Light dumbbells: the 1kg, 2kg and 3kg pairs compared

Buy the 2kg pair, $23

The short answer

If you are buying one light pair and are not sure which, buy the 2kg pair. It is heavy enough to make shoulder raises and arm work count and light enough for most rehab, Pilates and seniors' programs. The reasons, and when to pick a different pair, are below.

The light pairs side by side

Every pair has a cast iron head sealed in a moulded rubber shell, a knurled chrome handle and a six-sided head that does not roll. The rubber keeps them quiet on the floor, which matters in apartments and shared homes.

Pair	Price	Total weight	Typical use
1kg	$12	2kg	Pilates, barre, early rehab, cardio classes
2kg	$23	4kg	Shoulder rehab, light toning, seniors' strength, walking workouts
3kg	$35	6kg	Lateral raises, curls, tricep extensions, beginner upper body
4kg	$46	8kg	Shoulder presses, lunges, step ups for beginners

What the light pairs cost delivered

Delivery is charged per item from your postcode. Light pairs are cheap to send, but on the 1kg pair the delivery can be a large share of the total. These are examples; the cart shows the exact figure before you pay.

Delivery area	1kg pair ($12)	2kg pair ($23)	3kg pair ($35)
Sydney metro	about $18.11	about $29.11	about $42.13
Melbourne metro	about $21.16	about $33.18	about $47.21
Brisbane metro	about $21.16	about $33.18	about $47.21
Adelaide metro	about $21.16	about $33.18	about $49.25
Perth metro	about $26.25	about $40.30	about $57.39
Canberra	about $20.14	about $32.16	about $45.18
Hobart metro	about $25.23	about $39.28	about $55.35
Regional Victoria	about $33.37	about $46.40	about $61.45

Dispatch is usually within 1 to 3 business days, and metro delivery usually takes 2 to 7 business days after that. Regional and remote areas take longer. See the shipping page.

Which light pair to start with

Use the 12 rep test on the exercise you will do most. If you can do 12 clean reps and the last two are hard, the weight is right. If you cannot reach 8, go lighter. If 15 are easy, go heavier.

Start with 1kg if

• A physio or exercise physiologist has told you to start at 1kg.
• You do Pilates, barre or mat classes where the arms work for long sets with little rest.
• You are returning after a shoulder injury or surgery and raising your arm to shoulder height is still hard.

Start with 2kg if

• You are new to weights and want one pair that covers raises, curls and presses.
• You are over 60 and starting a strength program at home.
• You want a pair for brisk walking, step ups or light circuits.

Start with 3kg if

• You already do bodyweight training and 2kg curls would feel easy.
• Your main goal is arm and shoulder toning with sets of 10 to 15.
• You want the light pair to sit under a heavier one later, such as 3kg and 10kg.

If 3kg curls already feel easy, the 5kg pair at $48 is the next step for most adults.

A 20 minute light dumbbell session

This suits rehab maintenance, seniors and anyone toning at home. Do it two or three times a week. The curls, raises, press and tricep extension can all be done seated.

Exercise	Sets x reps	Pair most people use
Arm circles and shoulder rolls (no weight)	1 x 30 seconds	None
Bicep curl	2 x 12	2kg or 3kg
Lateral raise to shoulder height	2 x 10	1kg or 2kg
Seated overhead press	2 x 10	2kg or 3kg
Bent over row, one hand on a chair	2 x 12 each side	2kg or 3kg
Step back lunge holding the chair	2 x 8 each side	1kg or 2kg, or none
Overhead tricep extension	2 x 10	1kg or 2kg

Rest 30 to 60 seconds between sets. If you are following a physio's program, use their weights and reps in place of these.

Who should pick something else

• You want leg and back strength: squats, rows and Romanian deadlifts outgrow 3kg in weeks. The 10kg pair ($114) is the usual working weight for those.
• You need lighter than 1kg: start with no weight, or with bands as your physio directs. The fabric loop bands ($30) suit hip and glute rehab work.
• Your grip is weak from arthritis: try holding a 1kg pair before committing to more. For leg and hip work, bands on padded ankle straps need no grip at all; the Leg Resistance Band Set (13 Piece) is $52.

Combinations that cover more

A second light pair lets you match the weight to the muscle: lighter for shoulders, heavier for arms and back. Goods totals before delivery:

Combination	Goods total	Who it suits
1kg and 2kg	$35	Rehab and Pilates, with room to progress
1kg and 3kg	$47	Toning: 1kg for raises, 3kg for curls and rows
2kg and 4kg	$69	Seniors' strength over the first year
1kg, 2kg and 3kg	$70	Classes and households with more than one user
1kg, 2kg, 3kg and 4kg	$116	The full light range
2kg, 4kg and 5kg	$117	Light to moderate home training

Each pair carries its own delivery charge. Adding a 6mm yoga mat ($60) for floor and Pilates work adds nothing to delivery for most postcodes, because the mat includes delivery to most of Australia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much are light dumbbells in Australia?

Rubber hex pairs are $12 for 1kg, $23 for 2kg, $35 for 3kg and $46 for 4kg, per pair. Delivery is priced by postcode in the cart, for example about $6.11 to metro Sydney for a 1kg or 2kg pair.

Should I start with 1kg or 2kg dumbbells?

Most beginners, seniors and people doing general toning start with 2kg. Choose 1kg if a physio has told you to, if you do long sets in Pilates or barre, or if lifting your arm to shoulder height is still hard.

Are 1kg dumbbells worth buying?

Yes for Pilates, barre, cardio classes and early rehab, where the sets are long and the weight is meant to be light. For general strength most adults outgrow 1kg quickly, so a 2kg or 3kg pair lasts longer.

Are light dumbbells good for seniors?

Yes. A 2kg pair suits most seniors starting curls, raises and seated presses at home, and a 4kg pair is the usual next step. The rubber heads are quiet on the floor and the hex shape stops them rolling.

Is the price per dumbbell or per pair?

Per pair. The 2kg pair at $23 is two 2kg dumbbells, 4kg in total.

How long do light dumbbells take to arrive?

Dispatch is usually within 1 to 3 business days from an Australian supplier warehouse, and metro delivery usually takes 2 to 7 business days after that. Regional and remote areas take longer.

Related Guides

• Light Dumbbells for Rehab and Pilates: More detail on rehab and class use.
• Dumbbells for Seniors: Weights and exercises for over 60s.
• Dumbbell Weight Guide: Starting weights by exercise.
• Arm Toning at Home: A routine for the light pairs.
• Pilates Equipment at Home: What else a home Pilates setup needs.