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CAP Barbell might not be your go-to brand when shopping for the best home gym equipment, but it’s a company that’s been around since the 90s and offers budget-friendly prices. In our CAP Barbell 150 pound dumbbell set review, we’ll give you an in-depth look at our hands-on testing experience on this set of dumbbells that is priced under $200. We’ll explain what we like about it and what to be wary of.
We’re OG Strength Equipment Testers
Our Garage Gym Reviews team of testers is made up of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, gym owners, and Olympic-level athletes. Our testers are not only charged with testing fitness equipment but using our collective knowledge of the fitness industry to help inform your decision-making. Our goal is to provide you with the most accurate and in-depth information on everything we test.
For this CAP Barbell 150-pound dumbbell set review, Lindsay Scheele, lead reviewer on Garage Gym Reviews Everything and ISSA-certified personal trainer, used the rubber hex dumbbells for shoulder raises, biceps curls, and overhead presses. She also used our detailed fitness equipment testing methodology to test a variety of categories and score each one on a 1 to 5 scale. Some of those categories include knurling, handle, durability, and overall value.
CAP Barbell Dumbbell Set
CAP Barbell 150-Pound Rubber Hex Dumbbell Set with Rack
Product Highlights
- Rubber coated hex dumbbell set
- Dumbbell pairs from 5 to 25 lbs
- Comes with alloy steel frame
- Durable design
- Ergonomic handles
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable dumbbell set
- Space-saving frame
- Rubber hex-shaped dumbbell heads
Cons
- Ships in seperate boxes
- Small weight range
- Frame may need to be tightened over time
Bottom Line
The CAP Barbell dumbbell set from 5 to 25 pounds is an ideal beginner weight set. The price point is also a steal for anyone new to strength training or setting up a home gym for the first time. The limited weight range may not suffice for experienced home gym owners or folks looking to increase strength with progressive overload principles.
A Quick Look at the CAP Barbell 150-Pound Dumbbell Set
CAP Barbell is a popular brand among home gym owners, especially folks looking for a good deal. However, CAP Barbell doesn’t sell directly to consumers, instead you can find CAP products on websites like Amazon and Walmart. The brand manufactures a wide range of strength training equipment ranging from weight plates and barbells to kettlebells and dumbbells.
Before You Buy
- This 150-lb dumbbell set comes with five pairs of dumbbells: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 lbs.
- Included in the price of the dumbbell set is a space-saving A-frame rack for storage.
- On Amazon there are several buying options. Be sure to double-check which set you’re selecting before going through the checkout process.
Is the CAP Barbell Dumbbell Set With Rack Worth It?
If you’re in the market for fixed dumbbells up to 25 pounds, this set is a steal. The price of a fixed-weight dumbbell set typically ranges from $1 to $3 per pound. This CAP Barbell 150-pound is priced under $200, which is just over $1 per pound. This is a solid deal, especially considering you’ll get an A-frame dumbbell rack with your purchase.
The same 150-pound dumbbell sets—featuring 5- to 25-pound weights—from brands like Rogue, REP, and Titan range from $280 to $400 without shipping. That said, if you’re looking for a larger weight range but still want to keep costs down, check out our best adjustable dumbbell roundup.
Great for:
- Free weight beginners
- Upper- or lower-body home workouts
- Low-impact workouts
Not recommended for:
- People who lift over 25 lbs frequently
- Load versatility
- Folks who prefer straight handles
CAP Barbell 150-Pound Hex Dumbbells Set Specs
| Price | Under $200 on Amazon |
| Weight range | Pairs of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 lbs |
| Handle | Ergonomic |
| Head | Hex; rubber coated |
| Knurling | Medium knurling |
| Frame dimensions | 14.4” L x 12.8” W x 26” H |
| Frame materials | Alloy steel |
| Warranty | 30 days |
Workout Experience with CAP Barbell Rubber Hex Dumbbell Set
Our tester, Lindsay, performed mostly upper-body movements with the CAP dumbbell set, including overhead presses, biceps curls, and shoulder raises. “Because the heaviest dumbbell in this set is 25 pounds, it’s ideal for anyone in the beginning of their fitness journey,” says Lindsay.
While Lindsay focused on upper-body movements, this set is perfectly suitable for dumbbell squats, deadlifts, lunges, and any other movement you feel comfortable performing with 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, or 25-pound dumbbells.
