Circus Dumbbells

Name: Circus Dumbbells
Brand: Titan Fitness
Rating: 3.22 (6 reviews)

Titan Fitness’s Circus Dumbbells are plate-loadable strongman implements built around oversized bell ends and extra-long handles, sold in four bell/handle combinations: 10” or 12” bell diameter, paired with a 2”, 2.5”, or 3” handle. Each has 10.75” of loadable sleeve per side and fits standard Olympic weight plates 10” in diameter and under, secured with a pair of included weight retainers; empty weight across the lineup runs roughly 67-94 lb depending on the variant. The oversized bells and thick handles are designed to force the lifter to engage stabilizer muscles the way a standard hex dumbbell can’t, mimicking the awkward-object pressing and carrying seen in strongman competition.

Independent coverage is thin but leans positive: an exercisepicks.com roundup names the 12” version its top overall pick among circus dumbbells, citing rugged construction and grip-training versatility, while a hands-on unboxing video found the bells bigger and better-finished than expected. GymRadar’s owner sample tells a more mixed story – a 3.22/5 average across 6 reviews, with Build Quality the weakest of its three sub-scores (2.50/5) against a stronger 3.83/5 for Value. Titan does not recommend dropping the bells from overhead, which limits their use in dynamic, competition-style strongman drills without extra floor protection.

Included	pair of weight retainers
Material	steel
Bell diameter	10" or 12" (variant options)
Overall length	28.25"
Handle diameter	2", 2.5", or 3" (variant options)
Empty weight range	approx. 67-94 lb across variants
Plate compatibility	Olympic weight plates, 10" diameter and under
Manufacturer guidance	not recommended for dropping from overhead
Loadable sleeve length	10.75" per side

What is a Strongman?

Strongman equipment trains raw, functional strength through odd-object lifting, carrying, and loading — atlas stones, yokes, farmer’s handles, sleds, logs, and tires — rather than the fixed, balanced resistance of a barbell. It’s a fit for lifters who’ve plateaued on conventional strength training and want to build the grip, bracing, and full-body coordination that competition strongman and functional fitness demand, or who simply want the most direct training carryover to real-world lifting and carrying tasks. Most pieces are bulky and some (tires, natural stones) are sourced or repurposed rather than bought outright, so plan for storage space and, in a few cases, DIY sourcing as part of owning this equipment.

How it compares

	Circus Dumbbells	Cerberus HD Strongman Sack Sandbag	10" Rackable Strongman Log Bar	Titan 12” Rackable Strongman Log
GymRadar rating	3.22/5	3.28/5	3.7/5	3.79/5
Price		$81.99	$219.97
Included	pair of weight retainers
Material	steel	1050D CORDURA ballistic nylon, bonded-nylon triple stitching	Steel, welded end caps	Steel, flat black coating
Bell diameter	10" or 12" (variant options)
Overall length	28.25"		71.25 in	80.3 in
Handle diameter	2", 2.5", or 3" (variant options)
Empty weight range	approx. 67-94 lb across variants
Plate compatibility	Olympic weight plates, 10" diameter and under
Manufacturer guidance	not recommended for dropping from overhead
Loadable sleeve length	10.75" per side		10 in	14 in

3.2/5 · 6 GymRadar reviews

Reviews by source

Expert	3.22/5	6 reviews
Youtube	3.8/5	2 reviews

Titan Fitness’s Circus Dumbbells are a budget entry into strongman-style plate-loadable dumbbells, sold in four bell/handle combinations (10” or 12” bells, 2”/2.5”/3” handles). Independent coverage is thin but consistent in tone: an exercisepicks.com roundup names the 12” version its top pick for build quality and grip variety, and the two YouTube videos found show an owner impressed by the size and finish straight out of the box. GymRadar’s owner-rated aggregate (3.22/5 across 6 reviews) tells a less flattering story, though, with Build Quality scored lowest of its three sub-categories (2.50/5) against a stronger Value score (3.83/5) – suggesting the steel-and-weld construction is serviceable but not premium for the price. Versatility is the standout dimension: oversized bells, three handle-diameter options, and Olympic-plate loading cover everything from grip training to classic strongman overhead work. The weakest dimension is build quality, per GymRadar’s owner sample and the manufacturer’s own warning against dropping the bells from overhead.

+Versatility: available in four bell/handle combinations (10"/12" bells, 2"/2.5"/3" handles) covering grip training through classic strongman overhead pressing (Titan Fitness product page)
+Functionality: oversized bell ends and 10.75" of loadable sleeve engage stabilizer muscles the way a standard hex dumbbell can't (exercisepicks.com)
+Value: named the top overall pick in an independent circus-dumbbell roundup, ahead of pricier competitors (exercisepicks.com)
+Build quality: an owner's unboxing found the steel bells bigger than expected and the finish quality better than anticipated for the price (YouTube: unboxing review)

−Build quality: GymRadar's owner sample rates Build Quality just 2.50/5, the lowest of its three sub-scores, against a 3.83/5 Value score (GymRadar, n=6)
−Durability: Titan does not recommend dropping the bells from overhead, limiting use in dynamic/competition-style strongman training (exercisepicks.com)
−Value: heavy and cumbersome for storage, and pricier than a casual user likely needs (exercisepicks.com)
−Durability: independent coverage is thin overall (6 GymRadar reviews, one usable YouTube transcript), so long-term wear data is limited