The amount of weight a dumbbell rack can hold depends largely on the construction and design. Dumbbell shelves constructed from thicker steel will be able to hold a much bigger load. Horizontal dumbbell shelves often feature a bigger footprint but are designed to hold more weight when compared to vertical or other rack types. Some higher-quality dumbbell racks can hold up to 1000 lbs, providing a great storage option for a lot of dumbbells.