I officially kick off my effort to work out with this Altus set of dumbbell , and I have to say , they be great . I be definitely a beginner , and do not want to go get a gym membership and be surround by strange people , so I think I would just lift some weight at home . to be honest , I do not even know what Neoprene be when I start look and my only exposure to dumbbell be PE class as a kid where the weight be metal . these be great !! they be coat with this rubberized material -lrb- neoprene -rrb- . they feel good , they just do not slip , they do not smell at all , and they be not cold and hard like metal weight . have no idea weight could be so pleasant to use . I do go through these very quickly . from 3 lb to 5 lb to 8 lb and now I be ready for more . on the positive side , work great and I be stronger in a week ! 8 lb be definitely enough if you just want to tone you arm , but I be on to even bigger one such as 15 lb and 20 lb , but I be stick with neoprene . highly recommend these , great purchase !