Household Items That Can Be Used for 2-Pound Dumbbells

Conversions

It's essential to know how much you are lifting, so you can gradually increase the weight. When using household items, simply convert a container's liquid capacity to pounds with a simple calculation. One ounce of water is equal to 0.0625 pounds, so 32 ounces is equal to 2 pounds. A standard 1-liter bottle of soda weighs 2.2 pounds. If you want a weight that is exactly 2 pounds, pour 32 ounces of water into an empty liter bottle.

Plastic Jugs

Half-gallon plastic milk jugs make perfect dumbbells, because the weight can easily be adjusted by adding or pouring out the contents, and because most jugs have a nifty handle. A half-full, half-gallon milk jug holds 2.086 pounds, making it a perfect 2-pound dumbbell. You can easily up the weight by adding more water. If you don't want the sloshing, fill a dry jug with 2 pounds of sand or beans using a kitchen funnel. And how cool is that that you recycled an item that would normally have wound up in a landfill?

Dumbbells Disguised as Produce

While you may not want to lift a 2-pound bag of potatoes, apples or oranges over your head, this same bag of produce can easily be used as a free weight for a front raise, single or bent arm row, a lateral raise and more; just make sure the bag is securely closed. Because muscle strengthening involves gradually increasing your work load, simply add a few more pieces of fruit to up the weight.

Leave the Cans in the Cupboard

While a can may make a decent weight, holding it over your head, could cause some serious injury if you accidentally drop it. Look for household items with secure caps, easy-to-hold handles and no sharp, dull or metal edges, such as laundry detergent and nontoxic cleaning supplies. A half- or 1-quart plastic container with a secure lid and a sturdy handle also makes an excellent dumbbell or free weight when filled with prepackaged and preweighed flour, sugar, grains or beans. No one ever died from a head full of rice.