Anyone know anything about these adjustable dumbells?:

http://www.nautilusfitnessproducts.com/product.asp?cat=wgt&subcat=wt

They seem to be like powerblocks but not as clunky and unwieldy.

A guy i work with uses the powerblocks and likes them a lot. I'm not sure about that set but the concept is the same. Plus in the long run they are cheaper than the hex set that I own. They take up a lot less space as well.

They're not as bulky, but they take a little to get use to. I just aquired a set Last Fri.

They're what I started with, and still use for the few DB exercises I'm doing now, but I can't really recommend them.

If I had it to do over again, I'd definitely go with the Ironmaster Quick-Lock System (http://www.ironmaster.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=2&cat=1&page=1). They'll last you longer in two ways: 1) they're built tougher, and 2) they go to heavier weight to start with, and there's an expansion set to take them up to 125 lbs each. Also, the diameter of the big plate on the SelectTech sometimes interferes with natural wrist movement, which the Ironmaster design avoids.

I started working with the SelectTechs in February, and I was weak. They did a great job of getting me over the first hurdle, but now it's only 9 months later, and I'm about to need heavier DBs for Hammer Curls (the only DB exercise I do with regularity, now that I'm doing the Madcow 5X5 program). Forget about using them for DB Bench, Squat, Lunges, or virtually any compound movement.

I'd love to use them for Pullovers (one of my favorite exercises), but I need more weight than 52.5 lbs, and using one in each hand is terribly awkward. This goes for any palms-together motion. The selected plates from one DB slip into the gaps from the de-selected plates in the other, and you end up with your hands up to a inch out of alignment. It doesn't sound like much, I know, but when you're lifting the things over your head with weight that makes you struggle to get your last reps, it feels very tenuous. Not a good feeling.

Anyway, I didn't mean to denegrate the SelectTechs here. Like I said, they got me started, and I'm glad for that, but for a comprable price, I can't tell you how much I wish I'd known about the Ironmaster set.

If you're still not convinced, I'll give you a great price on a pre-broken-in, well-maintained pair of SelectTechs, though!:tu:

Good Luck,
Bud the C.H.U.D.

Holy crap, I just realized that this thread was resurrected from early 2004! I daresay that rbiot has made his decision by now.

Oh well....

select tech dumb bells are plastic coated magnets. i have seen them break when dropped and lose their magnetism. would suggest powerblocks over them

They're what I started with, and still use for the few DB exercises I'm doing now, but I can't really recommend them.

If I had it to do over again, I'd definitely go with the Ironmaster Quick-Lock System (http://www.ironmaster.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=2&cat=1&page=1). They'll last you longer in two ways: 1) they're built tougher, and 2) they go to heavier weight to start with, and there's an expansion set to take them up to 125 lbs each. Also, the diameter of the big plate on the SelectTech sometimes interferes with natural wrist movement, which the Ironmaster design avoids.

I started working with the SelectTechs in February, and I was weak. They did a great job of getting me over the first hurdle, but now it's only 9 months later, and I'm about to need heavier DBs for Hammer Curls (the only DB exercise I do with regularity, now that I'm doing the Madcow 5X5 program). Forget about using them for DB Bench, Squat, Lunges, or virtually any compound movement.

I'd love to use them for Pullovers (one of my favorite exercises), but I need more weight than 52.5 lbs, and using one in each hand is terribly awkward. This goes for any palms-together motion. The selected plates from one DB slip into the gaps from the de-selected plates in the other, and you end up with your hands up to a inch out of alignment. It doesn't sound like much, I know, but when you're lifting the things over your head with weight that makes you struggle to get your last reps, it feels very tenuous. Not a good feeling.

Anyway, I didn't mean to denegrate the SelectTechs here. Like I said, they got me started, and I'm glad for that, but for a comprable price, I can't tell you how much I wish I'd known about the Ironmaster set.

If you're still not convinced, I'll give you a great price on a pre-broken-in, well-maintained pair of SelectTechs, though!:tu:

Good Luck,
Bud the C.H.U.D.

Hi There

How much u willing to sell the SelectTechs for ?

You in Brooklyn?

Blue

Hi There

How much u willing to sell the SelectTechs for ?

You in Brooklyn?

Blue

Uhm, well, actually....I can't afford to get replacements for them right now, so I guess I was exaggerating when I said I'd sell them.

They're going on ebay for ~$80-90 (whoops -- that's per db, not per pair). Surely there'll be a seller in the area soon so you can avoid shipping costs (~$40 per db). Good luck!

