One thing I've never really had in my home gym is a good set of dumbbells. I love using them and use them all the time at the gym, but I've never wanted a big rack of weights taking up a ton of space at home. Plus, buying a full set of dumbbells can get pretty expensive.
I've built up my home gym over the years (you can check out my home gym setup guide), and I'm always looking for equipment that's versatile, durable, and doesn't take up much room.
That's what got me interested in the FED Fitness Flybird DB2 Adjustable Dumbbells. They give you five different weights, ranging from 15-55 pounds, in a single pair of dumbbells. I was especially curious about how easy they were to adjust and whether they'd feel as solid as the traditional dumbbells I use at the gym.
After spending some time with them, here's what I think.
FED Fitness Flybird Series DB2 Quick Adjustable Dumbbell 55LBS: The Verdict
Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance & Function: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Price: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Overall: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The TLDR
The FED Fitness Flybird DB2 gives you five dumbbells in one, with weight settings of 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 pounds. Just place them in their trays, twist the handles to your desired weight, and you're ready to go.
At $398 for the pair, they're not cheap, but you're essentially replacing ten individual dumbbells while saving a ton of space. They're also well-built, with nylon-coated steel plates, comfortable non-slip handles, and a secure locking system.
My biggest complaint is the 10-pound jumps between weights. That's fine for heavier exercises like rows, squats, and presses, but can be limiting for curls, lateral raises, and gradual strength progression.
Overall, I think they're a great option for home gyms, especially if space is limited. If you prefer smaller weight increments, FED Fitness also makes the DB1, which offers 15 settings with 2.5-pound adjustments.
FED Fitness Flybird Series DB2 Quick Adjustable Dumbbell 55LBS
From The Manufacturer
Why You'll Love It
FED Fitness describes the DB2 as a space-saving adjustable dumbbell designed for quick weight changes between exercises.
The company says the handle can switch weights in about one second. Its locking groove is designed to keep the selected plates secured to the handle, while the unselected plates remain in the storage tray.
The plates are made from carbon steel and covered with nylon. The handle uses a TPE coating intended to provide a comfortable, non-slip grip, including during higher-repetition workouts.
The DB2 includes free shipping, a one-year warranty, lifetime technical support, and a 30-day money-back period. At the time of review, the pair was listed at $398 but was marked sold out on the company’s website.
Selling Points
Five Dumbbells in One: Each handle replaces separate 15-, 25-, 35-, 45-, and 55-pound dumbbells. A pair effectively replaces ten individual weights.
Fast Weight Changes: Rotating the handle is much quicker than unscrewing collars or manually loading plates. This is particularly useful for supersets, circuits, and workouts involving several exercises.
Good Weight Range: Fifty-five pounds per hand is enough for most beginners and intermediate lifters doing presses, rows, lunges, split squats, curls, and Romanian deadlifts.
Space-Saving Design: The entire pair stays in two trays rather than requiring a dumbbell rack. That makes it easier to build a home gym in a bedroom, apartment, basement, or garage corner.
Secure Locking System: The plate grooves are designed to keep the selected weight attached to the handle. This is an essential feature when you’re lifting the dumbbell above your body.
Non-Slip Handle: The one-inch TPE-coated handle should be more comfortable for high-repetition exercises than an aggressive metal knurl, although personal grip preference will vary.
Included Storage Trays: The trays organize the unused plates and provide the base required for changing weight.
No Assembly Required for Each Workout: Once the trays are positioned, you don’t need to load plates or search for matching pairs before training.
Free Shipping: Shipping heavy fitness equipment can add a lot to the final price, so free standard delivery is a meaningful benefit.
Lifetime Technical Support: The product warranty is only one year, but FED Fitness says technical support continues for the life of the dumbbells.
Drawbacks
Not designed to be dropped: With the convenience of adjustable dumbbells comes a little less durability when it comes to impact. The internal locking mechanism can get damaged if you drop them, so you'll want to set them down carefully.
Only a one-year warranty: Considering the price and moving parts, I'd prefer a longer warranty. Traditional dumbbells can last decades with very little maintenance.
Price: At around $400 for the pair, they're not cheap. They can save money compared to buying ten quality dumbbells individually, but it's still a decent upfront investment.
Who Do I Recommend It For?
Home Gym Owners With Limited Space: The pair replaces ten fixed dumbbells and only needs enough floor space for two trays.
Beginners and Intermediate Lifters: The 15–55-pound range covers most general strength exercises.
People Doing Full-Body Workouts: Fast adjustments make it easy to move from squats and rows to presses and curls.
Anyone Who Likes Circuits and Supersets: The rotating handle keeps rest periods short when exercises require different weights.
