For fitness enthusiasts, dumbbells and hand weights are everyday workout essentials. Whether you train at the gym, follow an online class, or squeeze in strength exercises at home, weights can help build muscle, support bone health, and improve overall fitness.
However, some hand weights may contain materials you might prefer to avoid, including certain plastics, synthetic rubber, plasticizers, and other chemicals that can raise concerns for people trying to create a lower-tox workout routine.
This guide explains what dumbbells are commonly made from, which materials are generally better choices, how Prop 65 warnings can help you shop more carefully, and where to find non-toxic dumbbells, hand weights, exercise balls, mats, and workout accessories.
What this guide covers:
- What!? Now dumbbells can be toxic?
- What are dumbbells usually made of?
- What is a safer, non-toxic dumbbell material?
- Before I go further: Why is there a Prop 65 Warning on my dumbbells?
- What are the chemicals listed in Prop 65?
- How California’s Proposition 65 can help you find non-toxic weights
- Non-Toxic Dumbbells, Hand Weights, & Other Equipment Workouts
- Bala
- Equipt
- Zoogamo
- Yes4All
- Eternal Creek
- I Wood Like It
- Kenko
- Nefeli
- Non-Toxic Exercise Ball
- Non-Toxic Exercise Mats
- Even More Non-Toxic Exercise Equipment & Accessories
- Ideas for what to use instead of dumbbells
- Wrapping it up
This guide contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. As always, we only share recommendations we genuinely stand behind.
What!? Now dumbbells can be toxic?
You may already know that many everyday products can contain questionable chemicals, from plug-in air fresheners and laundry detergent to personal care products and workout clothing.
If you have already started switching to more natural and non-toxic products, that is a meaningful step. But if you want to make your low-tox fitness routine even better, it may be worth looking at your weights, especially if they are coated in vinyl, PVC, synthetic rubber, or other plastic-based materials.
What are dumbbells usually made of?
Most dumbbells and hand weights are made with an inner core and an outer coating. The inner core varies by brand and product, but it often includes one or more of the following materials:
- Cast iron
- Steel
- Concrete
- Plastic
The outside of the dumbbell may be left as metal or covered with another material for grip, comfort, and floor protection. Common coatings include:
- Rubber, either natural or synthetic
- Neoprene, a type of synthetic rubber
- Plastic
- Vinyl
- PVC
- Chrome
Natural rubber comes from the liquid sap of certain trees and plants and can be a safer coating option for many people. The main exception is for anyone with a latex allergy.
Synthetic rubber, on the other hand, is a petroleum-based material. To make synthetic rubber and other plastics softer and more flexible, manufacturers may use plasticizers such as phthalates. Phthalates are widely used and have been linked to health concerns including hormone disruption, asthma, fertility issues, and cancer.
When possible, it is also wise to avoid or minimize PVC and vinyl. PVC is considered one of the more problematic types of plastic, and it is commonly used in many fitness products.
What is a safer, non-toxic dumbbell material?
If you want safer non-toxic dumbbells or low-plastic workout equipment, look for durable materials such as:
- Stainless steel
- Cast iron
- Wood
- Marble
- Silicone
- Natural rubber
Before I go further: Why is there a Prop 65 Warning on my dumbbells?
Proposition 65 is a California law that requires businesses to warn consumers when products may expose them to chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.
If you have seen a Prop 65 warning on dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga mats, or other workout equipment, it may be because the product contains substances such as phthalates, BPA, lead, formaldehyde, or other listed chemicals.
What are the chemicals listed in Prop 65?
There are currently about 900 chemicals on the Prop 65 list. If your dumbbells or exercise equipment carries this warning, it may contain one or more chemicals such as:
- Phthalates, which are often used to make plastics softer
- BPA or other bisphenols, which are used to make some plastics harder
- Lead
- Formaldehyde, which is commonly associated with some engineered wood products
- Toluene or benzene, both of which are carcinogenic
California law states that Prop 65 labels should identify at least one of the listed chemicals. However, a product may contain more than one chemical of concern.
How California’s Proposition 65 can help you find non-toxic weights
Prop 65 can be useful when shopping for non-toxic weights because it offers some transparency. Although a warning label does not always mean a product is unsafe in normal use, it does alert you that the product may contain a listed chemical.
Unlike organic food, mattresses, and some textiles, dumbbells and hand weights do not have many widely used third-party certifications. For that reason, material information and Prop 65 warnings can be helpful when comparing safer workout equipment.
Because many products are sold across the United States, companies often use the same packaging everywhere, not just in California. That means shoppers outside California can also benefit from these disclosures.
Non-Toxic Dumbbells, Hand Weights, & Other Equipment Workouts
Bala
Types: Hand weights, ankle and wrist weights, bars, and other workout equipment
Price range: $59-$119
Bala brings a playful, modern feel to fitness equipment with simple, multi-functional tools that are easy to use at home or in a studio.
The brand is best known for Bala Bangles, which are wrist and ankle weights made with a steel core and a soft silicone exterior. They are available in 1 lb, 2 lb, and 3 lb options and come in several colors.
Other Bala products worth considering include:
- Bala Beam, a weighted bar available in 15, 25, or 35 lbs
- Bala Bars, 3 lb hand weights
- Power Ring, a 10 lb ring weight
- Jump Rope
These products use a steel interior and silicone exterior and do not carry Prop 65 labels. However, not every Bala product is equally recommended. The Pilates Ball is made with PVC, the mats use a PU top coat, and the blocks and rollers are made from unspecified foam.
