Build Muscle and Get Stronger With These Trainer-Approved Light Hand Weights

You may already have the best dumbbells in your home gym and even upgraded your workout space with the best home gym equipment, but a good set of light hand weights can take a low-key workout to the next level. But before you start adding hand weights to your cart, we chatted with trainers to get the scoop on finding the perfect fit for you and your workout needs.

We’re talking about light, less than 5-lb weights here. There are a lot of benefits to adding hand weights to your routine. Incorporating them into your workout can help tone and build muscle, increase endurance and strength, and work your heart, explains Denise Chakoian, boutique fitness consultant, cancer exercise specialist, and owner and founder of CORE Cycle.Fitness.Lagree.

Plus, just like increasing pace or incline, adding extra weight to your workout can increase your calorie burn and overall energy expenditure, said Melody Zoller, N.A.S.M., C.P.T., C.F.S.C., training and programming manager at obé Fitness.

Adding this kind of light resistance to your sculpt, barre, or pilates workouts in between heavier lifting days is a great way to amp up your workout. “This equipment selection is ideal for any exercises that focus more on muscular endurance, as opposed to strength or power,” Zoller says. And when it comes to cardio, Zoller says dance cardio or boxing are great workouts to add light hand weights to.

Even if you’re someone who enjoys a nice walking workout, a light hand weight can increase the awareness and challenge in your upper body, lower body, and even your core, says Laura Wilson, celebrity pilates trainer and founder of Natural Pilates studios and Natural Pilates TV. “Walking is a great exercise to increase bone strength and the weights will add a challenge to the upper body as well,” she says.

How we chose the best hand weights

We consulted Chakoian, Zoller, Wilson, the Good Housekeeping Institute who tests countless products to ensure a fair and accurate representation of each item, and reviewers who have shared some of their own insights, to round up the best light hand weights available.

Our top picks