Thinking of getting these so I can do dumbbell work at home while doing all the barbell and yard work at the gym. There simply isn't enough time in my schedule I can go to the gym to do everything I should, but I can get some stuff done at home.
So before I waste $700 dollary-doos (factoring in shipping) on this, is it worth it? It looks fucking sweet. However I am skeptical. Do the weight add-ons hold firmly? Does it feel weird? Is it not secure? It certainly looks like a major improvement over having literally a ton of weights taking up space in my room and possibly busting the floor.
I really want to give these a try. And yes I do need up to 90 pounds. If I get to the point where I seriously need more than 90 pound dumbbells then I'll just buy individual ones for 100+ or find some other solution to that.
I am tempted as well, user. Tried out some at the store (powerblocks website lists their retailers in your area) They feel pretty fuckin nice. The weights shift a few millimeters as they move. I liked the feel. A bit more organic feeling feedback IMHO than solid weights. I don't know if I can justify the cost, but I want to justify the cost.
Carson Stewart
They seem quite expensive Why not get a power cage, an oly barbell and some weights for that price?
Benjamin Peterson
Seems like a waste of money. Do you really need all of those increments? A regular set of adjustable dumbells would probably be just as good at a fraction of the price
Ayden White
user #2 here. Apartment life. No extra room.
Jace Cox
Also true here. Those weights take up a lot of space, or they're a hassle to stack and unstack over and over if they're spread out.
Jack Howard
They're also made in the USA from what I hear. Looks solid and saves space. I really think I'm going to blow my savings from this month on a set. But if I do I can't let myself buy anything nice for several months. Good thing I already upgrade my PC a shit-ton.
A power rack requires lots of height, floor space, mats to protect the ground, a proper flooring, and so on. It is simply not feasible for me at this time to actually put a power rack anywhere. That may change in a few years, it's hard to say. Circumstances out of my control and all. I already have a gym membership. For $30 a month I'm fine with going to the gym to do my barbell exercises, given how the costs of doing it at home are currently prohibitive to me.
Additionally, these are dumbbells. They are fundamentally different from barbells. I am specifically looking to get THESE because I can afford them and it's something that I CAN put at home right now. So that I do the barbell work at the gym and do the dumbbell work at home.
Does that make it more clear? Also, they do seem expensive but they also seem to be high quality and it's only a purchase I'm considering because I plan to lift weights until I die. I stopped weightlifting in high school and I regret ever stopping. That won't happen again.
Hmmm, I guess they look alright. Any particular reason you recommend them? Is there anything wrong with these? I checked out their website, and I like how they are closer to a traditional dumbbell in form. I also saw that they have an add-on kit to 120 lbs and one to 165 lb that is currently out of stock. They are more expensive, but they do look nice. Now I'm conflicted.
Found this comparative review on the changing weight.
Luke Sullivan
The one I saw in the store didn't have that solid metal selector. It had a plastic one. Still works just fine, Was a little disappointed in that bit though.
Jonathan Martin
I wonder if I could get a metal selector from them if I call and ask about it. I think that would be the dealmaker for me.
Carter Carter
I have that brand, but not that exact model. they work pretty well. kind of an awkward shape for certain niche movements, but for stuff like DB bench/OHP, curls, and any simple movements they work great. a lot of weight in a compact area.
only problem I've had with them is when I first got them, the paint was on a little thick on the 50lbs section, so when you pulled it up it would stick to the 60 section and bring it up too. though all I had to do was slam it in and rip it out fast a few times for the paint to scrap off enough for it to slide in smoothly. I plan on buying the additional sections that will take it up to 130 or 140 pounds per dumbbell. I forget what the max is.
Isaiah Smith
I have these, I love 'em. Definitely worth if you have the money. >this is not a bowflex advertisement
Ehh, I really don't like a number of things about those from an engineering standpoint. If they work they work, and happy that you like them, but I'm 90% certain I will not.
Jonathan Johnson
What kind of movements are made awkward with them? What exercises would I not be able to do with them?
