Which Powerblock set?

AigreDoux

Every month I stick to logging and exercising, I give myself a gift to celebrate. I want it to be somewhat exercise related. My first month of completing Strong stage 1, I got myself a Fitbit Charge HR.

Next week will be the last of Stage 2, and I'm looking into Powerblock dumbbells. I currently only have up to 12 lbs and two handles that hold plates that my DH bought in HS, but they scare me a bit since the plates don't seem very secure. I've already outgrown the 12 lbs ones for exercises I am doing now.

Should I get the PowerBlocks 3-24 pound set? The increments go in 3s. Or the PowerBlocks 5-50 lbs set? These increase by 5 lbs. I'm finding it difficult to imagine using a 50 lb dumbbell, and seems like the 3 lb increments may be better.

http://www.powerblock.com/prod_homeuse_sport2-4.php
http://www.powerblock.com/prod_homeuse_sport5-0.php

pondee629

"I've already outgrown the 12 lbs ones for exercises I am doing now." How long do you think it will take to outgrow the 24 pounders?

The PowerBlock 50 pound set I have actually is adjustable from 5 pounds to 50 pounds in 2.5 pound increments. You could also use just the 2.5 pound inserts and go as low as that (2.5 pounds). Inside each handle are two 2.5 pounds metal cylinders. You can have none, one or two in each handle at any time. The empty handle weights 5 pounds. Add one cylinder it's 7.5 pounds. Add both cylinders, it's now 10. Then you have to go to 15 pounds, no cylinders in the handle and add a ten pound plate to the five pound handle. Then 17.5 to 20 and so forth up to fifty. The real question is not will you get to fifty, it is how long until you out grow 24?

Happy choosing.

nordlead2005

How about get the largest set you can afford.

If you are only using dumbbells you'll be able to do a 100lb squat soon enough if you wanted.

EDIT: if you decide to go with the 24lb ones you can always upgrade later. You might lose a lot on the resale value of those, but it is an option.

datsundriver87

If you can afford the u-70 or u-90 set they are more than worth it because they are the only ones that have a curl bar or straight bar attachment. Yes they are quite expensive but the grip is more comfortable (imo) and they are quieter than the elite and sport sets, but being able to upgrade to a straight or curl bar, or even a kettlebell is what made the decision for me. Had mine for a month and absolutely love them

AigreDoux

Well, I can afford stuff, but obviously don't want to buy more than I'll ever use and waste money. I'm a small framed female, beginner, so it's hard for me to know how quickly I'll outgrow 24 lb dumbells. I'm not even sure what @datsundriver87 means by a curl bar or straight bar

nordlead2005

AigreDoux wrote: »

Well, I can afford stuff, but obviously don't want to buy more than I'll ever use and waste money. I'm a small framed female, beginner, so it's hard for me to know how quickly I'll outgrow 24 lb dumbells. I'm not even sure what @datsundriver87 means by a curl bar or straight bar

24lb for someone looking to build strength is very low (you are doing the Strong program after all). Even 50lb for a female is still low. If my wife was doing goblet squats she would have to use both dumbbells if she was limited to 50lb (or she could do weighted pistol squats). A 250lb barbell set is enough for many women for life, but not all depending on your goals and size.

If you want to spend less money, then you can always buy plates and bars which are significantly cheaper than the power blocks. The trade off is that plates take longer to swap out and are not self storing (i.e. much easier to make a mess if you are lazy).

A straight bar is just a straight barbell typically used for moves like bench press, squats, deadlift, OHP, etc... It isn't required if you are doing a dumbbell program, but you may find it useful if you want to do some barbell exercises. A curl bar is special barbell that is used for doing curls. It allows you to put your hands in a more neutral position while curling. If I was only going to have one, it would be the straight bar as it is more useful.

tiffanylacourse

We have the 90s. I would rather have more than I'll use, than have to upgrade again in the future.

Best of luck!

AigreDoux

Thanks! I do have a barbell and plates, but not the olympic size. That's next on my list, but the ones I have are enough for now.

Leaning towards the U70s. Looking ahead towards the next few months of workouts, I can see needing more than 24lbs. And the U70s aren't that much more than the Sport 5-50s. And then I can upgrade them to 70 lbs if I need to.

datsundriver87

AigreDoux wrote: »

Well, I can afford stuff, but obviously don't want to buy more than I'll ever use and waste money. I'm a small framed female, beginner, so it's hard for me to know how quickly I'll outgrow 24 lb dumbells. I'm not even sure what @datsundriver87 means by a curl bar or straight bar

Sorry should have explained better, By a curl bar or straight bar I meant barbells, so your able to do barbell lifts like deadlifts or bench press or squats with your powerblocks instead of needing a separate barbell. No matter what choice you choose you will be happy.