Another Powerblocks+bench question

[MrMiyagi9]

Well here it is, after looking around on the forums and checking out quite a few db threads, I came to the conclusion that powerblocks were the way to go. I will be training at home and using a dumbbells only workout (which one is yet to be determined but that is in another section).

The question is, being 5'8" and only 115 pounds at 20 years old and a total "newbie" at working out, which size and which series of powerblocks should I be going for, the urethane (u-50? or u-90 and stage 1 or 2) or the sports series (which size). I have not tested yet how much I can lift but I think one can imagine what a 115 pound guy can lift (reason for not going to the gym is that it's a 1 hour drive, when there is no traffic, from home).

And I would also like to know, since I do not have much room, which adjustable bench you guys would recommend to be used for all the db exercises (where a bench is needed).

Thank you in advance.

[cassas00]

If you are a complete novice then I suggest not to get the powerblocks and use that money to get Barbell, some Plates and if you have place a power rack & bench...

Not sure how much the powerblocks cost? 400-600?

You could get a good power rack and a barbell starter kit for that and maybe even a bench

You want the basics, barbell training will alow you to develop your form, strengthen your core and get a good understanding

Something like Rippetoes SS would be an ideal routine to start with to get your strength up

Get the dumbbells later on when you introduce other exerices/routines

[thedickus]

If you're set on the PowerBlocks I'd get a set that only went up to 55lbs to start but make sure to get a set that's expandable for future strength gains. It seems that the IronMaster Super Bench is the shortest front to back and is also very expandable as you're able to add more exercises or to use with some type of rack system in the future.
I say get the 55lb expandable set of PBs to start with because while most people can pretty quickly work up to benching or squatting their bodyweight with a barbell, doing so with dumbbells is a little harder. Also keep in mind that if your d/bell only workout incorporates any pullover movements or overhead french press movements you won't be able to do them with the PBs. Their website will show you how using two d/bells but to me, it just never felt right. Unless you're going to be doing a bunch of drop sets you might consider the IronMaster d/bells. You can probably get better pricing buying them in conjunction with the Super Bench, I think their lightest set starts at 75lbs. I had the PBs and while I live them for pressing I had to buy spinlock adjustables to be able to do two handed overhead movements.

[MrMiyagi9]

If you are a complete novice then I suggest not to get the powerblocks and use that money to get Barbell, some Plates and if you have place a power rack & bench...

Not sure how much the powerblocks cost? 400-600?

You could get a good power rack and a barbell starter kit for that and maybe even a bench

You want the basics, barbell training will alow you to develop your form, strengthen your core and get a good understanding

Something like Rippetoes SS would be an ideal routine to start with to get your strength up

Get the dumbbells later on when you introduce other exerices/routines

Sadly I do not have room for the whole barbell/power rack arsenal but I am looking for a bench so I can substitute some of the barbell exercises with dumbbell/bench exercises so if you guys have any idea on an adjustable bench (so it's more versatile) that is good price/quality.

Sadly here in Montreal, training equipments are not an easy find on craigslist or other websites so I would most likely go new, trying to get good quality (not too expensive).

Thanks in advance!

[rthawker]

If you're set on the PowerBlocks I'd get a set that only went up to 55lbs to start but make sure to get a set that's expandable for future strength gains.

This makes the most sense. Whether you get the classics or urethanes make sure they are expandable. As far as a bench since your workout will be so dumbbell centric I think your best bet would be the Bodycraft f320. To convert it to inclines the seat slides back and down instead of the back just rising up. This feature will be convenient for dumbbell work because it will place you lower to the ground for exercises like shoulder presses and allow easier access to the bell when placed on the ground before your sets. It is a bench that gets quite a bit a praise around here so you can be confident in it's capabilities.

[nakedbabytoes]

I decided on the Urethanes. I use them in my family room while my kids nap. I need relatively quiet stuff. The Us have "dropability" but only from less than 12" and have a lifetime warranty. I read tons of reviews on PBs, the Us seem to be uniformly the top choice for PB users. But you can't go wrong with any of them really. I got the U50s(aren't expandable) because I had the U90s for 2 weeks and the plate jumps were just too big. I was always taking off plates, flipping the switch & emptying or adding adders, then reselecting plates. The 90s & 50s have the same handles, just 5lb or 10lb plate jumps per selector bar. I figured being a lady & lifting for recreation, it's gonna be a while before I outgrow them enough to need more than 50lbs per hand consistently. Cross bridge when we get to it.
I went with the IM bench. Small footprint. Easily adjustable & lots of attachments. Good quality. My only complaint is that the sit height is too tall for my short legs to touch the ground on flat bench work. I bought the calf block that I put my feet on(adds 4-5 inches), problem solved.
To do dip bar work, I need to use a cardio step to get me up there. To be expected at 5'4" though.

[Mayze]

Since your workouts are likely dumbbell only go with the U90 stage 2 to start. You have a range of 5-90 lbs of resistance for all your dumbbell exercises. You'll need the heavier weight for dumbbell squats, chest presses, and all other heavy type compound lifts.

As far as a bench I would probably go with the ironmaster superbench. I don't have one but the consensus here is that's it's a great bench.

[MrMiyagi9]

Thanks alot for all the information! Any other recommendations (especially concerning the choice between stage 1 and 2, starting to think that eventho I am only 115, for lunges, squat and chest presses I will grow out of the stage 1 fast as Mayze mentionned, although, getting stage 1 and then stage 2 is almost the exact same price as getting stage 2 subsequently) would be appreciated, seems like we're getting near a decision.