Evan Mitchell
That fucking idiot reviewing them has the Bowflex dumbbell right next to the PowerBlock so that every time he has to change the pin to select the different weight he has trouble with it because the Bowflex is in the way. What a goddamn moron. That really pisses me off. If you're going to review something maybe you should fucking understand the product.
That looks like double the floorspace. Also I like moving parts, they're geeky.
Isaiah Wright
That's only 30-50 in 5 pound increments. You're missing quite a lot to compare to a 10 pound to 90 pound with 2.5 pound increments possible with the PowerBlock.
Justin Smith
by niche movements, I mean meme tier shit and shit you should use other equipment for (wrist curls, kettle ball swings)
for legit core movements they work great. I love loading up 90lbs in each hand with them and climbing some stairs. great finisher to a deadlift day
Camden Lee
>2.5 pound increments possible with the PowerBlock. I don't know if they have made new models, but my Powerblock only does stuff like 20, 25, and 27.5 there is no way to do 22.5 due to the handle weighing 5, each internal weight weighing 2.5, and each metal stack plate weighing 10. you can't do anything x2.5 (x being the first digit in the weight amount) unless you somehow go without the handle
Julian Morgan
For wrist curls I would just get a wrist roller (and that actually sounds like something worth doing). And for kettle bell shit, that's meme as fuck. If I want to experiment with that I'll just try it out at my gym.
Alright, cool. I'm definitely going to get the PowerBlocks then. Though I'll still consider the Ironmasters. I'll have to think about it, however the ease of switching weight and the quietness of it makes me lean towards the blocks.
Did you get the stand? Would it be worth the $100 or should I just not bother? I'm inclined to get the stand but a little hesitant about wasting money.
Aaron Torres
You're right. They DO miss out on a 2.5 increment every now and then. Sorry.
Oliver Mitchell
>Did you get the stand? yes. the stand, well it's a stand. deff not something you can leave in the middle of the room without bolting it down (it has holes in the bottom meant for bolting it down) since well if you go to lift 180lbs off it, you will naturally butt your legs up against it for leverage. if you have no problem lifting heavy shit with a disadvantaged angle of leverage, it's no problem. same if you have it against a wall like I do. the model of stand I got has a textured pad where the blocks sit, so they don't slide at all. you drop them, they stay where you dropped them. also has slots for the internal weights to sit when not being used. I find the stand good simply because I don't know where else I'd put them. they cost a bit so on the ground seems like a bad idea, and if I make something for them it would either have to be welded metal ( I don't know how to weld nor know where to get cheap quality metal to use) stand to take up as little room as their stand. a wood one would need to be rather big and that kinda defeats the purpose of the compact DBs. also I am 6'0 foot tall, and the stand comes up about 2 or 3 inches above my knees. not much of a reference for you at least you have an idea how tall it is, no idea if their website says the height, probably does
Ian Perez
I looked at them and they seem pretty legit but I am a poorfag myself. Here is what 90lb loaded on my walmart adjustables looks like. Yes the 25lb plates are unwieldy and and restrict ROM.
>Yes the 25lb plates are unwieldy and and restrict ROM. exactly why I bought my powerblocks. once I I realized that I would need to by another set of 25s and 35s (which would not be cheap) and would be fucking worthless ROM wise to lift, I got these. sadly my 125$ oly plate adjustible DBs are now just sitting under my bed getting rusty, but at least I have a back up in case something happens to the PBs
Hunter Fisher
Yeah, those are all reasons why I considered just dropping the money for the stand. As for picking it up I can lift 100 pounds in each hand cleanly off the racks at the gym when I do farmer's walks. I'm certain I'll be relatively fine and I can't bolt it down anyway but I probably won't need to. It's going in the corner of my room anyway once I organize things around better. I'm 5'11" so only slightly shorter than you. If they're at only slightly above knee level I definitely won't have a problem taking them out at full load. Thanks.
Matthew Phillips
Mate, considering you said dollary-doos I can only assume you're australia. Get on gumtree for some weights and if you can't pick them up, offer people like $20 to drop them off. Works every time.
Thomas Sanders
Build quality matters, believe it or not. Everything I'm seeing about PowerBlock shows they last easily over 10 years, possibly 20 no issues. The PowerBlock also has the advantage of fast weight adjustment, and it's also relatively quiet in its adjustment. These things may not always matter, but to me they do as well.
