One of the best purchases I've ever made in terms of workout gear. I use it with P90X (the workout holds up. It's 2016 now, and it's still my favorite workout for building muscle), but can be used for anything that requires various free weights. I narrowed my selection down to this or the Bowflex SelecTech 552, so I can comment on why I chose these over those, but cannot comment on the Bowflex's themselves since I have never used them. The following is a list of what I was looking for, and the pros and cons of these based on what I was looking for:
What I was looking for:
- A weight set that was compact, easy to transport, and could be used with workout routines like P90X.
- Could vary from very light (around 5 lbs) to quite heavy (around 50 lbs)
- Can quickly change weights (did not want to be screwing off and on caps or putting sliders on and off the bar)
- Safe (wouldn't risk falling apart and crushing my head if I was holding them above my head)
- General ease of use (since I would be tired at the end of work outs, I didn't want it to be something that was more difficult to do once I was tired)
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Pros of PowerBlock (based on what I was looking for, vs. Bowflex)
- Extremely compact. Most compact of everything I could find, period. Bowflex was relatively compact, but still needed the holder to place the weights in (meaning, if carrying your weights somewhere, you needed to make two trips with the Bowflex. One trip with the weights, one trip with the holders. With the PowerBlock, you can bring the entire thing with you in one trip)
- Extremely portable. the total size of these weights takes up like 1 cubed foot or something crazy for what it offers (that's not an official measurement). Very small and compact, and the cube-like shape allows it to fit places well. I fit these both under my desk at work very easily, and I just slide them out to workout when I was finished with my job for the day. Then slide them right back under when I was done. Along with being able to carry the entire set in one trip, it's easy to transport (block shape sits well in cars and won't risk rolling/toppling), and the entire weight set only weighs 100 lbs. If you cannot hold 50 lbs with each hand, then it will be more difficult to transport. You can carry each one with two hands, as they have multiple places to grab, or you can leave some of the weights behind, and just have a max of 40 lbs or 30 lbs or whatever you want. I have never transported Bowflex, so cannot comment.
- Hits all weights needed for general workout. With P90X there are only a handful of workouts where 50 lbs is not enough, such as lawnmowers or other similar things. In those cases, I do extra reps, but I do not think it's worth buying the add ons for like 3 total exercises, and to add to the overall weight and bulk when transporting. If you are a huge body builder, 50 lbs might be limiting to you, but for normal to above average weight lifting, 50 lbs is more than sufficient. For lighter lifting, this can adapt to be lighter if you just leave some of the weight behind, or you might want to look at a different set if you never think you will be using above 30 lbs. I don't think it actually advertises this, but it can technically do 2.5lbs-50lbs each hand in 2.5lb increments. The handles with no attached or adder weights, is 5 lbs. But each adder weight is 2.5 lbs. So if you just hold the adder weights, there is your 2.5lbs, and by adding and subtracting one adder weight at a time, but you can do 2.5lbs increments. Now, it might not make much sense to do that, if you look at the cons list below, but just so everyone knows, you can do that if you really need a specific weight, or need extremely small incremental changes.
- Changing weights in increments of 10 lbs is really quick and easy. I would be impressed if there was a quicker way to add/subtract 10 lbs, especially once you are a bit more familiar with the feel of changing weights. It's easy to do at first, and a breeze once you get used to getting it into the right slots on the first try all the time. So, in 10 lbs increments, I'm sure it's faster than the Bowflex. However, when adjusting by smaller increments than 10 lbs, it becomes more tedious. You have to remove the handle from the weights, drop out or add in the adder weights, then lock everything back up. Still doesn't take forever, but turning a dial to add 5 lbs on the Bowflex is probably quicker. On a side note, adding or subtracting adder weights will change the balance of the PowerBlock. It is more noticeable on lighter weights, but still noticeable even on heavier weights. Doesn't effect me, but it may effect others.
- Seems extremely sturdy. I have been using it on average 2-3 times per week for about a year and a half, and other than scratches that you get from using things, there's nothing really different function wise than when I first got them. The elastic connector may eventually wear out, but so far it's no different than the first day I had it. I am careful when using it to make sure I set it down gently, and I'm not just throwing them around or anything. As long as you don't abuse the equipment, I don't see any reason it couldn't last a lifetime. Haven't used Bowlfex, so cannot comment
- As a general ease of use, I would say these are fantastic. Very simple in the way they work. Very easy to transport and store. I have used these in offices, apartments, houses, and even kept them in my car for a while when I didn't have a real "office" to keep them in. I'm sure they would work for hotel travel, altho keep in mind it is an extra 100 lbs that you are taking with you, so unless you are there long term, maybe bands are a better option (or just take the day off haha). I haven't used Bowflex, so cannot comment.
- Something else that these weights can offer is to act as push up bars for most exercises that require/suggest them. One of my concerns when I was looking at these, is whether or not the shape of the bar, and specifically the two bars that are around your wrist area would get in the way of different motions or exercises. I can say that they have never bothered me for any exercises I've used them for, and can double as push up bars, where I would not trust the Bowflex to do (I would be afraid to mess up any of the connecting mechanisms for the plates, even if they said you could do it). But the square bottom, and decent grip allow me to use them as push up bars easily, and the foam bars rarely get in the way. The only push up motion that I ran into that you could not do was V-push ups (think exaggerated downward dog push ups, mainly for shoulders and triceps). The angle of the motion, and the shape of the bars did not work for that one. But then again, it's not meant to be a push up bar, it just happens to work as one. If you do wrist workouts where you roll the weights in your hand, that may not work, but you can also just modify the workout by holding the weights relatively solid, and work out the same muscle group. Sometimes the foam bars near my wrist will touch my arm, but it never takes away from the workout, and never forces me to alter the motion of any of the workouts.
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Con's of the PowerBlocks (based on what I was looking for vs. Bowflex)
- Changing weights in increments of less than 10 lbs. Adding and removing adder weights can mess with your rhythm a little bit, especially if you are doing strip sets in 5 lb increments. The Bowflex may be better at this. the ability to alter the weight by small increments is nice, but you'll definitely prefer workouts where you can just keep adjusting by increments of 10 lbs, as those will go much faster for you to change the weights. Sometimes this means I use a weight that I should probably either add or subtract 5 lbs from, but I don't feel like doing it, so I just use the wrong weight. Not saying it's right, but since 10 lbs increments is so much easier, that has happened. In the same manner, sometimes I'm able to push myself to do 5 lbs more than I would have normally, because I just would rather not adjust it, and I end up being able to do it.
- Making sure you line up and handle back in the weights correctly. The weights stack inside of each other, like a russian doll. Because of this, you need to keep your weights organized, and slide the handle back in correctly for it to all fit together the right way. Sometimes, especially when tired, this can be frustrating. However, once you get used to it, it's not as bad. However, the Bowflex has to be placed back together correct as well for it to work, so I don't think it would necessarily be easier or better, just different. Can't say for sure tho.
- Honestly that's about it...
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So these are the initial reasons why I chose the PowerBlock over the Bowflex, and after having them for a year and a half, I am very pleased in that decision. They have not let me down in any way, and my workouts (and space) have improved because of them.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 18.7 x 9.3 x 8.9 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 18.46 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 19 x 10 x 9 inches |
| Item Weight | 39.9 Pounds |
| Brand Name | POWERBLOCK |
| Color | Black |
| Suggested Users | unisex |
| Manufacturer | Intelligent Dumbbells, Inc. |
| Part Number | EL-ST2-70 |
| Style | 50-70 Pounds Expansion Kit |
| Size | 50-70 Pounds Expansion Kit |
