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75 of 76 found the following review helpful:
 Some cautions and considerations Sep 01, 2007
By Patrick D. Goonan
"see profile for URL"
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.
62 of 63 found the following review helpful:
 Read if you Indecisive Over the Adjustable Dumbbell Choices Apr 16, 2010
By Dr. Zeus
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.
24 of 26 found the following review helpful:
Awesome Feb 20, 2008
By D. Miller
"home gym rat"
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.
23 of 26 found the following review helpful:
Top Notch. Jun 13, 2007
By G. Mannino
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. !!!
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Sturdy and reliable Mar 08, 2009
By Booboo Tutball
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.
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