Iron Master or Powerblock or something else?

[Anonymous]

Is there any home gym expert out there who can give me some advice? I am ready to purchase some adjustable dumbbells, but just can not decide on which ones to get. I would like something with minimal plastic have narrowed things down to the Powerblock Pro EXP or the Iron Master Quick Lock adjustable dumbbells. I am clear that Iron Master is essentially an old-school manual loading dumbbell just with a quicker lock system, whereas all the modern adjustable dumbbells have their various speed mechanisms to make them faster than manual loading dumbbells. What I like about the Iron Master is that they have no plastic and they go heavy. I need something more than 60 pounds each, which brings me to the Powerblock Pro EXP, but I just am not sure that the Powerblock shape will work for me and the kinds of exercises I do. I know no one can answer this for me, but if anyone has any feedback about Iron Master Quick Lock vs. Powerblock or any other adjustable dumbbells with minimal plastic, I'd be interested. Appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I use the Iron Masters - no experience with Powerblock. I have two dumbbells and one kettlebell. For the dumbbells, I generally use them to go between 25 lbs and 35 lbs. This takes me about 30 seconds per dumbbell, give or take a few seconds. The time is bc I use both 5 lb and 2.5 lb plates, and I hang the unused plates on my storage system to get them out of the way.

Issues: The square-ish shape makes them a bit bulkier than rubber hex dumbbells and I have accidentally knocked them into my knees more than a few times, resulting in small bruises. Also, the knurling on the grips can be rough on my skin during certain moves, like renegade rows, so I wear gloves for those, which can add to the time required for setting up.

FWIW, I was initially resistant to using any kind of adjustable system but there's only so much space for the aforementioned hex dumbbells! Now I think they've been a good investment.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for this reply - good to know about the knurling, and glad to hear that overall they've been a good investment. Appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I have the smrtft nuobell, the version that goes up to 80 lbs. they adjust in 5 lb increments. They’ve worked out well and are worth price (at least to me.)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the Nuobell recommendation. I've also looked at the Snode, which appear similar to Nuobell. It's really hard to decide which adjustable to purchase . . .