Why I Wouldn’t Buy PowerBlock Adjustable Dumbbells

[@EricB03]

Thank you for joining me today and let me know if you have any additional questions. Please subscribe and give my video a like if you are enjoying my content. Take care and Happy New Year!

[@whitefish2160]

I just got the PowerBlock EXPs after eyeing them for a while and using them about 10 years ago at a buddies house. I have a lot of weight plates with various 1 inch bars and handles. Aside from the time it takes to change those plates, I find any heavy weight that I need to balance on my knee is difficult to painful. I am glad I finally pulled the trigger on the PowerBlocks. I hope the comment below can help anyone who is annoyed with the shake or rattle of the adder weights: The first thing I did was add a thin piece of neoprene between the weight tube and the hole. I cut a piece off of an old surfing wetsuit to dont use anymore. It is either 1/2 millimeter or 1 millimeter in thickness. I cut a 1/2 inch strips that are placed most of the way down the hole and leave a little piece sticking out. That piece sticking out gets folded over the top of the weight when you close and lock it. Just make sure the strip is facing the right direction so it closes over that piece and does not push it away. This completely eliminated the rattle. The only down size is it may add a few more seconds when adding those weights back in. Hope this can help anyone annoyed by the rattle.

[@EricB03]

@@whitefish2160 nice solution for sure and appreciate that. Might just do it myself down the line.

[@johnchiluiza2841]

I've had power blocks for 30 years. It's one of the best investments I have ever bought. I haven't all the way up to 85 lb. I've never had a problem. You just get used to those little downsides but overall it's one of the best dumbbells I have ever had. I wouldn't change them for anything.

[@EricB03]

100% agree and have had mine for a few years now and they are great. Yes they have a few annoyances as I said here but not a big deal. Thanks for the comment and hope you are having a great weekend.

[@paulnicolosi4792]

Agreed

[@carps_gym]

Powerblocks the OG adjustable dumbbells. My favorite Powerblocks are still the USA Elite U90s

[@EricB03]

Yes and those are the ones I have and of course love them outside of a few minor annoyances.

[@anthonyskrillex6981]

Good video Eric! Very good points. This week I was able to order a set of Powerblocks EXP with the 2 expansions to 90lbs. Couldn’t resist to get all that for $400 on Woot. Definitely agree with you! I’m curious to see if in the model I ordered the cylinder weights also rattle inside of the handle. Will let you know when they arrive! Also! If someone really wants to do goblet squats and already have PBs, a good option is a couple of kettlebells or even an adjustable one. I believe they’re a good addition to any home gym. :)

[@EricB03]

Agree and kettlebells are pretty great for a lot of things. I personally don’t program anything that would require them so all good. My hack for holding the block if doing them helps. I believe all Pb have the adder weights which honestly not a big deal. Thanks for commenting and enjoy the new dumbbells as I do love mine a lot.

[@videogazer801]

A couple of your points are solid ones. I own them and they aren’t a deal breaker for me either. Good thing I don’t do goblet squats or French press triceps. These dumbbells are so durable and fast to change weights

[@EricB03]

Yes I do love them. Goblets are a pain but if you turn them over like I showed much better but not even close to traditional dumbbells.

[@Thejoeordinary1]

The imbalance with only one adder weight might actually be a benefit for functional strength. Not everything we lift is gonna be perfectly balanced. I tote a lot of heavily loaded containers and they are pretty much unstable with various weight imbalances in each container plus a loose, swivel type handle. Slightly out of balance powerblocks wouldn’t bother me at all and might actually help functional strength and gripping ability.

[@EricB03]

Very good point and does have some validity for sure. I personally love mine and cannot think of getting anything else to save space. Would I want a full set of course but that isn’t in the cards.

[@ozzygarcia9589]

I just got the powerblock Pro 100 Commercial version. No adder weights, instead 2 separate handles 5lb and 10lb knurled. The top and bottom are open so it’s not so closed up and let you do more exercises and well balanced. They are bigger in size cause of the urethane, but look and feel so good.

[@EricB03]

Wow!! That does sound awesome and definitely would be in the market if I needed new ones. These just are good. Enjoy your PB Pros. How easy is it to replace the handle? I need to look that up.

[@steverapos3904]

The used one I got also came with 10 pound handle. I was hoping for a better balanced handle but it was exactly the same as a regular handle except the adder weights are not removable - so still bottom heavy.

[@andrewshee5746]

I first bought power block like dumbbells first when I didn't have much money, they don't go up in small increments 4kg at a time. I bought some iron masters later and was thinking about selling the power blocks. I'm so glad I didn't because they're perfect for warm up sets. The iron masters take longer to change weights.

