If you’ve ever visited a friend’s home gym, there is one piece of very common fitness equipment that they most likely own: Dumbbells.

Dumbbells are ridiculously common, and for good reason. They’re affordable, you can purchase them in sets, they’re very portable, and you can perform an endless variety of strength exercises with them.

So it’s no surprise that you  are searching for some dumbbells to invest in for your home gym setup.

However, you may be asking yourself a few questions: Which dumbbells are right for me? Can I find what I need within my budget? What about storage? Do I need a set of dumbbells or a single pair?

Well thankfully here at Akfit, we're here to help. We are a specialty fitness store located in Sudbury, Canada. Since 1989 we’ve been serving commercial and consumer clients in northern Ontario, Canada, and beyond with the goal of helping everyone reach their fitness needs.

Whether you are looking to design a home gym, or you’re a commercial gym owner, our fitness experts pride themselves in helping you achieve what you are looking to accomplish.

One of our many recommendations, if you are on a budget, is investing in adjustable dumbbells. Given that dumbbells are so popular, there are many dumbbell brands on the market to choose from. 

To help narrow down your search, this article will explore two reputable fitness brands: Bowflex and Powerblock, and the adjustable dumbbell inventory that they offer.

In This Article:

1)      What Are Adjustable Dumbbells?

2)      Benefits of Adjustable Dumbbells

3)      Who Are Bowflex

4)      Bowflex’s Adjustable Dumbbells and Services

5)      Who are Powerblock

6)      Powerblock’s Adjustable Dumbbells and Services

7)      Differences and Similarities

8)      Purchasing Your Adjustable Dumbbells

What Are Adjustable Dumbbells?

Adjustable Dumbbells are slightly different from traditional fixed weight dumbbells.

These types of dumbbells are typically sold as a pair and are the size of two large dumbbells. They’re made up of several removable plates or blocks and are a cost-friendly option compared to a full set of dumbbells.

Adjustable Dumbbells allow you to alter how heavy the weight is by using a variety of different mechanisms depending on how your dumbbells are constructed. These different mechanisms can include a lever, dial, or pin system. This will allow you to switch between different weights or plates attached to the handle which come in weighted increments.

Benefits of Adjustable Dumbbells

As we previously mentioned, adjustable dumbbells can be an alternative option for someone looking to design a home gym and they provide a decent amount of benefits compared to investing in an entire set of fixed weight dumbbells.

Some of these benefits include:

•         A more cost-friendly option
•         They are space saving and very portable
•         They are very convenient types of strength training equipment
•         Some adjustable dumbbells come in smaller weight increments compared to fixed weights
•         Adjustable dumbbells allow you to make progress without having to buy another pair of fixed weights
•         They provide increased variety to your strength workouts compared to a single set of fixed weights
•         Adjustable dumbbells provide a safer home workout than barbells

Who Are Bowflex?

Bowflex is the brand name for a line of fitness equipment owned by their parent company Nautilus Inc. Since 1986, they’ve been selling their products through direct, retail, and international channels.

According to Bowflex, their line of products are mostly designed for home gym setups, with the goal of bringing more innovative cardio and strength equipment to your home environment to provide smarter, faster results while enjoying the comfort of your own setup.

Products that under the Bowflex brand include exercise bikes, max trainers, adjustable dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, benches, Bowflex’s specialty home gym machines, treadmills, accessories, and memberships to their JRNY fitness app.

Bowflex’s Adjustable Dumbbells and Services

Bowflex’s SelectTech 552 and 1090 Adjustable Dumbbells

Currently, Bowflex sells two sets of adjustable dumbbells: the Bowflex SelectTech 552 pair which costs $499, and the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 pair which costs $999 as listed on Bowflex’s website.

The SelectTech 552’s are designed to replace 15 sets of fixed weight dumbbells. These dumbbells can be adjusted from 5 pounds to 52.5 pounds and in increments of 2.5 pounds for the first 25 pounds. After the 25 pound mark, the weight can be adjusted up by 5 pound increments.

The 1090 model is designed to replace 17 sets of fixed weight dumbbells. This pair of adjustable dumbbells offer weights from 10 pounds to 90 pounds, and can be modified in 5 pound increments.

Pros & Cons of Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells

The dumbbells feature a locking mechanism and a built-in dial which allows the user to select the amount of weight they want to utilize on their dumbbells. The weight is able to be adjusted with the dumbbells sitting in a tray, the locking mechanism locks the weights that you want to use, and leaves the rest in the storage tray.

There is no other way to adjust the weight, it must be done within the storage tray. This can provide one downside: the weights overtime can potentially come loose in the tray, this makes playing your adjustable dumbbell in the tray more difficult over time.

Another potential issue you may run into with Bowflex’s adjustable dumbbells is that the weights are held on to the bar with plastic discs. The addition and removal of the weights in combination with consistently placing the dumbbells in the tray creates a lot of wear and tear on the plastic discs. This can result in the weights no longer being held securely onto the bar.

However, a plus to these Bowflex products is that they are designed with grips on the bar to help provide a more comfortable and potentially stabilizing workout.

Bowflex Financing

If you find purchasing adjustable dumbbells from Bowflex but their cost doesn't fit within your budget, they happen to offer a financing option through Paybright. This allows you to make 12 monthly payments on your adjustable dumbbells rather than one upfront purchase at the full retail price.

Bowflex Warranty

Bowflex also offers a 2-year warranty on their 552 adjustable dumbbell model that covers parts. But for an additional $39 you can purchase an extra year of warranty on parts or you can spend $69 for 3 extra years of a warranty on parts.

As for their 1090 model, Bowflex already includes a 3-year warranty on parts with your purchase, and for an extra $79 you can add 2 more years to that already existent warranty.

