What companies make adjustable dumbbells?
I'm looking for a dumbbell set like the Bowflex Selectech, but I don't have $350 to spend. Anybody know of some cheaper alternatives?
I'd go with PowerBlock. I've had a set for about 9 years and am still using them. Their customer service is amazing. Twice over the years, I've accidentally bent the hell out of one of the set pins. In one case, it was complete carelessness on my part, and I even admitted so in my email to them, offering to purchase new pins. In both cases, one of the owners personally responded to me and free replacement pins were shipped out that very day.
Setting the weight with the pins isn't as slick as the dial on the Bowflex weights, but you can get these cheaper if you google prices. A mini SportBlock set (up to 24 lbs per hand) is around $150. Another set that goes up to 45 lbs per hand can be found for under $300. The nice thing about the 45 lbs set is that it can be expanded to 90 lb per hand by buying an add-on set of weights later.
7 Answers
I looked at PowerBlocks when I was buying, but read some reviews of people saying you had to be a little careful with them, plus they seemed to be sold out everywhere.
In the end I went with Iron Master They are all metal, they show people dropping them all over the place and when I looked around on body building forums they seemed to be the favorite. They make a really nice bench as well. I would say that changing weights isn’t as easy as with something like the PowerBlocks, so if you are changing weight a lot with 0 rest you may not like them, but you can still change them pretty quickly and they should last forever. The base set goes from 5-75lbs and they have an add-on that will take you up to 120lbs.
They aren’t cheaper than the Bowflex, but should last longer, I’ve heard no so good things about the Bowflex ones, they also don’t go as high on the weight and no matter how much you are lifting they are huge. If you are looking to save money check to see if you can find someone selling their PowerBlocks or IronMasters on criagslist. They don’t come up much, but I just saw some IronMasters on there in my area yesterday… Weights, stand, and bench for $400 I think it was… That’s a good deal
I have these and like them .If you don't want to pay an enormous price they will do just fine . I have heard people say to tighten up the nut at the ends every once in a while and you shouldn't have any problems . They are only $62 .
Reebok adjustable hand weights:http://www.target.com/Reebok-Adjustable-Hand-Weights-Set/dp/B000VT5C2G/ref=br_1_13?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=1254501011&node=1254501011&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Reebok%20Adjustable%20Hand%20Weights%20Set
I'm going to co-sign Jeremy's suggestion for the powerblocks. I've had mine for 3 years and think they are the most brilliantly designed weights I have ever worked with.
I'm even bold enough to say that even if I had the room, I still would stick to the powerblocks.
My personal favorite is Ironmaster. Their dumbbells have a traditional dumbbell shape as opposed to the Powerblocks. Their dumbbells can go from 5lbs to 160lbs. I have had mine for years and love them. I also like the fact that they offer a kettlebell adapter, straight bar, and ez curl bar for the same weights. Their website is:
Power blocks are by far the best, but it's kinda like putting your hand in the middle of cinder blocks. Every brand is bulky and awkward at first. Check your local craigslist.org daily I got mine there for $300 they go from 5-85# with a stand. It's like people who join a gym... they go for 2 months then quit. Their loss is your gain.
Power block definietely makes the best adjustable dumbells. If your looking for a bench to go along with it for incline presses or just for flat bench press, check out http://www.ucsspirit.com/strength-speed/index.cfm
The prices might be high, but you can call and get a better price. They also delivered my bench in 6 days with free custom colors and vinyls.
I'd go with PowerBlock. I've had a set for about 9 years and am still using them. Their customer service is amazing. Twice over the years, I've accidentally bent the hell out of one of the set pins. In one case, it was complete carelessness on my part, and I even admitted so in my email to them, offering to purchase new pins. In both cases, one of the owners personally responded to me and free replacement pins were shipped out that very day.
Setting the weight with the pins isn't as slick as the dial on the Bowflex weights, but you can get these cheaper if you google prices. A mini SportBlock set (up to 24 lbs per hand) is around $150. Another set that goes up to 45 lbs per hand can be found for under $300. The nice thing about the 45 lbs set is that it can be expanded to 90 lb per hand by buying an add-on set of weights later.
PowerBlock