PowerBlock Classic 5 to 45 lbs Adjustable Dumbbells Set Review
This single adjustable dumbbells set from famous manufacturer PowerBlock enables you to have an entire gym’s worth of weights in a single compact package. The weight ranges from 5 lbs to 45 lbs and can be adjusted in 5 lbs increments by simply putting the weight pin in the appropriate slot. This pair of dumbbells is effectively equivalent to no less than 18 individual dumbbells.
The set features a padded grip which offers protection for those with more vulnerable wrists, and comes complete with a limited ten year warranty.
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Some key features of this PowerBlock Classic Dumbbell Set:
- Pair of adjustable dumbbell weights for efficient, cost-effective strength training
- Adjusts from 5 to 45 pounds in 5-pound increments (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 pounds)
- Selector pin lets you change weights easily, just like with weight stack at the gym
- More compact and balanced than traditional dumbbells; padded handle for wrist protection
- Offers maximum weight of 45 pounds per hand; limited 10-year warranty!
This PowerBlock 5 to 45 lbs adjustable dumbbell set is a cheaper, but higher quality alternative to the SelectTech dumbbells, which felt quite flimsy and moved about a lot. I sent those back and got this PowerBlock set instead, and I am glad I did. Even for an adjustable dumbbell, you will be surprised by how little space this set takes up, and the weight selection is a breeze with one pin to select one weight. Other sets require two pins or a complex number of dials. Due to the compact nature of the dumbbells I can perform a vast number of exercises with very good form, and this maximizes my gains. So all in all I would certainly recommend this set.
Here’s what a current owner had to say about the PowerBlock Classic Dumbbell Set:
I got these dumbbells for sale from a store nearby – I’d considered getting some Bowflex Select dumbbells but as soon as I saw this PowerBlock dumbbell I snapped it up. I tested it out before buying and it really was that good – the quality of material and build is top notch, and the weights are quick and easy to adjust. One thing I really like is the square shape of the dumbbell, it actually helps rather than getting in the way as some bigger round plates often do. Adjustable dumbbells are like having a room full of cheap dumbbells all in one – the amount of exercises I can do is phenomenal. (Anthony J)
(Review reworded for space purposes. See full review on Amazon here.)
PowerBlock SportBlock 3 to 24 Pounds Dumbbell Set Review
PowerBlock dumbbells are one of the world’s most famous brands in lifting equipment. This extremely versatile dumbbell allows you to have a wide range of dumbbell weights in one compact package. There is no longer any need for a dedicated weights room full of dumbbells all over the floor – just change the weight with a quick and easy turn of the dial and you’re all set.
This PowerBlock dumbbell offers weights from 3 lbs to 24 lbs maximum, adjusting in 3 lb increments,
which means that you are effectively able to control 16 individual weights. What’s more, this PowerBlock dumbbell features an enhanced padded grip which minimizes stress on wrists.
These dumbbells are available on amazon for just $184.00 with FREE Shipping. Click here to purchase from Amazon now!
Main features of the PowerBlock SportBlock Dumbbell Set:
- Pair of adjustable dumbbell weights for efficient, cost-effective strength training
- Adjusts from 3 to 24 pounds in 3-pound increments (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 pounds)
- Selector pin lets you change weights easily, just like with weight stack at the gym
- More compact and balanced than traditional dumbbells; padded handle for wrist protection
- Offers maximum weight of 24 pounds per hand; limited 10-year warranty
My favorite aspect of this PowerBlock adjustable dumbbell is that it is a lot more compact than others I’ve seen. The fact that they are so small allows you the space to really focus on your form, which a lot of beginners seem to neglect and therefore don’t get the results they’d imagined. The quality of the manufacturing is good, definitely up to part with what I would expect from PowerBlock.
One thing I would note is that if you’re a beginner, these will be great, but if you’re looking for a harder strength workout as opposed to toning/aerobic, maybe try for a set that goes heavier as 24 lbs isn’t enough for that. But for toning, this one little dumbbell got me a pretty decent body (and my hard work, of course.) I’d definitely recommend it.
