Dumbbells are an excellent investment for people who want to stay in shape, but might be limited on space for larger pieces of workout equipment. We set out to unearth some of the most hidden secrets about American made dumbbells, and honestly, we got what we wanted. Whether you’re an exercise enthusiast or getting back into shape, the findings outlined below are enough to get you a great set of dumbbells.
Complete List of Dumbbell Brands Made in the USA
Having been in the market for more than 25 years, PowerBlock has created a dumbbell, ideal for those who need a space-saving design. Though their rectangular profile may seem a bit unusual, PowerBlock has created adjustable dumbbells, meaning you can just add more weight to one block rather than having several different-sized dumbells in your home. They just measure 12″L x 6″ W x 6″ H.
This adjustable dumbbell is designed to meet the varying demands of workout routines and is ideal for someone looking for something simple. Unlike other adjustable dumbbells, they don’t rely on a dial system to set and change weight. There is a small plastic slide on the left side of the dumbbell that you use to switch positions and pick up more or less weight. It takes about 2 seconds to adjust, rather than having to remove and add weight plates manually.
If you want weights that are easy to transition, PowerBlock has you covered. The weights range from 5-50 lbs. but are adjustable to 70 and 90 lbs. On the downside, the USA Elite Series is the only model that is made in the USA by PowerBlock, their other models are made elsewhere.
Iron Grip dumbbells have a commercial quality, making them ideal for gyms and clubs. The comfy look of these selectorized dumbbells may fool you into thinking they won’t give the desired results. But they are super high quality and come with different weight levels to give you a full-body dumbbell workout plan.
Regardless of your workout goals, Iron Grip dumbbells should work well for most folks and your goals, whether growing your biceps or burning fat.
Moving on to the heads, these dumbbells have solid steel heads drilled and bored precisely for tolerance and to resist rolling across the floor or off the benches. Iron Grip urethane-encased dumbbells come in three handle styles: the straight handle (undisputedly the bestselling type), XL handle for athletic training, and contour handle for people who value comfort.
The steel handles of these dumbbells are ergonomically designed for efficiency and added comfort. Unfortunately, there isn’t a checkout experience on the Iron Grip website, so you need to contact them about prices and ordering.
Golden Foundry, the parent company of Goldens’ Cast Iron, has been operating for almost 150 years, effectively gaining the experience needed to manufacture quality weight and gym equipment.
Their dumbbells are designed to withstand daily wear and tear or being tossed on the ground, and they’re made to last for years. The dumbbells feature a smooth sand-textured grip for added comfort and high performance. Goldens’ Cast Iron has tried to set itself apart from its competition by making it easy to change from one weight level to the other and how their weights can increase.
Available in 10 different sizes from 5 lbs. to 50 lbs. in 5-lb increments, these dumbbells are suitable for most folks unless you need serious weight for more powerlifting exercises. However, Goldens’ Cast Iron dumbbells cost varies greatly for a pair. It’s a serious investment, but they’re designed to last a lifetime and contain no plastic.
Micro Gainz makes fractional weight plates in very small increments and has some adjustable dumbbells that you can load up with their custom plates.
Biggins Iron has some basic dumbbells made in the USA for light lifters. They only come in 5lb, 10lb, and 15lb dumbbells. However, if that’s all you need, these dumbbells are affordable and a decent option.
Weight It Out makes loadable adjustable dumbbells using their signature thin plates. These dumbbells are great if you need a setup that can go up or down in small increments. The plates and dumbbell bars are sold separately, though, so make sure to add both to your cart.
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Dumbbells
How To Find Dumbbells Made in The USA
If you’re just getting into weightlifting or are looking at restocking your gym, chances are you want the dumbbell to be of good quality that doesn’t rust or break. You can’t always attest to the quality of a product when it’s made abroad. So, finding dumbbells made in the USA is one way to ensure you get equipment that will last. It comes with the added plus of supporting your local economy.
But with most production taking place abroad, it’s becoming harder to find American made products. Here are our tips for finding dumbbells made in the USA.
What Does “Made in the USA” Mean?
