Adjustable Dumbbells vs Plain Hex DBs

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to buy a FID weight bench and some dumbbells to get started on the road to fitness. I'm having a hard time deciding which kinds of dumbbells to purchase, so I thought I'd see if any more experienced readers of this group had advice for me.

I've done a little research before posting. Here's what I've come up with so far. Please comment or correct me where necessary.

*** PowerBlocks ***

Pro: Doesn't take a lot of space. Quick to change weights.

Con: Expensive. Shape of DB may be awkward for some exercises or not comfortable.

Verdict: Not for me. I have (or can make) plenty of space in my basement. Can't get past the price on this one.

*** Regular adjustable / spin lock ***

Pro: Less expensive than PowerBlocks. Less expensive than buying individual hex DBs. Less space than hex DBs. Could go Olympic handles and then use same plates when I graduate to power rack and barbell lifting.

Con: Takes more time to change weights than with hex DB. Shape not as comfortable (opinions?). Read reports of loose spin locks being annoying. Safety concern with collars coming off and weight bludgeoning me.

Verdict: Undecided. Like the $$$ factor, but I'd probably buy at least two sets of DBs so wife and I could work out, and so I'd have more DBs at the ready (fewer changes), so I'm not sure how much cheaper it will be. Also, if I buy a 60 lb DB set, that's 60 lb total, so to have two 60 lb DBs to use for press or fly or whatever, I'd need two sets anyway right? Or do I buy one set, and then a bunch of extra standard plates to use with it? How many plates can you fit on one DB (max weight?)?

*** Individual hex DB ***

Pro: Quickest change of all. Nice shape, comfortable to use. Wife and I can workout at same time since multiple pairs of DB available. No worries about plates sliding off. Probably the DB least likely to break if dropped on the rubber mat-covered floor.

Con: Takes up more space than other solutions. Probably more expensive in long run. Looking at $229 ($350 after shipping) for 5-50 lb set from Fitness Factory. Going to try to get used or new set locally to avoid shipping costs. Will reward myself with heavier weights as I work up to them.

Verdict: Undecided. Trying to weigh cost/safety/comfort/convenience factors. Hence this post.

So that's it. Please post your comments as I'm sure there are others out there like me who are just starting out and need pointed in the right direction.

Thanks!

Kevin

P.S. Big thanks to everyone who has posted on the group over the past couple of years. I almost made the mistake of buying a BowFlex (GASP!) and probably would have had I not checked here first.

P.P.S. If you are still reading this, what's your opinion on lower end benches? I'm looking for simple FID, like BodySolid WFID30 or the Impex/Marcy Olympic 4000 FID. I've heard Impex is cheaper, not as well-made, etc... Suggestions? I'd like to keep it under $250 for the bench.

This is a snip of a msg I recently had posted, it may be of help

I just bought a set of Powerblocks myself! I did spend the extra bucks and bought the Rexan Pros and the add ons for up to 95lbs per hand. (actually it was my Christmas present)

Anyway they are indeed very expensive but I did fairly well by negotiating the buy them from a local 'Leisure Fitness' store (price was about $60 cheaper than direct from Intellbell! and that's not even counting savings on local tax over shipping costs)

I also got a pretty good deal on a Marcy/Imptex FID Bench at my local 'Sports Authority' They have/had? (Thursday night?) a WM-MXS Olympic Bench that normally sells for $199 on sale for $99!!

This particular unit was of interest to me because the barbell bench press stands, are separate from the bench itself (I'm not planning on using it with barbells yet anyway, and this saves a lot of floor space)

The construction is 3' inch round tubing (stronger than rectangular?) and is rated for 600 lb in the bench position. Construction is good. It does comes with a somewhat 'cheesey' leg curl/ext assy, but not the preacher or lat setup. (but they are available optionally) Padding is pretty good . All and all definitely worth a look if you have a SA near you. (It does not appear on the SA website!) It's a pretty good midrange unit especially for the sale price. (but be prepared to assemble it yourself and the box is 113 lbs)

Good Luck Kenn Lynch

Check into adjustable dumbbells without the spin lock collars. Buy 4 DB handles and collars. Get DB handles that can use Olympic weights. Use Oly 25 lb plates or smaller to make the DBs you need. You should already have these weights in your home gym. Or buy some more if needed.

The dumbbell handles are sold here and elsewhere I'm sure. http://www.crainsmuscleworld.com/equipment.html

2 pairs of dumbbell handles and collars will cost you $144. I pretty sure the DB collars come with the handles.

Jeff out ...

You might also consider the likelihood of a home move ? I wouldn't want to drag an entire gym around with me. Both are great if you have the room, I wouldn't consider time a factor...you'll likely want a little rest in between sets anyway. If you buy the fixed weights then you have something else to keep you busy too....building a rack to hold them.

<snip>

Hex dumbbells are not a bad buy in lower weight ranges (like, up to 50 lbs or so), and definitely have the convenience thing licked. They get pretty expensive in the heavier weights, since you're paying for them by the pound, so many people use adjustables for heavy weights.