Chase James
No, I'm a burger. I just always loved the term "dollarydoos". But you're right, it can implicate a certain geographical location.
Joseph Perry
Man, those "standard" adjustable dumbbells seem so terrible.
Carson White
Nigga i thought that was a stack of chairs at first thats a dumbbell?
Brody Myers
I have them
Buy them from Amazon - I bought my 90lb from them and it was about 450
I like them a lot. They're solid, feel nice, and they work.
I would recommend. The only issues I have is it's a little scary to go super heavy, mostly for fear of dropping them and damaging them, and that the handle is blocked off so you can't add accessories like fat grips if needed.
Generally though I am very happy with my set. I recommend the stand from Amazon as well too, much easier to pick up the weights, especially at a heavier weight.
Henry Gray
Going to the movies now, but when I come back I'm happy to answer additional questions you may have OP.
Easton Cook
Check Craigslist first, lots of people buy selectable dumbbells and stop using them. If you aren’t totally set on that brand, you could find similar ones for under $50.
Bentley Barnes
Jeff uses them.
Samuel Parker
I own 4 dumbbells 2-25lb and 2-40lb and they are enough weight for me to do any exercises. Dumbbell skull crushers, concentration curls, lunges, overhead press, lateral raises, side bends. You don't really need some expensive fancy weights. If you need more weight get an old bag that is strong and put 2 dumbbells inside and use that.
Jason Martin
>$700 for a set of dumbells
Fucking what?
My gym is $20 a month, nearly 3 years of membership there for a set of those meme-bells
Go on to craigslist and find real dumbells that are used and just pick up a few in the weights you use. I have a set of 15, 20, 25 and 35kg
>My gym is $20 a month, nearly 3 years of membership there for a set of those meme-bells Time. user said he couldn't fit it in his schedule as much as he would like. Some people are busy and that extra 30 to 40 mins of travel time to the gym matters. >Go on to craigslist and find real dumbells that are used and just pick up a few in the weights you use. I have a set of 15, 20, 25 and 35kg Pretty good advice. Get standard dumbells and pick up weights from Craigslist.
Lincoln Hall
Thanks. They sound great. As for dropping them, I'm strong enough with my grip that it's highly unlikely. But I'll keep that in mind if I ever do farmer's walks with them which would likely be the only time they're dropping.
I'll check CL to see if someone is selling these used, however I take care of my things and I prefer to spend a little more to have a quality product that hasn't been tainted by a less careful human, so I'm perfectly happy to waste a little money on these small things that make a huge difference to me.
My gym is $30 a month and I still plan to go to it. Perhaps you didn't read my other posts, but the time window I have to go to the gym is too small to do everything I want. If I get these, I can do the dumbbell work at home in my free time while I do the barbell work there. But I just can't go to the gym as long as I need.
I can't fit a bunch of standard dumbbells, and I don't mind investing in the future.
Noah Murphy
>I can't fit a bunch of standard dumbbells, and I don't mind investing in the future. Sorry I meant adjustable Olympic dumbbells. That weigh the plates you buy could be used with a barbell when you have the space for a home gym.
Jacob Mitchell
I thought about it but really I think the powerblock looks worth the extra bit of investment. It also is smaller than Olympic dumbbells and won't have the weights slide off like they might.
Samuel Martin
Overpriced and fragile.
Get oly dumbells and some appropriately sized plates for less
Jordan Fisher
Your trips are highly persuasive. Why do you say fragile? I agree that they are likely overpriced, but morally I have no compunctions against supporting a company with a good product.
Adam Perez
Ever do heavy flies and drop the weights one side at a time? These have a nasty habit of breaking/bending if not dealt with delicately.
Nathaniel Young
>Dropping the weights. lel
The proper thing to do is to bring them up to your chest and sit up. Since the flies are using your whole arm for a mechanical disadvantage with leverage, all you need to do is bend at your elbow to bring the weights close to your armpit, and then you are set to use your chest to bring them a bit closer and then sit up.
You don't HAVE to drop the weights. If I recall correctly dropping them after that is bad for you too.
