Over the years, my training style has changed various times. I’ve flipped between running and weight based training a lot, tending to stick to one for a few months and then deciding I missed the other.
The problem is, I really struggle to keep up both.
My current running schedule is fairly intensive (for me!) now I’m in the bulk of my marathon training. Four times a week, including one speed workout and one long run. I’m spending roughly 4-5 hours running per week, on average. My main worry is always doing too much on the weights and feeling super sore on a run the following day, which is why I’ve let it take such a back seat.
However, that needed to change. Due to all the cardio, over the past year, I’ve lost a lot of the muscle mass that I did have. I’ve lost strength, and to run as best as I can without getting injured, I really need to strengthen my body up again.
And that’s where these Bowflex Dumbbells come in. I was gifted a pair of adjustable dumbbells going from 2kg to 24kg, and I’ve been using them at home to get back into a bit of strength work.
Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells
They arrived in two separate boxes. Two very heavy boxes. Getting them out of those was the first challenge. There are handle-style sections underneath for you to move them about so that’s useful.
The Bowflex adjustable dumbbells themselves are very simple to use. Twist the nob on the side, choose your weight and lift the dumbbell up by the handle. You do have to be careful putting them back in and moving it all around, as everything needs to line up properly. If it doesn’t (and the dumbbell accidentally goes in slightly off-centered) then you may not be able to twist to change the weight.
The Pros & Cons of Adjustable Dumbbells
In all honesty, I think it’s pretty evenly weighed out. It all depends really on whether you need something more space-saving, can afford it, want it etc.
Pros
- These weights go from 2kg – 24kg, so plenty of room for you to grow, especially as a beginner (also 4kg-41kg available!)
- It means you can workout whenever you want at home, with a range of weights to suit different exercises
- They are compact in terms of storage, and they look sleek
- Bowflex have an app you can install to get workout ideas, track timings etc.
Cons
- Bulkier than regular dumbbells, depending on what weight you have on they can feel a bit clunky when using
- They don’t feel as sturdy as non-adjustable dumbbells in certain movements
- The initial price feels steep – £399.00 for the pair here – but then any gym gear is an investment
The Bowflex app actually is really useful. It has a 6 week starter plan, and then there are also individual workouts for specific body areas. The app will give you your timings/rest periods and you can also track the weights/reps you do to see how you progress. This app is available on the Android play store to download for free, and I imagine the same goes for the Apple app store, so worth having a look regardless!
Overall, I am extremely pleased with the quality of these Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells. They’re easy enough to store without taking up too much room, and they provide the opportunity to grow and progress on weight due to being adjustable. Whilst I’ve said they feel a little clunky to use, I think this is something you would get used to – I’ve only ever used really neat little dumbbells so it’s a lot different. I do think they’re much better for people who are just starting out with lifting weights because they will get more use out of all the different weight options available as they progress.
Do you workout at home? Have your own gear?
