The QuickDraw Adjustable Dumbbells Are Perfect For My Small Apartment

Space-efficient design perfect for small apartments

Personally, the space-efficient design is my number one selling point for these dumbbells. I live in a rather small—some could say "extremely teensy"—two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. The amount of boxes that arrived at my doorstep for these weights was daunting at first, but once assembled, the QuickDraws clearly rock a space-saving design, offering similar functionality to a full weight rack with a fraction of the footprint. The only caveat is that their cradles are pretty long, so I did have to be strategic about which corner I shoved them into when I wasn't using them. But it really wasn't too much of a hassle after setup. (Am I making it clear that I don't exactly have a dedicated home gym?)

Don't get me wrong. Ultimately, the QuickDraws do take up a significant chunk of space. But I didn't feel misled. If you're ordering what is essentially a full rack condensed into one adjustable set, you should manage your expectations about how small that product can reasonably get. In the picture below, you can see the weights against side of my laptop for scale. Not too bad, especially when compared to the alternative.

The QuickDraws take up a good bit of space, but neatly fit in my small apartment. Credit: Meredith Dietz

Quick weight changes (read: living up to their name)

Quick weight changes are the headline feature here, and REP Fitness delivers. Switching between weights is fast and intuitive: You just flip one switch at a time or multiple switches all at once for fast weight changes, or you can instantly increase your dumbbell's weight by 10 pounds with just two flips (one on each side). This worked well for me, and while extra subjective, I find the sound of securing a new plate extremely satisfying.

However, a critical safety note: Always ensure change weights are locked securely before performing pressing movements, to prevent any potential mishaps. To do this, make sure the red marking on the selector pin disappears completely when properly secured, and you'll feel that satisfying click as it engages. I've made it a habit to give each dumbbell a quick shake test before starting a set—if there's any movement or rattling, the pin needs to be pushed down further.

This quick-change capability makes these dumbbells perfect for any movement you'd do with a more traditional set. I turned to my colleague Beth's at-home workout video here and did the following exercises:

• Bulgarian split squats (quads and glutes)

• Curl and press - 1 curl + 2 presses (arms and shoulders)

• Single leg deadlift (hamstrings and back)

• Floor press (chest and arms)

• Plank rows (upper back, arms, and core)

They feel totally solid, even if there is a little bit of rattling you wouldn't notice with a typical fixed set. Plus, for floor exercises like plank rows, the flat bottom plates provide excellent stability. Even during more dynamic movements where I pressed above my head, the weights remained securely locked—though I was certainly careful to check the locking mechanism before each set.

This quick adjustability works well, but the benefits here go beyond convenience. Because these dumbbells effectively replace an entire rack of traditional dumbbells, they really come in clutch when it comes to saving money. Ultimately, if you know you're going to want the range of a rack (albeit a rack that only goes up to 60 pounds), the QuickDraws are an economic way to get a similar experience with less cost and, thanks to the switch system, almost no extra hassle.

These locks are how you change weights quick and easy. Credit: Meredith Dietz

Solid construction process that weirdly inspires confidence

The quick weight changes are this product's greatest asset, but also its most nerve-wracking. This where I found that the self-assembly process—reminiscent of IKEA furniture—is actually a blessing in disguise. By putting these dumbbells together yourself, you gain an intimate understanding of their mechanics, which personally increased my confidence in the product tenfold. Whenever I heard a slight rattle or clicking sound while using these weights, I knew what was producing it, and that it wasn't a true structural flaw.

My biggest concern was that there are the two central supports right by where you grip the weights. I was definitely wary of them, as they initially seem intrusive, but I found that actually provide unexpected benefits. Not only do they not interfere with most movements, but they can also serve as convenient handles for exercises like dumbbell pullovers. The flat spot on the weights is another clever design element, allowing for comfortable positioning during certain exercises. I could easily rest them on my thigh while I was changing my grip.

Audible spring mechanism and slight rattling during use

As I've touched on a good bit here, the spring-loaded mechanism does introduce some noise—a serious consideration for anyone working out next to sleeping partners or in noise-sensitive living situations. There's an audible click when changing weights and a slight rattle during dynamic movements. While not deal-breaking, it's something to know beforehand. And like I mention above, I personally love the clicking sound, but if you need to avoid it altogether, you can switch weights in slow motion to significantly decrease the noise it makes.

Weight limited to 60 pounds maximum

With a maximum weight of 60 pounds, these dumbbells might not satisfy advanced lifters seeking heavy progressive overload. However, for beginners and intermediate users, especially in home or apartment settings, they offer more than enough resistance.

Pro tip: The weight numbers can be challenging to read. A simple hack is using a silver paint pen to enhance their visibility on the cradle.

I recommend painting over these numbers to make them easier to read. Credit: Meredith Dietz

Pricing is daunting, but fair

At $429.99, these dumbbells are a serious purchase. So, are they worth it? If you're committed to investing in your own home gym—where dumbbells are sort of a must-have—then I think these are the way to go. Compared to competitors in the adjustable dumbbell market, the QuickDraws fall into the mid-to-high price range. Bowflex SelectTech models typically run around $399 but only go up to 52.5 pounds, while higher-end PowerBlock sets with similar weight ranges cost around $550-600.

Still, when you consider that purchasing individual pairs of dumbbells from 5 to 75 pounds in 5-pound increments would cost well over $1,500 (and take up considerable space), the value proposition becomes clear.

The bottom line: These dumbbells live up to the hype