ActiveBrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell review – Brute force16 weights in one dumbbell, BrainGain’s 40kg home weight lets you change from 2.5kg to 40kg with a twist of the handleWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell is a versatile workout partner for strength workouts, thanks to its sturdy construction and extensive weight range. Better still, the evenly distributed increments allow you to progress more steadily than cheaper adjustable dumbbells. Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate lifters.Reasons to buy+Sturdy construction+Huge weights range lets you progress easily+Knurled handle+Straightforward to use and easy to storeReasons to avoid-Twist mechanism could be smoother-Not available in the US/AUWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveBrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell review – Brute force16 weights in one dumbbell, BrainGain’s 40kg home weight lets you change from 2.5kg to 40kg with a twist of the handleWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell is a versatile workout partner for strength workouts, thanks to its sturdy construction and extensive weight range. Better still, the evenly distributed increments allow you to progress more steadily than cheaper adjustable dumbbells. Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate lifters.Reasons to buy+Sturdy construction+Huge weights range lets you progress easily+Knurled handle+Straightforward to use and easy to storeReasons to avoid-Twist mechanism could be smoother-Not available in the US/AUWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
16 weights in one dumbbell, BrainGain’s 40kg home weight lets you change from 2.5kg to 40kg with a twist of the handle
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell is a versatile workout partner for strength workouts, thanks to its sturdy construction and extensive weight range. Better still, the evenly distributed increments allow you to progress more steadily than cheaper adjustable dumbbells. Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate lifters.Reasons to buy+Sturdy construction+Huge weights range lets you progress easily+Knurled handle+Straightforward to use and easy to storeReasons to avoid-Twist mechanism could be smoother-Not available in the US/AU
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 VerdictThe BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell is a versatile workout partner for strength workouts, thanks to its sturdy construction and extensive weight range. Better still, the evenly distributed increments allow you to progress more steadily than cheaper adjustable dumbbells. Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate lifters.Reasons to buy+Sturdy construction+Huge weights range lets you progress easily+Knurled handle+Straightforward to use and easy to storeReasons to avoid-Twist mechanism could be smoother-Not available in the US/AU
T3 VerdictThe BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell is a versatile workout partner for strength workouts, thanks to its sturdy construction and extensive weight range. Better still, the evenly distributed increments allow you to progress more steadily than cheaper adjustable dumbbells. Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate lifters.
T3 Verdict
The BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell is a versatile workout partner for strength workouts, thanks to its sturdy construction and extensive weight range. Better still, the evenly distributed increments allow you to progress more steadily than cheaper adjustable dumbbells. Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate lifters.
Reasons to buy+Sturdy construction+Huge weights range lets you progress easily+Knurled handle+Straightforward to use and easy to storeReasons to avoid-Twist mechanism could be smoother-Not available in the US/AU
Reasons to buy+Sturdy construction+Huge weights range lets you progress easily+Knurled handle+Straightforward to use and easy to store
Sturdy construction
Huge weights range lets you progress easily
Knurled handle
Straightforward to use and easy to store
Reasons to avoid-Twist mechanism could be smoother-Not available in the US/AU
Twist mechanism could be smoother
Not available in the US/AU
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
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Is it thebest adjustable dumbbell, though? The BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell has its merits, but it’s not without shortcomings, however small they might be (the shortcoming, not the merits). But even considering these niggles, I can’t see a reason why anyone who needs space-saving home weights shouldn’t consider BrainGain’s top adjustable dumbbell. Should you get one? Read this BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell to find out.
BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell review: Price and availability
TheBrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbellsare sold in pairs and are available to buy directly from BrainGain for a recommended retail price of £700 (approx. $864/AU$1,220). At the time of writing, the dumbbells were on offer and sold for only £590 (approx. $728/AU$1,027). BrainGain also sells anadjustable dumbbell rackcompatible with BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbells for £110 (approx. $135/AU$191). The company has other adjustable weights (dumbbells and kettlebells) in its repertoire, with prices from £160 (approx. $197/AU$278) for a 12-kilo pair. Other miscellaneous equipment is also available on the website, including weight benches and Crossfit equipment (e.g. jump ropes).
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell review: Design
There are a few different approaches to adjustable dumbells, with BrainGain’s home weight championing the ‘twist handle’ method, which is the most convenient way to change weights, at least right now. As the name suggests, you need to twist the handle of the dumbbells to pick up or lose weight plates from the plastic cradle the weights sit in when not in use.
