The Rogue Loadable Dumbbells are some of the best training options we’ve seen and are an excellent investment for any home gym setup.
- Excellent Quality
- Well-Designed Handles
- Good Adjustability
- Suitable Weight Range
- Need to buy plates
- Can limit range of movement
- No rubber finish
Rogue Loadable Dumbbells Overview
The Rogue Loadable Dumbbells are a pair of Olympic dumbbell handles that can be loaded with your own weights.
This is a great way to save money on a rack of dumbbells, with weight plates you already have, so you can adjust your dumbbell weight.
However, it does require having your own plates. The use of full-sized Olympic bumper plates can be a problem, too, since the huge size may limit the range of motion. Overall, these are perfect for smaller, metal plates with a standard 2-inch Olympic configuration.
The Rogue Loadable Dumbbells are a great investment for adding a range of extra options to your training but do rely on the equipment you already have. This is why we awarded them the title of “Best Loadable Dumbbells” in our Best Adjustable Dumbbells Buying Guide.
If your garage gym is built around weightlifting and good plates, these could be the perfect adjustable dumbbells for you.
Not sure about the different types of dumbbells, then check out our guide on how to buy the best dumbbells for your home gym.
Who Should Buy the Rogue Loadable Dumbbells
The Rogue Loadable Dumbbells are an excellent investment for anyone with a strong home gym setup that focuses on barbells.
It’s a way of expanding your training options without much expense, using the kit you already have.
Specifically, anyone using small metal plates will see tons of benefits from this product, even more so with fractional plates from 1lb (0.5kg), which allows for the best dumbbell training experience on the market.
It’s a great set for strength training, mainly due to this ability to progress and the metal cuff design.
Why You Should Buy the Rogue Loadable Dumbbells
The design of an adjustable dumbbell is a great way to save money and space.
Rather than buying a full rack for thousands of dollars, you can purchase handles and use your own plates for the resistance.
This typically saves $500-1500 over a set of dumbbells.
The Rogue DB-10 is incredibly cheap, while the Rogue DB-15 is slightly more expensive but still great value.
These are even considerably cheaper than the Nuobell (also sold by Rogue), which is the selectorized version.
This makes the DB-10 and DB-15 some of the most cost-effective training options on the market. These are an affordable way to add hundreds of dumbbell exercises to your training roster if you already have plates.
High Quality Handles
The Rogue Loadable Dumbbells‘ handles are very well made.
Unlike many on the market, Rogue’s DB models are made with the same exacting durability and specifications you’d expect from the main supplier of CrossFit gyms and the CrossFit games.
The cuffs are well-made and offer rotation, an excellent benefit for dumbbell training. This is useful for reducing the stress on the wrists and making training simpler.
Of course, you shouldn’t ignore grip training, but rotating cuffs make it a lesser issue for presses and other exercises.
This durability pays off in longevity and quality. It feels better to use the DB-10 and DB-15 than most handles on the market, and they provide a great feeling in hand.
The cuffs are good, the handles are balanced, and the knurling is nice.
Good Adjustability and Weight Range
The final and most obvious benefit is the adjustability of these dumbbells.
Rogue Loadable Dumbbells offer a way to train and load more effectively than the Nuobell adjustable dumbbells or a standard “molded” set of dumbbells.
With the opportunity to add change plates at your own convenience, the DB-10 and DB-15 are some of the best training options on the market. They offer a level of nuanced progression that no other dumbbells offer.
While most sets use small increments from 5 to 25lbs, this set allows you to load 2lbs at a time if you have the right plates.
So instead of having to jump from 40 to 50lbs, as many dumbbells, you can jump from 40 to 42, to 44, and so on.
This smaller jump is perfect for serious trainees looking to progress as smoothly and consistently as possible.
In addition, it allows for the best training results – which is absolutely crucial for any piece of fitness equipment.
This doesn’t come without limitations – as we’ll see – but it’s a huge benefit that only plate-loaded dumbbell handles really offer.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy the Rogue Loadable Dumbbells
The plate demands of this product are huge compared to selectorized dumbbells.
