Adjustable dumbbells are a must for anyone who works out at home. Instead of having to buy multiple sets of dumbbells, which can take up a lot of space and still be insufficient for your training needs, with just one set of adjustable dumbbells you can have as comprehensive of a workout as you would with a full rack of weights. Not only do they save you space, but for the range of weights you’d have at your disposal, they could save you a decent amount of money as well.
PowerBlock is a household name in this industry, due to its high-quality and versatile products that are great for beginners and advanced lifters alike, and in this article, I’ll be taking a look at a product from its popular Elite line, the PowerBlock Elite EXP, to help you determine if it really does live up to its reputation.
Specs
Product: PowerBlock Elite EXP adjustable dumbbells
Price: $380 (Amazon)
Dumbbell dimensions: 12″L x 6″W x 6″H
Maximum weight per dumbbell: 50 pounds
Material: Welded steel
Expandable: Up to 90 pounds
Warranty: 5-year limited warranty
What’s Included
- Two 5-pound dumbbells
- 40 pounds of adjustable weights per dumbbell
- Two sets of 2.5-pound adder weights
Features
- Adjustable weight range of 5-50 pounds in 2.5-pound increments
- Magnetic pin allows for switching weights conveniently and securely
- Handle contains fastening mechanism to lock in adder weights
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide range of adjustable weights in small increments | Method of adjusting weights isn’t the simplest and most intuitive |
| Clear labeling of different weight combinations | Can’t adjust to weights ending in 2.5 pounds (2.5, 12.5, 22.5, etc.) |
| Compact design saves space | When only one adder weight used, dumbbell can feel a bit unbalanced |
| Padded handle allows for comfortable and firm grip | Enclosed handle can be limiting for small number of exercises |
Overall Rating: 9/10
Review
Design
The PowerBlock Elite EXP can seem like an intimidating piece of equipment at first. It comes with all these square plates that don’t resemble traditional weights and has a bunch of numbers written all along one edge, making it look like a real puzzle to figure out.
Fortunately, once you learn how to use it, it’s actually pretty simple. The numbers written out on the dumbbell provide pretty clear instructions on how to achieve every increment of weight. This means you don’t have to memorize it all, although familiarizing yourself with the system will certainly make your workouts go smoother.
The truth is that there are easier mechanisms for adjusting weight available in the market. PowerBlock’s system isn’t that much more difficult, but it can involve a few steps, which can be a bit of a nuisance if you’re only changing the weight by a small increment. However, this system may prove to be more durable in the long-run, since it avoids using intricate gears and locks that may be prone to wear over time.
The design is also quite ergonomic, whether that’s intentional or not. The additional weights are very thin, meaning that even with all of them attached, the dumbbell doesn’t take up too much space on the ground or when you’re lifting them. The boxy shape means that when storing them, you can basically tuck them away anywhere without worrying about them rolling around.
Weight Adjustments
Essentially, the dumbbell without any additional weight comes in at 5 pounds, which is the lightest you can go. There’s space for two adder weights in every dumbbell, which at 2.5 pounds each, can bring the total weight up to 10 pounds.
To continue increasing the weight from there, you insert a magnetic pin through the additional plates you want to include. Each additional plate adds another 10 pounds, and since you get four of these in the base package, this gives you a maximum of 50 pounds per dumbbell. To achieve increments of 2.5 or 5 pounds, you can simply add or remove adder weights, even with the use of additional plates.
For example, a dumbbell with one adder weight and two additional plates comes in at 27.5 pounds.
One problem with this system is that since the handle comes in at 5 pounds, you can’t adjust to the weights of 2.5, 12.5, 22.5, 32.5, and 42.5 pounds. However, this shouldn’t be more than a minor inconvenience, and frankly, many gyms don’t carry dumbbells of these weights anyways.
Another limitation is the fact that the dumbbell tops out at 50 pounds. If you want to make the dumbbell even heavier, you’ll need to buy additional expansion kits, which are sold separately by PowerBlock. The Stage 2 kit brings the weight up to 70 pounds, and the Stage 3 kit tops out at 90 pounds. These expansion kits aren’t exactly cheap, which means maxing out the PowerBlock can get a bit pricey, but I actually see this as a benefit for many people.
If you’re relatively new to strength training, you likely won’t need anything heavier than 50 pounds for a while. Therefore, instead of a more expensive upfront cost to include heavy weights you won’t use, you can opt to purchase additional expansion kits once you progress and actually have a need for them.
Functionality
In terms of how well these dumbbells work, you can do just about the same exercises as you would with a traditional dumbbell. The Elite EXP’s odd shape doesn’t really affect how it feels when you’re using it. Furthermore, if you’re wary about the magnetic pin being strong enough to fully lock in the additional weights, you don’t need to worry as when latched on, the weights are very stable and the entire dumbbell moves as one; nothing rattles or feels loose.
One gripe I have is that because there are cylindrical pillars on all corners of the dumbbell, this could be an issue at times. For example, it might be difficult to use for exercises that require holding one dumbbell with both hands, such as dumbbell squats. Fortunately, this isn’t something that affects the exercises I do, and for most exercises in general, it shouldn’t be a problem.
My Final Thoughts
So does the PowerBlock Elite EXP live up to its hype? Absolutely.
I really like using it. There are a few areas in which it could be better, but none of these truly detract from my user experience, or more importantly, my ability to get a good workout in.
On top of it just being a great all-around dumbbell, I think it’s particularly appealing to beginners. While there are other adjustable dumbbells that are easier to operate and have a higher maximum weight, the Elite EXP offers the advantages of not being that expensive and allowing the weight to be adjusted in smaller increments. The maximum weight also isn’t even a downside once you take into account the available expansion kits.
Furthermore, it’s important to mention that despite it not necessarily being the most high-end option, the Elite EXP still stands out as being one of the best in terms of quality. It’s constructed mostly out of a very durable steel, and it seems to me that everything about its design, including the somewhat crude mechanism for adjusting weights, is intentionally done to ensure that these dumbbells will last a very long time. I’ve had my set for years now and it’s still good as new.
Ultimately, if this is your first time purchasing an adjustable dumbbell, you can’t go wrong with the Elite EXP.
