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Best Vertical Dumbbell Racks For Small Home Gyms

  • By Kate Moore
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  • This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my full disclosure.

Dumbbells are the perfect piece of equipment to get a full-body exercise in a small amount of space. As you get stronger and move up in weight, you’ll quickly find that larger and larger dumbbells accumulate. Before you know it, the smaller weights are collecting dust in a pile, and the heavier weights are harder to get to!

Enter–vertical dumbbell racks!

Dumbbell tree racks are perfect for tiny apartments, small garage gyms, or even larger houses that want to feel more organized.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best vertical dumbbell racks around for your small gym.

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS  
lightweight dumbbell weight rack
Titan
  • Affordable price
  • Limited capacity
  • Designed for studio neoprene dumbbells
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small a-frame dumbbell rack
Body-Solid
  • Sturdy and durable
  • Holds six dumbbells of up to 35 pounds in weight each
  • Assembly may be slightly confusing for some
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a-frame vertical dumbbell rack
CAP Barbell
  • Sturdy and compact
  • Weight capacity of 200 pounds
  • Multiple color options
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dumb bell weight set with vertical rack
CAP Barbell
  • The set includes five pairs of dumbbells and an A-frame rack
  • The rubber coating allows for a firm grip
  • The rack provides easy accessibility
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Dumbbell Racks Explained

Dumbbells are some of the most recognizable and popular exercise methods to build strength. Integrating dumbbells into your exercise routine has other beneficial effects. These include greater stabilization, controlling body fat, and increasing natural hormones like the human growth hormone and testosterone.

There are many upper body workouts and lower body workouts that can be accomplished with dumbbells. Flexibility is another great reason to invest in dumbbells. Dumbbells increase in price as they grow in weight. This means that the average price depends on your own training goals.

There are two common types of dumbbell racks: A-Frame and 3 Tier Frame. A-Frame racks are more suitable out of the two for smaller and lighter weights. The 3 Tier Frame is larger in size and can hold larger weight sizes. This type of dumbbell rack is also offered in an angled or straight design.

Although you may be tempted to build your own DIY dumbbell rack, purchasing a commercial one is just easier. High-end steel and professional architectural design will ensure that your dumbbells are securely stored in a small space without the hassle of building your own.

home dumbbell exercise

Choosing The Correct Dumbbell Rack

There are specific steps to take when choosing the right dumbbell stand. The first one is always checking how much floor space is available in your home gym. You want to utilize as little as possible to allow ample room for exercising. The size you choose also depends on how many weights you intend to store and their types.

A rack that is designed for versatile dumbbell types is another crucial factor. Different dumbbells are used in various circumstances. A studio class versus a public gym and different kinds of workouts are some examples.

Popular Types of Dumbbells

You may be looking at dumbbell racks, but what kind of dumbbells should you put on it?

Fixed Dumbbells

One common dumbbell is the fixed rubber dumbbell. This is due to their high-end durability and inability to be adjusted. They can also better withstand daily use. Fixed dumbbells made of urethane are less vulnerable to cosmetic damage and do not mark up the gym floor as much. These will require heavier racks.

Studio Dumbbells

Lighter dumbbells that enjoy popularity are studio dumbbells. These are perfect for beginners. Instead of the usual steel, these use rubber or neoprene handles, making them easy to grip and more compact to store. Kettlebells are also extremely compact. They are designed as only a ball with a top handle. While some are made from steel, kettlebells are highly versatile and perfect for a home gym.

studio dumbbell rack

Constructing Your Own DIY Dumbbell Rack

If you are an avid weight enthusiast, you most likely have a collection of diverse dumbbells and barbells.

Buying a rack that is large and sturdy may be preferable in this case. A lot of time and effort is going to go into building your own rack which might better be spent in the weight room!

A steel rack is worth the purchase because of its high quality and longer lifespan compared to wood. Of course, a DIY rack can support dumbbells with the right construction. But, as your collection grows, you may enjoy the matching look of a professionally-crafted dumbbell rack.

Dumbbells vs. Barbells: What’s the Difference?

Why buy dumbbells, to begin with? If you are an exercise novice, you should understand what equipment works best for you. Barbells are common in weight training, but dumbbells are an alternative that can be more precise and effective.

Dumbbells are preferable to barbells for several reasons. One reason is that they are unilateral. This means that you can exercise one side of your body more so than the other. Barbells, on the other hand, require both arms and shoulders to work at the same time. This poses an issue if one part of the body must be exercised more.

Another factor to consider is safety. Dumbbells, on average, are safer since their weights are limited. On the other hand, barbells can be loaded much heavier and thus carry greater risk. This proves that they are geared towards an expert weight-lifter instead of the average person.

Barbells achieve more significant weight progress. Even so, dumbbells allow for a more strategic approach to exercising. Dumbbells also minimize joint pain and are more useful for rehabilitation needs.

dumbbell lunge

Why Vertical Dumbbell Racks Are Worth the Money

Vertical dumbbell racks specifically serve to save space compared to their horizontal counterparts. When their design is observed, you can see that vertical racks can be considered safer than horizontal ones. A vertical rack can be pushed into a corner of the room where there is less risk bumping into it.