[KBKB]

Thanks alot for all the information! Any other recommendations (especially concerning the choice between stage 1 and 2, starting to think that eventho I am only 115, for lunges, squat and chest presses I will grow out of the stage 1 fast as Mayze mentionned, although, getting stage 1 and then stage 2 is almost the exact same price as getting stage 2 subsequently) would be appreciated, seems like we're getting near a decision.
My advice is to get the heaviest ones that you can afford. You'll need them for leg work.

Don't rule out the Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbells (http://www.ironmaster.com/store/Quick-Lock-Dumbbell-System-75-lb-set-with-Rack-pr-2.html) either.

[nakedbabytoes]

They only come with 50lbs to start on the U90s, stage 1. You'll probably outgrow that quickly. If I had the cash now, I'd totally get the 2nd stage also.
BUT:
If I only had $700ish bucks to spend for the next 6mos on equipment, I'd just get stage 1s($379 plus ship) & a decent bench(IM Super Bench $299 plus ship).
Build on when I got to needing more weight, since it costs about the same separate as together.
Add Stage 2($259) later on.

But if you got over 1G just laying around, get it all!

[KBKB]

They only come with 50lbs to start on the U90s, stage 1. You'll probably outgrow that quickly. If I had the cash now, I'd totally get the 2nd stage also.
BUT:
If I only had $700ish bucks to spend for the next 6mos on equipment, I'd just get stage 1s($379 plus ship) & a decent bench(IM Super Bench $299 plus ship).
Build on when I got to needing more weight, since it costs about the same separate as together.
Add Stage 2($259) later on.

But if you got over 1G just laying around, get it all!
That's a nice price analysis. Adding to it a bit...

Ironmaster Package Deal #1 (Super Bench plus 75 lb Quick-Lock Dumbbells) (http://www.ironmaster.com/store/Package-1-pr-80.html) costs $699 + $109 for shipping. (Total cost including shipping is $808.)

[nakedbabytoes]

Touché, KBKB.

[MrMiyagi9]

Right, thanks for the recommendations, I do plan on getting a bench and I am leaning towards the IM super bench as some of you mentioned, now I have to find a supplier that doesn't sell it for double the price shown on the ironmaster website. Same goes for the powerblocks.

In Montreal (and Canada in general) things are either impossible to find or overpriced when new so it's either that or paying for pretty high shipping and handling, will check a few places out over the next week or so!

[ira_est_a_donum]

personally I would get whatever you can on craigslist for cheap... and slowly trade in and out things as you find them... you dont need much to start out and still get results...esp being a smaller newbie lifter... pullups, dips, sprints and so on will work wonders for a newbie...newbies can pretty much gain on any type of workout.... if they eat right and are consistent...

so buy a basic bench and any powerblocks you can get... or older IMs or olympic DBs get a olympic curl bar and some plates as you find them...

you can then resell them as you find something else better and or cheaper... pm me and ill send you over a great book on bodyweight exercises... you can go on youtube and find 10000000s of videos on stuff you can do at the park.. or build in your back yard with scrap wood you can advertise on CL to pick up peoples scrap wood for free...LOL.. there are a million ways to do this...

this is the way to do it... dont go out and buy brand new powerblocks for retail... or a new ironmaster bench (although I just bought one in November when they had 7% discount - so get something to tide you over, save your cash..and do your research... start to grow...and soon enough IM will be having another 7% sale and if you havent already found one on CL (they dont come up often) then you can buy the IM superbench and attachments...

also for the time being you can almost get away with bodyweight exercises, a bar and some plates and a dip/pull up station which you can always find on CL for cheap... or even on amazon for not to expensive... this with eating some large amounts of oats, fat free milk, olive oil, meat, potatoes, protein power, healthy big high calorie hamburgers and pizza - you are 115 you can afford to chow down on some things to grow)

you can do sprints for legs, bounding jumps, deadlifts.... you seen those track stars legs... its not all from squats you know...

I could go on and on... but I wont... you get my drift... I think most here will agree, this is a cheap and effective way to get into lifting...

[MrMiyagi9]

personally I would get whatever you can on craigslist for cheap... and slowly trade in and out things as you find them... you dont need much to start out and still get results...esp being a smaller newbie lifter... pullups, dips, sprints and so on will work wonders for a newbie...newbies can pretty much gain on any type of workout.... if they eat right and are consistent...

so buy a basic bench and any powerblocks you can get... or older IMs or olympic DBs get a olympic curl bar and some plates as you find them...

you can then resell them as you find something else better and or cheaper... pm me and ill send you over a great book on bodyweight exercises... you can go on youtube and find 10000000s of videos on stuff you can do at the park.. or build in your back yard with scrap wood you can advertise on CL to pick up peoples scrap wood for free...LOL.. there are a million ways to do this...

this is the way to do it... dont go out and buy brand new powerblocks for retail... or a new ironmaster bench (although I just bought one in November when they had 7% discount - so get something to tide you over, save your cash..and do your research... start to grow...and soon enough IM will be having another 7% sale and if you havent already found one on CL (they dont come up often) then you can buy the IM superbench and attachments...

also for the time being you can almost get away with bodyweight exercises, a bar and some plates and a dip/pull up station which you can always find on CL for cheap... or even on amazon for not to expensive... this with eating some large amounts of oats, fat free milk, olive oil, meat, potatoes, protein power, healthy big high calorie hamburgers and pizza - you are 115 you can afford to chow down on some things to grow)

you can do sprints for legs, bounding jumps, deadlifts.... you seen those track stars legs... its not all from squats you know...

I could go on and on... but I wont... you get my drift... I think most here will agree, this is a cheap and effective way to get into lifting...

Thanks alot for the recommendations ira, I'll "go with the flow" as far as equipment goes as you say and I guess I'll concentrate on getting good nutrition before getting "top of the line" equipment since after all, without a good nutrition, equipment is pretty much useless.