Adjustable dumbbells are a type of dumbbell designed with a metal bar and a handle in the center with grip. As its name suggest, an adjustable dumbbell can be “adjusted” to add or reduce weight of your dumbbell. Weight disks commonly known as “plates” are slipped into the dumbbell, then secured with collars or clips. Adjustable dumbbells have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. If you’re thinking of buying a set, make sure you consider these pros and cons of adjustable dumbbells:


PROS of Adjustable Dumbbells
• Money-saver – Once you’ve bought a durable set of adjustable dumbbells worth between $200-$500 depending on the brand, style and number of weights you purchased, it could give you plenty of savings in the long-run. Buying fixed-weight dumbbells piece by piece can be very costly, particularly if you wish to increase your weight training.
• Space-saver – Adjustable dumbbells are space-savers, so they could fit nicely even in a small workout space. To organize your adjustable dumbbells, all you need is an area for the rack system. After your workout, you don’t have to worry about weights on the floor tripping a child or adults in the household.
• Time-saver – Due to the flexibility of adjustable dumbbells, you can perform more exercises and change plates much quicker. Newer models even provide the users with a very quick changeover, allowing you to switch to another exercise without much effort.
• Portable – Some of the basic adjustable dumbbells allow you to bring the system when you travel for a few days. They usually come with their own rack, so you only need to put it in the car and you’ll be able to continue your workout, without spending money to go to the gym.


CONS of Adjustable Dumbbells
• One-time Cost – Although you will ultimately save money once you’ve chosen a durable set of adjustable dumbbells, the cost may discourage some people. If you need the adjustable dumbbells as soon as possible, but don’t have enough money to spend in the $200-$500 range, this can be a problem for you. The most practical solution is to go for used adjustable types to get as much as 50% savings.
• Limited Weight – Some adjustable dumbbells support only up to 50 pounds, which can be a factor of concern for professional athletes or bodybuilders. If you do find systems that could support higher weight increases, they may be more expensive.
• Time to Load – If you use the adjustable dumbbells in performing a single exercise routine, then this won’t be a problem for you. However, if you change the amount of weights on your system multiple times in a single workout session, the time you spend loading your dumbbells can be tiring. The energy and time you use in changing the dumbbells can be used in the exercises, so the loading time may become frustrating.


Adjustable dumbbells are recommended for people with limited space in their home gyms, but need a more advanced system that allows them to do numerous exercises. Weighing the pros and cons of adjustable dumbbells hopefully helps you decide if this type of dumbbell is right for you.

Power Blocks is a brand of adjustable dumbbells that feature a quick-change system, allowing users to change weights from 50 pounds to 90 or 130 pounds and back within seconds. If you’re thinking of buying Power Blocks to add to your home gym, read everything you need to know about the Power Blocks below to make an educated decision.


Types of Power Blocks

Several types of Power Blocks exist – The Classic set, Sports set, Urethane set, and Commercial set – categorized based on the materials used. The square-shaped classic series features black, powder coat-painted steel plates, padded wrist supports and straight-center hand grip, while the rounded top, sports series features gray powder-coat painted steel plates. The Urethane Power Blocks have contoured center; padded wrist supports; black, coated plates with rounded tops and machined, steel powder-coated with side rails on both sides of the block.


Advantages of Using Power Blocks
• Saves space – Instead of buying a rack filled with dumbbells of different weights, Power Blocks solves space issues completely since it only requires a small space. In fact, the company behind Power Blocks only requires you to have 3 square feet of floor space.
• Saves time – Like most adjustable dumbbells, you can take advantage of the quick-change system of Power Blocks. Instead of adding or removing weight plates on your dumbbell, you can simply change the weight with a click and use your time to perform various exercise routines.
• Comfortable to Use – Power Blocks have padded handgrips that help users to move comfortably with the blocks.
• Weight Combinations and Accessories – Power Blocks are available in many weight combinations, with one hand supporting up to 125 pounds. Power Blocks also have various accessories you can use, such as the column stand, utility bench, exercise mat, and chin attachment, among others.
• Long warranty period – Power Blocks has a 10 to 15-year warranty, which is what you need for equipments like these that can be expanded with heavier plates in the future. In fact, the steel or Urethane Power Blocks feel very study and well made.


