Powerblocks vs Ironmaster vs York Dial Teck

[GodsHitman]

Basically which type are the best value for money ?

[bonfilet]

I went with the Powerblocks as I wanted quality, 90pounds + ability to expand and a quick change system- still waiting for them to be delivered. Ironmaster are pretty great as well from the numerous reviews I've read but they require a bit more space and time when changing weights but cheaper, can expand more and if you drop them they'll handle it better than the other two. York dial are bowflex type and most people who've used them in comparison to PB or IM say they aren't worth it. They are quite bulky at low wights in comparison to the other two and have been known to break (but they can be fixed from what a dealer told me), however they are cheaper so maybe value for money a better option for you. Amazon in the uk has the Yorks for 250 pounds sterling at 32.5kg. Cheap as it gets I suppose. There are a lot of reviews so do a search.

If you can afford it go with Powerblock in my opinion.

[risingUP421]

I got the powerblocks after doing a good month or two of research and reading reviews, and playing with them at Dicks Sporting Goods. I have the U-90 Stage 1 set; the thing that made me decide on these 100% was the lifetime warranty that the Urethene series has, Also the ablility to expand later on. I think the ironmasters are also a great product and may be more visibly pleasing since they still look like traditional dumbbells. But i have no complaints with the powerblocks, i live with 3 roommates and we all use them and they look good as new and work fine.

I dont know about the York dial Teck so i cant give input on those.. but yeah, thats my .2 cents.

[bonfilet]

Ι ordered the Urethanes stage 1 & 2, however in Europe they don't have a lifetime warranty.

[cyde]

I'm not sure about the York's, but both Ironmaster & Powerblocks are great dumbbells with both pros and cons. There is plenty of information and side-by-side comparisons between the two dumbbells if you search the forum. I've tried both and the Ironmasters fit to my liking. The Powerblocks changed out quick and easy, but I just didn't like the way it felt in my hand which is why I went with the Ironmasters. Basically I was on the fence between both until going to a store and trying them out.

[absntaxes]

I've had Powerblocks for 13 yrs and love them. Only complaint is that
when I use them with FatGripz there's not much room for your hands. Otherwise no complaints

[bonfilet]

I've had Powerblocks for 13 yrs and love them. Only complaint is that
when I use them with FatGripz there's not much room for your hands. Otherwise no complaints

I'm interested in hearing a bit more about PBs + Fatgripz. Is it helping your forearms?

[labuski]

i had the urethanes and sold them and went with ironmasters. my only complaint is you can't switch them as fast as powerblocks, but i definitely like the ironmasters better.

[absntaxes]

I like the FatGripz a lot and I can feel it working the forearms but can't say how much they've grown. I have noticed an increase in overall strength though. Re PBs, there's not a lot of space in the powerblock handles (my hands aren't that big). For other dumbells and bars they are great.

[ira_est_a_donum]

i had the urethanes and sold them and went with ironmasters. my only complaint is you can't switch them as fast as powerblocks, but i definitely like the ironmasters better.

that is the exact reason I went with the powerblocks... who wants to spend time between sets bending over like a hunchback changing out plates and stuff to get to the next weight... its time consuming and redundant... every set... with the power blocks I can go from 20 lbs to 90 lbs in 10 seconds on both sets and ready to go... vs 1-2 minutes for the ironmasters... multiply that times 15 sets in a typical workout and youve spent 15-30 minutes total time while in your workout changing plates and stuff with the ironmasters...

so for me that was the deal breaker...

having said that I have the ironmaster super bench and all its attachments... its a nice piece to go with my ironmaster dumbbells...

so it all comes down to your own personal liking... do you want the awesome pro feeling of the iromasters with the added time changing weights in your workouts or do you want the decent dumbbell feel of the powerblocks (still feels ok to me, but its not as nice as the ironmaster pro dumbbell feel) with the super quick and easy weight changes....

[fpc4ever]

Yep, the time change is definitely the deal breaker. I like super sets and drop sets and these would be basically impossible to do with ironmasters. I don't have any complaints with the feel of the U90's though... I didnt really like the sport series I had but the U90s are quite a bit nicer.

