Nike Grind Dumbbell review: Premium price, recycled style – are they worth it?

Did you know that Nike also did home weights? I didn’t until about a year ago when I stumbled upon the Nike Strength website, offering everything from dumbbells and barbells to weight plates and benches. The brand also provides squat racks, kettlebells, and, of course, apparel.

As soon as I learned about its existence, I knew I had to try Nike Strength equipment, not least because T3 readers seem to love all things Nike and strength training. It makes sense that you want to know about a brand that sits in the cross-section of those two things.

With that in mind, I requested a pair of Nike Grind Hex Dumbbells and have used them for my workouts for the last few weeks. And guess what? They are great. They feel just the right amount of premium with a dash of personality added in for good measure.

Are they the best dumbbells for home workouts, or should you choose adjustable models instead? Well, it depends on what type of workout you prefer and how much money you can throw at kitting out your home gym. Want to know more? Read my full Nike Grind Dumbbell review below.

Nike Grind Dumbbell review

Price and availability

The Grind Dumbbells are available to buy now directly from Nike Strength UK and Nike Strength US with prices from £14.50/ $15 (per dumbbell) – AU price and availability TBC. The weight range is 1-22.5kg. You can only buy dumbbells in pairs. Nike Strength provides free shipping on orders over 100 kilograms.

Design and materials

The showstopper feature of the Nike Grind Dumbbells is the Grind coating, which is made from ground footwear waste. This gives the weights a unique look, as the mix of colours of the weights will differ from each other.

It’s worth pointing out that the listing says that the dumbbells are made with “at least 20% Nike Grind rubber by volume,” meaning that around 80% of the weights are non-grind rubber material. Other reviewers online went as far as slicing the plates open, which revealed that Grind is much like a thick coating.

The brand also sells standard rubber dumbbells, aptly called Nike Dumbbells (retailer link). These feature more traditional black rubber weights (with the added Swoosh, of course). Interestingly, Nike Dumbbells go all the way up to 40kg, with the larger models featuring a different handle design.

But back to the Grind Dumbells. They have ergonomic, medium-knurled handles, which provide a good grip. The six-sided shape of the weights makes the Grind Dumbbells ideal for floor exercises such as renegade rows and helps prevent rolling. Overall, a straightforward design with some attitude, thanks to the Grind coating.

Performance

I found the Nike Grind Dumbbells perfect for workouts. I used an 8-kilo pair, which is my sweet spot for working smaller muscles. The handle felt perfect in my large monkey hands; plenty of grip to prevent accidental slippage.

Does the Grind Dumbbell feel massively different to other, more affordable hex dumbbells? Not really. They don’t smell quite as bad, which is nice, but the design is very similar to other hex dumbbells I used in the past.

The knurling feels nice, though, and I love the style of the dumbbells. Sure, you’re paying a little extra for the Grind coating, but at least the dumbbells look less plain vanilla than other models. That might be worth the premium price tag for some.

Verdict

The Nike Grind Dumbbells are exactly what you’d expect strength training equipment to look like from the apparel giant. They look and feel premium and exude an aura of the ‘Just Do It’ legacy. If you’re setting up your gym and looking for equipment that looks different, the Nike Grind Dumbbells are an excellent choice. They are also worth considering for affluent people who are really into their strength training.

If you’re a beginner, I’d recommend adjustable dumbbells (they take up less space but can’t be dropped or used for exercises when your bodyweight rests on the dumbbells) or more affordable hex sets. However, if you just need a pair or two for quick home workouts, you might as well get the Nike Grind Dumbbells.