Equipt
Types: Ubarre weight in 4, 8, 12, or 16 lbs
Price range: $149-$179
Equipt’s Ubarre weights are plastic-free and made from steel. They come in several colors and have a distinctive ergonomic U-shape designed for comfort, versatility, and easy grip.
The shape allows the weight to be used for a wide range of exercises, including squats, leg lifts, crunches, and strength-focused floor work. Equipt also sells weighted wraps for ankles and wrists, but those are made with vegan leather, which is a plastic-based material, so they are not the top low-plastic choice.
Zoogamo
Type: Adjustable dumbbells and barbells
Price range: $130-$240
Zoogamo’s adjustable weights are made with stainless steel and cast iron. They can be used as dumbbells or converted into barbells, making them a flexible option for home gyms.
They are mostly plastic-free, although the set includes a plastic case and one handle is plastic. Even so, they are a more affordable option for people looking for adjustable dumbbells without a Prop 65 warning.
Yes4All
Type: Adjustable dumbbells and barbells
Price range: $46-$260
Yes4All offers adjustable dumbbell sets made from cast iron and stainless steel. Like the Zoogamo option, these can be used as hand weights or converted into a barbell setup.
This brand offers a wide range of weight options, which makes it easier to choose a set that matches your current strength level and training goals.
Eternal Creek
Types: Kettlebell, gym bench, pull-up bar, pull and dip station, and latex resistance bands
Price range: $430-$2,300
Eternal Creek is a premium option for those who want elegant, plastic-free home gym equipment made from natural materials.
The brand combines craftsmanship with minimalist fitness design, using solid hardwood from sustainably managed forests and full-grain leather from Italian tanneries. Each piece is functional, visually striking, and designed for multiple uses.
I Wood Like It
Types: Dumbbells and hand weights
Price range: $182-$589
I Wood Like It makes handmade dumbbells from wood and stainless steel. Buyers can choose from several wood options, including European oak, European walnut, maple, and black oak, as well as different weight options from 2 to 10 kg.
These non-toxic hand weights are attractive enough to leave out in a living room, home office, or workout space without looking like clutter.
Kenko
Types: Dumbbells, kettlebells, rubber resistance bands, push-up bars, ab rollers, jump ropes, wall bars, and gym rings
Price range: $185-$4,000 for a full weight set and stand
Kenko’s eco-friendly dumbbells are made with natural hardwoods such as American walnut and Canadian maple. They are designed to be durable, functional, and visually refined.
These weights can sit beside a sofa as part of your decor while staying within reach for short strength sessions. Kenko also carries matching resistance bands and other natural workout equipment.
Note: This brand is based in Germany, so U.S. customers may need to account for higher shipping costs.
Nefeli
Type: Marble dumbbells, 2.2 lbs
Price: $278
Nefeli marble dumbbells are a striking option for anyone looking for beautiful, non-toxic weights that double as conversation pieces. Each dumbbell weighs a little over two pounds.
These dumbbells are handcrafted in a small village in northern Greece near Thessaloniki, an area known for marble quarries. They are made from natural Volakas marble, a metamorphic rock formed from limestone under extreme heat and pressure deep within the earth.
Non-Toxic Exercise Ball
Finding a completely plastic-free exercise ball is difficult. Most exercise balls are made with PVC or vinyl, which many people prefer to avoid.
Your best option is to choose a non-PVC exercise ball. One option is the EcoWise Premium Fitness Ball, which is made with burst-resistant TPR material and is free from latex, PVC, and phthalates. It comes in several sizes, from 45 to 75 cm.
Another option to consider is natural rubber exercise balls made in Germany, though they appear to be geared toward wholesale buyers.
Non-Toxic Exercise Mats
For non-toxic exercise mats, two recommended brands are Scoria and Oko Living. Scoria offers code THEFILTERY10 for 10% off, and Oko Living offers code THEFILTERY for $10 off.
Even More Non-Toxic Exercise Equipment & Accessories
- Fluidstance balance boards are made with a bamboo or wood top and an aluminum base. The Original and Level are the best plastic-free options.
- Fitterfirst offers a balance board made primarily from wood, although there is some plastic on the bottom.
- Non Zero Gravity carries resistance bands made from 100% latex-free organic rubber.
- Aeromat resistance bands are made with natural rubber or TPR. Check individual product details because some options use synthetic rubber.
- Kensui offers 100% natural rubber resistance bands.
- Movement Made carries gym rings, parallettes, resistance bands, and straps made from materials such as wood and rubber.
Ideas for what to use instead of dumbbells
You do not always need traditional dumbbells to add resistance to your workout. At home, you can use stainless steel water bottles, soup cans, books, bags of rice, bar stools, or other sturdy household items. Just make sure anything you lift is secure, easy to grip, and appropriate for your strength level.
Wrapping it up
Dumbbells and hand weights can be an important part of a healthy fitness routine, but some options are made with materials you may want to avoid. By choosing non-toxic dumbbells made from stainless steel, cast iron, wood, silicone, marble, or natural rubber, you can build a cleaner home gym with fewer plastic-based materials.
With a little research, it is possible to find safer, durable, and beautiful workout equipment that supports your health goals without adding unnecessary chemical concerns to your routine.
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