Which type of adjustable dumbbell?

[Speed addicted]

I’m getting back into working out after years off but the spin lock dumbbells are doing my head in.
Adjustable dumbbells at about 30kg seem to come in two basic types.

Option 1, length changes as they add/remove plates by turning the handle


Option 2, length stays the same as the plates are added/removed.


Any plus or minus points with either setup? If one is more reliable I’d go for it. They’re similar price wise.
I’m drawn to the first ones as they look easier to adjust and it makes more sense to me.

[sparkyhx]

MX SELECT MX55 Adjustable Dumbbells 4.5-24.9kg - similar to the top ones above.


I have these they work nicely and don't have weird balance behaviour and 'holding' awkwardness that some do. and Increments are relatively small unlike probably the bottom ones and other similar

I'm undecided on whether the whether the convenience is worth the extra cost

Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 6th February 16:10

[Bluevanman]

4kg increments is pretty big .
I don't have any issues with spinlocks and I can go as low as a 1kg increment if needed which if you aren't built like Eddy Hall comes in handy

[redrabbit29]

Following with interest

I have spin locks too and they are a bloody ballache. If you want to change weights it's just a hassle. First world problems I know ... It makes supersetting unworkable really and going up weights in different sets just becomes tedious

I don't mind spending a fair whack if they're good quality, nice design etc

[Hoofy]

I've got over the issue of having to add and remove weights by buying multiple sets of DBs with spinlocks.
Probably cheaper than those fancy adjustable kits, too.
I have 3 pairs of handles, now. Which is... handy.

[sparkyhx]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325945407916?chn=ps&amp...

Billy bargain - they are normally £500 from memory

[alock]

I bought the braingain 32kg - 2kg increment dumbbells
https://braingain.fit/products/32kg-adjustable-dum...

I wanted the flat end to rest them on my legs when seated.

Mine arrived with a broken handle. However their aftersales service was great. They checked I was happy changing handles with an allen key, and then just shipped a replacement handle to save me having to return an entire dumbbell.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

[Speed addicted]

alock said:

I bought the braingain 32kg - 2kg increment dumbbells
https://braingain.fit/products/32kg-adjustable-dum...

I wanted the flat end to rest them on my legs when seated.

Mine arrived with a broken handle. However their aftersales service was great. They checked I was happy changing handles with an allen key, and then just shipped a replacement handle to save me having to return an entire dumbbell.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

That’s the ones I was mainly looking at, do they feel pretty solid when you’re using them?

I did consider buying more spinlocks, I have 2 sets of handles but would also need more weights as they’re all being used just now. I just prefer the idea of one set to do everything!

[redrabbit29]

alock said:

I wanted the flat end to rest them on my legs when seated.

Very glad you mentioned that as I have that as requirement too. Spindles are too "stabby".

[Hammersia]

I have a bigger version (being a PBCD) of option 2 and option 1 looks much better.

Mine are just too wobbly, weird balance and generally awkward to use (the actual adjustment is fine) which is annoying as they were expensive.

[alock]

Speed addicted said:

alock said:

I bought the braingain 32kg - 2kg increment dumbbells
https://braingain.fit/products/32kg-adjustable-dum...

I wanted the flat end to rest them on my legs when seated.

Mine arrived with a broken handle. However their aftersales service was great. They checked I was happy changing handles with an allen key, and then just shipped a replacement handle to save me having to return an entire dumbbell.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

That’s the ones I was mainly looking at, do they feel pretty solid when you’re using them?

I did consider buying more spinlocks, I have 2 sets of handles but would also need more weights as they’re all being used just now. I just prefer the idea of one set to do everything!

When using them they're fine. My 15 year old son likes them as well. It's so easy to ramp up the weights during a workout.

I would add that both of us are very gentle on all equipment. We don't slam them back into the rack, and we definitely don't drop them. If you're the type who will squeeze out every last bit of energy to get the final rep, and then just drop the weights, then they probably aren't for you.

[the-norseman]

I fancy some of these myself but the ££££ of them.

I'll stick to plated dumbells for now.