[@EricB03]

@@andrewshee5746 yes both PB and IM have their place for sure and quality. Cannot go wrong with either.

[@brianjackson6643]

Definitely agree on the annoying aspects of them. I don’t like them for goblet squats….bit think the kettle bell attachment or the PowerBlock kettle bell would work great for goblet squats.

[@EricB03]

@@brianjackson6643 yeah not a deal breaker by any means just something to note. I would still buy but I would definitely prefer non adjustable if the price is the same

[@jumpship88]

I was in the store the other day and almost bought the powerblock sport exp 90lbs set but a couple of things reallyyy irked me. 1. The handle, its atrocious. Just put a damn straight knurled metal handle and boom its perfect but noooo, they had to put a piece of crap rubber handle with the weirdest shape on there. 2. Get rid of those 2.5lbs weights in the handle. They completely throw off the balance of the powerblock and render it useless. You could have just made the thing go to 90Ibs and be perfectly balanced, but now whoever wants to use them with proper balance is stuck st 85lbs. Is it 85lbs or 87.5lbs? Idk, thats the other annoying thing about those little 2.5lbs weights, theres no markings for them so you have to remember what they weigh and do the calculation in your head. Isnt the whole point of these things supposed to be simplicity and ease of use? no ones gonna take the time to put em in or take em out anyways. Just get rid of those stupid little weights and itd be 10000000x better. Last but not least, they should go to 100lbs. The sport exp 90lbs is the heaviest one without urethane that dont look cartoonishly large.

[@EricB03]

@@jumpship88 agree for sure it is annoying but at least you can just keep them in and call it a day without having to deal with the middle zones. Compromises I do however definitely agree with the rubber grips are terrible as soon as you get the knurled ones. For the calculation on the adders the sticker tells you how much it weighs. Top is no adders, middle is one and bottom is both in.

[@steverapos3904]

I got some used ones. They are not perfect but most adjustable dumbbells are not. I think now that the Peppins are being made by Rep and are more affordable they will be the standard - but even those are not perfect. Comparing powerblock to some others i have tried (Nuobell, Bowflex and Spin locks) - I like Powerblock the best. Nuobell felt very fragile to me, and they only went to 80 pounds. Also, they misaligned most of the time when i put them back in the craddle. Bow flex also feel like they will fail over time or wont be able to handle an accidental drop. Finally, they are large and awkward on certain exercises. For Powerblock, the cage and rattles dont bug me. I do agree adder weights are cumbersome, but the set i bought came with an extra set of handles to make 5 pound increment changes easier. Also, i hold the Powerblock from the bottom pillar often for things like shoulder flys and the balance feels much better. I never tried Ironmaster but i had spinlocks before and they just took way too much time to change weight. I like drop sets and supersets with different exercises and really prefer adjustables that change quickly.

[@EricB03]

Yes love mine and nice score on the used ones. They are bombproof and a big reason they have been around forever.

[@steverapos3904]

@@EricB03 good point on the straps, powerblocks don't work with those accessories or most accessories in general. Of note, Noubell will be fine with straps, but also has a short handle length and unfortunately wont work with many 3rd party accessories.

[@EricB03]

@@steverapos3904 yeah the biggest Dow side for sure but doesn’t bother me personally even though I have it on the video

[@gstans8942]

why wouldn't you just hold the handles that hold the adder weights to do goblet squats?

[@EricB03]

It is a pain or super awkward in my opinion but a good idea for sure

[@alvinkan3940]

For grip use versa grips ... the should work

[@EricB03]

@@alvinkan3940 interesting

[@peterodriguez2364]

First.. i don't forsee myself doing 5.25 pounds bicep curls.. any weight thereafter u might not tell the difference.. as for straps... if ur grip isn't up to snuff then u shouldn't need straps being that they only go up to 85-90.. ... and goblet squats could be done. But if an alternative is needed then do so.. ive got the older rexan and a set of aluminum rexan qhich help complete my 5 pound increments.. .. im old skool and don't think of the little differences bothering me.. to each his own.. good video.. keep on keepin on. Peace ✌️

[@EricB03]

@@peterodriguez2364 thanks for the comment

[@wakawaka1976]

Maybe the cobra grips

[@EricB03]

@@wakawaka1976 maybe never heard of them but will check them out

[@brunodanner7777]

Yup- kettlebells are so much easier for goblet squats.

[@EricB03]

Yeah they way I found to do them is easier with PB just still not like kettlebells

[@jimderose7703]

You are just nick picking my power locks do not rattle

[@EricB03]

@@jimderose7703 I love mine and I guess it can come over as nitpicking. interesting on yours and the adder weight not moving around doing certain exercises and making noise.