Disadvantages of Power Blocks
• Price – Each pair of Power Blocks cost somewhere from $150 to $800. Add-ons and other Power Blocks accessories like the stand or bench are bought separately. When compared to dumbbells piece by piece, Power Blocks may be beyond the budget of people who workout without too much money to spend. However, serious trainers can see the price as an investment that could come a long way.
• Pin problems – Some Power Blocks users complain about the magnets in pin being flimsy. In addition, there’s a possibility of putting the pin in crooked.

Power Blocks are ideal for both men and women who are serious workout fans. Each set is well-designed and comfortable to use. With over a decade for its warranty period, the price of Power Blocks may not look as bad. In conclusion, if you’re looking for a high-performance, adjustable dumbbell, you should consider the Power Blocks because it is one of the best systems in the market today.

Joining a gym can be costly since the membership fees are collected monthly. This is particularly expensive if you do not take advantage of all available hours throughout the month, but still is required to pay in full. A home gym is a practical way to achieve your fitness goals without spending too much money. Unfortunately, choosing the right weight lifting equipment to include in your gym can be confusing and discouraging to many people. If you’re just building your home gym, here is a quick guide for the must-have weight lifting equipment:


Weight lifting equipment can be divided into several categories – free weights (dumbbells, barbells and weight plates), benches and weight machines.
1. Free Weights – These types of weight lifting equipment are known as ‘free weights’ simply because no cables or pulleys are attached. Free weights are the simplest, cheapest and most flexible weight lifting equipment every home gym and commercial gym should have.
• Dumbbells – One of the cheapest weight lifting equipment that your home gym must have are dumbbells. You can buy the free-weight types that do not require changing of weight plates, or choose its adjustable counterpart that you can remove or add weights to “adjust” for various exercises. If you’re serious about weight training and decided to go with a bunch of free-weight dumbbells, an important weight lifting equipment you should have is a dumbbell rack.
• Barbells – Professional or advanced weightlifters use this weight lifting equipment. Barbells are longer than dumbbells, and can only be used with both hands. Smaller barbells can hold up to 100 lbs of weight, while Olympic barbells could support up to 1000 lbs. Beginners that are thinking of adding barbells with their weight lifting equipment may opt to buy fixed-weight barbells, which are 5 or 6 feet long and an inch think.


1. Benches – Different types of benches exist, each with varying uses. If you’re looking for weight training equipment, choose benches that do not have any racks included in the design because these are specifically used for dumbbell exercises. A good example of the type of weight lifting equipment you’ll need is the Preacher bench, which is used in working the biceps.
2. Weights Machine – If you have the money to spend on weight lifting equipment, you can choose a couple of weight machines for your home gym. The weight lifting equipment listed below is by no means a complete list. Hundreds of weight machines exist, some targeting just one muscle group, while others working multiple muscle groups.
• Leg Press – This weight lifting equipment allows you to lift heavy weights safely using your legs. It avoids stress on your back and knees.
• Leg Extension – This machine works the quad muscles and is used as a warm up before leg presses or squats.
• Hack Squat – Used in working the outer thighs, this weight lifting equipment is an alternative to a barbell squat.
• Leg Curl – This weight lifting equipment is one of the most effective machines for hamstring exercises.
• Calf Machines – Two types of this machine exist – a seated model (for the lower calf muscles) and the standing version (for the upper calf muscles).

When shopping for weight lifting equipment, you should also buy safety accessories such as a lifting belt, weightlifting strap, gloves, wraps (hand, wrist, elbows and knee), head harness, gym chalk.