Is Core Fitness’s Adjustable Dumbbell Weight Set A Smart Buy? [A Review]

Core Fitness’s Adjustable Dumbbell Weight Set was designed to solve the age old problem of storing a gym’s worth of dumbbells in the common man’s home gym.

With its convenient twist and lock technology, Core’s adjustable dumbbells effectively provide you with 10 pairs of dumbbells (ranging from 5 to 50 lb) while only taking up the space of a single pair.

The space saving advantage is obvious, but consider the financial advantage as well. Anyone who’s ever purchased dumbbells before knows how fast the cost can add up.

If your home gym is space challenged or you’re simply trying to save some cash, a pair of nice adjustable dumbbells can be a smart investment.

But does Core Fitness’s Adjustable Dumbbell Weight Set have what it takes to be considered a smart buy?

Well, that’s what this review is here to help you figure out.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to about this set of dumbbells. Afterwards, you’ll know whether or not this is the right choice for your home gym.

The Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Weight Set

Adjustable dumbbells make a lot of sense. The idea of being able to have a full set of dumbbells without taking up all the floor space sounds great.

I’m not sure if Bowflex technically introduced the world to adjustable dumbbells with their SelectTech 552 set, but they were the first set I ever saw.

Now, there are a lot of different options to choose from.

I’m not familiar with Core Fitness as a brand, but I think they’re a budget provider for companies like Amazon. Their adjustable dumbbell set has become popular and is well reviewed by users.

Pros

• Steel construction with protective urethane coating
• Textured, contoured handles for comfort
• Easy to use TwistLock technology
• Each dumbbell adjustable from 5-50 lb
• Weights lock together, don’t move during workouts
• Sleek, lightweight cradle
• Easy assembly
• Good warranty
• Well priced

Cons

• May have to hold cradle down when choosing heavier weights
• Some users have complained about Core’s customer service

Construction

There’s not a lot to talk about when it comes to the make-up of these dumbbells. And I see that as a good thing. There aren’t a bunch of plastic components and bulky dials to mess with here.

Each dumbbell consists of a handle with a series of thin plate-style weights attached at each end.

Both the handle and the weights are made out of steel. The weight plates are also covered with a urethane coating to keep rattling down and to help protect the plates from rusting.

I also think the black coating adds an extra level of sleekness.

The handle on each dumbbell has the same coating, but is also contoured and textured for a more comfortable grip.

This allows you to maintain a comfortable hold on each during your workouts, while reducing the chances of unwanted drops as your hands get sweaty.

Overall, users agree the dumbbells are well constructed and comfortable to use. They should be able to hold up through any workout you can throw at em (just don’t drop them, it could crack the coating).

Weight Selections

When it comes to adjustable dumbbells, the make or break feature is how smoothly they work with the weight adjustments. After all, that’s their only feature, so it better work.

Core Fitness’s dumbbells can be adjusted anywhere from 5 to 50 lb in 5 lb increments (the handle weighs 5 lb when no plates are added).

Switching between weights is easy- simply place the dumbbell in the cradle, turn the handle until your desired weight is showing through the window on the handle, and lift the dumbbell.

As you turn the handle, the handle extends through the necessary weight plates, connecting them to the handle.

This is different from some sets that require you to set each side separately. I like Core’s design here, it simplifies things. It also ensures you don’t accidentally off set your dumbbells with more weight on one side than the other.

I also like that the weight plates are connected to each other, as well as the handle.

This means they act together as a single unit- you won’t have to worry about the plates moving or spinning on the handle as you lift.

Cosmetically speaking, I like the small round plates used here. Reminds me of the old school dumbbells I had as a kid when I was exercising in our huge, detached storage building during the summers.

You know, the dumbbells where you manually added plates…ah, memories.

Anyway, Core’s weight selection system works well. Users agree the TwistLock technology is efficient and easy to use.

Oh, I almost forgot. There is some assembly required with this set, but it’s easy. You basically have to stack the weights in the cradle and insert the handle.

The manual does a pretty good job spelling it out for ya so it shouldn’t be an issue.

Cradle

The cradle is actually an important aspect to the dumbbell set. With adjustable dumbbells, the dumbbells have to be placed in the cradle before making any weight selections.

Recall the weights are added to the handle as you twist it. The weights that aren’t being used remain resting in the cradle. You can’t alter the weight without placing it in the cradle first.

Some users have noticed that it can be a little awkward when selecting heavier weights (40-50 lb) because the cradle tends to move and come off the ground as you lift the handle.

This is a pretty common issue with adjustable dumbbells. It can be solved easily by placing a foot on the cradle to stabilize as you lift the dumbbell.

You could also purchase Core’s dumbbell stand (sold separately), which holds the cradles in place. You could even make your own stand and attach the cradles to that if you’re good at DIY projects.

The aluminum cradles are lightweight and pretty sleek looking themselves.

Warranty

Core Fitness backs their adjustable dumbbell set with the following warranty:

• 2 year parts

Given the price and nature of this product, I think 2 years is a pretty fair guarantee. If I’m not mistaken (and I’m not because I checked), this is the same guarantee Bowflex offers on their SelectTech dumbbells.

Realistically, there aren’t many moving parts involved here, so there shouldn’t be much that could go wrong.

Final Thoughts

A nice pair of adjustable dumbbells can significantly reduce the financial burden that comes with stocking your home gym with pair after pair of traditional dumbbells.

And after looking at Core’s adjustable dumbbell set, I would consider them a nice pair.

I like how compact they are- the weight plates are small and sleek and each dumbbell is roughly the size of a traditional 50 lb dumbbell when not being used.

I also like that there aren’t any bulky dials to deal with (no offense Bowflex). All you have to do is turn the handle to make your weight selections.

The dumbbells are made out of urethane coated steel, so there shouldn’t be any issues with wear and tear. Like all products, there are a few negative reviews from users who had malfunctioning products.

But the overall consensus from users has been overwhelmingly positive.

Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable alternative for your dumbbells, Core’s Adjustable Dumbbell Set is a pretty safe bet.  A smart buy indeed.