Acheter des haltères fixes ou réglables : quel est le meilleur choix ?

Written by Thibaud Martens, fitness advisor at Fitnessdepot

Choose adjustable weights if you train alone at home and have limited space; choose a fixed dumbbell set with a rack if you train with multiple people, want to change weights quickly, or are setting up a studio. A pair of adjustable PowerBlock dumbbells is available at Fitnessdepot from € 449 and replaces up to 16 pairs of individual dumbbells. A complete Martech hexagon dumbbell set with rack starts from € 599. Below, we explain how to choose, what the real cost per kilo is, and what we encounter during installations.

Adjustable weights: how do they work?

Adjustable weights are dumbbells where you change the weight without unscrewing them. With PowerBlock, the handle sits in a frame with weight blocks. Using a magnetic pin, you choose how many blocks you take with you, while the rest stay behind. With small micro-weights of 1.1 kg, you can fine-tune your resistance. Changing weights takes just a few seconds.

Our range includes three families:

• PowerBlock Elite EXP: the Elite EXP Stage 1 goes from about 2.3 to 23 kg per hand in 15 steps, featuring a soft, contoured TPR grip. Expandable up to 32 kg with the Stage 2 kit and up to 41 kg with the Stage 3 kit.
• PowerBlock Pro 100 EXP: the Pro 100 EXP Knurled Stage 1 goes from about 2 to 18 kg per hand, featuring a knurled stainless steel grip. With three kits, you can grow to 27, 37, and eventually 45 kg per hand.
• PowerBlock Pro 50: the Pro 50 goes from about 2.3 to 22.7 kg per hand in 19 steps. Not expandable, but you get the full range right away.

Important: you must purchase the stages in order. Stage 3 requires Stage 1 and 2. Furthermore, kits from the Elite EXP and the older Elite USA are not interchangeable.

Fixed dumbbells with a rack: when is that a better option?

A fixed set consists of a row of regular dumbbells, each with a single weight, placed on a rack or tower. You grab the pair you need and put it back. Our Martech sets feature rubber-coated hexagon dumbbells: they do not roll away and protect your floor.

• The Martech dumbbell tower 1 to 10 kg: 10 pairs increasing by one kilo, totaling 110 kg, on a compact tower. Ideal for light exercises, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy practices.
• The Martech dumbbell tower 1 to 25 kg compact: 16 pairs, increasing by one kilo up to 10 kg and then by 2.5 kg up to 25 kg, on less than one square meter.
• The Martech hexagon dumbbell set 5 to 30 kg: 11 pairs in 2.5 kg increments, with a two-tier rack measuring 2.2 m wide, 63.4 cm deep, and 78 cm high.
• The Martech hex dumbbell set 5 to 40 kg: 15 pairs, totalling 675 kg, on a three-tier rack.

Hexagon dumbbells: why they do not roll away

Hexagon dumbbells, or hex dumbbells, feature a hexagonal head with six flat sides. This keeps them in place where you put them down, even on a floor that is not perfectly level. Round dumbbells can roll away against a piece of equipment, a wall, or your foot.

This offers three practical advantages:

• Stable during floor exercises. When performing renegade rows, push-ups on the dumbbells, or a floor press, you support yourself directly on the dumbbell. A flat side will not wobble.
• Fixed heads. The weights are securely attached to the bar. There are no loose parts or components that require regular tightening.
• Floor and noise protection. Our Martech hexagon dumbbells feature a rubber coating that dampens sound and protects your floor, complete with chromed, knurled grips for a firm hold.

There are also disadvantages. With heavier weights, the head of a hex dumbbell becomes larger, which some athletes find less convenient during exercises like a dumbbell press. For this reason, commercial gyms often use round or polyurethane (PU) dumbbells, which remain more compact and sit more neatly on a rack. In our experience, rubber-coated hex dumbbells offer the best balance of price, durability, and floor protection for a home gym, PT studio, or corporate gym.

Does a fixed set last longer than adjustable dumbbells?

Yes, in most cases they do. A fixed dumbbell has no mechanism: the head is solid and can withstand drops and impacts. Adjustable dumbbells feature a selection system with pins and blocks. While this works well, it is designed for placing the dumbbells down rather than dropping them. A hard drop can damage the mechanism, making adjustments stiffer.

Therefore, our advice is: if you do not always manage your last repetition cleanly and tend to drop your dumbbells occasionally, choose a fixed set. If you train in a controlled manner and always return your dumbbells to a rack, adjustable dumbbells will last for years.

What should you look out for when choosing?

1. How many people are training?

This is the most important question. Adjustable dumbbells only allow one person to work with a specific weight at a time. If you train with your partner, or if you are a personal trainer teaching duos, you will constantly be swapping weights. In a studio or corporate gym, we therefore almost always choose a fixed set.