Therefore, you need to actually have the plates already or be willing to buy them specifically for use with this product.
The standard use is smaller metal plates. These – which often include 5kg/11lbs plates – are great. However, larger plates will be challenging to use since they reduce the range of motion.
This means you need multiple sets of smaller plates to make the most of the DB-10 and DB-15 range.
This can be a limitation unless you’re either willing to grow your plate collection with your strength or already possess the right plates.
However, these are far cheaper per lb than your average bumper plate you’d use for barbell training, which is a major benefit.
No-Rubber Finish (and Risk of Impact)
The actual construction of the Rogue Loadable Dumbbells, just like the selectorized version, also leads to some limitations.
While a hex, the rubberized dumbbell is very hard-wearing and can be thrown about, these are a little more fragile.
The durability and build quality are excellent, but they still involve more moving parts and metal-on-metal contact.
Integral dumbbells don’t have this problem, which is why they can be used for things like renegade rows, dumbbell snatches, and other exercises where they contact the floor.
If you’re using these dumbbells – or the Nuobell, for that matter – you’re limited. You don’t want to put repeated impact forces through these dumbbells.
This makes them a great choice for strength training but does limit their use in functional fitness and CrossFit-style workouts.
As a Rogue product, it’s clear that this can be a limitation for many potential users!
Rogue Loadable Dumbbells FAQs
What is the difference between the Rogue DB-10 and DB-15 Dumbbells?
The number refers to the weight of the handle.
The Rogue DB-10 weighs 10lbs and has a loadable length of 3.625 inches.
The Rogue DB-15 weighs 15lbs and has a loadable length of 6.75 inches.
Are Adjustable Dumbbells a Good Investment?
Yes, without a doubt.
Adjustable dumbbells open up the world of free weight training in a way that almost nothing else can.
Adjustable dumbbells are part of the best setup you could hope for in a home gym, offering the versatility of a rack full of dumbbells.
But, of course, they also cut the cost and space demands, making them perfect for any fitness enthusiast looking to save thousands of dollars!
After a barbell and plates, they’re the best weight investment for your home gym, offering a wide range of exercises at a reasonable price point.
The adjustable dumbbell saves you the expense of a whole rack of dumbbells while still allowing you the versatility to change weight during a workout.
This is much better than the cost of an entire rack of dumbbells or buying a few dumbbells and limiting your training process.
Adjustable dumbbells also save you a ton of space, as well as a ton of money. They are not only $$$ to $$$$ cheaper than racks but take up no more space than the largest selectorized dumbbell.
This makes them perfect for home gyms and easy to stuff into attics, basements, and garages without needing space for a dumbbell rack.
Adjustable dumbbells are also great for using multiple weights in training without mess or safety risks, unlike preset or ‘integral’ dumbbells. It’s as simple as adding weight in the selector or removing it and doesn’t leave plates all over the floor.
Overall, the idea of an adjustable dumbbell is to fit multiple dumbbells into one.
This saves you the immense inconvenience and cost of buying multiples. You’ll also find that adjustable dumbbells are inexpensive one by one, often competing with premium dumbbells for a single set.
Can you get a good workout with Adjustable Dumbbells?
Yes. Yes, you can.
While some models might limit some movements, overall, just like dumbells in general, adjustable dumbells are excellent for home workouts.
Check out our guide to the best dumbbell workout you can do at home to learn more.
Rogue Loadable Dumbbells Key Takeaway
The Rogue DB-10 and DB-15 are some of the best training options we’ve seen if you have the right kit for them.
If not, investing in some more metal plates can still save you tons of money over a set of rubberized, integral dumbbells.
The Rogue Loadable Dumbbells are some of the best training options we’ve seen and are an excellent investment for any home gym setup.
- Excellent Quality
- Well-Designed Handles
- Good Adjustability
- Suitable Weight Range
- Need to buy plates
- Can limit range of movement
- No rubber finish
