|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 39 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 39 found the following review helpful:
 Nice inexpensive alternative to the Bowflex SelectTechs and other adjustable models Feb 09, 2012
By Scott
The Power-Pak 445 (PP445) by Universal (a division of Nautilus) is an adjustable dumbbell set that allows you to adjust the weight of the dumbbells from 4 to 45 pounds in 5lb increments. Traditional dumbbells are expensive. They typically sell for around $1 per pound, and take up a lot of room. If you're at a gym this isn't a problem. If you're working out from home, it is a real pain to store 7 or 8 sets of dumbbells, and bring them out and put them away after a workout. I am a big fan of adjustable dumbbell sets. Not only do you usually save money, but you get a lot more variety which makes your workouts faster and more efficient, and prevent clutter in your house. The only disadvantage to them, is that they're bigger than standard dumbbells, which can limit your range of motion in some exercises, and you can't drop them or be as rough with them as regular weights.
Below are the major brands of adjustable dumbbells that Amazon sells in the 50 pound range. I've listed them based on a combination of popularity and rating based on what I think are the best to least best, with the Bowflex SelectTechs (which I'll refer to as BST) at the top. I currently use the BST and I think it is the best adjustable dumbbell option right now, so the rest of my review will compare the PP445 to them.
1. Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair) 5 to 52.5 lbs in 2.5 pound increments
2. PowerBlock Classic Adjustable Dumbbell Set 5 to 45 lbs in 5 pound increments
3. Ironmaster 75 lb Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell System - 5 to 75 lbs in 2 1/2 pound increments, includes stand
4. XMark Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell 5-50 lbs 5 to 50 lbs in 10 pound increments
5. Performance Fitness Systems TB560 5 to 60-Pound Adjustable Dumbbells with Stand 5 to 60 lbs in 2.5-pound increments, includes stand
6. Bayou Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell(50 -Pounds) 10 to 50 lbs in 5 pound increments
There are two features right away about the PP445s that I like. The first is that they come with a stand. For the dumbbells above that don't come with a stand, expect to pay an extra $100 - $150 for one. It's not a requirement, as they all contain some type of base that they fit into, but you don't want to have to pick up heavy weights off of the ground, which can throw your back out or tire you out before you even start the set. Of course the disadvantage to this is that a stand takes up dedicated space in your house, as opposed to just putting the weights in the corner or under a bed. But if you do have the space for it, I recommend getting one. The second feature, is that these weights have a smooth weight selection system that makes it very quick and easy to adjust the weights to different levels. My Bowflex SelectTechs work pretty well, but every once in awhile they will catch and not lock in on a certain weight. The 445s don't seem to have this problem.
The first thing you'll notice about the PP445 is that they're bigger than standard dumbbells. They have to be taller in order to allow the use of multiple plates on the rack. Because of this, it may limit some of your sets. I tried out the PP445s with five routines of P90X: Tony Horton's 90-Day Extreme Home Fitness Workout DVD Program, which I think is a great litmus test because it involves dozens of different exercises that use a variety of moves to give you a good evaluation of how they will compare to standard dumbbells. Like the BST, there were only a few moves that I would have preferred standard dumbbells for - tricep extensions, and tricep kickbacks. The weight plates are so big that it can be tough to clear your chest on moves like this. However there is one advantage to having larger adjustable dumbbells, in that it encourages you to work your stabilizers, which is the main reason that free weights are so much better than machines to begin with. I found that on some of the moves that the PP445s size makes them unwieldy on, I have to concentrate more on my form to make sure the weight clears, and this can give me better results. Switching weights is extremely easy to do. You just turn a knob to select the desired weight amount, and it is very similar to the Bowflex. It will take you about 4 or 5 seconds to adjust the weight on both dumbbells. This is perfect for me since I like little downtown between sets, and want to spend that time focusing on my form and getting my mind right, rather than fiddling with a bunch of weights. The weights lift up easily and don't "catch" like I sometimes experience with the Bowflex when it isn't entirely locked into place. Although they can be a bit awkward until you get used to them, they feel just as well-balanced as traditional dumbbells. The stand feels sturdy and high-quality, and doesn't have a very big footprint. I do prefer the Bowflex stand since it has locking wheels on it so I can roll it out of the way if needed. Another reason I will continue to use my BST over these, is because I prefer the extra 7.5 pounds on the BST, which I need for heavier sets such as back exercises and squats. But mostly, I will use the BST because they are adjustabnle in 2.5lb increments, whereas the 445s can only be adjusted in 5lbs. For me, this is a huge disadvantage to weights that are only adjustable in 5 lb increments (and I would never advise anyone buy 10 lb increment weights). 2.5 lbs makes a big difference for me on a lot of sets, especially when using smaller muscle groups like biceps and triceps. If I had to make adjustments in 5 lb increments on an exercise such as pour flys (hold your arms straight out to your sides with weights, and then turn your palms down, like you're pouring out a beer), I would never get better because it's too much for me. Smaller increments allow me to advance while maintaining proper form. This is the main reason I purchased the BST over the PowerBlock (which is a decent dumbbell set, but a little too big for me).
In summary, I do think the Power-Pak 445s are a five-star product and very well-made. I do not think they are superior to the Bowflex SelectTechs, but if you want a much cheaper alternative than the Bowflex and don't need the extra 7.5 pounds it offers, this is a great alternative. In my list above, I would put them at number 2 above the PowerBlocks.
