What Are The Positives And Negatives Of Hex Dumbbell Racks?

There are certain exercises you can do with hex dumbbells that are more difficult with more conventional round dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells which use Olympic-style weights, but be forewarned you may need a larger dumbbell rack to fit them all on.

When you are starting on your fitness journey, a common question many people stockpiling their home gym will have is how to make the most of every piece of equipment: which weights allow me to do the largest array of exercises and workouts.

This goes some way to explaining the popularity of hex dumbbells even amidst a wide array of potential options, to the point that many gyms use both, and a lot of home gyms will choose them over plate-based adjustable dumbbells or even rounded fixed-weight dumbbells.

To understand why, it is important to explore not only what they can do that other dumbbells cannot, but also examine their pros and cons in the context of a home gym.

What Are Hex Dumbbells?

A hex dumbbell is any dumbbell which uses a nonstandard quadrilateral as the base shape for its weights. Whilst this is typically an equilateral hexagon, it can be a pentagon, an octagon or any other suitable polygon.

In general, hex dumbbells consist of two metal hexagonal heads which are moulded and connected to a central knurled handle. Unlike spin-lock dumbbells, these weights are fixed and cannot be altered.

Whilst non-round dumbbells have been around since the halteres of Ancient Greece, hex dumbbells are specifically engineered with additional sides which allow them to be laid flat on the ground without any chance of them moving.

Hex dumbbells are available in a wide variety of designs and weights, typically ranging from as low as 1kg (2.2lbs) to as high as 30kg (66lbs), which is similar in scope to typical round or adjustable dumbbell sets.

As with any other dumbbell, you typically buy hex dumbbells in sets of two, although single dumbbells are also available if you want to use them for kettlebell-style exercises.

Types Of Hex Dumbbells

- Bare Hex Dumbbells - These dumbbells are made from cast iron moulds and are left uncoated, outside of identifying markers for weights.

- Rubber-Coated Hex Dumbbells - These dumbbells have an iron core and are coated with a similar level of rubber to that used for bumper weight plates.

- Neoprene/Urethane-Coated Hex Dumbbells - These dumbbells are similar to rubber-coated dumbbells except with a premium urethane or neoprene finish.

Pros Of Hex Dumbbells

The benefits of hex dumbbells are typically linked to their extra versatility and ease of use for beginners, making them an ideal piece of gym equipment when starting out, whilst also providing enough extra functionality for anyone to use.

More Stable

The biggest advantage is that hex dumbbells stay in place once put down; they will not roll, change position or alter their centre of gravity, making them more predictable to use.

For people starting out on their fitness journeys or trying out new exercises, this stable base is vital for not only building muscles but also building confidence.

Easier To Store

Whilst a dedicated storage rack is always the best choice if you have a lot of dumbbells, a significant benefit hex dumbbells have over rounded alternatives is that you can put them down anywhere and trust that they will stay there.

This means that you can easily store them in a corner or on a very solid shelf without worrying about them going anywhere.

More Versatile

The stability of hex dumbbells means that they can be used for a wider range of exercises than typical dumbbells, somewhat overlapping with macebells and kettlebells in terms of their versatility and potential for full-body dynamic workouts.

Some exercises you can do with hex dumbbells that are more difficult with conventional round dumbbells include:

- Dumbbell Push-Ups - The stability of hex dumbbells means that you can plant them and use them for additional resistance.

- Renegade Rows - A perfect back and core exercise, renegade rows are much easier to execute with stable hex dumbbells than round dumbbells, which can roll around you.  

- Farmer’s Walks - Whilst you can do these with any type of weight, they work best with hex dumbbells or kettlebells.

Cons Of Hex Dumbbells

Bulkier

Round shapes are inherently more compact, so the additional corners can make a hex dumbbell slightly wider, larger and bulkier than you might expect, which should be considered if storage is a concern.

More Contact Points

Unlike round dumbbells, hex dumbbells do have edges which can come into contact with your thighs during certain exercises.

Potentially Less Ergonomic

Unlike a round weight, hex dumbbells can feel slightly different depending on how you are holding them.