• Quality
• Functionality
• Scalability

This is where the Bowflex Dumbbells miss the boat. Powerblock Dumbbells are fully scalable up to 130 pounds. You don’t have to start there though, that’s the great thing about them.

They allow you to start small, and add as you gain strength and ability. This is crucial. Many times, we believe we need more than necessary to get started.

Powerblock Dumbbells enable you to start with a basic set, maybe only up to 45 pounds, and grow later as your needs dictate.

When you’re working out at home, for most of you space is at a premium. Powerblocks only take up about two square feet. So you can have a complete set of dumbbells, from 5-130 pounds, complete right in your bedroom. In a space a little larger than your night stand.

The Bowflex Dumbbells give you this benefit as well, only with less weight.

If you know that you’re never going to need more than 50 pounds per dumbbell, and don’t mind spending a little more, Bowflex Dumbbells are an acceptable choice. Just make sure that you factor in where you might be strength-wise in a year or two.

Powerblock Dumbbells also have a 50-pound set, cheaper than the Bowflex Dumbbells, so the only reason to go with the latter would be because they look so good. And they do look good.

As adjustable dumbbells go, I don’t have any thing bad to say about Powerblock Dumbbells. That doesn’t happen very often, I’m pretty critical when it comes to recommending equipment, especially to clients.

Powerblock Dumbbells is a post from: Personal Fitness Training

Best dumbells

Using Dumbells Equal The Best Results and Overall Health

What’s the best way to build strength in weak areas while burning a huge amount of calories? Funny you should ask, because this page is all about dumbells, what they are, how they come and what they can do for you.

Dumbells are your complete workout system. Every muscle, angle and position can be strengthened with this one tool.

If you are looking for selectable dumbells, check out my review of adjustable dumbells.

It’s the single best investment you could make for your home gym versatility.

So why is it so important that you use dumbells?

• They provide resistance in all planes of movement
  
• They don’t force unnatural positions
  
• They force the body to develop in balance
  
• They require the maximum amount of stabilizer recruitment
  
• They burn way more calories than machines
  
• They will fit anywhere
  
• They will build an injury resistant body
  
• They’re very inexpensive

Dumbells Equal Real Movement

How Many Machines Actually Replicate A Real-Life Movement?

Do you want the short answer? Okay, I know you might want to disagree, so consider this.

Most of the movements we do in “real-life” that involve pushing or pulling are done standing up. How many machines allow you to do that?

With the exception of cables, (cable cross / cable X are on my recommended list) strikingly few.

One more thing, this might be a bit wonkish but bear with me.

97% of all gym equipment (this is an estimate of course)have you working in the Sagittal (front and back) plane of movement, while only 3% of all injuries occur in the Sagittal plane.

On the other hand, the other 97% of injuries occur in the Frontal side-to-side) and Transverse (horizontal, or rotational) planes. Any guesses how many machine movements occur in the Frontal and Transverse planes? Not many, maybe the remaining 3% of equipment, maybe

Why does that matter? Why would you spend 97% of your time working in a plane of movement in which only 3% of all injuries occur? Doesn’t it make more sense to do more work in the planes that have the highest probability of injury? Thereby reducing your likelihood for injury altogether?

Best Dumbell Choices

Personally, if you have the space I think you can’t beat the good full set of pro-style dumbells. Each pair set out on that two tier dumbell rack just waiting for you to come and push ‘em around. Especially when you haven’t touched them in a while, they seem to call for you. They need you, and you need them.

When you walk into a room where there’s a full set of dumbells on a two tiered rack, you can almost feel the work. The effort, the sweat that’s been expended in the pursuit of a forged, hard, carved-out-of-wood physique.

Having the freedom to quickly put one pair down and grab the next lightest set, (sniff..) you can’t replace that.

The best way to go are the pro style which you can get (from the right dealer) for $1 a pound. That’s a steal, and well worth it by the way (those things will last forever).

