Customer Reviews

PowerBlock Personal Trainer Adjustable 2.5 to 50-Pounds per Dumbbell Set

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I agree that these are the best adjustable dumbbells on the market. However, I would add a few caveats. For starters, it is important to have the PowerBlocks on a level surface and make sure you insert the pin straight across rather than at an angle. If you don't, it is possible that a plate could fall and hit you even with the elastic backup mechanism. It is also very important to put the pin assembly together right side up. If you don't, the magnets that hold this assembly in place don't engage.

On exercises like OVERHEAD triceps extensions, the points above are particularly important. While I think this product is great, it does limit range of motion in some exercises such as upright rows. The dumbbell is rather long and this could be a problem depending upon your frame. However, I wouldn't worry about the square design. I find using these dumbbells to be quite comfortable and the padded grips certainly help.

While this product is quite expensive, it's also the best out there that I know of and I shopped around carefully. It also seems to be the safest and is certainly more convenient, takes up less room and even costs less than a set of full dumbbells that can cover the same weight ranges.

If money is an issue for you, you may want to consider getting the model of dumbbells one tier down from these that adjust in 5 lb. increments and then purchasing adjustable wrist weights in 0.5 increments. This will give you about the same effect for less cost.

After much research, I've purchased the Powerblocks Sport 9.0's that go up to 90 lbs. The 50lbs are expandable to the 90lbs, and then that set into the 130lbs. I am completely satisfied and excited by the set. My review is not to explain their function, but to save anyone the research time between Weider's, Bowflex, Ironmaster, Powerblocks, etc.

I purchased the Powerblocks over the Bowflex because I have not read one positive bodybuilding review concerning the Selecttech's durability. The plastic breaks easily, even when being gentle. Also, the bulkiness of the overall Selecttech makes moves like flies and presses difficult. Thus, the entire Selecttech system--although looks shnazzy--is impractical and a waste of money.

Thus, this left the only major contendor in terms of price, durability, and practicality: the IronMaster QuickLocks. Every other adjustable dumbbell is to be forgotten. These are the two major contendors.

The biggest difference between the Ironmasters and Powerblocks is one thing: speed vs. function. Both dumbbells are rock solid, but the Ironmasters are droppable. But how many people actually drop their dumbbells regularly? The Powerblocks are faster to switch between the weights, ESPECIALLY in terms of the Ironmasters slowness after 75lbs. However, every thread I've come across state both dumbbell brands are incredible in terms of durabilty, effectiveness, ugradeablability of up to around 130lbs, the outstanding customer service, and overall efficiency over multiple dumbells. The only downfall for the Ironmasters is the change time on weight over 75lbs. The only downfall for the Powerblocks is they make a little more noise.

The decision really is this in terms of adjustable dumbbells: do you want a more traditional looking dumbbell? Or something a little faster? Both are great designs, but I've found the Powerblocks to be the perfect choice. I hope I saved someone some time, because as long as you stick to either Ironmasters or Powerblocks for your adjustable dumbbell needs, you will be 100% satisfied for the years to come.

I bought the elite version (5 lbs empty handle up to 90 lbs) for about $600 from a local fitness store to avoid shipping and handling. Initially I thought the handle might restrict wrist movement but it hasn't been a problem. The trickiest part to using them is inserting the selector pins correctly and this is no biggie - just do it right so you don't dent the floor or your head. Selecting the weight in increments of 10 lbs is very quick. To make smaller adjustments requires removing the handle from the weight set, removing a cylinder or two and then reinserting the handle - not terribly time consuming but I find myself trying to avoid it during a workout. I use them for every exercise I would use a regular set of dumbbells except for pullovers. You can't drop these like regular dumbbells and I try not to bang them together. I have had them for about a year and use them at least twice a week. They look brand new. I would give them five stars if I wasn't taking into account the price.

12/9/10: No complaints. Solid piece of equipment. Cats like to chew on the elastic cords.

I first started looking at the adjustable dumbell sets when I saw the set Bowflex has/had (SelecTech 552). I stopped looking at them when I found out that the adjustable weights on the Selectech and its imitations have fallen of while in use. After doing a lot of research I found a ton of others. None of them looked reliable. Came across these and it turns out that this simple design is the safest and most sturdy of all, and if I'm not mistaken, also the original adjustable dumbell set, patented sometime in the 90s.

Hands down, get these if you're in the market for a set; they're also hundreds of dollars cheaper than barbells and take up about one square foot of space for the two of them. That's nothing for a weight set.

And the other biggy: They're MADE IN THE U.S.A. !!!

This review is for the 2009 PowerBlock Sport 9.0.

I have been looking for an adjustable dumbbell for a while. I looked at the Bowflex, and some cheaper adjustable weight at the store, but end up with the PowerBlock.

Reason is its simplicity, there is no intricate mechanism to break. More importantly is its size, the size goes down as the weight goes down (unlike the Bowflex which stays constant at 16" for the 552, and 18" for the 1090, the PowerBlock is 12" at 50lb, 11" at 40lb), which allows a much better range of motion. For weight increment, the 2.5lb increment is also available at any weight level (which the Bowflex only offers at under 25lb for the 552, and does not offer for the 1090 at all). Lastly is its expandability, which allows me to go up to 120lb without buying a brand new dumbbell set.

