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REP fitness hex dumbbell vs adjustable kettlebell

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Jun 1, 2021 4:00:00 PM

REP fitness hex dumbbell vs adjustable kettlebell

This is a comparison between the REP fitness hex dumbbells and the REP fitness adjustable kettlebell. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review of the REP adjustable kettlebell

This is an overview of the REP fitness adjustable kettlebell including pros, cons, and alternatives. The original was published under which rep fitness strength equipment to buy. Follow the links for more details.

 

REP Adjustable Kettlebell $119

 
The REP adjustable kettlebell is one of the better adjustable systems out there. It is a rebrand of a mass-produced kettlebell option from China so if you see the same design for a lower price with a different sticker on it go for it. The best thing about this adjustable dumbbell is that it keeps the integrity of the kettlebell in tact when being adjusted. The list of specifications runs as follows:
 
  • Quick-adjust is fastest and most convenient on the market. Push down and twist to add or remove weight.
  • Available in kg or lb options
  • Each individual weight is secured with it's own internal nylon thermoplastic fastener. Provides a quiet bell with no rattling or shifting during swings, snatches, etc... 
  • Matte powdercoated surface provides a secure grip.
  • Rubber bottom to protect your floors.
  • Competition style shape that stays consistent no matter which weight is selected.
  • Each Kettlebell includes 5 different weight settings
 
Available in 3 size options, in kg or lbs. 
 
  • 16kg: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 kg settings
  • 24kg: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 kg settings
  • 40lb: 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 lb settings
 
This is a good option if you buy into the idea of adjustable equipment. I am personally not a huge fan of it for kettlebells but can see the benefits in a confined space.
 

Pros of the REP Adjustable Kettlebell

 
The pros of the REP adjustable kettlebell are:
 
  • Price
  • Space requirements
  • Integrity of the kettlebell
 
While this kettlebell might seem pricey at first it becomes a very cost-efficient option when you take into account how many solid kettlebells you would have to buy to get the same result. This is especially true the heavier the adjustable kettlebell option is you are getting.
 
Another big pro of this kettlebell is that you get multiple kettlebells in the shell of one and therefore save a lot of space. If you are serious about your kettlebell routines but live in a small apartment, then this is the solution you have been waiting for.
 
Compared to other adjustable kettlebell designs i personally think that this is one of the best in the industry. Other designs usually sacrifice the integrity of the shape of the kettlebell to be adjustable which makes them awkward to swing or impossible to press. With this design, you can be sure that the kettlebell stays the same shape when add or subtract weight for your workouts.
 

Cons of the REP Adjustable Kettlebell

 
The cons of the REP adjustable kettlebell are:
 
  • Price
  • Moveable parts
  • Time for adjustments
 
If you want to get two kettlebells for circuit training you are already talking around $250 for this adjustable kettlebell. For that budget, you can seriously consider getting multiple normal kettlebells, especially when you are not that strong.
 
The challenge with moveable parts is that you can lose them. If you lose a part you can not use the adjustable for its original intend anymore. This will not happen when you simply get solid kettlebells.
 
Adjusting the kettlebell on the fly is always slower than just grabbing a different weight. Be mindful of that, especially when you buy it for follow-along YouTube training.
 

Alternatives to the REP Adjustable Kettlebell

 
Alternatives to the REP adjustable kettlebell are:
 
  • REP regular kettlebells
  • Rogue regular kettlebells
  • TITAN regular kettlebells
 
REP also offers a set of regular kettlebells made of cast iron. If you are shopping for smaller kettlebells I would go for a set of these rather than an adjustable kettlebell depending on how much space you have available. TITAN also offers kettlebells at various price points if you wanted to compare. With both of these vendors, you will buy a kettlebell that has been produced overseas and shipped.
 
If you want kettlebells that have been fully produced in the United States with American steel you can head over to Rogue Fitness. They are quite proud that they localized this production line during the pandemic to become independent from overseas shipments. It also feeds directly into their strategy to be the best and most patriotic American fitness brand.
 

Conclusion for the REP Adjustable Kettlebell

 
I personally have a little bias against anything adjustable as this usually means that the engineering has to be compromised and the equipment is more likely to malfunction or break. But that is just me. If you want only one kettlebell at home and not stack your entire hot press or under the stairs storage with weights, then this is a great option and one of the better ones compared to other adjustable kettlebells.
 

Overview and review of the REP fitness hex dumbbell

This is an overview of the REP fitness hex dumbbell including pros, cons, and alternatives. The original was published under which rep fitness strength equipment to buy. Follow the links for more details.