To find dumbbells made in the USA, you must first understand what it means for a product to be made in the USA. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), when a product uses the “made in the USA” label, it must be “all or virtually all” made in the United States. This means everything from sourcing the raw materials to the actual manufacturing of the product must occur in the United States. So, for example, if the dumbbell is assembled in the USA with foreign materials, it is not “made in the USA.”
To learn more about the FTC’s standards, check out our “made in the USA” labeling guide.
Materials
The first step to finding dumbbells made in the USA is to find where the materials come from. By doing so, you can get an idea of whether a product is really made in the United States.
Dumbbells are commonly made from cast iron and mild steel. Sometimes these dumbbells can come coated with rubber or neoprene.
Steel
China produces more than half of the world’s steel, making it the largest producer of this material. India and Japan follow closely as the other two major steel manufacturers. The USA doesn’t fall too far behind, coming in fourth.
Although imported steel is often cheaper and more attractive to manufacturers looking to cut costs, American-made steel is three times stronger than Chinese-made steel. So, if you’re looking for a quality dumbbell, you must ensure that it is made from US steel.
Iron
Iron is a popular material for dumbbells because of its strength. While Australia is the world’s largest iron ore supplier, followed by Brazil and China, the US still produces some. But it’s worth mentioning that the USA does not produce as much as these other countries, so finding US-made iron may be a more difficult task than steel. So if you are after a caste Iron dumbbell, just make sure to double-check the country of origin before purchasing.
Rubber
Many dumbbells come wrapped in rubber to provide a softer feel on the hands and allow for brighter-colored dumbbells. The USA produces only a tiny percentage of global natural rubber compared to other countries like Thailand. Instead, you should look for synthetic rubber, which the US ranks as one of the top producers of. Around 35 million tons of rubber are produced annually in the United States, of which two-thirds are synthetic. So, synthetic is your best bet when looking for rubber dumbbells made in the USA.
Labeling
When looking for dumbbells made in the USA, you must read the labels on the product. Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the United States Code states that all imported products must be labeled as such. This law helps us weed out the dumbbells that are made abroad. And to help us find US-made products, the FTC protects the “made in the USA” label.
However, it’s worth mentioning that there is no pre-approval process for the “made in the USA” label, which some companies may take advantage of. While misleading use of the phrase “made in the USA” is prohibited by law and, if caught, can result in penalties, the FTC does not do a very good job policing the use of this term. Therefore, it is up to the consumer to report any incorrect label use. The FTC does investigate complaints of misleading labeling and will take action when necessary.
You should also watch out for misleading language such as “assembled in the USA” or “designed in the USA.” These terms do not mean that the products are entirely made in the United States. Also, be wary of phrases like “made in America,” as they are sometimes used to trick consumers into thinking the product is made in the USA. However, America can also refer to Canada or Mexico.
One final thing to watch out for is the American flag sticker. American flags on labels are not regulated, so just because you see an American flag does not automatically mean that the product is made in the USA.
Other Tips
Here are some more tips to help you find dumbbells made in the USA.
Check Out The Company’s Website
Visiting a company’s website is a good way of getting to know the business and its products. You can find out more about their products and how they are manufactured, usually under the About Us section of a website. Since “made in the USA” is a huge selling point, companies will usually proudly display this on their website.
On the other hand, if the product is made abroad, you’ll be more likely not to see the country of origin. Companies are not required to state the country of origin regarding online or promotional materials, so silence speaks volumes in this case!
Call The Company
If there is no information on the website about their products, you can call the company directly and ask them. A representative should be able to answer your questions.
Dumbbells Not Made in the USA
See below the full list of dumbbells not made in the USA that we discovered during our research. We’ll continue to update this list as we find more.
- Rogue Fitness – Only their “Loadable Dumbbells” are made in the USA. It’s not clear where dumbbells not made in the USA are manufactured.
- Bowflex – Made in China.
- CAP Barbell – Made in China.
- Gungnir – Made in Scandinavia.
Outfitting your home gym? Check out our other guides.
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- Weight bench manufacturers in the USA
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- Resistance bands manufacturers in the USA
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