REP fitness rubber grip dumbbell vs hex dumbbell
This is a comparison between the REP fitness rubber grip dumbbells and the REP fitness hex dumbbell. Follow the links for more details.
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:
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Fully knurled handles for maximum grip
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Ultra-low odor rubber
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The heads of the dumbbells are securely attached via friction welding for extreme durability
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Handle diameter sizes
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2.5lb - 22mm diameter handle.
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5lb to 15lb dumbbells - 28mm diameter handle.
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17.5lb+ dumbbells - 34mm diameter handle. The thicker 34mm handle adds comfort on heavier weights.
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REP Fitness dumbbells come with a lifetime warranty for home use. 1 year warranty for commercial use.
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
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Price
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Metal handle
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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
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Hex design
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Rubber
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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
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.
Overview and review of the REP fitness rubber grip dumbbell
This is an overview of the REP fitness rubber grip 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 grip Hex dumbbell $699
The REP rubber hex dumbbell is a good approach to save some costs on your dumbbell set and make it easier on your hands. The costs are slightly higher than for regular hex dumbbells with a metal handle as worldwide sales volume is not as high for this type of dumbbell. This is a good option if the place you train in is very humid. This is also a good quality dumbbell from a solid supplier in case you are worried about buying something from a random vendor on Amazon or Craigslist. The full specifications of the REP rubber hex dumbbells are:
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5 to 20lb - 30mm diameter handle.
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25lb+ - 34mm diameter handle.
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Dumbbell heads are securely attached via friction welding, an extremely durable process.
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5-50lbs
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55-75lb
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80-100lbs
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Increments of 5lbs
A Solid set for a home gym on a budget that wants to have a full set of dumbbells or someone who just wants 1 - 3 pairs that are easy on the hands.
Pros of the REP Rubber grip Hex dumbbell
The pros of the REP rubber hex grip dumbbells are:
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Rubber grip
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The relatively low price point
This is the easy option for a home gym owner who wants to have a full rack of dumbbells running along with one of their walls. Especially when the significant other and the children who might not be as big into fitness as yourself want to train too. If you are a powerlifter or bodybuilder who loves Iron you might want to opt for the regular hex dumbbells or upgrade to the Urethane version. Especially in a commercial setting.
Cons of the REP Rubber grip Hex dumbbell
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Rubber
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Kettlebells vs Dumbbell
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Hex shape
The first con is the rubber design itself. If you like steel and getting your hands a little roughed up you might prefer metal handles. Especially when you use heavy dumbbells on a regular basis the extra grip from the textured metal will come in handy.
Personally, I would always recommend buying kettlebells of different sizes over dumbbells for any home gym scenario, unless you are dumpster diving on the internet. A kettlebell can be used for almost all exercises you can do with dumbbells but not the other way around. The only back draw is that kettlebells need more space to be stored if you really get 5 lbs to 100lbs in 5 lbs increments. I also do not think that this is a wise way of investing your money in a home gym. IN a commercial setting you probably want to lean more towards dumbbells than kettlebells, as they are more user-friendly on the wrists for pressing movements.
A big con for hex dumbbells is their handling when they are heavy. I much prefer round dumbbells as they are a lot easier to get from any surface or your legs to the shoulders for presses. Heavy hex dumbbells are really annoying to deal with and you might want to upgrade to Urethane for these if you are taking your training already that seriously.
Alternatives to the REP Rubber grip Hex dumbbell
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REP rubber dumbbell
The REP rubber dumbbells also have the hex design but come with a metal handle which is better if you are intending to get a lot of a heavy dumbbells. If you are getting dumbbells from rep fitness for a yoga studio and very low resistant the rubber gripped versions might be better.
The REP Urethane dumbbells are the Cadillac among the REP dumbbells. They last longer as Urethane is more durable than rubber. Their round shape also makes them easier to handle on heavy lifts and transport in your gym. Based on the price tag Urethane dumbbells are usually a good option for commercial gyms but not so much for home gyms. Especially if you are considering an entire rack instead of some carefully selected weights.
Rogue Urethane dumbbells are very similar to the REP fitness Urethane dumbbells. Between the two I personally think it is wholly up to your budget and whether you want your gym completely Rogue or REP themed to determine what you choose. As both dumbbells are imported the REP fitness version might be a good option to save some money on a super high-end home gym build.
The rogue loadable dumbbell is my personal favorite for a home gym. You can use the same budget for a dumbbell rack and invest it in two rogue loadable dumbbell handles and their bespoke dumbbell weights. Saves money and space while also looking cool. This is only an option in a home gym scenario as for commercial use you want a lot of handles so that multiple people can train at the same time.
Titan is the cost leader between Rogue, Rep, and themselves. If you want the most equipment for the least possible amount of money then Titan is the way to go. If you have a lot of space they also have a way bigger selection of plate-loaded machines than the other two. If you are a bodybuilder with a lot of space to fill in a massive basement or barn, then TITAN is your friend. The only downside is that their quality control and return policies are not as up to par as with the other two vendors.
Conclusion for the REP Rubber grip Hex dumbbell
I personally think they are a bit gimmicky. However, that comes from a place of bias towards powerlifting on my end. If you want some light weights that are easy on your hands you are probably better off getting the cheap neoprene dumbbells that are usually stocked in TESCO or Walmart. The only real benefit in a commercial setting I can see is that the rubber handles are easier to clean than the metal ones.
