Hex Dumbbell Racks: Tree vs Shelf, and Which Size You Need
dumbbell rack
Short answer: for most home gyms with three to six pairs of hex dumbbells, a vertical tree rack with one tier per pair is the neatest option, and it takes up less than a quarter of a square metre of floor. If you have eight or more pairs, or plan to keep adding them, a shelf-style rack holds a full set in one unit. The catch when shopping is that "3-tier" can mean either: a 3-tier tree holds three pairs, while a 3-tier shelf rack can hold twelve.
This guide explains the two designs, how to size a rack to the set you own or plan to buy, and the floor space each one needs.
Tree rack or shelf rack: the two designs
Almost every hex dumbbell rack sold in the UK is one of two types.
Tree racks (vertical or A-frame)
A tree rack is a narrow upright frame with a cradle on each side for every pair. Each tier holds one pair: one dumbbell on the left, its partner on the right. The pairs sit stacked one above the other, so the rack is tall and narrow rather than wide.
- Good for: small rooms, corners, and sets of three to ten pairs.
- Watch out for: the number of tiers is the number of pairs it holds. A fourth pair won't fit on a 3-tier tree.
Shelf racks (tray or saddle style)
A shelf rack has two or three long shelves, usually angled towards you, with the dumbbells lying side by side along each shelf. This is the type you see along the mirror wall in a commercial gym.
- Good for: full sets of eight to twelve pairs, and for adding pairs over time, because there's no fixed slot per pair.
- Watch out for: it's wide. Expect it to take a metre of wall.
What "tier" means on a listing
This is where most buying mistakes happen. On a tree rack, a tier is one pair. On a shelf rack, a tier is one shelf, and each shelf can hold several pairs. Both get sold as "3-tier dumbbell racks", often with similar photos, at very different sizes.
Before you order, check two things on the listing: how many pairs it holds (not tiers), and its width. A rack under 50cm wide is almost certainly a tree. One around a metre wide is a shelf rack.
How many pairs, and which rack
Match the rack to your number of pairs, and leave room if you know you'll add more. These are the racks we sell, with the sets they're designed around.
| Pairs you have (or plan) | Rack | Holds | Size (W × D × H) | Sold with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3-tier tree | 3 pairs | See listing | 3-pair hex set |
| 4 or 5 | A5 tree | 5 pairs | 31 × 36 × 68cm | 4-pair and 5-pair hex sets |
| 6 | A6 tree | 6 pairs | 49 × 46 × 85cm | 6-pair hex set |
| 7 to 10 lighter pairs | A10 tree | 10 pairs | See listing | 10-pair hex set (1–12.5kg) |
| 8 to 12 | 3-shelf rack | Full sets up to 12 pairs | 98 × 58 × 92cm | Full hex dumbbell sets (e.g. 2.5–20kg or 2.5–30kg) |
Two things worth knowing from that table:
- The 4-pair set comes on a 5-tier rack. That leaves one empty tier, so you can add a heavier pair later without buying a second rack. If you think you'll grow past five pairs, the A6 is the better starting point.
- Every rack above can be bought on its own. Choose "Just Rack" in the weight menu on the set's page if you already own the dumbbells.
If you haven't chosen your weights yet, our guide to what weight dumbbells to buy has a table of sensible 3, 4 and 5-pair combinations. For a beginner's breakdown by exercise, see hex dumbbell sets for beginners.
How much floor space a dumbbell rack needs
Work from the footprint first, then add space to stand and lift.
- A5 tree (31 × 36cm): about 0.11m². It fits beside a bench or in the corner of a box room.
- A6 tree (49 × 46cm): about 0.23m². Still a corner item.
- 3-shelf rack (98 × 58cm): about 0.57m², and it needs a clear run of wall.
Allow roughly a metre of clear floor in front of any rack. You need room to squat down, pick up a pair and step back without catching the rack or a bench. Height is rarely a problem. Even the shelf rack is under a metre tall, so it fits under a window or a sloped garage roof.
If you're fitting a whole gym into a small room, our small home gym guide shows how much space each piece of kit needs in use, not just in storage.
Weight on the rack adds up quickly
Remember that a rack holds both dumbbells of every pair. Some totals for common sets:
- 5 pairs, 2.5 to 12.5kg: 75kg on the rack.
- 6 pairs, 5 to 30kg in 5kg steps: 210kg.
- 12 pairs, 2.5 to 30kg in 2.5kg steps: 390kg.
If you're buying a rack separately for dumbbells you already own, check its rated capacity against your total. Then add the pairs you plan to buy. Also check that the cradles or shelves suit your heaviest pair, as the heads get much larger above 20kg. The racks we sell with each set are matched to the weights offered on that set's page.
Placing it and loading it
- Heaviest pairs low. On a tree, put the heaviest pair on the bottom tier. It keeps the rack stable and means you're not lifting your heaviest dumbbells down from chest height.
- Go in order. Light to heavy, so you can grab the next pair up without reading every label.
- Level floor, firm base. Our racks have rubber feet. On laminate or tiles, an interlocking EVA floor mat under the rack and lifting area protects the floor and takes some of the noise out of setting weights down.
- Not against a radiator or door. You need to reach both sides of a tree rack.
- Check the bolts now and then. Once every couple of months, tighten anything that has worked loose, especially if the rack gets bumped.
Buying the set and rack together, or separately
If you're buying dumbbells anyway, it's usually simpler to take the rack in the same order. You know it fits the set, and it arrives with everything else. Delivery on our sets is charged by total weight. At current England and Wales rates, adding the tree rack to the 3-pair or 6-pair set adds £5 to the delivery charge, and on the 5-pair set it adds between £0 and £5. The exact charge is shown at checkout before you pay.
Buying a rack separately makes sense if you already own dumbbells, or if your pairs are a mix of brands. Measure your heaviest dumbbell's head and handle before ordering.
Each of these sets can also be ordered with an adjustable foldable bench, which adds chest presses, supported rows and seated work. A tree rack sits neatly at the end of a bench. Not sure which bench you need? Read adjustable vs flat bench.
Fits this guide
One of each rack type from the table above. Each set page lets you choose the weights, with or without the rack and bench, or the rack on its own. Check the listing for options and current price.
See the full Dumbbells & Storage range →
Frequently asked questions
How many dumbbells does a 3-tier rack hold?
It depends on the design. A 3-tier tree rack holds three pairs, one per tier. A 3-tier shelf rack has three shelves and can hold a full set. Ours takes up to twelve pairs, such as 2.5kg to 30kg in 2.5kg steps. Check the number of pairs on the listing, not the number of tiers.
Do I need a rack for hex dumbbells?
Not strictly. Hex heads don't roll, so a few pairs can live on a mat. A rack earns its place once you have three or more pairs. It keeps them in order, saves bending to the floor for every set, and stops dumbbells becoming a trip hazard in a shared room.
What's the smallest hex dumbbell rack?
A tree rack. Our A5 tree takes 31 × 36cm of floor and holds five pairs.
Can I add more pairs to a tree rack later?
Only up to its number of tiers. Buy a rack with one or two spare tiers if you expect to add pairs. The 4-pair set on the 5-tier A5 rack is one example. For an open-ended collection, a shelf rack is more flexible.
Will a hex dumbbell rack fit neoprene dumbbells?
Neoprene dumbbells are a different size and shape from rubber hex heads, so it's best to use a rack made for them. We sell neoprene dumbbell tree racks sized for them.
For most people with three to six pairs, a tree rack with a tier for every pair, plus one spare, is the right buy. Move to a shelf rack once your collection reaches eight pairs or more. You'll find every rack and set combination in the dumbbells and storage range.