[Speed addicted]

alock said:

When using them they're fine. My 15 year old son likes them as well. It's so easy to ramp up the weights during a workout.

I would add that both of us are very gentle on all equipment. We don't slam them back into the rack, and we definitely don't drop them. If you're the type who will squeeze out every last bit of energy to get the final rep, and then just drop the weights, then they probably aren't for you.

I’m also pretty careful with my things, I push to the point that my I can’t do the last rep rather than the point where I collapse!

quote=the-norseman]I fancy some of these myself but the ££££ of them.

I'll stick to plated dumbells for now.

They’ve come down a lot as more manufacturers get on the bandwagon.
You can get 24kg ones for £200 with the discounts available at the moment.

Edited by Speed addicted on Thursday 8th February 06:37

[Steve H]

May be too late to suggest this but I have a set of these and despite looking a bit awkward they are surprisingly good.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Block-POWERBLOCK-Ad...

[Hammersia]

Steve H said:

May be too late to suggest this but I have a set of these and despite looking a bit awkward they are surprisingly good.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Block-POWERBLOCK-Ad...

Indeed, my recollection is they were pretty much the first popular design of adjustable dumbbell. I remember they didn't wobble at all but still slightly awkward off centre balance, or maybe it's the way they look put me off.

[Steve H]

I did buy them a good few years ago so that makes sense, never found any balance or quality issues with them but looking at the current version they have been developed a bit over time.

[AlexS]

Is the problem with the spinlocks the length of time taken to change the weight or the fact that they have a pointy end that digs into the legs?

You can get handles where the pin screws into the handle so the dumbbell is much shorter for light weights and has a flat end. Pepin do a couple of versions, and you can just get the handles without the weights if required. Kensui also do a couple of much cheaper dumbbell handles in this style as well.

Gluck's Home Gym has just done a review on the Nuobell and similar type adjustables.

I have a set of the IronMaster Quick-lock dumbbells which are quicker to adjust than a spinlock but not as fast as those where the handle just twists. It looks like the UK importer has stock as well at the moment.

[Speed addicted]

AlexS said:

Is the problem with the spinlocks the length of time taken to change the weight or the fact that they have a pointy end that digs into the legs?

You can get handles where the pin screws into the handle so the dumbbell is much shorter for light weights and has a flat end. Pepin do a couple of versions, and you can just get the handles without the weights if required. Kensui also do a couple of much cheaper dumbbell handles in this style as well.

Gluck's Home Gym has just done a review on the Nuobell and similar type adjustables.

I have a set of the IronMaster Quick-lock dumbbells which are quicker to adjust than a spinlock but not as fast as those where the handle just twists. It looks like the UK importer has stock as well at the moment.

My main issues are the constant swapping of plates for different things, even with two sets of handles it’s annoying if you want to crank things up a bit halfway through. I’ve also got a limited stock of the small weights so I end up messing about quite a bit.

The spinlocks tent to get loose when you’re using them and with heavier weights you can’t put them on your legs.

Ideal world I’d have a wall of weights like a commercial gym but that’s a fairly spendy thing to be doing, I see the adjustable weights as the next best option.

The iron master ones look to be much better than spinlocks but they’re even more expensive than the adjustable ones.

[Fullook]

I got a pair of these during lockdown ( mine are 'Athlyt' branded but wouldn't surprise me if they were mass produced in China and sold under multiple different brands):



5kg - 32.5 kg, adjustable in 2.5 kg increments.

I can't make any comparative assessment as they're the only set I've had, but they've been totally reliable and I've found them very useful.

Currently available at £200 per dumbell on Amazon.

[Speed addicted]

Fullook said:

I got a pair of these during lockdown ( mine are 'Athlyt' branded but wouldn't surprise me if they were mass produced in China and sold under multiple different brands):



5kg - 32.5 kg, adjustable in 2.5 kg increments.

I can't make any comparative assessment as they're the only set I've had, but they've been totally reliable and I've found them very useful.

Currently available at £200 per dumbell on Amazon.

I’m thinking that most of the less expensive ones are made in the same place, the designs and costs are too similar to be anything else.