Here’s what another customer had to say about the PowerBlock SportBlock Dumbbell Set:
Overall I would give this Powerblock adjustable dumbbell set a definite 4.5/5. I enjoyed working out with them and improved my strength so much that I had to upgrade to the Sport 9.0 edition, but if you are just starting out and 24 lbs provides enough resistance for you, then there’s no question that this adjustable dumbbell is the best way to go. Its construction is high quality, they take up a lot less space than any competitor dumbbell I’m aware of, and allow for swift and easy changes in weight. (L. Miller)
(Review paraphrased for size. Read the full review on Amazon here.)
Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Single Dumbbell Review
No longer do you need an entire room full of dumbbells of different weights. With the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 adjustable dumbbell, you can effectively have an entire set of dumbbells all in one compact package. With 17 weight settings ranging from 10 to 90 lbs going up in 5 lb increments, you simply turn the dial upwards and the dumbbell automatically attaches additional plates so that you get the exact weight you need.
The use you will get from the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 adjustable dumbbell is impressive to say the least. With just one unit, you can perform a massive selection of exercises ranging from general toning exercises on the lighter weights, to more demanding strength exercises such as shrugs on the heavier weights.
These dumbbells are available on amazon for a massive 25% discount from the list price. Click here to buy from Amazon now!
Features of the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Adjustable Dumbbell include:
- Adjustable dumbbell that does the work of multiple dumbbells in one
- Weight adjusts from 10 pounds up to 90 pounds in 5-pound increments with the twist of a dial
- Suitable for both basic toning and strength exercises and heavy leg lifts
- Durable molding surrounds the metal plates to create smooth, quiet liftoff
- Includes “Secrets of the 4-Step Rep” DVD with more than 30 exercises
After working out with the SelectTech 1090′s for just under a month, I’m glad that I decided to buy these as I would never have had enough space in my apartment to store and entire set of dumbbells. Also I made quite a good decision in buying the 90 lbs set over the 1050 set which only goes up to 50 lbs as that would not have been enough. The dial selector is quick and surprisingly easy to use. All you do is dial up the weight you need and you can work out almost instantly. These may have come at a discount on amazon, but they are in no way cheap – they are high quality dumbbells and perfect for anyone serious about their body.
Being a personal trainer I am definitely not new to the weight training circuit, and this adjustable dumbbell is the perfect solution for people who don’t want to go to the gym everytime they need to work out. In the long run it has saved me a massive amount of money. Also, dumbbells are far better than machines in getting your stabilizing muscles strengthened. Nothing beats dumbbells for strength.
Here’s what another customer had to say about the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Adjustable Dumbbell:
I don’t really see the need to go over how great these dumbbells are – I’ve given them 5 stars so that’s enough to tell you what I think of them. I’d just like to address a couple points raised by other reviewers. One reviewer wasn’t very happy with the slightly rectangular shape of the dumbbell handles, but to be quite honest they are nowhere near as big a problem as he made it out to be – I almost didn’t buy these dumbbells because of what he said, but I am glad I did. The grip is great and actually helps me in my workouts. Second, you don’t have to spend more money on a dumbbell stand, you can just improvise with the boxes that the product was shipped in, just flip the styrofoam over and cut the top of the box off, then you can put the dumbbells in the box. It’s a lot better than lifting them off the floor every time. (Javier)
(Review paraphrased for size. Read the full review on Amazon here.)
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells Review
The Bowflex 552 SelectTech Dumbbells are the perfect solution for anyone who wants to improve their strength in the comfort of their own home without taking too much space. The brand-new design consisting of 15 sets of dumbbells is incorporated into an innovative dial system which allows for full customization of weight, from 5 lbs all the way to 52.5 lbs, in 2.5 lbs increments.
With its space efficient, one of a kind construction, the Bowflex 552 SelectTech Dumbbells enable you to perform a wide variety of exercises to increase both upper and lower body strength, as well as core abdominal strength. Using just one dumbbell set you will be able to access over 30 safe, effective exercises such as wide squats and calf raises for the legs, alternating rows for the back and flat chest presses for the pectoral muscles.
These dumbbells are available on amazon at over 27% off the retail price!
Click here to get access to this massive discount from Amazon while it lasts!