People Who Don’t Want a Dumbbell Rack: The trays provide a compact place to store the entire system.
Tips
Don't Drop Them: Set the dumbbells down under control to protect the adjustment mechanism and locking grooves.
Keep the Trays Level: Place them on a firm, flat surface. Thick carpet or an uneven floor can make the plates harder to align.
Plan Around the Weight Jumps: Use slower tempos, pauses, or additional repetitions when a 10-pound increase is too large.
Try Drop Sets: Start with a heavier weight, complete your reps, then place the dumbbells back in their trays and quickly switch to a lighter weight. Continue for another set without much rest. This is a great way to increase training volume and challenge your muscles.
Use Them for Supersets: Pair two exercises together, such as chest presses and bent-over rows, or lunges and shoulder presses. The quick adjustment system makes it pretty easy to switch weights between exercises.
My Favorite Exercises: I especially like using dumbbells for chest presses, walking lunges, farmer's walks, Romanian deadlifts, bent-over rows, and shoulder presses. You can get a great full-body workout with just these movements.
Try Unilateral Exercises: Single-arm rows, single-arm presses, and suitcase carries are great ways to challenge your core and work on side-to-side strength differences. They're also useful when you don't need both dumbbells at once.
Specifications/Features
Product: FED Fitness Flybird Series DB2 Quick Adjustable Dumbbell
Model: DB2 (Lark Select)
Quantity: Two dumbbells (one pair)
Weight settings: 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55lb per dumbbell
Weight increments: 10lb
Number of settings: Five per dumbbell
Adjustment method: Rotating handle dial
Adjustment speed: Approximately 1 second (manufacturer claim)
Handle diameter: 1 inch
Handle material: Non-slip TPE coating
Weight plates: Nylon-coated carbon steel
Dimensions: 19 × 8.5 × 8 inches per dumbbell
Storage: Two polypropylene trays included
Warranty: 1 year
Technical support: Lifetime
Return policy: 30 days, subject to conditions
Listed price: $398 per pair
Shipping: Free shipping
Manufacturer: FED Fitness
My Experience
I think the FED Fitness DB2 Adjustable Dumbbells are a pretty good option, especially if you're building a home gym and don't want a full rack of dumbbells taking up space.
At around $400 for the pair, they're definitely an investment. But when you consider that you're getting the equivalent of ten individual dumbbells, the price is a steal.
I really like the build quality, how quickly you can change weights, and how little room they take up. My biggest hesitation is the 10-pound increments, which can be limiting depending on the exercises you're doing.
If you primarily use dumbbells for presses, rows, squats, lunges, and other compound exercises, I think these are a great fit. If you're doing a lot of isolation exercises or want smaller jumps between weights, I'd consider their DB1 model instead.
For my home gym and the way I train, I've been really impressed with them so far.
FAQ
How do you adjust the weight on the FED Fitness DB2 Dumbbells?
It's pretty simple. Place the dumbbell in its tray, rotate the handle to your desired weight, and lift it out. The unused plates stay in the tray. FED Fitness says adjustments take about one second.
Are the FED Fitness DB2 Dumbbells sold as a pair?
Yes! The set includes two adjustable dumbbells and two storage trays. Each dumbbell adjusts from 15-55 pounds, so you're essentially getting ten individual dumbbells in one compact set.
Can you drop the FED Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells?
No. Although they feel solid and well-built, the internal adjustment mechanism and locking system can be damaged if dropped. I recommend setting them down carefully after each set, especially when lifting heavier weights.
Can you do drop sets with adjustable dumbbells?
Absolutely. Start with a heavier weight, complete your repetitions, then place the dumbbells back in their trays and switch to a lighter setting. The quick adjustment system makes drop sets pretty convenient, although the 10-pound jumps can be limiting for certain exercises.
Are the FED Fitness DB2 Dumbbells good for beginners?
They can be, depending on your strength and the exercises you're doing. The lightest setting is 15 pounds, which may be too heavy for certain movements. The 10-pound increments also make gradual progression more challenging. Beginners may prefer adjustable dumbbells with smaller weight increases.
What exercises can you do with the FED Fitness DB2 Dumbbells?
Pretty much any traditional dumbbell exercise. Some of my favorites include chest presses, walking lunges, farmer's walks, Romanian deadlifts, bent-over rows, shoulder presses, and goblet squats. You can get a great full-body strength workout with just these dumbbells.
Are the FED Fitness DB2 Adjustable Dumbbells worth the money?
At around $400 for the pair, they're definitely an investment. But considering they replace ten individual dumbbells and save a ton of space, I think they're a pretty good value. I especially like the build quality and how quickly you can change weights. The biggest downside is the 10-pound increments, so they're best for people who don't need smaller weight adjustments.
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