who here has experience purchasing these? Wise investment? I have a weight set but it REALLY sucks when it comes to dumbbell exercises and I like them the most. Any brands to stay away from?

6/16/2009 3:09:59 AM

They are an awesome investment if you actually intend to use them. I know that probably sounds obvious but if you are just beginning to get into lifting, good ones are a huge investment ($500ish). It's not something you want to buy and then decide you don't want.

6/16/2009 7:07:43 AM

How much weight do yours go up to?(if you have them) So far the cheapest pair I've seen is around $250, and they go up to 50 lbs each.

6/16/2009 12:30:09 PM

you can get a cheap pair at target for about 150

6/16/2009 12:48:53 PM

Mine go up to 90 lbs.

6/16/2009 3:34:47 PM

buy a set of olympic handle dumbells and a bunch of 10's, 5's, and 2.5's

MUCH cheaper and durable, and you will be able to use them on a normal olympic barbell.

6/16/2009 4:25:51 PM

^currently have those too

but changing off 4 clips by yourself sucks donkey balls

6/16/2009 4:26:52 PM

6/16/2009 4:27:41 PM

oh i should elaborate. i guess mine are warped or something? cause the clips are hard as fuck to get on and off on 2 of the ends...i've tried like all my clips on the same end and its hard to get on.(and some of these clips are too loose to use)

i like supersetting biceps too and its seriously fucking cumbersome to take those clips off constantly

if it took like 15 seconds thats one thing...but you have to a shit ton of effort to get them on, it just kills my motivation when lifting

oh forgot to mention how i'd love the space it would save versus what i have now, i kinda want the 90lbs kind but idk...was hoping to not be out much by trading in weider 560(got like 320 lbs of weights)



[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 4:35 PM. Reason : .]

6/16/2009 4:31:02 PM

My roommate has these:



and they're awesome. I've messed around with a lot of adjustable dumbells, and these are the only ones that come close to using regular dumbells to me. Also very durable...my roommate is a former collegiate offensive lineman...so he has been using the shit out of these for years and they still seem brand new. So if you can, try to find some used ones on craigslist or bay. The ones that suck the most are the square-like ones.

6/16/2009 4:47:45 PM

Those are bowflex by the way.

6/16/2009 4:49:50 PM

^ correct, those are by far the best. I have used them before and are excellent, but they are very pricey. Ebay or CL all the way for those. Don't go to dick's sporting goods for these. You may even call around to play it again sports to see if they have any.

6/16/2009 6:34:31 PM

Sears usually has good deals on the Bowflex ones and similar knockoffs.

6/16/2009 7:05:59 PM

I have the powerblock set (classic 50). Quick to change weights (from 10-50 by 5lbs) and just felt more stable than the bowflex models in my hands.

I am not certain about the specific set I have but I know most sets are upgradeable as you get stronger by purchasing more plates.

Got my set at Dicks in crossroads. Think they were around 300.

6/16/2009 8:48:46 PM

okay depending on strength level...but after awhile there's not much you can do with 2 50lb dumbbells

6/16/2009 8:55:16 PM

you can use them in conjunction with your barbell and power cage.

6/16/2009 9:15:16 PM

^^seriously

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 9:16 PM. Reason : dumbbell bench would get bad after like a month]

6/16/2009 9:16:27 PM

i have/had a set of powerblocks. they're great. I looked at the bowflex dumbbells as well. Those are much bigger than the powerblocks and no easier to adjust. The powerblocks are also sturdier. I've also heard of the bowflex's dial breaking. The powerblocks don't have any moving parts. If the clip that lets you choose the weight breaks, you could easily put another one on (assuming you can buy the part).

Mine go from 15-50 in increments of 5 (8 pairs). I got them for a little over $300. I actually sold them to my roommate though. I prefer working out at the gym, wanted the cash and it's not like I can't use them whenever I want.


suggesting that 50's aren't worthwhile is a little ridiculous, particular for the avg. person that works out at home.

1) nobody said you have to only use dumbbells. Most people make use of barbells, dumbbells, pull-up bars... all sorts of exercise equipment in their routines. Not everyone starts out doing 50lb kickbacks.

2) the weight/rep scheme you use will depend on your goal. Sure, 50's won't get you far if you're doing nothing but dumbbell presses with them. But there are plenty of other uses.

3) I've seen some of the most built up guys i've known use dumbbells well below 50's on a regular basis.

4) If you're solely strength or power training, no 50lb dumbbells by themselves probably aren't going to get you very far. But they'll get you to the point that 50lbs is no problem. And adjustable sets are far less expensive than solid dumbbells
This set provides two more pairs (5lb and 10lb), it costs $900 vs $300 for the power blocks
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3318265

5) let's be realistic, for the average user looking to workout at home... 50lbs is plenty of weight for a dumbbell.

6/16/2009 10:33:09 PM

Quote :

"i have/had a set of powerblocks. they're great. I looked at the bowflex dumbbells as well. Those are much bigger than the powerblocks and no easier to adjust. The powerblocks are also sturdier. I've also heard of the bowflex's dial breaking. The powerblocks don't have any moving parts. If the clip that lets you choose the weight breaks, you could easily put another one on (assuming you can buy the part)."