2. How much space do you have?

A pair of PowerBlocks with a stand takes up about the space of a chair. The Elite EXP measures about 32 by 18 by 18 cm each. A set from 5 to 30 kg requires a rack 2.2 meters wide, plus free space in front of it to pick up and put back dumbbells.

3. Which exercises do you do?

For presses, rows, lunges, and curls, adjustable dumbbells work fine. For exercises where the dumbbells touch each other or your body, such as a dumbbell press with the dumbbells pressed together or a goblet squat, a block-shaped PowerBlock feels different than a round or hexagonal dumbbell. Anyone who does many fast supersets or drop sets saves time with a fixed set: you simply grab the next pair.

4. Grip

With PowerBlock, you choose between a soft TPR grip (Elite EXP, Pro 50) and a knurled steel grip (Pro 100 EXP Knurled). Anyone who trains heavy and quickly gets sweaty hands has more control with knurling. The Martech sets have chromed handles with knurling.

5. How heavy do you want to go later?

Anyone who trains regularly will outgrow a range up to 20 kg per hand faster than expected. In that case, choose a system that grows with you, such as the Pro 100 EXP up to 45 kg, or a fixed set up to 40 kg. The Pro 50 stops at about 23 kg.

Prices: what do dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells cost?

Prices incl. VAT, checked on October 31, 2026.

• Adjustable up to 23 kg per hand: PowerBlock Elite EXP Stage 1 at € 449 or PowerBlock Pro 50 at € 623.
• Adjustable up to 41 kg per hand: Elite EXP Stage 1 (€ 449) plus Stage 2 kit (€ 199) plus Stage 3 kit (€ 199), total € 847.
• Adjustable up to 45 kg per hand: Pro 100 EXP Knurled Stage 1 (€ 569) plus the Stage 2 (€ 229), Stage 3 (€ 207) and Stage 4 (€ 207) kits, total € 1,212.
• Stand for PowerBlocks: Large Compact Stand at € 85 or PowerMax Stand at € 215.
• Fixed sets with rack: from € 599 (1 to 10 kg) to € 1,250 (1 to 25 kg), € 1,599 (5 to 30 kg) and € 2,350 (5 to 40 kg).

Comparison table: adjustable or fixed

What we see during installations

A complete set from 5 to 40 kg weighs 675 kg, plus the rack. On a ground floor concrete floor that is not a problem, but on an upper floor or attic we have the load-bearing capacity checked if in doubt. Always place a rubber tile under a fixed set: a dumbbell that falls next to the rack will otherwise leave a dent. With adjustable dumbbells we mainly see people drop them on the floor after the set. Do not do that: they are made to be set down, and a stand at waist height makes that easier.

Keeping dumbbells clean

Dumbbells and handles are often gripped with sweaty hands. Wipe them down after your workout using a cloth and a mild cleaning spray, especially if you share the set with multiple people, and ventilate your training area properly. A rubber coating and an easy-clean sports floor make maintenance a lot easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are adjustable dumbbells better than regular dumbbells?

Adjustable dumbbells are better if you train alone and have limited space, while regular dumbbells are better if multiple people train at the same time or if you want to switch between weights quickly. In terms of quality, you can train just as well with both.

How heavy should my dumbbells be?

For most home athletes, a range of up to about 23 kg per hand is sufficient for the first few years, but those who train heavily will eventually need 30 to 45 kg. Therefore, choose an expandable system or a set that goes far enough.

What is the difference between PowerBlock Elite EXP and Pro 100 EXP?

The Elite EXP starts at 23 kg per hand and goes up to 41 kg with kits, featuring a soft TPR grip; the Pro 100 EXP starts at 18 kg and goes up to 45 kg, and is also available with a knurled steel grip. For those who want to go the heaviest, the Pro 100 EXP is the best choice.

Can I skip PowerBlock kits?

No, the stages must be done in order: Stage 2 requires Stage 1, Stage 3 requires Stage 1 and 2, and for the Pro 100 EXP, Stage 4 requires all previous stages.

How much space does a dumbbell set with rack take up?

A Martech set ranging from 5 to 30 kg sits on a rack 2.2 meters wide and 63.4 cm deep, while the compact dumbbell tower from 1 to 25 kg takes up less than one square meter. Always factor in clearance space around the rack for picking up dumbbells.

Why choose hexagon dumbbells?

Hexagon dumbbells do not roll away thanks to their six flat sides, they remain stable during floor exercises, and with a rubber coating they protect your floor and dampen sound.

Also read: dumbbells go hand in hand with a good bench, so be sure to read our weight bench buying guide. If you also want to train with a barbell, read how to choose an Olympic barbell. Planning a complete space can be done using our guide setting up a home gym with a budget of € 2,000, € 5,000 or € 10,000.

Ready to choose? View the adjustable dumbbells, the dumbbell sets with rack and the full PowerBlock range, or plan a showroom visit to hold PowerBlocks and hexagon dumbbells side by side.

Updated on October 31, 2026.