Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Dumbbells I Actually Use in My Backyard Gym Setup
30
items Working out at home but stuck inside a dark garage? I dragged my weights to the yard and never looked back. If you want to lift outside without worrying about rust, cracking concrete, or dumbbells that look like they belong in a prison yard, this lis...
Sections
6
Rubber Coated Dumbbells That Survive Rain and Sun
Adjustable Dumbbells for Small Outdoor Spaces
Neoprene Dumbbells for Lighter Outdoor Workouts
Heavy Duty Dumbbells for Serious Backyard Training
Dumbbell Storage That Works Outdoors
Accessories for Outdoor Dumbbell Workouts
Rubber Coated Dumbbells That Survive Rain and Sun
Left a pair of cast iron dumbbells on my patio for one summer. They turned into rust sculptures. These are the ones that actually held up through weather without looking trashed.
Grab a pair if you need something you can literally leave on wet grass and not panic about. I tossed mine around all last summer and the coating still looks solid. Great for anyone building a backyard setup on a budget.
Amazon Basics Rubber Hex Dumbbell Hand Weight
Use these for farmer carries across the lawn. The hex shape means they stay put when you set them down on uneven ground, which saved me from chasing a rolling dumbbell into my neighbor's flower bed more than once.
Cap Barbell Set of 2 Hex Rubber Dumbbells
Splurged on these after my cheaper set started flaking rubber chips all over the patio. Six months in the sun and zero peeling. For anyone who's tired of picking black rubber bits out of the grass.
Rogue Rubber Hex Dumbbells Review | Tested & Rated
Toss these in a corner of your deck and forget about them. Rain, sprinklers, morning dew. Nothing phases the coating. Perfect if you're the type who works out early before the neighborhood wakes up.
Marcy Rubber Hex Dumbbell Pair - 5lb
Picked these up when everything else was sold out and honestly they surprised me. Solid grip, no weird chemical smell like some rubber coated ones. Stock up on a few weight ranges while they're available.
Amazon Basics Rubber Hex Dumbbell Hand Weight
Adjustable Dumbbells for Small Outdoor Spaces
My backyard is basically a postage stamp. Storing ten pairs of dumbbells out there was never going to work, so I went adjustable and got my patio back.
Switch weights in about two seconds by turning the dial. I keep mine under a patio table cover when I'm done. If you only have room for one set of dumbbells outside, this is the move.
BowFlex Results Series SelectTech Dumbbells
Bring these out to the yard and you've got 5 to 50 lbs without cluttering your whole deck. The square shape means they won't roll into your garden beds. Learned that lesson the hard way with round ones.
PowerBlock Elite EXP 90 Adjustable Dumbbells
Keep these in the garage and carry them out when the weather's nice. The adjustment mechanism clicks firmly so nothing rattles mid-curl. For anyone who wants a clean patio that doubles as a gym.
NordicTrack 55 lb Select-a-Weight Dumbbell Pair
Try these if the Bowflex price tag makes you wince. They go up to 71.5 lbs and the plates lock in tight. I've been pressing these on my back porch since March with zero issues.
ATIVAFIT Adjustable Dumbbells Set
Swap weight with one hand, which matters when you're sweaty and standing in direct sunlight. Compact enough to store in a deck box. Wish I'd found these before buying three separate dumbbell pairs.
MX Select MX55 Adjustable Dumbbells Review
Neoprene Dumbbells for Lighter Outdoor Workouts
Not every backyard session needs to be heavy lifting. Sometimes I just want to do some shoulder work while watching the kids play. These are the lighter ones I reach for.
Get the color coded set so you can grab the right weight without squinting in the sun. I leave these on my porch steps and they wipe clean in seconds after a dusty workout.
set active
Pair these with a yoga mat on the lawn for morning circuits. The neoprene stays comfortable even when it's cold out. Perfect for anyone who likes light weights with high reps outside.
Portzon Dumbbells Weights 10 Color Options
Use these for walking lunges across the yard. They're small enough to fit in a garden basket when you're done, which my wife appreciates because she doesn't want gym equipment next to her tomato plants.
SPRI Dumbbells Hand Weights Set of 2
Toss these in a tote bag and bring them to the park. Seriously. They're light, they won't scratch a picnic table, and the grip doesn't get slippery when your hands sweat. Great for outdoor fitness classes too.