With my set (new stock from an authorized dealer in 3/09), I don't have problem with plates sticking together.

I was initially skeptical about the pin falling out, but I experimented at the store, the pins are locked in by friction unless the dumbbell is on the ground laying right side up. In that case, the pin still cannot completely disengage by itself because of the safely elastic band and the magnet. When the dumbbell is in your hand, the friction is so tight that I couldn't pull it out even if I tried.

The shape is odd, but so far it has never limited the range of motion of my exercise. Frankly, it is perhaps a matter of personal taste, so you would want to try it out at the store for yourself.

I'm enjoying the ability to work out in my apartment without needing an entire rack of dumbbells. I do wish these were less clunky and balanced better (and, of course, less expensive), but the handle grip is relatively comfortable and the weight changing pin makes workouts quick and easy. Unfortunately, it's easy to max out on this set if you're a guy in relatively good shape. Dumbbell rows are too easy, and the next set of weights up was just too expensive for me to move up in class. I guess I'll have to settle on 50 pounds per side until I can figure something else out to keep my lats building up. Not like I'm a bodybuilder or anything. In fact, this set may be more ideal for people just looking to stay tone and incorporate weight-bearing exercise into their lives, not serious athletes.

I was an early convert to to these little babies back in the early 90's and they are fantastic! I have the add-on that will take them to 125lbs each and with those additional plates I would agree that they are a little clunky and it takes some effort to keep them balanced-but isn't that one of the reasons to use free weights? You just need to be careful and not max-out when they become a little awkward. also, I agree that you need to be mindful of inserting the pins correctly, but you are aware pretty quickly that something is amiss and you can reinsert the pin quickly and easily. The only negative, cited by another reviewer, that I have seen is that you can't drop them to the floor like dumbbells.

The plusses far outweigh the minuses. They take up very little space, the handles are nice and cushioned, you can change the weight quickly and they are well made. Some of the criticisms about cost I would counter with try to buy all the dumbbells needed to equate to these and see how much $ you spend?-not to mention the space dumbbells take up. I would HIGHY recommend buying the stand for them, just as you would if buying an extensive set of dumbbells. Again, it's costly, but nothing compared to the pain and suffering of throwing out your back. Simple, smart engineering that has withstood the test of time (15 years) and worth every penny.

I actually stopped using my set at home and went back to standard dumbbells. First, pickup of a pair of standard dumbbells is instant - no fooling around with pins and colors. Second, the PowerBlocks always left me a little uncomfortable when overhead, say with a reclining chest press. I always had visions of a pin coming out and plates coming down into my face. Third, an A-Frame stand holds standard dumbbells in about the same space required by the PowerBlocks on a stand. Finally, if you prefer a shaped handle, you're stuck - the Powerblocks have straight handles.

That said, the PowerBlocks ARE well-made, I haven't actually heard of any accidents from pins coming loose, and, in spite of being a little bulky and enclosing your hand, don't present any range of motion problems. I've kept mine as a take-along set for traveling (by car, obviously!). If they fit your need, I still think they are the best made adjustable sets.

The four stars reflects the slowness of the pin mechanism. I prefer it to the mechanical complexity of dial (and other) systems, but it is slow.

I don't dispute the positive reviews. There's another side: 1/Under stress of heavy workouts, a truly quick change of weight,(stripping sets), still requires switching to another set of dumbbells. 2/PB 's fork-selector requires focus & fine motor skill to align: Put in off-horizontal by a fraction of an inch, PB wont work. 3/The internal 2 1/2 weight is obviously not speedy. 4/The fork, fork attachment cord, & rods connecting left & right weights to each other are subject to damage. 5/There are painted parts that lose their finish. 6/ The cage design makes some exercises awkward, some impossible. 7/On quick movements such as swings, the rattling is unnerving. //Judging by the other reviews, PBs are perfect for many. Try before you buy. They weren't perfect for me. I won't advertise another brand here, but I traded a bit of speed for a much more solid DB.

I would give this set 5 stars if the changing of the 2.5 lb inserts was a little easier/faster to do, and if the plates had smoother sides to make the insertion of the dumbbells easier to do. What I mean by this is that when you pick up the dumbbells from the stack (leaving some of the heavier plates on the stand), it is sometimes difficult to put them back in as the fit is very tight and they tend to stick (at least with my set)...so I find myself lifting them back up and trying to reseat them back into position several times. You have to put them back in exactly straight or they will get stuck and you have to lift up and try again. Some people might think this is a trivial thing, but when you are done with 3 sets of 12 reps and you are fatigued, the last thing you want to do is fight with these things trying to get put them back on the stand. Of course if you are using the entire stack, this is not an issue.

Sometimes I find myself just removing the extra pates from the stand and placing them on the floor so I don't have to fight with this.

Other than that, I like them a lot and they are easy to work with, very well balanced, and take very little space in my room. I bought the stand which is really nice and keeps the weights at easy reach.