Adjustable dumbbells, are they worth it?
Those in a time crunch or fortunate enough to have a home gym might want to check out a set of adjustable dumbbells.
I purchased a set a few months ago and after giving them a complete test run, I fully endorse them. I won’t even say the name I purchased to show I’m not trying to pimp a certain brand. Besides being a bit pricy (mine were about $250.00), there are several benefits to having a set:
1) Work out in the comforts of your own home.
Let’s face it, many of us are busy and sometimes running to the gym for an hour or two isn’t an option. Even on the busiest of days, anyone should be able to hammer out a couple sets using these dumbbells without waiting for certain weight to become available.
2) No waiting.
To expand a bit on benefit #1, there’s no waiting for weight to become available. How many times have you either gone up to an uncomfortable weight or stayed at a weight that wasn’t challenging enough because you had to wait for dumbbells to become available?
3) Space.
Not all of us have the space to set up a full dumbbell rack. A set of adjustable dumbbells can fit neatly under a bed or in a closet.
4) Complete your home gym.
In order to get a more complete workout, one needs to mix dumbbell exercises with barbell movements. Those who already have a weight bench, pull-up bar, dip machine, treadmill?and/or a full cable set, could easily complete their home gym with a?pair of adjustable DBs.
Like I said, they’re expensive and the more weight you want, the more you’ll pay so don’t have sticker shock if you look into a set. However, they’ve done wonders for me, especially considering I don’t have the space or time to get full workouts in as much as I would like. So check a set out, there are plenty of sites that give reviews of adjustable dumbbells on the net. ????
Dan,
Absolutely, I am using the Power Blocks. They’ve got two sets: 5-45lbs. and 5-100lbs. The difference is about $150, but obviously if you’re going to out-grow the 5-45lbs. quickly, than the 5-100lbs. is the way to go. I don’t think the Boflex ones come up to 100lbs and even so, the 5-50lbs. set is like $350, compared to the Power Blocks’ $250 price. My figures might be off a bit, but I distinctly remember that the Boflex set was extremely expensive.
The nice thing about the Power Blocks is that they come with a lifetime warranty, too.
Let me know if you’ve got any other questions Dan – happy to help.
-Anthony-
nice how no product names were mentioned and the only question was the product and an answer with complete product facts. interesting…
I’ve got the BowFlex SelectTech 552 dumbbells with the rolling stand. They are absolutely worth the money. My only gripe with them is the weight distribution. You have to have your palms in an exact position otherwise the weight will tend to shift in your hand on presses. The rolling stand is great. It makes it easy to move your dumbbells around the room for different exercises. The stand is about $140.
I get so damn tired of seeing the weights of the powerblocks listed incorrectly time after time.
Your set DOES NOT go to 100 lbs. You either have the pro-rexan set which goes to 85lbs (WITH the adder weights inserted) or the Elite set , which goes to 90 lbs (WITH the adder weights inserted).
There are add-on kits available to take these sets to 125/130 lbs. Powerblock DOES NOT make a 100 lb set. Period.
Thanks for the correction bizznonya – and for not getting cranky about it.