[grumpytude]

I have the ironmasters with the 120add on kit and I really like them. I actually had a whole pro set of dumbbells from 5-100lbs with racks and sold them on CL- they took up alot of room. I've had no regrets.changing the weights is no biggie to me, I know alot of people don't like it- but they feel just like traditional dumbbells grip wise, and when going heavy they sit comfortable on your legs so you get swing them back into position when doing presses etc.

[jormone]

I like powerblocks up to 90lbs for the ability to quickly change weight.

I like ironmasters above 100lbs. You can't get power hooks for powerblocks, and after 100lbs it gets to be a pain to lift them into certain positions. (the pb stage 3 kit was completely flat on the bottom, not sure about the new urethanes)

[jetlynk]

Powerblocks all the way, I got a set of the sport 9.0 for x-mas and just love them, getting the stage 2 which puts them up to 90lbs and stand for Easter since I'm starting to max them out for some of the workout I use them for. Not sure If Ill eventually get the stage 3 which allows you to go up to 130lbs each DB. Best thing I found with them is they are really durable.

[GodsHitman]

Do you know if Powerblocks post to U.K or do they have any U.K representatives ? They seem cheaper from their US site than on eBay.co.uk atm !
Cheers, GH

[bonfilet]

Do you know if Powerblocks post to U.K or do they have any U.K representatives ? They seem cheaper from their US site than on eBay.co.uk atm !
Cheers, GH

Forget it, unless you know your way around shipping companies and eben in that case I don't know if it is worth it. There are a lot of Uk retailers which will probably provide you with free shipping within the UK, although I am not located in the UK I ordered from www . planitfitnessdirect . co .uk I haven't got them yet but until now they have been really helpful.

This should sort you out (take the spaces out before you copy paste the url as I can't post links yet due to the 30 posts limit): www . powerblockfitness . com/FINDER/index.php?town=&country=147&Search2=Search

PBs are also sold via amazon (uk) and ebay (uk)

[Essexlad]

Do you know if Powerblocks post to U.K or do they have any U.K representatives ? They seem cheaper from their US site than on eBay.co.uk atm !
Cheers, GH

You will get hit by tax going through customs, shipping will not be remotely cheap either. These guys also sell Powerblocks, not sure how their prices compare to EbAy, but they are reliable.

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk

Ironmasters are cheaper to get (slightly)

http://www.valleyfitness.co.uk/

And York dialatechs suck.

[GodsHitman]

Cheers for al the help guys, much aprreciated..

After a bit of searching on various sites as mentioned by people here ive found the cheapest place for Powerblocks and the ironmasters.
However im a bit undecided as the Powerblocks are more expensive and dont hold as much weight:

Powerblocks - Stage 1 and 2 (1-41kg) = £741

Ironmasters - With Add On Kit (2.3-54kg) = £675

So basically are the Powerblocks that good to be paying like £70 more but having less weight than the Ironmasters overall.

Many Thanks again

[jfindon]

that is the exact reason I went with the powerblocks... who wants to spend time between sets bending over like a hunchback changing out plates and stuff to get to the next weight... its time consuming and redundant... every set... with the power blocks I can go from 20 lbs to 90 lbs in 10 seconds on both sets and ready to go... vs 1-2 minutes for the ironmasters... multiply that times 15 sets in a typical workout and youve spent 15-30 minutes total time while in your workout changing plates and stuff with the ironmasters...

so for me that was the deal breaker...

having said that I have the ironmaster super bench and all its attachments... its a nice piece to go with my ironmaster dumbbells...

so it all comes down to your own personal liking... do you want the awesome pro feeling of the iromasters with the added time changing weights in your workouts or do you want the decent dumbbell feel of the powerblocks (still feels ok to me, but its not as nice as the ironmaster pro dumbbell feel) with the super quick and easy weight changes....

If it took you 1-2 minutes to change weights on IMs you were doing something terribly wrong.

