Saturday, September 7, 2024
CAP Barbell Hexagon Solid Gray Dumbbells Review
Best Feature:
Inexpensive traditional dumbbells in 15 weight resistances
Worst Feature:
Some customers complained about poor manufacturing quality
Best Uses:
Great, affordable set for home gym and P90x fans
Pricing:
$10 - $63 per dumbbell (30-day limited warranty)
Overview
CAP Barbell's Hexagon Solid Gray Dumbbells are traditional-style dumbbells that are great for a home or small gym. The dumbbells come in 15 different weight resistances ranging from 1 pound to 50 pounds. They feature a comfortable grip and have a hexagon shape that keeps them in place when they are set down. The dumbbells are 100% cast iron (with solid steel handles for weight over 15 pounds), and they are coated with a semi-gloss finish that helps prevent rusting.
You can purchase the CAP Barbell Hexagon Solid Gray Dumbbells online and prices vary depending on which dumbbells you want. For one 5-pound dumbbell, prices are around $5.75. For one 50-pound dumbbell, prices are around $63. Keep in mind that these dumbbells are sold separately, not as a pair.
Product Report Card Grade
We give CAP Barbell's Hexagon Solid Gray Dumbbells an A- because it is an affordable, traditional dumbbell set that is available in 15 different weight resistances ranging from 1 lb to 50 lbs. The dumbbells have a comfortable, secure grip and a hexagon shape to keep them in place when set down. We deducted a few points because there were some complaints about manufacturing quality and about the dumbbells being noisier than rubber-coated ones.
Date Reviewed
May 2012
May 2012
May 2012
Pros
Very affordable traditional dumbbell set for home or small gym; handles have comfortable and secure grips; hexagon shape keeps them in place when put down; great for P90x enthusiasts
15 weight settings in 1 dumbbell set provides great functionality and saves space; can increase weight resistance in small increments, which helps prevent muscle strain and is better for building muscle strength and endurance; durable design; dial adjustment system does a good job of securing the plates to the handle, which eliminates clanking noises and pinching; comfortable grip, so weight lifting gloves are optional; great for P90x enthusiasts
Highly rated, space-saving and functional design with 17 weight settings in 1 dumbbell set (replaces the need for 34 individual dumbbells); great for speed circuits where you need to change weights quickly; wide range of weight settings means you can do more challenging and varied full body exercises
Cons
Manufacturing quality is reportedly average (ex. paint chips really easily and metal burrs in grip that were never polished down); some reviewers were annoyed that you had to buy dumbbells individually; takes up a lot of space depending on how many dumbbells you buy; noisier than rubber coated dumbbells; Warning: "This product contains one or more phthalate chemicals known to the state of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm."
Relatively expensive; a few complaints about the dial adjustment system sticking or catching on plates; stand is sold separately and expensive ($149) but somewhat necessary to avoid back strain
Expensive; originally recalled due to safety issues with dial adjustment system; stand is sold separately for $149 and is definitely encouraged to avoid hurting your back; 1090 Dumbbells are bigger than traditional dumbbells, and some reviewers felt they were a bit awkward for certain exercises; handle design is oval (not cylindrical), which some reviewers felt made the grip awkward; grips are very rough, so you may need weight lifting gloves
Type
Dumbbells (sold individually)
Adjustable Dumbbells (automatic dial adjustment system)
Adjustable Dumbbells (automatic dial adjustment system)
Weight Range
1 -50 lbs
5 - 52.5 lbs
10 - 90 lbs
Number of Weight Resistances
Price (MSRP)
Available for around $9.49 - $69.99
$549 MSRP (available for around $299 - $349)
$799 MSRP (available for around $599)
Warranty
If you purchase from CAP Barbell or from an authorized retailer, the dumbbells have a 30-day warranty that only covers manufacturing defects. It does not cover "paint peeling, rust, rips, cuts and tears, dents, bent handles, loose heads if dropped or any other signs of misuse such as knocking dumbbells together."
Bowflex® SelectTech® offers a 2-year limited warranty on all parts and a 6-week satisfaction guarantee to allow you to try the 552 Dumbbells in your home. If you don't like them, you can return them for a full refund (less shipping and handling).
Bowflex® SelectTech® offers a 3-year warranty on all parts and a 6-week satisfaction guarantee to allow you to try the 1090 Dumbbells in your home. If you don't like them, you can return them for a full refund (less shipping and handling).