Will have to disagree with a lot of this. I'm not saying the powerblocks are easier to adjust...but the bowflex ones are much faster. It takes you half a second to turn that dial (and I've never heard of the dial breaking...my roommate has had his for years and had no problems with the dial).

And I find the powerblocks to be much "bulkier." The bowflex dumbbells feel like real dumbbells. The powerblocks seem to get in my way or just don't seem to be as "smooth" when I'm doing the exercises. But hey...to each their own.

6/17/2009 1:19:20 AM

http://slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=1388689

these the bowflex ones? $400

6/17/2009 3:04:05 AM

words, but all relevant...

when i say they're bigger, i'm specifically referring to length. i've found their length restricts range of motion on some exercises. In turn, causing me to pronate when I would like the option to not pronate my wrist. Or at least not so soon. I don't have that problem with the powerblocks. The heavier models of the powerblocks are long as well. Specifically the 90lb and 130lb models. But the corresponding selecttechs are always bigger than the powerblocks.

Putting your hand inside to grasp the powerblock is a little odd at first, but you adjust quickly and it doesn't cause any restrictions (that I've come across.). In that same vein, the selecttechs have an odd shaped handle. I can't stand it when I just pick one up (I've never seen a handle like that in a gym). But that's probably something you get used to. So I'll call that a wash.

W/ the selecttechs, you can feel the discs move around (at least on every set i've ever picked up). That's not the case with the powerblocks. That, while not the end of the world, is really annoying to me.

Speed of adjusting weight, ehh even if it takes 5 times as long to adjust the weight of the powerblocks (which it doesn't), we're still talking a matter of seconds at most. Is that really a big deal?

I've heard the dial mechanism can break. Someone else never heard of the dial mechanism breaking. Let's call it a wash and say both brands are good and sturdy. Although, I must throw in that there's not really anything on the powerblock to break. The design is simple and functional.


Info. about each from their respective websites:

Bowflex has 2 options 1090 and 552

selecttech 552:
15 weight settings from 5-52.5lbs
dimensions - 15.75" L x 8" W x 9" H
Price = $399

Selecttech 1090:
17 weight settings (10-90, 5lb increments)
Dimensions - 17.5" L x 10" W x 10" H
Price - $699

Powerblock has 4 main base models and 6 classic sets. Several of those can be expanded at a later time. maybe 50lbs is fine for now, but later you need more... you can just buy the expansion set that allows you to go up to 90lbs or 130lbs. With selecttechs, you have to buy an entire new set. And you're limited to 90lbs max.

The most directly comparable to the selecttechs...

50lb options:
Sport 5.0
10 weight settings (5-50lbs all 5lb increments, same as a typical gym)
Dimensions - 12" L x 6.5" W x 6.5" H (that's 3.75" shorter/ea.)
price - $299

PB Personal Trainer set
20 weight settings (5-50, 2.5lb increments)
Dimensions - 12 x 6 x 6 inches
Price - $359

90lb option:
Sport 9.0 Stage II (this is an expandable set starting at stage II. stage I is 50, II is 90, III is 130)
28 weight settings (2.5-90lbs, increments vary from 2.5 to 5lbs)
Dimensions - 16" L x 6" W x 6" H (only 1.5" shorter in length/ea., but 4" in both width and height)
Price - $598


My conclusion - They're really very comparable in how well they function. But ultimately, you get a better price and more options with the powerblocks. You have more sets to choose from and the option of adding weight to your set at a later date. The Powerblocks also have a size advantage, which could factor into range of motion. The 50lb selecttechs are bigger than the 90lb powerblocks. The powerblocks are also about $100 less than their counterpart. Maybe $60 if you have them shipped. Which brings up something that is definite a benefit of the selectechs. They are easier to find locally. Although, I got my powerblocks at Dick's in Briar Creek, and I think someone else said they bought theirs in Cary. Ultimately, I think the powerblocks are a much better option from a consumer perpsective (assuming they're comfortable to the user).

I'd be glad to let the OP come over and check mine out in person.

[Edited on June 17, 2009 at 3:40 AM. Reason : .]

6/17/2009 3:39:58 AM

^Thank you very much sir for that post.

6/17/2009 3:52:24 AM

Duro982, my roommate had an expensive pair with the dial mechanism. They've jammed nearly every workout.

6/17/2009 4:28:38 AM

Quote :

"buy a set of olympic handle dumbells and a bunch of 10's, 5's, and 2.5's MUCH cheaper and durable, and you will be able to use them on a normal olympic barbell."

any sporting goods store worth its salt will sell olympic weight at $0.49/lb. or you can try craig's list. for dumbells only, which i assume is what you are looking for, it might not be a bad idea to get threaded weight, which would probably be even cheaper.


OR LIFT ROCKS! GRRRRR!!11!!!1

6/17/2009 8:29:59 AM