I am indeed in Brooklyn (wouldn't have it any other way).

I'm eye'ing these up. Costco in Canada has 'em on for $110 off - probably somewhere around $360 after the coupon. Not too bad of a price....hmm.

My brother in law just ended up ordering Ironmasters after comparing them to SelectTechs and Power Blocks. SelectTechs were too plasticy and didn't appear like their complex mechanism would hold up over time. Power Block's hand restrictions turned him off on their design.

SelectTechs sound like a great idea, but those plastic ends just look like they're read to break if you drop them by accident or bump them together too many times.

I'm with Mannish Boy on this one (as outlined above). I've been using my SelectTechs again more since my earlier posts in November, and the hand restriction on them is no joke, either. I've never used the Power Blocks, so I can't compare, but my wrists take a beating with these things.

Silver, you've been working out for a good long while now, which is an indication that you'll be at it for another good long while (or two). I strongly suggest you pony up the dough to invest in a sturdier and more comfortable dumbell system.

Like they say in the construction trades: "It never pays to skimp on tools."

Better yet, I'm probably best off sticking with the $25/month I pony up for the gym and just going down there.

I was thinking that they'd be useful for the gf (who currently has a set of 5 and 8 lb DBs and takes them to her "bootcamp" and what not) but then it occurred to me that she can't just haul these around.

They might not be bad if I were setting up a little ghetto home gym, but I'm not, so scratch that.

Hey, I never knew that adjustable dumbells existed. Cheers for the thread! My rack is in the garage, and sometimes in the winter I feel like doing a few quick exercises - but do not bother as i don't fancy braving the cold! And i have also very recently (new years resolution) started exercising in the morning - nothing much, just some press ups for now - but I plan to increase over time. So some adjustable dumbells may be just what I need!

I look to see if there are some good dumbell routines here - I have always used bar.

I will probably be restricted to standing exercises, as there is no room for a bench in the house.

Just to recap - are the Power Blocks the preferred choice?

Cheers,

Jon.

Just to recap - are the Power Blocks the preferred choice?

Cheers,

Jon.

I prefer Ironmasters (www.ironmaster.com). More like traditional dumbbells without bars getting in the way of your hands on some exercises. They aren't quite as fast to change weights on, but are much more solid and feel better IMO. Others will probably disagree :)

I prefer Ironmasters (http://www.ironmaster.com). More like traditional dumbbells without bars getting in the way of your hands on some exercises. They aren't quite as fast to change weights on, but are much more solid and feel better IMO. Others will probably disagree :)

Yes, yes, and yes.

Ironmasters are the clear consensus since this thread bobbed back up to the surface.

Cheers - has anyone bought iron masters in the UK? ideally on the internet - if so, send me a link please. I'll start checking my usual sites, but I have not heard of the brand before over here.

Cheers - has anyone bought iron masters in the UK? ideally on the internet - if so, send me a link please. I'll start checking my usual sites, but I have not heard of the brand before over here.

You can probably eMail them and ask if the sell or distribute there.
MannishBoy has the link in his post.

If not, do you have Hoist there in the UK? It's the most similar piece of equipment I've seen so far. My niece's boyfriend has a set. Pretty solid and works nice.

Link Here (http://www.hoistfitness.com/products/consumer/equipment.aspx?c=3&sc=3&pid=284)

I found some Hoist ones here.

http://www.fitnessboutique.co.uk/strength-training/barbell-dumbbell/cat-45.html

Not so sure now though. 200 quid, just so I don't have to go to the garage... it could be difficult idea to sell to the wife!

Maybe I should just sneak my dumbells into the house.....

I have the powerblocks that go up to 45-lbs. The only issue I
have is that they clank around a bit. I added some electrical
tape to the plates and some foam padding to minimizing the
clanking but it's still not dead quiet. Main advantage is the
reduced storage space over a complete set of conventional
dumbbells. So far, I've never had a failure of the clip (which
would cause the pieces to fall apart).

I have Select-Techs...

Pros


very fast weight changes
take up little space
can vary weight on each end of dumbell

I use them for compound moves all the time. never had a problem with wrists/placement of any kind.

they've never failed me yet mechanically.


Cons

52.5 lbs is a limiting factor

if you drop one it could be instant "toast" (so far I've never dropped one)



There are numerous times where i need a heavier DB, and for this I use old school platelock/collar DB's as the finshed shape of these lend themselves to better application in many instances (for me).

However I can see where the compact shape of Ironmasters might suit some ex's better at heavier weights.

But as far as the Select-Techs go...I don't regret buying them.