Gaiam Dumbbell Hand Weight (Sold in Singles)
Try these if you want one pair that covers multiple light weights without buying five separate sets. The plates click on and off easily even with sweaty hands. Saves a ton of storage space on a small patio.
Nice C Adjustable Dumbbells, Neoprene Hand Weights
Heavy Duty Dumbbells for Serious Backyard Training
Once I got comfortable lifting outside, I wanted heavier options that wouldn't destroy my patio pavers. These are built tough but won't crack your concrete.
Dropped a 60 pounder on my patio stones and not even a scratch. The rubber base absorbed everything. If you're doing heavy sets outside and don't want to explain cracks to your landlord, start here.
Rep Fitness 55lb-75 lb Dumbbell Set- Rubber Hex
Swap to these from rubber if you're serious about outdoor lifting. Urethane handles UV exposure way better and won't fade or crack after a summer in the sun. Worth every penny for a permanent backyard gym.
Rogue Dumbbells
Keep these on a rack under a pergola and they look like they belong in a real gym. The contoured handles feel great even when it's humid and your grip is questionable. For anyone going heavy outside regularly.
Pro-Style Dumbbell Sets by Troy Barbell
Use these for floor presses on the grass. They're round so they sit a little higher off the ground, which actually helps with wrist positioning. Just make sure your lawn is level or they'll slowly roll away.
Body Solid Iron SDPS550 Rubber Round Dumbbell 5-50 lb
Grabbed the 40s and 50s for my backyard rack. The knurling on the handle is aggressive enough to hold grip when it's 90 degrees out. Been using them since last July and the rubber hasn't degraded at all.
XMark 550lb Dumbbell Set, 5-50lb Weights
Dumbbell Storage That Works Outdoors
Piling dumbbells on the grass looked terrible and my wife almost tripped on a 30 pounder. Finding storage that handles weather was harder than I expected.
Set this up on my covered patio and it holds everything from 5s to 50s without wobbling. The steel hasn't rusted yet and it's been through two rainy seasons. Just keep it under some kind of overhang.
Marcy 3-Tier Dumbbell Rack Weight Storage
Fits in the corner of a deck perfectly. I wedge it between the grill and the railing and it doesn't take up any real space. For anyone whose partner has opinions about gym equipment being visible.
CAP Barbell A-Frame Dumbbell Rack, Black
Try this if you've got a bigger collection. It holds a full set without sagging in the middle like cheaper racks do. Sturdy enough that I don't worry about it tipping when I grab weights in a hurry.
XMARK 3-Tier Dumbbells Weight Storage Rack
Not technically a dumbbell rack but I store my adjustable set and neoprene dumbbells in here. Keeps them dry, out of sight, and it looks like normal patio furniture. My neighbors have no idea there's 100 lbs of iron in there.
Suncast Backyard Oasis Vertical Deck Box
Toss your lighter dumbbells in here after a session. It locks, it's waterproof, and it doubles as a bench. Bought this after a raccoon knocked over my dumbbell pile at 2am and woke up the whole street.
Keter Brightwood Outdoor Storage Deck Box
Accessories for Outdoor Dumbbell Workouts
Lifting on grass, dirt, or hot concrete taught me a few things. These accessories solved problems I didn't know I had until I started training outside consistently.
Lay this down on your patio before dropping anything heavy. Protects the surface and gives you a flat area when your yard slopes. I wish I'd bought this before I cracked my first paver.
Gorilla Mats Large Exercise Mat 6x4-10x4 ft
Pair these with lighter dumbbells for a full backyard circuit. They take up zero space and you can hang them on a fence hook between sets. Great warm up tool when it's chilly outside.
Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands
Wrap these on before heavy presses outside. When it's humid and your grip is slipping, these keep your wrists stable. Saved me from a sketchy situation with overhead presses on a sweaty August afternoon.
Harbinger Pro 20-Inch WristWraps with Thumb Loop
Use these when the sun has been baking your dumbbells all day and the handles feel like a hot pan. Also keeps your calluses from ripping during long outdoor sessions. Your hands will thank you.
Gymreapers Weight Lifting Grips (Pair) for Heavy
Ditch regular chalk unless you want white powder all over your patio furniture. This liquid version dries clear, improves grip in humid weather, and washes off easily. Grab it before your next summer workout.
EVMT Brands Liquid Chalk, Mess Free Gym