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Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set Review

A two-dumbbell adjustable set that is pleasant to use for most exercises and offers the equivalent of 10 dumbbells in each weight
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Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set Review (This adjustable set is versatile and very functional.)
This adjustable set is versatile and very functional.
Credit: Hale Milano
Price:  $400 List
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Manufacturer:   Core Home Fitness
By Hale Milano ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 16, 2024
78
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 16
  • Exercise Versatility - 30% 6.0
  • Ease of Use - 30% 8.5
  • Weight Options - 20% 9.4
  • Construction Quality - 10% 7.0
  • Storage - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set earned a place among our favorite dumbbell options and proved to be one of the most user-friendly adjustable hand weights in our lineup. These adjustable dumbbells are comfortable, simple to change weight, and easy to use for a variety of exercises. Their creative, flexible design delivers the benefits of ten individual sets of dumbbells in just one pair, saving space and money. While the Core Set is significantly more expensive than most other dumbbells in our lineup, the total price per pound is still less than buying an equivalent number of individual dumbbells. Overall, we were very pleased with the Core Adjustable Set design and would recommend them to anyone considering adjustable dumbbells for their fitness needs.
REASONS TO BUY
Adjustable using one hand
Space-saving design
High-quality craftsmanship
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Moving pieces
Plastic parts

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Price $400 List
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Bottom Line This pair of dumbbells can each switch between 5 and 50 pounds in the blink of an eye and works well for most types of workoutsVersatile dumbbells that provide durable, high-quality options for any workoutThese standard dumbbells stand out from the rest of our lineup with their rubber-coated handles, making them secure in hand and ideal for cold-temperature workoutsThis weight set provides a variety of options and includes its own storage method, making it great for new and expanding home fitness areasA different take on an adjustable dumbbell that requires separate weight plates and is ideal if you already have Olympic weight plates
Rating Categories Core Home Fitness A... Rogue Rubber Hex Du... REP Rubber Coated Hex CAP Coated Hex Set... Titan Fitness Loada...
Exercise Versatility (30%)
6.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
Ease of Use (30%)
8.5
9.0
10.0
8.0
7.0
Weight Options (20%)
9.4
9.2
8.5
9.3
9.0
Construction Quality (10%)
7.0
10.0
9.0
9.0
9.5
Storage (10%)
9.0
5.8
5.0
8.0
6.0
Specs Core Home Fitness A... Rogue Rubber Hex Du... REP Rubber Coated Hex CAP Coated Hex Set... Titan Fitness Loada...
Size Tested adjustable 5 - 50 lb 10, 35, 50 lb 10 lb set: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 lb adjustable 12 - 50 lb
Average Measured Weight 10.09 lb 9.88 lb 9.93 lb 10.25 lb 2.59 lb
Percentage Difference Between Stated and Measured 0.87% -1.26% -0.75% 2.47% 3.54%
Average Price per Pound $0.69 $2.00 $2.75 $1.27 $3.75
Weight Range 5 - 50 lb 2.5 - 125 lb 5 - 100 lb 5 - 25 lb in the set
Total available is 3 - 120 lb
12 - 400 lb
Weight Increments 5 lb 2.5 lb up to 30 lb
5 lb above 30 lb
5 lb 5 lb Variable
Drop-Safe No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Handle Shape Ergonomic Ergonomic Ergonomic Ergonomic Straight
Knurling / Grip Rubber Half Knurl Rubber Knurl Half Knurl Full Knurl
Head Shape Round Hex Hex Hex Round
Adjustable Yes No No No Yes
Dimensions 16" x 18" x 8" 11" x 8" x 4" 9" x 9" x 4" 17" x 13" x 26" 20" x 13" x 6.5"
Type of Dumbbell Adjustable Standard Standard Set Loadable

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set contains a premium pair of dumbbells offering versatility, ease of use, and a space-saving design. By leveraging interlocking plates, they deliver all the advantages you'd get with ten pairs of individual weights with the footprint of just one. Not only is this a space-efficient design, but the set also comes at an excellent price per pound and proves great for various workout options. A simple twist of your wrist is all it takes to adjust the weight on each dumbbell so you can spend more time working out and less time re-racking weights.


Performance Comparison


core home fitness adjustable set - the core home fitness adjustable dumbbells are pleasant to use for a...
The Core Home Fitness Adjustable dumbbells are pleasant to use for a variety of exercises.
Credit: Hale Milano


Exercise Versatility


The Core Adjustable free weights displayed a just-above-average performance for versatility. Despite being larger than other dumbbells of equal weight, we had no issues with our range of motion tests across all exercises — one of the main ways we evaluate dumbbells for versatility.