 

REP Rubber Hex Dumbbell $674

 
These are the standard rubber hex dumbbells that save you money if you want to get a decent full set of dumbbells in your home. For commercial use, they might be a bit cheap, but will still do the trick. The full list of specifications runs like this:
 
  • Fully knurled handles for maximum grip
  • Ultra-low odor rubber
  • The heads of the dumbbells are securely attached via friction welding for extreme durability
  • Handle diameter sizes
    • 2.5lb - 22mm diameter handle.
    • 5lb to 15lb dumbbells - 28mm diameter handle.
    • 17.5lb+ dumbbells - 34mm diameter handle. The thicker 34mm handle adds comfort on heavier weights.
  • REP Fitness dumbbells come with a lifetime warranty for home use. 1 year warranty for commercial use.
  • Dumbbell sets range from 5 to 50 pounds, 5 to 75 pounds, and 5 to 100 pounds
 
A solid option for an ambitious or small budget with the goal of having a full 5 to 100 pound dumbbell rack.
 

Pros of the REP Rubber Hex Dumbbell

 
The pros of the Rubber Hex dumbbell are:
 
  • Price
  • Metal handle
  • Easily stacked
 
The main argument for these dumbbells is that they make a full dumbbell rack affordable for a home gym or if you really want to go all the way on massive commercial set up. With rubber hex dumbbells you can still stay under $1000 for a full rack from 5 to 100 pounds.
 
These dumbbells have a metal handle instead of  neoprene or rubber. The extra grip this provides is very welcome on heavy dumbbells.
 
Another bonus for storage is that these can be stacked easily even without having a dumbbell rack. This makes it an attractive option when you just want to have a pile of them in the corner for group classes without taking up the entire width of a wall.
 

Cons of the REP Rubber Hex Dumbbell

 
The cons of the REP rubber hex dumbbell are:
 
  • Hex design
  • Rubber
  • Harder to clean
 
The hex design can get very annoying when the dumbbells get heavy. The bigger the dumbbell is the more you want it to be round to be easier to handle for pushes or rolling it around the gym. So if you are a serious lifter you might also want to be serious about your dumbbells and look into Urethane dumbbells.
 
Rubber dumbbells have a shorter shelf life than rubber dumbbells. The more people use them over a day the more relevant this becomes. For home gyms, I personally don’t think that the longevity aspect should play a big role as you won’t put the time on them. In a commercial setting, you quickly buy twice, and then you might as well get Urethane dumbbells the first time around.
 
Compared to the rubber grip alternative from REP fitness you will have a harder time cleaning these dumbbells. The metal handle will need a brush whereas the rubber handles will only need a wile with antibacterial cloths.
 

Alternatives to the REP Rubber Hex Dumbbell

 
Alternatives to the REP rubber hex dumbbell are:
 
 
The REP rubber grip hex dumbbells are the better option if you want something a little easier on the hands and to clean. I personally think that for this purpose you can save a lot of money by just going for the neoprene dumbbells that you can get in most well-stocked retailers or on Amazon. At least if you are buying for your home gym.
 
The REP Urethane dumbbells are the choice for serious home gym athletes with a generous budget or commercial buyers. These dumbbells will last longer and are also easier to handle. The only downside is that you have to invest north if $1000 to get a full 5 to 100-pound set.
 
The Rogue Urethane dumbbells are very similar to the REP urethane dumbbells and it all comes down to branding which one you should buy. Especially as both of them are imported. If you want to save some money the REP urethane dumbbells would be better. Compared to the hex dumbbell the main reason to get Urethane is the round shape.
 
The Rogue loadable dumbbell is in my opinion an excellent choice for a home gym that wants to optimize a generous budget. They are made in the US and combined for the specific dumbbell bumper weights are great fun to use in a home gym to save money and space on a high-quality build. They will still not be as cheap as a full set of rubber hex dumbbells when you tally up all components but why more versatile for one user. If you need dumbbells for multiple users the hex dumbbells or multiples of urethane dumbbells are the better options.
 
TITAN is the cost leader among the lineup of REP fitness, Rogue fitness, and TITAN fitness. If you want to get your equipment as cheap as possible while not getting utter crap then TITAN is the way to go. Be aware though that TITAN is known in the industry for the most quality issues between these three brands.
 

Conclusion for the REP Rubber Hex Dumbbell

 
The REP rubber hex dumbbell is a solid option for a home gym on a budget that you want to fill with a full set of dumbbells fron 5 to 100 pounds. In commercial settings I would lean more towards the REP Urethane dumbbell option.
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