| Puck |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 06/10/10 11:39 AM |
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Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Anyone have? $400 seems a bit steep for dumbbells, but that's only because I don't know whether or not I'd use them. I think I can do a pretty comprehensive workout with nothing more than dumbbells and a bench (roughly $600 altogether).
With that said, I'd like to get a suitable dumbbell set, but I don't want to go all out on a home gym. Ideally, I'd still like to go to the gym, but there are days where I may be watching a baseball game that goes until 10pm/11pm, and then the gym is closed. I'm typically up until 2am, so I would have zero issue with knocking out a 45 minute routine.
So, thoughts on these? Minimum footprint in that they're not taking much space.
| Silock |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 06/10/10 11:40 AM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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I'm sure you can craigslist them for less than that. And yeah, you can do a killer workout with DBs and a bench.
| Duc |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 06/10/10 12:33 PM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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they're not worth IMHO
i have been looking at them too but with some of the plates falling off while lifting them up....all i can think about is one of them falling on me when i am doing either flat/decline/incline bench press
| Sharkticon |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 06/10/10 05:22 PM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Get the PowerBlocks instead.
The gym on base had Bowlflex dumbbells until they fell apart. The select mechanism is usually the first thing to break.
http://www.powerblock.com/
The Sport 5.0 set is only $299.
| mrnismo |
| (Post Master) |
| 06/11/10 08:23 AM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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I know Powerblocks get good reviews usually but I"ve never seen/touched a set. I have used the selectTech (cheap and awkard IMO) and I own the Ironmaster 75lb set. I have the Ironmasters and believe they are the closest to REAL dumbbells you can get. They take a bit longer to switch between weights than the others --- like maybe 20 seconds MAX.
The customer services is awesome with Ironmaster. One of my collar screws went bad and they sent me a new one sight unseen and simply requested me to return the bad one when I got around to it.
These things are solid as a mofo and are smaller in size to equivalent hex dumbbells and thus feel much better doing things like rows or press with 50+ pounds. You can add a 120lb kit too.
Good dumbbells like these thougha are a life time investment so you'll pay good money but have them forever.
| Cheesegoggles |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 06/11/10 08:35 AM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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I've never really used the Bowflex dumbells, but have handled them a couple of times. They had a cheap flimsy feel to me. I would worry about their durability.
| wolfsburg2 |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 06/11/10 11:54 AM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Powerblocks or look into "ironmaster" brand adjustables, those are the 2 best adj DBs on the market. If you have the space I'd go with a full compliment of DBs though. I picked up 25-80s with a rack and a camber bar for $300. Craigslist FTW.
| T.O.racer |
| (Post Master Sr) |
| 06/11/10 06:16 PM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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I was in the same boat but when I checked out the bowflex adjustable dumbbells the felt like crap and are akward because they are at full width regardless of weight, I thought the powerblocks were only a little better. I think Ironmaster is a good option, I was going to go that route but with shipping and brokerage fees and tax it would have been $1200 to get the ironmasters and the bench with attachments shipped to Canada. I decided to go with hex dumbbells in 10 lbs increments and use plate mates to fill in the gaps. I can't find them here so instead I'm going to drill and tap the end of the weights and make a 2 1/2" lb weight with a stud to thread in for the adjustment. I actually just made a thread about this but here are the pics of my setup, it really doesn't take up much more space than the bowflex because you need the stand to be able to adjust the dumbbells.
| TYJelly |
| (Post Master) |
| 06/14/10 09:56 AM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Standard adjustable dumbbells + Power Hooks = best home gym dumbbell setup. I have them in my home gym and they are amazing.
| WNDYCTYone |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 06/22/10 07:11 PM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Courtesy of slickdeals:
http://www.bowflexselecttech.com/bst_mic...2+Dumbbells.jsp
$240 and free shipping with code D4PFSE1
| wolfsburg2 |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 06/23/10 07:08 AM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Don't do it!!!! They are peices of shit dude, I promise.
| WNDYCTYone |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 06/23/10 09:15 AM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Oh, well that sucks. I didn't read any reviews; just remembered this thread and happened to see the slickdeals post.
| Anything |
| (Post Master Sr) |
| 07/06/10 08:00 PM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Originally Posted By: Drew Fairymore
I'm sure you can craigslist them for less than that. And yeah, you can do a killer workout with DBs and a bench.
i love mine. Imo if you want to do that type of lifting off schedule at weird hours works great.
Look for some used though. Mine were a present so can't really comment on forking out the cash.
| Anything |
| (Post Master Sr) |
| 07/06/10 08:01 PM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Originally Posted By: wolfsburg2
Powerblocks or look into "ironmaster" brand adjustables, those are the 2 best adj DBs on the market. If you have the space I'd go with a full compliment of DBs though. I picked up 25-80s with a rack and a camber bar for $300. Craigslist FTW.
yeah i was going to buy powerblocks until i got the others as a gift.
best bet if you have the space etc is do it the old fashioned way.
| robbbby |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 07/06/10 09:27 PM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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ironmasters ftw. I have a set and love them, they make take a few extra seconds to switch when compared to the powerblocks, but they feel 100% like a regular dumbell you would find at the gym, imo they feel better than most gym dumbells. They are also super heavy duty, you can drop them from up high and not worry about a thing, great warranty and super expandable (you can get the kettlebells and use your weights and locking collars, curling bars, etc.)
| OracerO |
| (Post Master Sr) |
| 07/15/10 03:56 PM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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ironmasters looks good, i'm thinking about the kettlebell.
I do kettlebells right now that have a junk load of them and everytime i move up in weight i have to buy another piece of weight! ..
| Puck |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 07/29/10 12:37 AM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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Ended up getting the Select Tech 552s with rack for $275 off of Craigslist. Should be a decent fill in on days I can't make it to the gym.
| DieZel |
| (Post Master Supreme) |
| 08/31/10 10:04 PM |
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Re: Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells
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i have a set of the 552's and like them... ive had mine since '07...? i havent used them hard but they are still like new, the select mechanism is fine...
i wish i had the larger set though but they werent around back then... 52.5 isnt alot of weight for certain things...