[jetlynk]

Found a review from someone whos used both.

http://forum.lowcarber.org/archive/i.../t-109958.html

[fpc4ever]

Alot of us have used both man. It's real simple: If you do supersets, dropsets, or need to change weights quickly the IM's will not work. If you want to save a few bucks and have more traditional db's and don't mind taking time to change weights when you have to then get the IM's.

[oldline70]

Frankly both the IMs and the Powerblocks look cool and I'd have no problem with using either one. I admit I do not do much in the way of drop sets, so the quick change mentioned by some of the other posters wouldn't be as much a factor for me. For some, it will be a big factor.

I've got hex DBs so I don't need either of these. If I were in the market, though, it would be a real tossup for me; they both look worthy.

As far as the York Dial Techs, I did a search, and though I have not actually tried them, they appear to be much the same, with the same drawbacks, as the Bowtech Select Techs. The conventional wisdom of the Bowtechs is to steer way clear of them; they're not sturdy but they sure are expensive.

All told, I'd buy a set of PB U-90s or IMs and have at it. You can't go wrong either way IMO.

[bonfilet]

Get the PBs, they are easier to take with you wherever you move, you are 16 so you will be moving sooner or later, perhaps to university perhaps to live on your own. Plus years later, when you will not have as much free time on your hands or the same will to train (either because you are tired or married lol,) PBs will look like an easier option to live with. The difference isn't huge for something that will be with you for a long time. Haggle a bit, you might get a small discount.

Having said that if you are into really heavy lifting (although I doubt 125-130 pounds aren't enough for you) and like throwing dumbbells than the IMs are the choice for you. To be honest at your age I didn't mind spinlocks, IMs would have seemed like paradise but nowadays I get bored changing weights.

[nakedbabytoes]

I got the U90 set, stage 1, and I think they'll be great once I get used to them.
They are different, for sure. The box shape. But the nesting thing is totally a great way to get heavy weights and not have a huge heavy bench full of metal.
I like the fact that the U90s are more durable(you can drop them & not void the warranty, lifetime BTW) and the micro load adjustment gives you 2.5lb increments, no matter how huge you go(up to 125lbs with stage 3 kit). The stand is stylin', yet takes up virtually no room whatsoever.
Plus the KettleBlock handle is a nice little ditty to have sitting around to mix it up with.

[bonfilet]

If I were to drop I would've gone with the IMs. We should also note that the IMs are sold with the stand whereas the PBs aren't. The ironmaster plates can also be used with a kettlebell and with barbells so actually they are probably more versatile in that respect.

[ira_est_a_donum]

If it took you 1-2 minutes to change weights on IMs you were doing something terribly wrong.

you post a video of you going from 30 lbs to 75 lbs as an example and change both your IM dumbbells and do it super fast for us who are doing it terribly wrong... oh and do this about 30 minutes into your workout... LOL... and do it on the 1st take...no multiple tries to post the fastest one.....

who is going to be changing them like they are in a nascar pit stop anyway... so 1-2 minutes is prob the average time it takes for most people for most sets in most of their workouts.... and that is even with the quick lock ... its 2-3 minutes for the older style.....

[SurvivalX]

I own the Powerblocks which change between 5-90 lbs. fast. I've owned a few other brands in the past but I'm sticking with these for sure.

[jfindon]

you post a video of you going from 30 lbs to 75 lbs as an example and change both your IM dumbbells and do it super fast for us who are doing it terribly wrong... oh and do this about 30 minutes into your workout... LOL... and do it on the 1st take...no multiple tries to post the fastest one.....

who is going to be changing them like they are in a nascar pit stop anyway... so 1-2 minutes is prob the average time it takes for most people for most sets in most of their workouts.... and that is even with the quick lock ... its 2-3 minutes for the older style.....

I would if I actually felt like it, or felt like I was a special case, but others have said the same thing. I go from 45lbs to 75lbs after doing 5 supersets of three different arm exercises and it takes 15-20 seconds for one DB. I guess I could see almost 1 minute if you were tired, but 2 minutes is really pushing it.