Benefits of Homemade Dumbbells
The benefits of homemade weights are that they are cost effective and customizable according to your fitness level. Follow the steps on how to make homemade weights.
Steps on How to Make Homemade Weights
Water Bottle Weights
Making weights with water bottles is one of the easiest ways to create homemade dumbbells. Here are the steps that you can follow:
- Take two large plastic water bottles.
- Fill them with water, sand or pebbles, until they are your desired weight.
- Make sure to weigh correctly using a scale so that the weights are the same for both hands.
- Tighten the caps and seal them with duct tape to prevent leaks.
- For added grip, wrap the body of the bottles with more tape or cloth.
Milk Jug Weights
Similarly to the above weights, old milk jugs can be turned into homemade weights.
- The first step is to clean the jugs and remove the labels on them.
- Fill each of the jugs with materials such as water, sand or rocks.
- Using a scale, make sure that the weight in both the jugs is uniform.
- Close the lids tightly and secure them with duct tape.
Sandbag Weights
Sandbags can be a great substitute option for commercial weights.
- Grab a sugar or rice shipping bag, or an old duffle bag.
- Fill the bag with sand till you have reached the desired weight.
- At the top of the bag tie a loop for your hand.
- Use a rope or duct tape to secure the loop so it doesn’t detach.
- Weigh the sandbags to ensure they're at your preferred weight.
DIY Kettlebells Weight
Kettlebells don't have to be expensive and you can make your own with a few simple items.
- Take an old basketball and drill a big hole enough to fit a funnel inside it.
- Place the funnel inside the ball and fill it with sand or pebbles till you have reached the desired weight.
- Use a bike tire patch kit to secure the hole, or just cover it with duct tape.
Safety Tips
When making and using homemade weights, safety should always be a priority. Make sure that all weights are secured and sealed correctly to avoid any injuries.
Make sure that the weights are balanced on both sides, using a weighing scale. Imbalanced weights can hinder your workout.
With these simple ideas, you can quickly create homemade weights that help you maintain your fitness routine without spending money.