RELATED: Underrated Dumbbell Exercises
It’s also worth noting Lindsay performed some drop tests and is happy to report no dumbbells were damaged. “I tested the 5- and the 25-pound dumbbells from knee, waist, shoulder, and overhead heights. Neither of these dumbbells show scuffs or damage,” she says.
While the dumbbells didn’t break, Lindsay suggests not dropping these weights from shoulder or overhead height saying, “These weights bounced super high and could lead to an injury or damage to other equipment.”
Overall, the CAP dumbbell set earns a 4-out-of-5-star rating for workout performance. The dumbbells perform as you expect them to, but the grip, knurling, and overall durability led Lindsay to dock a point from her overall experience rating.
Dumbbell Weight Set Footprint
When it comes to the footprint, the CAP Barbell A-frame dumbbell rack will make storing all five pairs of dumbbells a cinch. The storage rack will take up less than 2 square feet of floor space and sit 26 inches high.
The frame is designed to be organized from lightest on top to the heaviest dumbbells on the bottom. Keep in mind each pair of dumbbells varies in size including length, height, and dumbbell head.
Durability and Construction
While a cast iron dumbbell is one of the most durable options you can buy for a home gym, a perk to buying rubber coated hex dumbbells is the fact the dumbbell head is protected, and so is your flooring in the event of a dumbbell drop.
RELATED: Best Home Gym Flooring
However, the CAP Barbell dumbbell set features dumbbell heads constructed from a gray iron1, which is not known for high tensile strength (the amount of stress that can be applied to metal before breaking). The handle on the other hand is made from cold rolled solid steel.
“This set seems durable so far and didn’t show any wear even after some major drop tests,” says Lindsay. Even so, Lindsay notes concerns about the materials and recommends not performing your own drop tests at home. The dumbbell set earns a 3.5-out-of-5-star rating for durability.
Lindsay mentions that during the testing process the team had to un-rack, move the frame, and re-rack the dumbbells around the warehouse several times. “They don’t show any signs of wear and tear,” says Lindsay. “Plus, they feel and look like your average hex-style dumbbell from Rogue or REP Fitness.”
RELATED: Rogue Dumbbells vs REP Dumbbells
Dumbbell Knurling
You will not find an edge to edge knurling on this dumbbell set. Instead, you will find a knurling pattern that covers the center of the handle, a ring of steel, an outer ring of knurling, followed by solid steel to the edge of the dumbbell head.
The product description says these CAP dumbbells offer a medium depth knurling, but Lindsay found it to be rather passive. However, the two small outer rings of knurling offer a slightly more aggressive knurling. Overall she gives knurling a 3.5-out-of-5-star rating.
RELATED: What Is Barbell Knurling?
“My preference is a more aggressive knurling,” says Lindsay. “But passive knurling offers a decent grip and enough freedom for explosive weightlifting movements like a dumbbell snatch or clean. Plus, chalk can help solidify your grip.”
Dumbbell Handle
The CAP Barbell 150-pound dumbbell set features ergonomic-style handles with a taper. The thickest diameter is in the middle and the handle tapers as it gets closer to the dumbbell heads.
Lindsay likes the ergonomic handles and says, “It makes gripping feel more natural.”
She also notes every pair of dumbbells in this set provides enough space between the dumbbell heads for a variety of hand sizes. “The spacing will work for nearly anyone. Plus the natural-feeling grip is ideal for pushing or pulling.”
Lindsay gives the handle a 4-out-of-5-star rating and docks a half point because she knows many of our GGR product testers (including myself) dislike ergonomic handles and prefer a straight handle with the same diameter from edge to edge.
CAP Barbell 150-lb Dumbbell Set vs Rogue Hex Dumbbells
Rogue Dumbbell
Rogue Dumbbells
Product Highlights
- 2.5 to 125-lb dumbbell weight range
- 3% (+/-) weight tolerance
- 25 mm handle diameter (up to 10 lbs)
- 35 mm handle diameter (12.5 lbs and above)
- Rubber encased hex heads
- Easy-grip, ergonomic chrome-plated handle
- Proprietary head to handle construction
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durable heavy-duty rubber heads
- Protects flooring
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- Shipping not included
- Proprietary construction
- Unclear warranty policy
Bottom Line
Rogue Dumbbells are sold in pairs and available in weights ranging from 2.5 to 125 lbs. This standard rubber hex design is a great, budget-priced option that still delivers on quality, performance, and longevity. The heavy-duty, rubber-encased heads minimize noise and limit wear and tear (to both the bells and your flooring), while the chrome-plated handle is ergonomically designed for a firm but comfortable feel in any grip style.