The process is super simple, and the twisting mechanism works well. The BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell’s handle has a slight resistance, making it feel more sturdy, but it is also ever so slightly tricky to get the handle in the correct position. You see, when the twisting mechanism is more fluid, it’s easy to tell when the grip clicks into place. Here, it’s not impossible to over or under-twist the handle, which would result in the plates not unlocking and you not being able to lift the dumbbells from the cradle. It requires a bit more attention, that’s all, and I’m sure once you get used to the dumbbells, the number of faulty twists will reduce significantly.
The BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell can be adjusted between 2.5kg (5.5 lbs) and 40kg (88 lbs) in 2.5-kilo increments. This is a superb weight range, and considering the low minimum and the high max weight, the adjustable dumbbells allow for a lot of room for improvement, meaning that even beginners can use them for training and keep using them for years to come.
The plates are the same size (alaBLK BOX Adjustable Dumbbell), with the weight setting displayed at the base of the plates (where they meet the handle). The build quality is excellent, and the plastic-covered plates feel rugged enough to withstand the friction of being picked up from the cradle repeatedly. The knurled metal handle is the icing on the cake – it really makes the BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell feel premium and durable.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell review: Workout performance
Adjustable dumbbells such as the BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell are best suited for strength workouts; you know, bench press, overhead press etc. These exercises are meant to be performed in a slow and controlled fashion, unlike, let’s say, a clean and jerk, where you move the weights quite quickly. Not to mention exercises like the renegade row, where you place your weight on the dumbbells.
For strength training, though, they work flawlessly, apart from the occasional twisting issues I mentioned above. The knurled handles are a joy to grip, and the weights feel balanced in hand. I thoroughly enjoyed that I could add tons of weight for bench presses, then instantly drop it for shoulder presses – supersets have never been easier! I liked the octagonal shape of the plates, not because of their functionality – adjustable weights rarely roll away when I pop them down on the floor – but because of their looks.
Speaking of changing weights: the best feature of the BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbells is that it allows for a granular change in weight. Some adjustable dumbbells will jump as much as 5 kilos (11 lbs) between different stops, but not this one. The different settings are 2.5kg, 5kg, 7.5kg, 10kg, 12.5kg, 15kg, 17.5kg, 20kg, 22.5kg, 25kg, 27.5kg, 30kg, 32.5kg, 35kg, 37.5kg, and 40kg; exactly 2.5 kg every time! Perfect.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell review: Verdict
The BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell is a versatile workout partner for strength workouts. It’s a significant initial investment, but you have to remember that a pair of them replace 32 dumbbells, which would take up a lot more space and cost you a lot more money. Sure, Braingain’s adjustable dumbbells are not quite as versatile as hex dumbbells, but no adjustable dumbbells are, so there is that.
The weights have a sturdy construction, and the weight range is out of this world. Better still, thanks to the evenly distributed increments, you won’t have to worry about getting stuck in your progress because you can’t build up the strength to jump to the next weight setting. The low minimum and high max weight settings will ensure both beginners and intermediate lifters can use the weights for their workouts.
Sadly, BrainGain currently don’t ship their equipment to the US or Australia, only the UK and select European countries, which is a shame, but I appreciate that heavy home weights must be a real pain in the neck to ship overseas. If you happen to live in the UK, need a new pair of dumbbells for muscle building and have some money in your pocket, the BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell is an excellent option.
BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell review: Also consider
One of the closest competitors to the BrainGain adjustable dumbbells is the Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell. It’s perfect for people who take muscle building at home seriously but can’t afford a pair of Bowflex 552s. The Core Fitness unit feels more plasticky, but I still use them for home workouts years after I reviewed them, so they are durable enough for most workouts. Check out myCore Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell and Stand review.
The more digitally inclined of you should check out the JaxJox DumbbellConnect. This well-made and slick pair of smart dumbbells work effortlessly and boast a relatively decent weight range (8lbs-50Ibs/3.6kg-22.7kg). These digital home weights have their own companion app where you can keep track of your reps/sets and initiate workouts. Read Lee’s fullJaxJox DumbbellConnect review.
For functional workouts, I’d recommend the Boxbell 3-in-1 Adjustable Dumbbell. A pair of them replace 17 pieces of equipment, saving you a lot of space and money when building a compact home gym. It might not be as ergonomic as dedicated adjustable dumbbells and kettlebells, but considering how (comparatively) cheap and versatile it is, the Boxbell 3-in-1 is worth considering as a one-size-fits-all home weight. Read my fullBoxbell 3-in-1 Adjustable Dumbbell review.
BrainGain 40KG Octagon Adjustable Dumbbell: Price Comparison
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