Bowflex Delivery

Delivery and shipping costs vary per Bowflex product and destination, and is not available to P.O boxes or international locations. Make sure when you are ordering a Bowflex product that you are on the appropriate website for your country.

In some instances, Nautilus may need to ship your product internationally from the United States. In this situation the customer may be required to pay customs fees or taxes before the product can be delivered.

All products ordered together may not ship together.

Who are Powerblock?

Since 1993, Powerblock claims to pride themselves as a team that consists of fitness professionals, athletes, fabricators, designers, and every day people who believe in a healthy lifestyle. that includes fitness who have been striving to produce and upgrade what they believe is the “world’s best dumbbell.”

Powerblock is mostly known for their adjustable dumbbells, however they also sell adjustable kettlebells, benches, stands, expansions, accessories, and official Powerblock merchandise.

Powerblock Adjustable Dumbbell and Services

Powerblock offers three different series of adjustable dumbbells: the USA Elite Series, the Sport Series, and the Pro Series. These series are also sold as expandable or non-expandable models if you feel like you have maximized the use of these dumbbells. 

These adjustable dumbbells are currently sold on their website or can be purchased through Akfit, check out our selection of Powerblock adjustable dumbbells here.

Powerblock’s website has the USA Elite Series priced starting at $419, the Sport Series starting at $119, and the Pro Series starting at $339.

The USA Elite Series dumbbells

These dumbbells are designed to replace 16 sets of fixed weight dumbbells and range from 5 pounds to 50 pounds. However, expansion kits can be purchased to expand the weight capacity up to 90 pounds per hand. The weights can be adjusted in 2.5 pound increments or 5 pound increments depending on the weights you are adjusting.

The USA Elite Series also comes with color coded weight bands and padded wrist support. These are Powerblock’s most popular adjustable dumbbells.

The Sport Series Dumbbells

The Sport Series Dumbbells are sold as three different models. The Sport 24, the Sport 50, and the Sport EXP. The max weight of these dumbbells is as listed in the title, 24 and 50 pounds. However the EXP model can carry a max weight of 90 pounds. These models also provide weight increments of 3-5 pounds.

The Sport 24 features a color coded weight design and a smaller grip compared to the other sport series dumbbells, while the 50 and EXP models offer numbered weight bands instead of a color system. The EXP model are the only expandable dumbbells of this series.

The Pro Series Dumbbells

The Pro Series comes in 3 different models, the Pro 32, the Pro 50, and the Pro EXP, and the max weight listed (just like the sports series) are the same as the title of the dumbbells: 32 pounds and 50 pounds, with the EXP series expandable up to 90 pounds per hand. The approximate weight increments within these series of dumbbells range anywhere from 2.5-5 pounds.

These dumbbells are made with a black urethane finish, which make these dumbbells slightly more expensive. To see why urethane dumbbells cost more check out our cost of dumbbells article.

Pros & Cons of Powerblock Adjustable Dumbbells

All three of these models feature color coded weight bands, however the Pro 32 features a smaller grip compared to the rest of the pro series dumbbells.

To adjust the weight, Powerblock uses a selector pin. Simply remove the pin from your desired weight and select the rail with the corresponding weight chart and then re-insert the pin.

Additionally these dumbbells feature a dial lock near the center of the dumbbell. You can tilt a handle back and place the dial lock in the open position to add or remove adder weights. This allows the user to adjust the weight in more precise increments.

The main concern however with Powerblock adjustable dumbbells is the cage like design. With having to place your hand inside a cage in the center, some movements can become more difficult to execute and could limit the exercises you want to engage in with your Powerblock dumbbells.

Powerblock Financing

Though it doesn’t appear that Powerblock offers a financing option on their website, we are happy to inform you that Akfit does offer financing options on Powerblock adjustable dumbbells.

Through Paybright, we offer financing options where you can make payments for 18 months rather than a singular upfront purchase.

Powerblock Warranty

Powerblock does offer manufacturer’s warranties on their products. All of their pro, sport, and USA series products are protected under a 5-year warranty that covers parts and defects.

Powerblock Delivery

If purchasing through Powerblock’s website, they will ship out an order within 21 to 30 business days and ship their products through various delivery services such as UPS, FedEx, common freight carrier lines.

At Akfit, we will also deliver our products to you, and also show you any installation if required and how to use your products. Just simply fill out a delivery request form here.

Similarities and Differences Between Bowflex & Powerblock Adjustable Dumbbells

Similarities

•         Both Bowflex and Powerblock specialize in portable home equipment
•         Adjustable dumbbells from both companies are more cost-friendly than a full set of dumbbells
•         Both companies offer dumbbells that have adjustable weight up to 90 pounds
•         Bowflex and Powerblock both sell stands to properly store your dumbbells

Differences

•         Bowflex’s dumbbells are shaped more like a traditional dumbbell whereas Powerblock’s dumbbells are shaped like a cage
•         Powerblock offers more modes of expandable dumbbells
•         Powerblock sells expansions to their adjustable dumbbells
•         Powerblock features a color coded system for some of their adjustable weights
•         Bowflex adjustable dumbbells feature a built-in dial and a locking mechanism to adjust the weight whereas Powerblock uses a pin system and a dial lock with adder weights

Purchasing Your Adjustable Dumbbells at Akfit

Now that we’ve gone over some options on the adjustable dumbbell market, you may be ready to make a purchase, or maybe you’re still not quite convinced.

We at Akfit encourage you to reach out to us if you have any further questions about adjustable dumbbells or any other fitness concerns you may have. Our fitness experts are here to help you narrow down your decisions and assist you in finding the perfect product for you and your budget.

You can visit us in store at our Sudbury location, or even book a virtual meeting. We are here to provide all of our expert insight so that you will be able to make your gym equipment investments in confidence.