The CAP Barbell and Rogue hex dumbbells may look very similar, but there are some differences worth noting. First, Rogue manufactures equipment in the USA and products are made from high-quality materials in our experience.
Lindsay also notes there is a ton of brand recognition behind Rogue and she would personally choose Rogue over CAP Barbell if she was looking for the best dumbbells for her personal home gym. “However, if you aren’t concerned about branding, the CAP dumbbells are a great way to start a home gym and work into a new lifestyle of fitness,” she says.
Another major difference between the two options is the method of purchasing. Buying a CAP Barbell dumbbell set on Amazon is a bit more simple (as easy as one-click). On the Rogue website you will have to select your weights. Rogue sells its rubber coated hex dumbbells in increments of 2.5 pounds and sells them individually. If you were to buy the same weights (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 pounds) you’ll be spending about $280, not including shipping.
It’s worth noting that Rogue’s hex dumbbells feature a proprietary dumbbell head and handle construction. The website states the proprietary method ensures the head does not come loose.
| CAP Barbell | Rogue | |
| Price | Under $200 on Amazon | Varies per weight |
| Weight range | Pairs of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 lbs | 2.5-125 lbs |
| Handle | Ergonomic | Ergonomic chrome-plated |
| Head | Hex; rubber coated | Hex; rubber encased |
| Weight rack | Included | Not included |
Ordering the CAP Barbell 150-Pound Dumbbell Set
Since CAP Barbell doesn’t sell directly to customers, our team ordered the 150-pound dumbbell set from Amazon. Shipping was fast and free, and the order was eligible for a 30-day return.
Lindsay says unboxing the set of dumbbells was a timely process, but pretty straightforward. “The set was delivered in six separate boxes. One box for each pair of dumbbells and one more box for the weight rack,” says Lindsay. “Everything arrived fully intact and without damage.”
If you decide to make a return, you’ll navigate to the “return and orders” button on the top right corner of your Amazon browser to initiate the return process.
It’s worth noting that the manufacturer warranty from CAP Barbell only covers a 30-day window. This remarkably short warranty period also only protects you against defects in material or craftsmanship not wear and tear or anything that shows signs of misuse (like knocking dumbbells together or dropping).
Customer Reviews
On Amazon, this set has over 3,000 customer reviews and a 4.6-out-of-5-star overall rating. About 80% of all CAP dumbbell reviews have a 5-star rating. Most customer reviews state the dumbbells function as they should and there were no issues. The more negative reviews mention the fact the shipments come in separate boxes and some state the quality control of each dumbbell is inconsistent.
Final Verdict of Our CAP Barbell 150-Pound Dumbbell Set Review
The CAP Barbell dumbbell set from 5 to 25 pounds is an ideal beginner weight set. The limited weight range may not suffice for experienced home gym owners or folks looking to increase strength with progressive overload principles. Based on the materials used in the dumbbell head, we don’t believe the tensile strength will keep up with repetitive dumbbell dropping during workouts.
But we like the fact it comes with an A-frame weight rack to get your dumbbells off the floor and easy to reach. The price point is also a steal for anyone new to strength training or setting up a home gym for the first time.
Full Rating
CAP Barbell 150-lb Dumbbell Set
CAP Barbell Solid Hex Dumbbell Set with Rack (150 Pound) is an excellent option for beginners. If you’re looking for lighter sets of weight (think between 5-25 pounds) with an included rack, you’ll appreciate this versatile choice.
Product Brand: CAP Barbell
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 189.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.8
CAP Barbell 150-Pound Dumbbell Set: FAQs
Is CAP a good dumbbell brand?
CAP Barbell offers a budget-friendly line of strength equipment including dumbbells. The durability and tensile strength may not match some of the top brands on the market, but it’s an excellent choice for beginners or new home gym owners.
Why are heavy dumbbells so expensive?
Dumbbells are typically valued and priced at a certain rate per pound, which means the heavier the dumbbell, the bigger the price tag.
How much do CAP dumbbells weigh?
CAP Barbell dumbbells come in a variety of weights ranging from 5 to 120 pounds. The set we tested for our CAP Barbell 150-pound dumbbell set review comes with 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-pound dumbbells.
References
- Stefanescu, D. M. (2017). Specifications and Selection of Gray Irons. Dl.asminternational.org.
Further reading
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