If that ‘s too steep but you just can’t stand the thought of not having the full bore, the irreplaceable two tiered dumbell set strewn across the wall of your basement, then go with a set of hex.

Hex dumbells are a solid cast dumbell with a hex shaped head on both ends. You can get these for about $.49 a pound.

Either way you go, look on them with pride, use them often and always drink responsibly.

Best Dumbells, Why Are Dumbells Better is a post from: Personal Fitness Training

No replacement for displacement

Better Results, Fewer Injuries

The Best Weight Training At Home Equipment…

For those that feel training at home is more practical, I’m going to show you how to set your home gym up as a practical weight training center. This will be simple, functional and effective.

This is the EXACT same equipment I have my in home clients get.

Here’s your shopping list.

• Adjustable Dumbells – These are the best sets for the best price I can find ANYWHERE. Here’s my review of adjustable dumbells.
• Squat Rack – This Rack is sturdy and safe, and stands 6’8″ tall. 51″Lx 50″W x 82″H with a lifetime warranty. Also gives you the ability to do pull ups and dips (ESSENTIAL!)
• Adjustable Bench (0-90 degrees) – This bench is a little more expensive than some you may see, but it’s because it has full adjustment range. (essential)
• 300lb Olympic Weight Set – Don’t worry… I realize this may seem like overkill, but if you’re a man, it’s ESSENTIAL, if not, you still need the bar, and smaller weights, (5lb,10lb, etc.) for those long, lean legs you want
• Exercise Ball – [5' 0" to 5' 5"] – 55 cm (22 in.)…[5' 6"- 6' 1"] – 65 cm (26 in.)…[6' 2" - 6' 8"] – 75 cm (30 in.).

Believe it or not that’s it! That’s all you need to be completely “free weight functional”.

Naturally there are other things you could buy to increase functionality, but with what’s listed above you don’t need them.

If you combine that with one or two pieces of cardio, then you’ll have all you will ever need. Of course if you add more, results may be faster or easier, but THIS SYSTEM WILL OUT DO ANY MULTI-GYM OUT THERE.

Cardio I recommend:

• Concept2 Rower – This is the KING of cardio. Only get this if you REALLY want to actually reach a goal, because it works!
• Jump Rope – No Joke. Don’t say you can’t afford it. And it works. You know why you don’t want to do it? Because it’s HARD! That’s why it works so well.
• Stairmaster – Okay… If you insist, this will do. For only $1400 more you can not do as much work, but still feel good about doing something

Something you should remember: If it’s not hard, you’re body doesn’t have any reason to change!

Now you’re talking! That’s a fat bustin’, muscle buildin’, time bomb waitin’ to explode!

I’m getting fired up just thinkin’ about it!

Don’t be so surprised, practical weight training with free weights equipment works great for everyone, they’re cost effective and safer than you ever thought.

In fact whether you’re working out at home or at a gym, weight training is by far the best use of your time. If you are working out at home, free weights equipment is the best investment you can make. No matter how much money you can spend, weight training will give you the best return on your investment!

Practical weight training with free weights equipment:

• Burns more calories
• Prevents injuries
• Develops far more strength
• Best prepares your body for “real world” applications
• Is the #1 best choice for rehabing any type of injury
• Builds a much harder, leaner body
• Is the best way to increase flexibility and range of motion in any joint

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.”
– Thomas Jefferson

Practical weight training delivers results faster then any other equipment.

Why are free weights the best choice for women?
How does weight training develop your body into an injury resistant unit?

I know, I’ve heard it before, “They’re dangerous”, or “Weight training messed up my back”. Or, “Yeah, I used to workout until I hurt myself using free weights.”

Did you catch the key part of that quote? “I hurt myself.”

Don’t fall prey to fitness popaganda. Can you hurt yourself weight training? Of course. Can you hurt yourself using an automobile?

I guess we assume a certain amount of responsibility when we get behind the wheel? Just be responsible and honest with yourself about what your capabilities are. (Don’t try to do more than you’re able to control.)

