Should I buy adjustable dumbbells or resistance bands first?

If you are deciding between the two, buy adjustable dumbbells first if your primary goal is building muscle and raw strength, you have a dedicated workout space, and your budget allows for it. They provide constant, gravity-based tension and make tracking your progress (progressive overload) straightforward.

Choose resistance bands first if you travel frequently, are recovering from an injury, have limited storage, or are working with a tight budget. While they do not provide the exact tactile feel of free weights, they offer highly versatile, joint-friendly variable resistance that peaks at the end of your range of motion.

Ultimately, these two tools complement each other perfectly. Many lifters eventually use both: dumbbells for heavy compound lifts (like presses and squats) and bands for accessory movements, mobility work, and warmups.