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells have the following properties:
- Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 pounds; adjusts in 2.5-pound increments up to the first 25 pounds
- Lets you rapidly switch from one exercise to the next
- Combines 15 sets of weights into one, using a unique dial system
- Eliminates the need for multiple dumbbells cluttering your workout space
- Five-year warranty on weight plates, two-year warranty on parts
I am quite impressed with the thick handles and ergonomic grip of these dumbbells – they are much more comfortable than typical dumbbells and you can really get a long workout without straining your wrists. Another great thing about these dumbbells is that despite the fact that they have plates, there is absolutely no shaking at all so they feel just like regular dumbbells. Even though amazon offered me 27% off, I still think this set is worth the full retail price simply because of the huge range of exercises you can get out of them. As long as you are willing to put in the work, you can transform your body with the right diet and this dumbbell set alone. Instead of buying loads of dumbbells which would cost you a very large amount, this one set does it all. I highly recommend buying this dumbell set.
Here’s what another owner had to say about the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells:
Being six feet tall and weighing around 270 pounds with over 30% bodyfat I knew I needed to do something quick. However before trying the traditional quite extreme bodybuilding route, I tried to get in better general shape with something I could use around the house.
I have been using these dumbbells for just under a week and I’m really enjoying it. The construction of these dumbbells is perfect as you could expect from a brand like Bowflex. The dumbbells are of high quality, are easy to use and the instructions are clear and easy. The grip is also very comfortable and not that it really matters but these dumbbells have quite an appealing color scheme as well. The main disadvantage of this set is that it has a relatively high shipping price. (Charles E.)
(Paraphrased for space purposes – see the full review on Amazon here.)
Home Dumbbell Exercises
While home dumbbells won’t make you into the Terminator, they can get you surprisingly buff provided you put in the work. Here are my current favorite exercises. Since I focus mainly on the upper body with dumbbells and save the leg work e.g. squats for my barbells, these will be upper body exercises. There are a few lower body exercises that you can do with dumbbells, for example lunges, but to be honest they always struck me as quite bizarre and I never liked them. So here goes, and remember, proper form is the cornerstone of success.
1. Bench press – the classic exercise that no one should be without. If you don’t know how to do bench press with dumbbells do a quick search on youtube so that you can see it. Bench press proper form involves controlled lowering of the weights down to your chest, and pushing the weight back up until the arms are fully extended, and repeating. There are varying forms of bench press, such as incline, where the bench is raised, and the less common decline, where the bench is lowered. These different positions help sculpt the chest and build different areas by targeting different parts of the same muscles.
2. Flies – great for getting distinct shape to your pectorals. Start lying down on the bench with the dumbbells outward, and ‘flap’ your arms to the center much like a bird, repeat. If this sounds strange, again a quick video search will clarify it. My suggestion is that you ALWAYS have someone who knows the proper form to instruct you the first time you do any exercise.
3. Shoulder press – ideal for developing the shoulder muscles (deltoids). Sit upright and lift each dumbbell up until arms are extended, bring down to shoulder height and repeat.
4. Shrugs – the number one exercise for getting the thick neck characteristic of bodybuilders, but don’t worry, it takes some extreme weight to get such results. Do it with home dumbbells and you’ll most likely achieve a nice slightly bulky but more male model like neck. The motion is quite simple, stand upright with the dumbbells held down at waist height in front of you, and shrug. Bring your neck muscles up slowly, hold for a few seconds, then slowly bring them back down. The small range of motion on this exercise means that you really have to get the most out of each miniscule inch you move your shoulders. Once again, youtube is your friend.
5. Triceps Extensions – although bench press does work the triceps, it works mainly the short head which leaves the more substantial long head neglected. This exercise fixes this common problem, and the first time you do it you will really notice quite a unique burn in your triceps, this is your arms letting you know you’ve got it right. However, this exercise can really damage your joints if you don’t do it correctly. As always, get an experienced lifter to talk you through it first, study the exercise thoroughly before doing it on your own.
Gym Versus Home Workout
It’s no surprise that when compared with a fully equipped gym, working out with a single adjustable dumbbell at home can seem quite restrictive in what you can do, and thus, you may think your progress will be limited. However, provided you’ve got the dumbbells with appropriate resistance to maximize gains (i.e. doing 6-10 repetitions when maxed out if you’re bodybuilding, more if you are looking to lose weight), then you can accomplish a surprising amount with just a set of home dumbbells, provided of course they are good quality and can last a long, often painful journey. Make no mistake – true accomplishments are difficult to achieve, that’s why it’s so rewarding when you do reach your goal.