Weight Options
Dumbbells are available in the following weights: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 50, 35, 40, 45 and 50. (While not listed on the CAP Barbell website, Amazon has 55 and 60 pound weights as well.)
Dial adjustment system allows you to change weight in 2.5-lb increments up to 25 lbs. Between 25 lbs - 50 lbs, you can adjust the weight resistance in 5-lb increments, and then the last weight setting only increases by 2.5 lbs.
Dial adjustment system allows you to change weight in 5-lb increment from 10 - 90 lbs.
Product Design
The dumbbells are 100% cast iron and have solid steel handles for weight over 15 pounds. They are coated with a semi-gloss finish that helps to prevent rusting.
The dumbbells are black metal with red detailing and have plastic tabs that hold the weights in place.
The dumbbells are black metal with red detailing and have plastic tabs that hold the weights in place.
Dumbbell Shape
Hexagon
Round (but has flat dumbbell holders)
Round (but has flat dumbbell holders)
Dimensions
Varies depending on weight
The 552s are 15.75" x 8" x 9" (L x W x H). The optional stand measures 27.75" x 20.5" x 24.5" (L x W x H).
The dumbbells are 17.5" x 10" x 10" (L x W x H). The optional stand measures 27.75" x 20.5" x 24.5" (L x W x H).
Extras
N/A
A free DVD ("Secrets of the 4-Step Rep") is included with your purchase and will teach you over 30 different exercises with 80 variations.
A free DVD ("Secrets of the 4-Step Rep") is included with your purchase and will teach you over 30 different exercises with 80 variations.
ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Very affordable weight set for home or small gym
- Handles have comfortable and secure grips
- Hexagon shape means they’ll stay put whenever you set them down and won’t roll away
- Great for P90x enthusiasts
Cons
- Manufacturing quality is average with reports of paint chipping really easily and metal burrs in grip that should have been polished off
- Some reviewers were annoyed that you had to buy dumbbells individually
- Takes up a lot of space depending on how many dumbbells you buy
- Noisier than rubber coated dumbbells
- Warning: "This product contains one or more phthalate chemicals known to the state of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm.
Key Features
Product Size
Each of the dumbbells will have different measurements according to their weight.
Product Design
The dumbbells are hexagon shaped and made with an exceptionally durable cast iron. They have a gray enamel finish.
Weight Resistance
The dumbbells come in 15 different weight resistances (lb): 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 50, 35, 40, 45 and 50. While not listed on the CAP Barbell website, Amazon has 55 and 60 pound weights as well.
Warranty
If you purchase from CAP Barbell or from an authorized retailer, the dumbbells have a 30 day warranty that only covers manufacturing defects. It does not cover "paint peeling, rust, rips, cuts and tears, dents, bent handles, loose heads if dropped or any other signs of misuse such as knocking dumbbells together."
Reputation
The CAP Barbell Hexagon Solid Gray Dumbbells have received very positive reviews online from customers, including a 4.6/5 on Walmart.com (106 reviews) and a 4.4/5 on Amazon.com (45 reviews). In general, dumbbells are a great way to strengthen, shape and tone your entire body because they are incredibly versatile and allow you to target more muscle groups. They are probably the most important piece of equipment that you buy for your gym. Most reviewers felt that the CAP Barbell Hexagon Solid Gray Dumbbells were a great value for the price. While some customers reported paint chipping and others were annoyed that the dumbbells weren’t sold as a pair, these sound like they are a great addition to your gym providing you have enough space for multiple sets of dumbbells.
Reviews
Customer Responses, Reviews, or Complaints
Username: ehw68
Location: Antioch, CA
Age: 55
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Mini Workout, Major Muscles
Review submitted: 2013-08-13
I have two 20 lb dumbbells that I use in my office. They are heavy enough to offer resistance and yet light enough to be able to get into a 15 minute mini work-out session, using minimal space, which I don't have a whole lot of in my office. I have 3 different work-outs that specifically address my forearms, my wrists, and my shoulder muscles. I start with 5 reps to get everything going, one arm at a time, then the next; then start again, this time doing 10 reps, for each arm. Then, after a small break, I'll either re-do the steps or just finish up doing both arms together. The only improvement I could offer is to place a better grip on the dumbbells. Sometimes when your hand gets a little "moist", it can become a little dangerous, but otherwise I love my dumbbells.
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