Two other primary criteria for determining dumbbell versatility are its capacity to withstand being dropped on the ground during dynamic lifts (such as jerk and clean) and its functionality as a grab bar for push-ups. The Core Adjustable Set incorporates both moveable and plastic pieces into its design, which makes it more vulnerable to shifting when you don't want it to. This means you would want to avoid dropping them on the ground repeatedly. Similarly, unlike many other standard dumbbells we tested, the heads of each mobile weight are not covered in a rubber coating. This means there is little protection for the dumbbell or your floor if they fall. The Core weights are rounded rather than hex-shaped, making them prone to rolling. Although we did use them as grab bars for push-ups, we felt unstable during these exercises. This reduced the set's overall score in this metric.

core home fitness adjustable set - round dumbbells can roll on an uneven floor and aren't stable if...
Round dumbbells can roll on an uneven floor and aren't stable if you're using them for support.
Credit: Hale Milano

Ease of Use


Adjustable dumbbells are one of the few styles of free weights that include parts you have to interact with for use beyond just picking up the weight to complete an exercise. Your desired weight must first be selected on the dumbbells in these sets, and different adjustable options accomplish this function in different ways.

Core dumbbells are incredibly easy to use thanks to a combination of ergonomic features. We had no trouble identifying and selecting the correct weight between exercises. Their ergonomic handle shape offered a secure grip while in use. And, it was straightforward to re-rack them back into their stand after we were through.


The primary factor we consider for ease of use with adjustable dumbbells is how quickly and easily the weight can be changed. Each Core Adjustable dumbbell can be set to a new weight with just a twist of the handle while it is racked in its stand. This step either adds or removes a plate to each end. Since selecting the weight only takes one hand, we were free to adjust both dumbbells simultaneously in only a few seconds, a drastic improvement over other adjustable models.

Just twist and go! Core dumbbells are incredibly easy and efficient to use.
Credit: Hale Milano

The selected weight for each dumbbell is visible in a small window at the top of each head. This design allows you to double-check your choice mid-workout since the label is called out on the dumbbell itself rather than on the stand (like some other adjustable weights we tested). We found these numbers easy to read at a glance. Our only complaint is that their small size can make it harder to determine each weight's amount from a distance.

core home fitness adjustable set - it's easy to see how many pounds the core adjustable dumbbell is...
It's easy to see how many pounds the Core adjustable dumbbell is currently set to.
Credit: Hale Milano

The grips on the Core Adjustable Set differ from what we see on other standard options. They do not feature metal knurling. Instead, this model comes with heavy-duty plastic and rubber handles that rely on a sticky rubber grip to provide a secure hold during exercises. Each handle is wide enough to accommodate large hands, though we wish the rubberized section were extended to better utilize the ends of each handle. We also noted that the plastic can become slippery when drenched in sweat. Nevertheless, we still felt we had secure control over the dumbbells throughout testing.

core home fitness adjustable set - the handle is just large enough to fit most hands, and despite the...
The handle is just large enough to fit most hands, and despite the plastic pieces, feels secure.
Credit: Hale Milano

Re-racking the Core Set was a breeze. We liked that the overall size and length of the dumbbells correlated to the selected weights. The V-shaped grooves on the ends of the plates helped guide the dumbbells back into place when placed on the stands. This made putting them away significantly less difficult than other models, even when the weight was heavy and we were tired.

core home fitness adjustable set - grooves on each weight align with the racks to help guide the core...
Grooves on each weight align with the racks to help guide the Core dumbbell into position.
Credit: Hale Milano

Weight Options


As these are adjustable dumbbells, the set provides all the advantages you would expect from ten different pairs of weights in one single-dumbbell design. This means folks short on space only have to buy a single pair of Core dumbbells to enjoy the same range of choices a set of ten sizes of hand weights would offer.


The variety of weights you can choose from in the Core Adjustable Set is fantastic. For those who don't have a dedicated home gym, this pair saves an incredible amount of space while providing ten unique weight options. Ranging from five to 50 pounds each and adjustable in 5-pound increments, they deliver a broad range of weight options to accommodate different exercises and strength levels — everyone in your home could use the same dumbbell. The only downside to the Core Set's weight selection is that each dumbbell maxes out at 50 pounds. This makes them still heavy enough for most people, but if you're looking for anything more, you'll need to consider other dumbbell styles.

