Gungnir Dumblers

Gungnir Dumbler review (BIFL)

This review is not a paid review, I bought these with my own money and had to wait for them to arrive at my door just like any regular customer would.

Spoiler: I use these every workout, love them, and highly recommended. They are “Buy it for life” (BIFL)

If you don’t want to read the full review here’s a quick summary:

It’s expensive, is it worth it?

Yes: It’s a quality of life upgrade when doing dumbbell work. The slide lock mechanism allows you to secure weight more easily and quickly than collars. I don’t plan on buying a full set of dumbbells, it’s cost and space efficient. These are built to last a lifetime, not only that has a lifetime warranty. Thus, this is one of my “Buy it for life” gym pieces of equipment.

If you don’t like loadable dumbbells, don’t expect this to change your mind

If you don’t like the time it takes load a dumbbell, then you’ll still probably won’t like these. It makes it easier but you still have to load the weight plates.

The main reason I chose these over other options:

Gym Quality of life upgrade

The main reasons I am going out of my way to review these and share my experience. These handles are the highest quality pieces I own in my home gym and it truly shows. This small quality of life upgrade of being able to easily locking my weights in without collars is a gigantic relief. I own a set of Rogue Aluminum Collars, I love them and still use them in my barbell movements specifically deadlifting, but they can be a pain to take off and put on. When you get tired in your workout the collars are sometimes more annoying to take off and you get sloppy removing them. The snapback on the rogue collar is quite powerful and I’ve even bruised a finger or two. Using the slide lock mechanism from Gungnir has made me never wanting to use collars again.

What separates this loadable dumbbell from the competition of other loadable dumbbells:

Pros:

All in one: The main thing that separates these loadable dumbbells from others: The collars are part of the dumbbell handle so you don’t need to purchase separate ones

Lock mechanism: Easy and quick to use: To anyone who has used different sets of collars, you’ll come across a certain difficulty in trying to open and closing collars. With these, you can’t really screw this up regardless of how tired you are.

One of a kind – no cheap knockoffs: While the cost may be off-putting for some, there will be no cheap knockoffs of these. Gungnir has a patent on the slide-lock technology, but most companies who are in the market to copy and undercut the original, you simply can’t with this. The fact is if a company were to copy the Gungnir slide-lock technology you know they would be cutting corners to save cost to undercut and thus a severe drop in quality, which means you would get a cheaper locking mechanism for the weights. Which in turn can mean the weight plates sliding off unexpectedly while exercising and can lead to injuries.

Superficial pros:

Sound: The “sound” of a dumbbell is not something I’d ever thought of bringing up as a “pro” but there is a satisfying “click” sound when letting go of the slide lock mechanism. My comparison for this is if you enjoy mechanical keyboards for their feel and sound. The Gungnir provides an extra pleasurable audible sensation to enjoy each time you use them.

Luxury/looks: This is mostly superficial and subjective – but these look amazing and look a tier above the rest of my gym equipment elevating it to the next level. The sleeves are electroless nickel giving it a gorgeous bronze-gunmetal-like color. The dumbbells are an exquisite piece with two tone color bronze and silver, the collars are an accent color of grey with the Gungnir logo. Kind of reminds me of a luxury watch like Rolex, elegant and meant to last.

Cons:

The “wiggle”: Other reviewers called it slop between the weights and the slide lock mechanism. This goes with visual representation of what happens when the weights don’t perfectly line up, it has a little of wiggle room. It has no actual impact on any exercises.

Cost: Probably the biggest con to speak about: It is one of the most expensive loadable dumbbells on the market.

Note: While others, including myself will justify the price of these. It’s a luxury item and when compared to others regarding price, there are cheaper alternatives.

The Gungnir Dumbler has a sleeve length of 6.25 inches for $500 pair, not including shipping. (There is a 10% discount when you sign up for their newsletter, so you can get this for $450 before shipping)

I’ll go into detail for my comparison to competitors.

Loadable dumbbell vs hex dumbbell vs adjustable.

Quick summary:

Loadable dumbbells – The “handle” is what you are buying to put the weights on the dumbbell.

The most cost-efficient option as you use the weight plates you must load your dumbbell for your desired weight. However, it takes the most time to set up. Very durable as the handle and weights are steel/iron.

Side note: This was the reason I went the loadable dumbbell route. Saving space and money. After buying the handles I can just use the regular weight plates I already have.

Hex dumbbells – you need to buy each desired weight you want to use in your routine. Quickest to use, you pick up the weight you want to use. Takes up the most space and most expensive option. You can super set with multiple weights, comfortable, and very durable.

Adjustable dumbbells – These are in-between option of loadable dumbbells. It’s cheaper than getting a full set of hex dumbbells but more expensive than just buying a loadable dumbbell handle. You can quickly adjust weight but these are the least durable option. Generally, most adjustable dumbbells are recommended to never drop the weight or it can cause it to break and unusable.

Comparisons to what’s on the market: (Loadable Dumbbells)

Kabuki’s Kroc Loadable dumbbells: The only one that I know of that’s more expensive then the Gungnir Dumblers, and it is meant for heaviest dumbbell users who want to load up as much as humanly possible. (It has the longest sleeve length on the market (10.5 inches). Costs $290 per dumbbell handle, so a pair being $580 without including shipping.

Titan 15-LB: On the cheaper side, you can get Titan’s 15-pound loadable dumbbell handles for $90 pair that’s including shipping. However, the loadable sleeve length is one of the shortest 3.5inches.

Ironmasters – Giving these a mention as it falls into the category for adjustable and loadable. These are the closest to regular dumbbells you can get, you can load up the weight and adjust. However, the main con is that the weight plates you load these dumbbells with are specific to the dumbbell and must be purchased from this specific company. So any additional weight or expansion you must buy from Ironmaster. For a pair of 75 pounds and stand it’s $870.

Conclusion:

It’s still just a loadable dumbbell handle. This isn’t going to make you like loadable dumbbells if you don’t like the time it takes to put the weight on.

This loadable dumbbell isn’t giving you more movements than a regular dumbbell can provide.

If you’re looking for loadable dumbbells, I highly recommend these. You’re buying this as a “Buy it for life” purchase for your home gym.

As an end note, it is awesome to see high quality innovative products come into the fitness market. Can’t wait for what other new exciting things from Gungnir in the future.