There is something so satisfying knowing that you have transformed your body in your small spare room, with just a small home adjustable dumbbell. No fancy equipment, no massive machines, no personal trainers, no huge expenses – just you, the dumbbells, and a whole lot of pain. The pain is something that no one else can experience. In the end, if you want to change yourself for the better, it’s up to you to get it done. Now, that’s not to say it’s impossible – far from it – it’s just that it requires dedication, motivation and a strict, almost religious adherence to your predetermined workout schedule. Yes, that means, even when working out at home, you need to have a plan. However, this is easier said than done when you might have a host of distractions at home – kids, television, frisky partners, you name it! A gym, on the other hand, is specifically designed for working out. There is nothing else to do there. You either lift the weights or stand around looking stupid. You may well have a personal trainer who provides additional focus and motivation that you will not have access to at home.
Yet, there are advantages to working out at home. The tiring commute to and from the gym is eliminated. This preserves vital energy particularly when the last thing you feel like doing after a strenuous workout is get in the car and start driving. I know from personal experience that a lot of workouts made me feel sick, and more than anything I needed to just lie down on my bed in peace and quiet and wait for my nausea to go away. Such things are, of course, impossible at a gym, which is more industrial than comforting, and while that can be beneficial in the sense that you are given the cold, hard ‘push’ to get in there and lift, you don’t immediately get the comforts that you deserve following a workout. I firmly believe that after a successful workout and post workout meal, you are free to do whatever you wish. In fact it is encouraged to reward yourself for success-driven behavior, since it will activate the action-reward system in the brain which associates working out with (at least some!) positive things. That’s not to say the pain is eliminated, rather, there will be some good in the meantime, before the true reward which is a full physical 180.
My favorite thing about home workouts is the privacy. I’m inherently a very private person and sometimes get nervous at the gym, especially when I see huge guys put me to shame. However there are certain cases where going to the gym is pretty much a must, unless you have a fully equipped home gym with free weights and a strong, reliable spotter. This is, of course, if you wish to be a heavy duty bodybuilder. While it is true that you can perform a vast selection of exercises with just one adjustable dumbbell at home, the sheer diversity of dumbbells, barbells, machines, pull-up bars, dip stations etc. available in the gym make it essential for any potential bodybuilder. A guy who just wants to be reasonably buff, however, can just workout with dumbbells at home, performing a diverse number of exercises, eating right and doing cardio. The choice between gym versus home all depends on your goals. Figure out your goals and you can then make the right choice.
Home Dumbbells Or The Gym
So you’ve probably come here looking for the best dumbbells to use at home and while we certainly have enough of that on our site, let’s just take a minute to reconsider whether you NEED dumbbells at all.
If you are looking for a bodybuilder figure, whether you are male or female, the gym is always the best option, and almost certainly a gym which offers free weight facilities within a safe environment. While beginners might be occupied with some of the weight home dumbbells can provide, eventually you will need to perform new exercises with heavier resistance in order to take it to the next level. It’s always best to get accustomed to the gym environment and the lifting regimen associated with it. You will need a trainer, or at the very least some friends who are also into bodybuilding and who have achieved good results themselves, to guide you in the right direction. One thing is certain, however, cheap dumbbells at home are not for you.
The only exception to this might be if you are extremely overweight and it is an inconvenience or even great discomfort to get to the gym, but you wish to exercise intensely nonetheless. This can be achieved by cardio, endurance lifting and most importantly, a strict, healthy diet which contains all the nutrients required for healthy maintenance but also contains less calories than are used, so that this deficit may be met with stored fat.
If you are female and do not wish to become a bodybuilder (the more common scenario for women, I must say) but you wish to have a great body with rock hard abs, a strict diet at the advice of a doctor and nutritionist as well as cardio and light lifting is all that is required. Home dumbbells are perfect for this function. Pressups are remarkably good for the core and you should implement those too; they are not simply a chest exercise.
Finally, if you are already a reasonably slender male and you wish to gain a bit of strength and bulk up to the level of, say, Brad Pitt in Troy, then a healthy diet high in protein plus lifting and some cardio would be sufficient for all but the most difficult of gainers. In this case, you could definitely achieve your goals with a home dumbbell set or adjustable dumbbell.