49 of 54 found the following review helpful:
Great weight set at a great price Nov 16, 2011
By Stephen J. Cross
I was a little worried purchasing these with no reviews, but I took a chance and boy am I happy I did. I was very pleased with the ease of setting up the stand and weights. The weights are very easy to use and switch between the different weight levels. I would highly recommend these for both the price of the stand/weights and for the quality of the product. You won't be disappointed.
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
 For the money, it could be better. But it works OK. Feb 07, 2012
By justsomeguy
My main concern upon getting this was: Would the weights stay in place on the dumbell as you move? Do you know what I mean? I like a SOLID dumbell. I like the thing to be a solid unit as I move my arm around.
Unfortunately, the weights on these dumbell units do shift back and forth as you use them. A minor annoyance, I suppose, but it irks me. It feels like the weights want to slip off, or something. I don't feel comfortable with that.
Aside from that, I do enjoy them. The dial is a great way to switch weights - a nice big easy to turn dial.
The stand is all right - I like the silver color to it. It looks futuristic. The dumbell weights look cool too - that goofy shape they have is good because if you set them on the ground, they can't roll away.
The stand is all right, but it does feel like it wants to lean/fall forward, just a little. But - it hasn't tipped over (yet).
Assembly is pretty straightforward, and they give you all the tools you need. Although I didn't like that little ratchet bit - it slipped a lot and I had to go use my own tools to put it together. But it is easy to do.
Setting the weights back in place requires you to jiggle them in there a little bit, so you can't just set them in - the plates on the dumbell bars and in the holder shift a little bit so you have to kind of wiggle the weights to set it back in the holder.
Aside from the weights themselves moving while in use, it's my only real negative. I should point out that there was a crack in the plastic part of the holder piece that the weights sit on (see photo), but it hasn't affected performance and hopefully it won't break. (I don't think it will as it is supported by another piece of metal on the base.)
For the price, I would like it if the weights were tighter together and didn't move so much. I'd like it if the stand didn't feel unstable. BUT they do work well enough and don't take up much space at all. I would recommend this product with reservations.
13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
Great bargain at Amazon's Lightning Deal Price Dec 07, 2011
By James Stevens
"hobbies15"
I ordered this on a whim when it popped up as a daily deal over the weekend. First off, Amazon was amazing. Not only was the price the cheapest I can find by $80, they still shipped it with two day Prime shipping. 120+ pounds from Tacoma, Washington to rural Virginia via 2 day FedEx had to cost them more than the margin on the weight set...particularly since it was reduced to $200.
Now, the product. I can't comment on the longevity yet. I've only had it for the better part of a day. I'm pretty hard on weight equipment (God help a coated hex bell if it finds it's way to my home), and will update this review if anything comes up. The only thing that has me concerned is the trays that the weights have to be returned to. They're made of thick plastic. Someone in the comments from a previous review had mentioned being worried about the plastic handles. They seem really well made to me and I don't expect any issues. The trays also seem well made, but up to forty-five pounds is going to be set in it and removed time and time again. The trays are integral to the way the weight selection functions, so they appear to me to be the weakest link. Time will tell though.
The selector knobs turn much more easily than I expected. Choosing a weight, lifting the dumbbell and replacing it all happen very easily. One thing I was worried about was the plates clacking together while in use. So far, that doesn't seem to happen.
The stand was the only thing requiring any assembly. All of the necessary hardware came shrink wrapped to a single card and everything was well marked and organized. It also came with a hex wrench and a really awful box wrench made of thin metal. Trying to put the first bolt in was enough to send me to the garage for a ratchet set. Assembly went amazingly well. The stand pieces simply bolt together and are secured with nylon insert lock nuts. It should stay nice and stable forever. The weights themselves sit in trays that bolt to the rack. The trays are threaded to accept the bolts, and prior experience has taught me that if there was going to be a stumbling point, this would be it. Thankfully whoever did their manufacturing did a great job. I was able to finger tighten the bolts all the way in and then finish up with the wrench.
1st update: Depending on the weight selected there is some definite rattling between the plates. You can also feel a bit of rattle when you rotate your grip. It's not too annoying...kind of reminiscent of the rattle you get on a traditional plate/bar dumbbell when a collar hasn't been snugged up tight.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Well constructed; good value Mar 21, 2012
By Aaron Morris
I have a set of adjustable dumbbells at home, and decided to get a set for the office so I can crank out a set of curls while stuck on the phone with a long-winded caller.
Before buying them, I was concerned the weights are not round, because I thought that might make the weight distribution such that it would feel like it is trying to turn in my hand while working out. That turned out not to be the case. The odd shape has no impact on the functionality of the weights.
My other set has levers you move on each side of the dumbbell, so you need to set each side every time you want to change the weight. Not a big deal, but I prefer the arrangement on this set, where you just turn a single knob. The knob works flawlessly; no giggling to get it to click into place as with the levers on my other set. Settings are 4-10-15-20-25-30-35-40-45.
The stand looks short in the photos, but it is a good height. Assuming you want a stand, take that into account when comparing prices, because that really makes this set a good value.
My only minor criticism is that the plates have some space between them, so as I lift the dumbbells the plates hit each other and make a clicking noise. For 99% of users this won't be an issue, but in my case everyone in the office knows when I'm doing a set.
See all 39 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