Without plates, the Core Home Fitness Adjustable (right) weighs in...
Without plates, the Core Home Fitness Adjustable (right) weighs in at five pounds.
Goblet squats are easy with the Core Adjustable Set.
Goblet squats are easy with the Core Adjustable Set.
Thanks to its adjustability, the Core Set works well for people of different fitness levels and for use with diverse exercises that require a broad range of weights.

Construction Quality


Each Core dumbbell is made from steel weight plates with a thin plastic coating and a plastic handle with rubber coating. Although there was some movement among the parts while in use, it was minimal, and we found their overall construction to be of good quality. The weight difference between measured and stated was less than 1%, a negligible variance.


One of the most significant risks to adjustable dumbbells comes from their moving pieces and parts. Any equipment that goes through a bit of abuse with each use will inevitably face the possibility of broken or jammed components. On Core Adjustable dumbbells, all moving pieces are designed to be hidden inside the handle, offering them some protection from falls or drops. Although some of these parts are plastic, their overall design seems hardy. We noticed no issues or flaws during testing. So, while the Core set may be less durable than what we'd expect from a collection of all-steel dumbbells, we're confident it will still last for many years of exercise.

core home fitness adjustable set - although we had no concerns performing exercises, slight movements...
Although we had no concerns performing exercises, slight movements among the Core weight plates during use were perceptible.
Credit: Hale Milano

During workouts, we noticed a slight jiggle between the weights and plates. Given that each dumbbell is made of many different parts, some movement is to be expected. But it didn't interfere with our workouts in any way. The jiggling proved only rotational (versus forward and back), which further boosted our confidence in the design of the Core dumbbells.

The plates on the Core Adjustable are secure enough for dynamic movements but aren't designed to be dropped on the ground.
Credit: Hale Milano

Storage


We were very pleased with the storage and portability of the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set. Although these dumbbells are sold with moveable racks, there is also the option to purchase a storage stand separately for those who prefer something taller. Alternatively, the set can be stored on the ground, on a bench, or on a very sturdy shelf.


Resting side by side in their racks, a pair of Core dumbbells occupies a 16-inch by 18-inch footprint. The advantage of using these racks is that you can pick one up and move it even when a dumbbell rests inside. Moving both will take two trips, but it is still possible. Although the dumbbells don't lock into place within the rack, they are stable enough for transport.

core home fitness adjustable set - we stored the core dumbbells in our closet and pulled them out to...
We stored the Core dumbbells in our closet and pulled them out to exercise; aside from taking two trips, it was an easy process.
Credit: Hale Milano

Should You Buy the Core Home Fitness Adjustable Set?


The Core Home Fitness Adjustable is one of our favorite pairs of dumbbells and one of the best choices we've seen for a set of adjustable hand weights. A high-quality option that is good for almost any exercise in the gym, they offer the many benefits of a multi-dumbbell collection in just a single pair of weights. Though there is a significant upfront investment cost, these weights still provide great value over comparative options when considering their price per pound. Overall, the Core set is an excellent option for adjustable dumbbells.

core home fitness adjustable set - the adjustability of core hand weights makes them ideal for light...
The adjustability of Core hand weights makes them ideal for light accessory movements and heavy lifts.
Credit: Hale Milano

What Other Dumbbells Should You Consider?


If you're looking for multiple dumbbells but aren't sold on the adjustable style, the CAP Coated Hex Set With Rack is a budget-friendly pick that provides five dumbbell pairs with a matching stand for your home gym. These standard dumbbells are durable and easy to use and are also available for purchase in a wide range of additional weight choices beyond the original set. If you're set on getting a pair of adjustable weights, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 is another sturdy pair that allows you to adjust in 2.5-pound increments below 25 pounds. They're a little more expensive, though, and a little less convenient to adjust and use than the Core Adjustable Set. If you're looking to outfit the ultimate home gym, the Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells were one of the best pairs of free weights we tested. These were among the most versatile and durable dumbbells in our lineup and are sold individually in a wide range of sizes from 2.5 to 125 pounds each.

core home fitness adjustable set - adjustable dumbbells, the core included, are significantly larger...
Adjustable dumbbells, the Core included, are significantly larger than their equally-sized standard dumbbell counterparts.
Credit: Hale Milano

Hale Milano
 

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