Our final advice to you would be to firstly identify your goal. What do you want to be, physically? Second, make the appropriate plan to get there using our recommendations above as a brief guide, but as always do seek the advice of a medical professional when making drastic changes to your eating and exercise habits, especially if you have any preexisting conditions. Our articles are not in any way a replacement for proper medical counsel. Finally, once you know you have got the right plan, TAKE ACTION. That means, getting the equipment you need and/or signing up at the gym, buying the food and supplements you will need, and so on. Motivation is the number one cause for people not achieving their goals, but you’ve just got to stick in there. Trust that with the right plan and the right equipment, you WILL succeed.
The Worst Dumbbells
Here at Cheap Dumbbells Review, we do aim to give you an honest summary of each dumbbell set we have selected, and naturally, we have selected only the best dumbbell sets to go on our site. That way, you can avoid all the unnecessary searching and go through the best ones right here. Then I thought, a lot of people STILL go ahead and make purchases that they later regret. I personally know what it feels like to spend my hard earned cash on something, only for it to be a poor quality imitation of what was promised.
And so, instead of recommending products below, I will now move on to advising you which dumbbells to AVOID. When you have many other expenses in your fitness regimen e.g. workout gear, healthy food, protein supplements, vitamins packs and so on, you cannot afford to waste money on poor dumbbells. If you want to find the products reviewed below, just do a search on amazon for the product name to see for yourself. Since we have a policy of linking only to the best products available, in writing this article I cannot honestly link to them in good conscience! We hope our readers understand.
1. EPIC Power Set 100 SpaceSaver Weights
This adjustable dumbbell set by EPIC looks pretty neat from the picture, and as other adjustable dumbbell sets you can go from 10 to 50 pounds per dumbbell, which is a sufficient weight for you to get pretty buff although certainly not bodybuilder standard. Think instead, Brad Pitt from Troy. Not bad, so far, right? Well, first of all, the price is pretty steep at a list price of $489.99. While EPIC is a decent brand, you can get a good PowerBlock set for 100 dollars less, a much more dependable brand.
Indeed, speaking of the word dependable, what makes EPIC think that they can set a list price of nearly 500 dollars for a set and then have the plastic pins break? This is what happened to one guy I knew and the manufacturer refused to sell the part separately. Since it was after the short 90 day warranty, he had just wasted nearly half a grand. In defence of EPIC, if the plastic pins did not break and the cost were about half the list price – which you can actually find in some sales at big stores – the set wouldn’t be bad value at all. Heck I might even recommend it. But as it is, until they sort out these problems, stay well away from this one.
2. Sunny Health & Fitness 25 Lbs. Adjustable Chrome Dumbbell
Starting with the positives, this adjustable dumbbell is relatively cheap – you can easily get it for under $90 which is pretty good if you’re just starting out, particularly for a chrome dumbbell. What we don’t like about this dumbbell is the somewhat dishonest advertising on the part of the manufacturer – in its product description it writes “dumbbell set” when it is in fact a single adjustable dumbbell. A lot of people might be misled by this. In addition, as the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for” – you can’t expect a full chrome dumbbell set for $80 but nonetheless it shouldn’t be advertised
as such.
On to the actual day to day usage of the dumbbell itself, well, it performs well while it works, but is prone to spontaneously dismantle i.e. come apart, MID WORKOUT. There should be more rigorous safety checks on dumbbells as a whole, we feel, because people are handling heavy weights in positions which could lead to grave injury if there is a technical fault. Such is the case with this dumbbell and if only for safety reasons alone, we advise you to steer well clear.
3. Cap Barbell Solid Hex Single Dumbbells
Our third and final entry is the single dumbbell by Cap Barbell, available in weights from 65 to 100 lbs. We don’t recommend these for use simply because they are not economical when compared to adjustable dumbbells which can effectively perform the function of multiple weights within one unit. Also, this particular dumbbell is prone to come slightly loose which never bodes well. We did, however, have a good experience with the CAP Barbell Rubber Dumbbell Set, 200-Pound – it’s pretty good value if you want an actual set and don’t want to be adjusting your single adjustable dumbbell all day long. However if cheap dumbbells are your goal, the adjustable dumbbell option is far better, unless you can find the individual dumbbells for sale at a significantly lower price, which I must warn you, is borderline impossible nowadays since the adjustable dumbbells prices have become so competitive as technology and manufacturing improves.