Accept that weight training is a skill, you have to start somewhere, and you can’t make up for years of neglect by trying to do too much too soon.

And most of all, don’t mistake safety, for not having to do anything.

I have written a separate page on why weight training is better than machines. I highly recommend it for anyone who may considering buying a home gym.

Practical weight training is one of the most effective tools in the fitness arsenal.

The perfect place to jump into our next topic…

Adjustable Dumbells!

Not just for wall pounders any more.

“A man would do nothing, if he waited until he could do it so well that no one at all would find fault with what he has done”. — Cardinal Newman

Practical Weight Training With Free Weights Equipment is a post from: Personal Fitness Training

Adjustable dumbells rock

Complete Set of Adjustable Dumbells
In Two Square Feet

Your new best friend, adjustable dumbells. Several choices here, both are fantastic.

The Powerblock Adjustable Dumbells and the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbells. Both are adjustable dumbells, and both are quality products.

The Best Adjustable Dumbells

Powerblock Adjustable Dumbells – Easily the winner. They are better balanced, VERY comfortable to hold, solidly constructed, and the most expandable. You can go from 3 – 21 lbs set to 5 – 130 lbs set, all in the same footprint! That is a BIG deal. You’ll be amazed at how fast you will need more challenge. In the world of adjustable dumbells, these are king.

This is the best vendor I’ve found for these, Lowest price anywhere.

They have roughly a 18″ x 22″ footprint and are about 24″ high.

They are high quality and will last forever. Never any question about how solid they were or if they would stay together. Also, they were very easy to put back, no matter what the weight selection was. Something I was surprised would be a concern, until I worked with the SelectTechs. When you’re tired and you just want to put them down (if you’re working as hard as you should) you don’t want to have to worry about putting them back on the rack just right.

Another thing that surprised me was how much I like the stand. What a difference! Who knew. Aside from that the biggest surprise was how good the handles were. You can’t see them at all in the pictures, but they are the perfect blend of soft and hard, if that makes any sense. They are coated with grip material that is awesome.

The Bowflex SelctTech Adjustable Dumbells

If you’re looking for something that will work well and value form over function then go with the Bowflex dumbells(SelectTech). For me, they weren’t what I would want, but I could see why some people choose them.

The Bowflex® SelectTech® adjustable dumbells, are very slick. They look good. They are available in sets from 5 to 52.5 pounds, or 10 to 90lbs. This offers enough versatility for men and women.

Would I recommend them to a client? Nope.

What about a girl client who was never going to lift anything heavy, just wanted to buy the lighter set, and really liked how they looked?

Sure.

The SelectTech Adjustable Dumbells while a good product, I found them to be rickety. By that I mean, because of the weight selection mechanism, it’s easy to see how these would wear out. I also found them to be hard to trust. A big concern when you’re pushing 90lbs over your head! It felt like I kept wondering when one of the weight sections was going to fall off one of the bars.

The thing that really annoyed me though was how they have to fit together just right to get back into the rack. If you are using any variation other than the whole rack, you need to slide them back on just right. Something I’m not in the mood to do when I’m done with a set. Ever.

Bottom line, if you’re looking for maximum functionality with room to grow for a long time, the Powerblocks are for you.

Both of these also come with a specially made dumbell rack (which will run you about $120 for the Powerblocks and about $150 for the Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbells).

Shipping on both of these adjustable dumbells can get pricey too, so don’t forget to factor that in.

The way I see it Powerblocks are the best choice. I can’t recommend them enough, and I feel completely comfortable with any of my clients using them for any movement knowing they’ll always stay together.

you can call them changeable dumbells, select weight dumbells, home dumbells, select dumbells, interchangeable dumbells or selectable, whatever you call them, they equal adjustable, and Powerblocks are the best adjustable dumbells.

Best Adjustable Dumbells

Adjustable Dumbells, What’s The Best Adjustable Dumbell Set? is a post from: Personal Fitness Training