Any women use PowerBlock adjustable weights?

I have the 24 lb PowerBlocks and I really like them. I'm very new to trying to lift anything heavier than pretty girly dumbbells so they are heavy enough for me now. I honestly couldn't spring for the 50 lb ones when I was buying, and I liked having the smaller progression on the lower weights for now. Eventually I know I'll sell these and trade up to the 50s.

There is a small learning curve, but now I can switch weights pretty quickly. I heard the Bowflex's were a little harder to switch weights and not the best quality, so I went for the PowerBlocks. The 24 lb ones need to be on a flat surface to work properly, I had them on carpet at first and they didn't line up properly so I keep them on a mat. Other than that, it was great to not have 8 pairs of dumbbells rolling around!

MonkeyMel21 wrote: »

@kimny72 thank you for your response! You said you just have them on a mat on the floor? I see the stand is like over $100, didn't know if it was realistic to just not use the stand.

Yeah, I would've loved the stand but Santa didn't get it for me! I started with them on a piece of cardboard (classy, I know) and then just got a flat rubber mat to put them on. You just have to be careful if the weight is heavy for you lifting them from the floor, and it might take an extra second or two as opposed to being up on the stand and easier to read.

I cant say I cant afford them sadly. would love a set though

I have the bowflex ones and like them! Not hard to adjust at all. I’ve had them over two years and haven’t had a quality issue either. I use anywhere from 5-40, but they go up to 52.5.

I also use Fitnessblender videos and I initially bought the 1-21 lb Powerblock set, used that for about 1.5 years, and then upgraded to the 33 lb expansion for that same set in January. I don't think that they make the particular version I have anymore, but I was also looking at the set that goes up to 50 lb and went with the set I got instead because I preferred to be able to progress in smaller increments - 1-2 lb per hand, v. 2.5+ lb increments for the 50 lb set. I really enjoy using them as it's quick to switch out weights and doesn't take up much room, and it really is a solid investment that will last you for years.

With Fitnessblender, you're doing such a huge variety of exercises that you won't be progressing anywhere near as quickly as someone who is doing more of a traditional heavy lifting/repetitive type program. I'm slowly progressing through my set, and I don't foresee growing out of this set anytime soon - maybe on a few exercises, but not for the majority of the Fitnessblender exercises. For example, something like dumbbell squats will rely on how much weight you can clean up to your shoulders (if you hold them like Kelli does). For me, I've been stuck at 23 lb/hand for months, partly because of the upper body strength issue, but also because I'm doing a ton of other exercises and might only be doing squats once or twice per week depending on the video.

I have them. No way in hell would I pay that much money for them! My mom bought mine for me for $50 on Craigslist. They are fine, I think they are awkwardly shaped though and would prefer having regular dumbbells but it’s nice that they don’t take up a lot of space in my small apartment.

I use dumbbell handles that take plates with 1" holes. I can adjust them to any reasonable weight. Admittedly not as convenient as a power block but exceedingly cheap at Goodwill.

Those are so freakishly expensive. What I did was ordered a pair of plain dumbbell bars with 1" holes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XFXOPM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And then wal-mart sells 1" plates for pretty cheap.

The Powerblocks definitely seem handy, and I had looked at them myself. Though, they are by no means the cheapest option. Just in case you're looking into other choices the most economic path would be to buy some dumbbell handles and individual plates. Walmart sells Gold's Gym standard size plates for a good price. You can purchase 16 10lbs plates at $7.77 per plate. That is two 80lbs dumbbells for about $125. Obviously most of us will never toss around 80lbs dumbbells, but whatever your max weight is these would be an affordable way to get there. Just another option, the Powerblocks are well made and very convenient however, a lot faster to switch weight with.