When starting out with dumbbells, its best to start with lower weights so you can adjust to the shape of your dumbbells, become accustomed to holding them in your hands during exercise, and learn proper form and technique before advancing to heavier weights. The right dumbbells for a beginner to use are ones that make the exercise feel challenging but doable. Theres no single average dumbbell weight for beginners, as it varies so much by person. For instance, someone who is new to lifting but already generally healthy and active may be able to start with 25-pound dumbbells for a compound lower-body exercise like a sumo squat. Meanwhile, someone who is rehabilitating an injury may need to start with 2-3 pound dumbbells in each hand for 12-15 reps. As a general guideline, women can start with a set of two 5- to 10-pound weights, and men can start with a set of two 10- to 20-pound weights. However, its important to listen to your body and adjust the weight accordingly.