Once you get used to it, changing plates on adjustable DB's isn't a big deal, so I wouldn't mark their inconvenience with a capital I. There's no doubt that adjustable handles aren't shaped nicely for, say, incline benching, where you tend to put the DB's on your knees and kick them up to your shoulders. I've found that it's not too bad to hold the DB with the plates on my knees, with the handle just grazing past my knee. Spinlocks don't normally come loose and rattly if they have rubber washers, and should never drop a plate on your head.

By contrast, I've seen built-up DB's fall apart in the commercial gym I use. I believe what happens is that, through years of continual dropping, the threads on the bolts fret against the threads in the handle, and one or the other (usually the handle threads) give up and the plates they come atumblin' down. This truly is dangerous. Like I said, though, this happened in a commercial gym, where many people use the DB's and some idiots make a great show of dropping or even throwing the DB's down. I doubt this would ever happen in a home gym (except, perhaps, in the home gym of a true idiot).

You might consider getting a set of hexes initially, and always keeping your eyes open for used standard plates at yard sales and such: you can often get them for next to nothing. Then, you have the choice of using adjustable DB handles and making up the DB's as you go, or (if you have enough plates) of getting fixed DB handles and building permanent DB's as you need them.

I personally don't like the shape of Powerblocks, and wonder how rugged they are, but that's just me. Some people are very happy with them. I have a set of Ironmasters, and am happy with them, but got a good deal on them.

I personally wouldn't bother with a bench with a decline feature, partly because I'd never use it, partly because the leg bolsters are clunky and always in the way, and partly because they cost more to boot. Thus, I'd recommend getting a flat/incline bench, say a WFI21 instead of a WFID30. I also don't like the design of the WFID30, because I've seen similar back support designs become loose over time (which would drive me crazy). I'd definitely look around at what's available locally, just so you can see what these benches are really like.

Also, as I've pointed out in many posts, almost all commercially available benches are too high. The standard height is 17', and you'd be hard pressed to find such a bench. Most are more like 21' high. I'd either make wooden foot blocks or, as suggested by Hoff, use garden pavers to raise my feet to a comfortable height relative to the bench.

Atlhough I've thought about individual hex DB's, I just can't justify the expense.

I have two Oly DB handles, and am pretty satisfied. I just have the spring collars, and though the safety issue is a concern, I've never had them slip off. John Williams recommended the second set of collar on this page:
http://www.monstermuscle.com/collars.asp

I'm thinking of either those, or the Muscle Clamps at the bottom.

If you go that way, be sure to get extra 10 lbs plates, and 2 extra 2.5 lbs plates. Personally, putting 25 lbs plates on the handles makes most exercises too cumbersome.

It really isn't that big a deal. It just involves picking up heavy things and putting them down again.

I've used that kind before. They're plastic and not heavy duty. I've used the plastic Qucklee oly collars once or twice. They are about the same. I'd think about the steel Quicklee ones.

OK - so I'm far from a powerlifter - and I really coniser myself a newbie novice, no-nothing who reads here to gain knowledge from gurus. But - 4 yrs ago BF dropped him gym membership because time was an issue and went and bought weights.

We originally had a 'walmart special' dumbell set - 2 bars and 50lbs of weights cost of $50 or so. Pain in the ass to change between sets - as I'm one that will range from 5lb dumbells for delt work to 50lb dumbells for squats.

We bought a weider adjustible bench from Sam's club (think we paid about $80 for it or something - can't recall, right now sam's has a similar one for $50). Came with 2.5, 5 and 10 lb hex. 12 way adjustible - back has 6 levels, and the set has 4 so it is incline/decline. Works great - but no rack for bar weights. He then build a weight rack to house the dumbells. We've proceeded to purchase hex dumbells in the following increments: 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50. Now he's looking for 60's. Each of those were bought at local sports shops or sports resale (used) shops for the tune of 50cents or less per pound. So - I believe he paid $150 - $200 for the sets, plus ~$80 for the bench and weeny weights.

He also built a pull up bar. So I think he outfitted the house with that getup for less than $300. Then we bought a used commercial grade recumbent bike for $600.

So far I haven't maxed it out yet. BUT - I'm at the point where lifting individual 40lb hex dumbells for a bench press is really hard to do... I would be more comfortable with a bar and plates (but we don't have the room).

we don't workout together but we could if we wanted to. he uses the higher range for upper body while I still use the lower - then I use the higher range for my lower body and - well - he doesn't do his legs. (don't ask - I've learned over the years that MFW is my knowledge base for weights - not BF).

I I had the room and concrete floor to put them on, I 'd get the Hex. I dont so I got the PB's, their limitations are that you would not want to drop them and the shape keeps you from doing pullovers, and price. They are the most comfortable DB's I've ever used. They are amazingly fast to change weight in 10 pound increments, 5 pound increments take a few seconds longer.

The price compared to hex is or was when I bought mine about the same. They know where their competition is.

Bars. collars and plates are a pain when you are tired out of breath and are trying to swap plates. Much less costly, but IMHO, not worth it if I have the moola for Hex or PB's.

IF YOU'RE STILL LOOKING FOR A BENCH, CHECK OUT SAM'S CLUB. THEY HAVE A POWER RACK, BENCH, OLYMPIC BAR AND OLYMPIC WEIGHT SET, THE WHOLE PACKAGE FOR 300 DOLLARS. IT'S AN AWESOME SET UP AND BY FAR, THE BEST DEAL AROUND.