The average vertical dumbbell rack costs around $100. This may be pricey, especially when contrasted with the total costs of building your own rack.

If the price is a put-off, recall the safety that a professionally-constructed rack offers in securely keeping each dumbbell in place.

The four vertical dumbbell racks reviewed in this article are all geared towards storing specific kinds of dumbbells.

4 Best Vertical Dumbbell Racks

Commercial dumbbell racks are more attractive and a safer option than building a DIY one depending on the construction. There are many designs and kinds to choose from. Taking into account floor space and the type of dumbbells you use are the most critical factors.

The following product reviews provide a well-rounded and unbiased assessment of vertical dumbbell racks that can upgrade your home gym immediately.

titan fitness lightweight vertical dumbbell rack for a small home gymTitan Fitness: Lightweight Dumbbell Tree

The Lightweight Dumbbell Tree from Titan Fitness is designed to store studio neoprene dumbbells in small spaces for easy access. Its specifications are 20 pounds in weight, 48 inches in height, 22.5 inches in length, and an overall width of 14 inches.

This dumbbell tree is perfect for the person who exercises lightly or the novice in weight training. Even so, the tree is limited in the number of slots that can hold dumbbells and in its small size. Some people have reviewed how easy it is to assemble the Lightweight Dumbbell Tree. Others lament that it is not so durable.

On average, this product is a budget choice compared to other vertical racks. It’s more of a basic rack, but if you’re looking to save a little bit of money, it may be the right choice.

Main Takeaways:

  • Affordable price
  • Limited capacity
  • Designed for studio neoprene dumbbells
  • Sturdy enough for its size

body solid vertical dumbbell rack

Body-Solid: Vertical Dumbbell Rack

The Body-Solid Vertical Dumbbell Rack is designed to hold six dumbbells weighing up to 35 pounds. Its specifications are 17 inches in length, 27 inches in width, 44 inches in height, and 31 pounds in weight.

This rack, made of heavy-gauge steel, is sufficiently durable and cannot be easily worn down. Most hex dumbbells of either rubber or cast iron are suitable to store on the product.

People boast that the Body-Solid Vertical Dumbbell Rack is an industrial strength system that provides convenient, safe, and fast access. You may find that this rack is a little more difficult to assemble, but it does come with extra touch-up paint.

There were some concerns that the rack’s slots do not allow neoprene weights to be fully pushed in but only go so far as to fit securely and not fall.

Main Takeaways:

  • Sturdy and durable
  • Holds six dumbbells of up to 35 pounds in weight each
  • Assembly may be slightly confusing for some
  • Touch-up paint provided to preserve the rack’s quality

a frame vertical dumbbell rackCAP Barbell: A-Frame Dumbbell Rack

The CAP Barbell A-Frame Dumbbell Rack is offered in multiple color options. It can hold up to five pairs of dumbbells and boasts a weight capacity of 200 pounds. Steel tubing contributes to the rack’s durability and safety, aptly securing each dumbbell. The specifications are 15 inches in length, 13 inches in width, and 26 inches in height.

Customers laud this product for its simultaneous affordability and reliability. However, one concern is the spacing between each 25-pound weight. When you use it, you may find that the dumbbells knock together.

Still, the verdict was that the CAP Barbell A-Frame Dumbbell Rack is a convenient and useful product for any home gym.

Main Takeaways:

  • Sturdy and compact
  • Weight capacity of 200 pounds
  • Multiple color options
  • Problems with spacing between weight slots

large a-frame vertical dumbbell rack

CAP Barbell: 150-Pound Dumbbell Set with Rack

The CAP Barbell 150-Pound Dumbbell Set with Rack includes five pairs of rubber-coated dumbbells. They range from 5 to 25 pounds, and a bonus A-frame rack is included. This product’s specifications are 15 inches in length, 13 inches in width, 26 inches in height, and 11.85 pounds in weight.

The assembly of this rack is a little easier, and it should only take you around ten to fifteen minutes if you’ve got a set of pliers with you. Initially, the rack may have an oily texture, but that should fade with regular use.

Overall, this is a set you don’t want to miss out on. The value is in its easy accessibility and a firm grip on the dumbbells. The last thing you want while you’re working out is to feel as if your grip is constantly slipping on the dumbbells.

Main Takeaways:

  • The set includes five pairs of dumbbells and an A-frame rack
  • The rubber coating allows for a firm grip
  • The rack provides easy accessibility
  • Customers contend it is worth the price

Final Thoughts

It can thus be seen that vertical dumbbell racks are necessary for a well-organized home gym. It is important to take into account small spaces and overall home safety. Investing in a dumbbell set and rack for your residence will protect you from germs in public gyms. Cleanliness is a priority when considering the coronavirus pandemic.

For studio dumbbells that beginners often use, the Lightweight Dumbbell Tree is the best option. The Body-Solid Vertical Dumbbell Rack and the CAP Barbell A-Frame Dumbbell Rack are more robust and sturdier.

The CAP Barbell 150-Pound Dumbbell Set with Rack is the best option of these four due to rubber-coated dumbbells included in the packaging. The CAP Barbell Racks, as a brand, offer higher weight capacities, appealing to the weight-training enthusiast.