 32 kg per hand, every model works; beyond 41.5 kg, only the 100% steel models keep up: 60 kg for the Titan 60, 65 kg for the HR-36 with its extension kit.

2. Dropping them

On heavy sets, you often end up setting down or dropping the dumbbells. Models with a rotary selector cannot take it: their selection mechanism is not designed to absorb drops. The 100% steel models, with no fragile mechanism, are made for this use; protective floor tiles are still recommended.

3. Load-change speed

For supersets, drop sets or circuit training, adjusting by turning the handle changes the load in 2 seconds, with the dumbbell resting on its base. The steel models take a few more seconds: a sliding selector and a lock on the Titan 60, a knurled screw on the HR-36 and HR-20. In return, there is no play and no rattle, even at full load.

Family 1: 100% steel dumbbells that withstand drops

Titan 60: up to 60 kg per dumbbell

The Titan 60 adjustable dumbbells adjust from 7.5 to 60 kg in 2.5 kg increments, i.e. 22 loads per dumbbell and 120 kg for the pair. You slide the selector, then push the lock, without removing a plate by hand. 100% metal construction (high-strength steel and stainless steel), no plastic component, including in the mechanism: they withstand drops in normal use. At full load they measure 44 × 17 × 17 cm, with a 32 mm knurled stainless steel handle. An optional steel Titan 60 stand, rated for 200 kg, is available.

HR-36: from 4 to 36 kg to the nearest kilo, expandable up to 65 kg

The HR-36 adjustable dumbbells are made of steel, with square plates and a knurled screw. They go from 4 to 36 kg per dumbbell in 1 kg increments over the whole range, thanks to 500 g micro-weights: the same pair works for lateral raises at 6 kg and dumbbell bench press at 32 kg. Once you reach 36 kg, the long-screw extension set and additional plates take each dumbbell up to 65 kg, i.e. 130 kg for the pair, without starting from scratch. 32 mm knurled chrome handle, 150 mm long; 36.5 × 17.5 × 17.5 cm in the 36 kg configuration. Like the Titan 60, it withstands drops. The screws and plates also fit the adjustable kettlebell handle.

HR-20: from 4 to 20 kg to the nearest kilo, expandable up to 65 kg

The 4 to 20 kg adjustable dumbbells use the same mechanism and handle as the HR-36 with fewer plates included: it is the most affordable entry point to the steel range. Thanks to 2 micro-weights of 500 g, the load goes up in 1 kg increments, where most adjustable dumbbells impose a 2 kg minimum; on a curl or lateral raises, that gap represents 15 to 20% of the working load. Above all, the pair is expandable: when 20 kg is no longer enough, the extension kit and extra plates (sold separately) take each dumbbell up to 65 kg, i.e. 130 kg for the pair, without buying a new pair. 32 mm knurled chrome handle, 150 mm long, 4 kg.

Family 2: quick-change dumbbells

HR-41.5: from 4 to 41.5 kg, 1.5 kg increments

The HR-41.5 adjustable dumbbells are adjusted by turning the handle, with the dumbbell resting on its base: the load is selected in 2 seconds. The range goes from 4 to 41.5 kg in 26 settings with 1.5 kg increments, the equivalent of 26 pairs of fixed dumbbells. The dumbbell only keeps the plates you select: compact at low loads, it measures 44 cm at 41.5 kg (50 cm on its base). Cast iron, steel and aluminium mechanism: do not drop them.

HR-32: from 2 to 32 kg, 2 kg increments

The HR-32 adjustable dumbbells work on the same principle: one turn of the handle towards + or − changes the load, shown in a window. They go from 2 to 32 kg in 2 kg increments, the equivalent of 16 pairs of fixed dumbbells, and are 44 cm long at 32 kg. The non-slip handle is 105 mm long and 32 mm in diameter. It is the lightest model in the range, suited to strength conditioning, cross training and circuits.

Family 3: the budget option, Olympic dumbbell bars

If you already own Olympic plates, the pair of Castor & Pollux dumbbell bars turns those plates into dumbbells. Each bar is 51.5 cm long and weighs 6 kg; its 17 cm sleeves take plates with a 50 mm bore. The 28 mm diameter, 14.4 cm wide handle has the same knurling as an Olympic bar, the sleeves rotate on brass bushings, and the pair supports 300 kg (170,000 PSI steel). Changing the load takes longer than with an adjustable dumbbell and requires 50 mm collars, but it is the least expensive way to get heavy dumbbells.

Uni Strength adjustable dumbbells compared

Specifications taken from the product pages on 17 October 2026.

Adjustable or fixed?

Adjustable when space is limited and progression is steady: one pair replaces 16 to 26 pairs of fixed dumbbells depending on the model. Fixed hexagonal dumbbells remain preferable in a gym, when several people train at the same time.

Maintenance and safety

Wipe off sweat after each session and check the locking before each set. On the rotary models (HR-41.5, HR-32), always adjust the dumbbell while it rests on its base, without lifting the handle during the rotation. On the steel models and the Castor & Pollux bars, check that the screws, lock or collars are tight. To drop the Titan 60, HR-36 or HR-20, use protective floor tiles.

Frequently asked questions

Which adjustable dumbbells can be dropped?

The 100% steel models: the Titan 60, which withstands drops in normal use, the HR-36 and the HR-20. The HR-41.5 and HR-32, with a rotary selector, must not be dropped.

Which adjustable dumbbell goes beyond 40 kg per hand?

The Titan 60 (up to 60 kg), or the HR-36 and HR-20 with the extension kit (up to 65 kg). The HR-41.5 stops at 41.5 kg and the HR-32 at 32 kg.

Which model changes load the fastest?

The HR-41.5 and HR-32: with the dumbbell resting on its base, one turn of the handle is enough (2 seconds on the HR-41.5).

Which adjustable dumbbells let you start without being limited later?

The HR-20: from 4 to 20 kg in 1 kg increments, then up to 65 kg per dumbbell with the extension kit, without changing pairs.

What is the cheapest option for heavy dumbbells?

The Castor & Pollux Olympic dumbbell bars, if you already own plates with a 50 mm bore: 6 kg per bar, 300 kg capacity for the pair.

Can the same plates be used as a kettlebell?

Yes, the screws and plates of the HR-36 and HR-20 fit the adjustable kettlebell handle.