In addition to saving space, the advantage of cramming adjustable dumbbells into the corner of your garage, yard, or spare room is the easy access to progressive overload as you build strength. Whether performing isolated or compound exercises, a pair of solid adjustable dumbbells can provide the equivalent of 30 stand-alone weights.
Read our review of the Ativafit adjustable dumbbells below to learn more about the pros and cons of these weights.
The Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbells are available on Amazon for $399 (88-pound version), but this is the price of one set, so a pair would cost $798. If that's a little too expensive, you can also opt for the 44-pound version on Amazon, which is a little easier to swallow at $269 for the pair.
I was trying out a 66-pound pair (DT1166) that falls somewhere between these two extremes, and is available at the Ativafit online store for $599. Ativafit's online store has a list price of $599. The good news is that Ativafit is currently selling this pair at a discounted price of $399; an Ativafit spokesperson said that the 66-pound pair will be available at this price for some time.
This price (especially for the 88-pound set) puts the Ativafit dumbbells in a competitive price range, along with the $400 Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells. However, compared to the 55-pound Bowflex dumbbells, the Ativafit dumbbells can gain more weight.
Each dumbbell comes with one plastic tray, but there are no additional extras. If you can stretch your legs that far, we recommend purchasing the adjustable weight bench that Ativafit sells on Amazon for $109 along with it.
There's nothing revolutionary about the design of Ativafit's adjustable dumbbells, but there's nothing bad either. A bright red button unlocks the handle's twist mechanism, allowing you to select the weight before lifting it from its plastic cradle. The handles are rubber and well-defined, making them easy to twist, even with sweaty hands.
The same goes for the indentation in the center of each dumbbell, which is designed to prevent slipping after a few reps into a set.
If there is a downside to the design, it is that the plastic cradle feels a bit flimsy. However, you don't want to hit the dumbbells too hard for fear of cracking or breaking them.
Although they are quite heavy, the footprint of each dumbbell is only 16.3 x 7.9 x 8.3 inches. Therefore, they take up little space and can be tucked out of sight when not in use. This is not possible with a full weight rack full of individual dumbbells.
Various weight increments are marked on both sides so you can always see which weight you are lifting. For safety reasons, once you have selected a weight and lifted the dumbbells, the plates cannot be removed from the handles.
The Ativa Fit Adjustable Dumbbells have worked really well for the various workouts I have employed them for. I was able to quickly switch between plates for a mix of lateral flies, chest presses, and triceps extensions. The plates fit snugly and there was minimal rattling in the range of motion.
Obviously, the handles need to be larger to accommodate all the different weight options, which can feel odd when lifting at lower weights. Make sure there is a fair amount of room around the weight bench as there will be a lot of air in the gaps. This is a factor when using adjustable dumbbells at lower weights and is not a criticism of Ativa Fit or any other manufacturer. The aluminum handles feel super sturdy, even when swinging high weights. Rubberized knurling also helps keep a firm grip even when your hands get sweaty.
When I placed the dumbbells outside the plastic cradle between sets, I was pleased to find that rolling was kept to a minimum. Unlike hexagonal dumbbells, which are stationary, circular dumbbells have a habit of drifting, especially when placed on hard surfaces like hard wood or concrete; with the Ativafit dumbbells, this did not seem to be an issue, and the grip was very firm and secure.
One thing is certain: will these dumbbells hold up to years of use? Will the plates chip? Will the marks fade? Will the red buttons jam? These are all valid criticisms that will appear over a much longer period of time. Unfortunately, I do not have the months of use experience necessary to steer these questions. The only thing I can say is that a little wear and tear on dumbbells is often aesthetically pleasing, unless they actually stop functioning.
Another thing I'd like to point out is that these dumbbells don't come with digital bells and whistles; there is no companion app like Bowflex or NordicTrack that guides you through the Ativafit-specific dumbbell workouts. It doesn't matter to me, and it probably won't matter much to others, but it's worth pointing out here in case you're a fan of app-based workout equipment.
That said, Tom's Guide offers a number of dumbbell-centric workouts. [The downside to these dumbbells is that the weight of the dumbbells is not adjustable. The downside to this dumbbell may be the pricing, but the fact that it can go up to 88 pounds means that you are well-prepared for the future to get stronger.
Durability and build quality are also impressive, and I didn't mind too much without the bells and whistles like the included app or the included rack and stand. If there is an issue, it is with the plastic tray. But that's just me being nitpicky.
However, if you want to save money, I would recommend going with the lower weight 66 lb model I reviewed, DT1166, rather than the heavier set, as the current discount is likely to last a while. If you really want to save money, you could buy the AmazonBasics Adjustable Barbell Lifting Dumbbell Weight Set and start there. Just be aware that you will need to remove the collars to manually change plates between sets.
That said, the world of adjustable dumbbells is getting busier every year. So, if you choose the Ativa Fit Adjustable Dumbbells, rest assured that you are making a good choice.
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