POWERBLOCK PRO EXP REVIEW: PROS, CONS & WOULD I BUY THEM AGAIN

Curious about the PowerBlock Pro dumbbells? Checkout my review for some pros, and cons from an everyday lifter. Real feedback from someone that's had them for quite sometime, and can compare them to traditional dumbbells.

[AverageJoeInnovationsLLC]

Overall it's a fair review...just a couple minor corrections.

At 0:40 the magnets are located to the left and right of your right hand's thumb, not at the tips of the selector rod. That's how it attaches to the narrow bars in between the plates.

At 4:00 the urethane coating is one of the reasons behind the 2017 class action lawsuit against Powerblock. Don't leave the urethane coated versions out in the hot sun. They're not made to take that heat. It's one of the reasons the coating fails and the connection points snap. You're using them indoors so you should be ok.

At 5:20 you mention the models. Powerblock also offers the "Classic" as well as a couple Commercial versions such as the 175s (absolute beasts at up to175 lbs per hand).

Thanks for taking the time to make content, man.

[spiegel]

Thank you for pointing out the uneven distribution of weight when the adder pins are in. None of the several other reviews I've watched have mentioned that.

[tntexplosivefighter]

Appreciate your honest answers. GREAT!

[PaulChoate-sv]

All lines of PowerBlocks are very good. The best balanced of the current models are the Elite and Sport 50's. The Pro's are good but with the adderweights in they are top-heavy. The sport 50's don't have removable adderweights but they are there (they are fixed and don't float around)...and being that the sport line have the smaller height they are very well balanced. The sport exp's are very good too BUT being that they have removable adderweights the tube that holds the weights have a larger diameter than the sport 50's which (for me anyway) causes my knuckle to (barely) rub against it. The fix, change out the EXP handle for the sport handle. The Elite line (USA or EXP) are excellent as far as balance. They are basically the original design from 30 years ago: if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[asaeed]

This review is accurate. I had the Powerblock Urethane model 5-50 lbs. and also the Iron Master. I used both during the Pandemic, but I used the Powerblock WAY more because changing the weight is sooo quick and easy. But the Iron Master felt exactly like a gym dumbell and these had weight distribution issue when you reached the top of a bicep curl or shoulder exercises. On other exercises, like dumbell bench press or flies, not any issues at all. I tried to find the Stage 2 and as I outgrew the 50lbs but no one had any in stock and felt like they might not make them anymore. So I sold mine in 2021 for equal to what I bought them for.
Now i want to start working out at home again and was looking at this model. So when he mentioned the weight distribution, it related. I will use the Iron Master and see if I can mentally <get used to> the slower weight change process - slap and tighten a plate on one side then the other, then repeat for the other dumbbell. ugh!

[plasmathunderdx]

I got solid stainless steel volcano knurled grips for my powerblocks and love them. Another pro that is not mentioned by a lot of reviewers is that you can change the weights without bring it back to its cradle

[julianp.]

Good video. I have the Powerblock EXPs (Sport EXPs) and I'm struggling a little bit with the balance of them. I feel like I have to focus more on my grip than on the muscle I'm trying to work. Probably means I should do a slightly lower weight but still kind of annoying. I tried the Elite EXPs but the plates have really loose tolerances and move around on the handle which is also annoying lol. Probably going to keep the EXP. Oh and one other thing I'd note on the EXPs - your knuckles can contact the adder weight bars with certain grips.

[espcustom]

Good review, the balance that is thrown off a bit isn't a con that's mentioned too often but it's my biggest drawback about powerblocks. That along with the contoured handle. That being said, other adjustable dumbells overcome that feature but you usually have to give up weight changing speed for that. Best thing is to have two different sets if you can afford it ! still saves space and you can use your other set for exercises where the balance is more noticeable (i.e. curls and stuff)

[marucat]

great honest review. That was one of my comments as well was it did feel a bit unbalanced at heavier weights.

[FrankZen]

I love my Sports and the balance thing doesn't bother me. I had the Bowflex before and I loved them but the long bar at even low weights was awkward. When I worked out with the Powerblocks, I fell in love because they had much more of a dumbbell feel. I own three sets (selling one).

[marucat]

For durability you 100% need to go for the steel ones. The urethane is subject to hardening and will crack overtime.

[johna]

Awesome video, exactly what I needed to hear. Gonna save for free weights

[Somtric]

It would be super interesting if you bought the Pro Series Straight Bar & EZ Curl bar, that works with these & test them out... well, more interesting if you had the expanded sets for it too, so you could really test it. Just an idea for a video that simply doesn't exist, for some reason noone has made reviews on those two attachments.

[terrancedickson]

Uneven distribution may not be a problem if the weight is still gving the gravitational resistance at the top

[marucat]

But if i had to be honest, speed is really the key especially for me when I only have maybe 45min to an hour to work out per day. If I had all day I wouldn’t mind switching out spinlock dumbbells etc. ala ironmasters. But for me I realize how speed matters. It kinda throws off the flow of your work out. I’m thinking of getting a separate set of handles unloaded so you can swap 5lbs really fast.

[marucat]

I think the USA Elites the originals feel a bit more balanced because they have the bars at the front as well.

[XFS]

Did PowerBlock ever address the issue with these urethane models being defective or breaking in certain conditions? I think there was a lawsuit filed for it a few years back.

[kozmo]

Fantastic, the details you described I haven’t seen in too many other videos.

The sport model is sort of an in between for the pro and the elite. Sport has the open handle like the pro but metal frame like the elite. That kinda idea.

Question: if you leave out the cylindrical weights completely, how does the balance feel when doing curls?

Thank you very much sir

[gregortiz]

Great video would love to see more content

[paulshealthfitness]

Can you use lifting straps, lets say if you are doing dumbell rows? Think of the weight imbalance as a pro, kinda how cables give more tension at the top of a contraction vs traditional dumbells. Can't be that bad can it?