Question for Ironmasters owners.

[00s4boy]

Does anyone ever use single 2.5 per dumbbell to increase overall weight by 5 pounds in stead of 10?

I know that it will imbalance the dumbbell which is why I have not toyed around with it yet, but a 2.5lb imbalance doesn't seem like it would be to much to make it unable to be handled safely.

[morebarbell]

Does anyone ever use single 1 2.5 per dumbbell to increase overall weight by 5 pounds in stead of 10?

I know that it will imbalance the dumbbell which is why I have not toyed around with it yet, but a 2.5lb imbalance doesn't seem like it would be to much to make it unable to be handled safely.

A single 2.5, increases the weight by 2.5... not by 5 pounds. I've tried it. It's not the best solution but it works ok. If you shift your grip slightly closer to the heavier end you can balance it.

[Navyguy825]

Yes I have done it. As he just said it does create a noticeable imbalance. I find it to be more noticeable when using a large amount of weight. I just grip a little closer to the heavy side and also make sure it's facing inwards when doing over the body/head type exercises

[KBKB]

Does anyone ever use single 1 2.5 per dumbbell to increase overall weight by 5 pounds in stead of 10?

Yes, especially when using lighter dumbbells. (The weight increase is 2.5lbs per dumbbell or 5lbs total assuming that both dumbbells are being used.)

I know that it will imbalance the dumbbell which is why I have not toyed around with it yet, but a 2.5lb imbalance doesn't seem like it would be to much to make it unable to be handled safely.

There is a slight imbalance, but I've never found it to be a problem.

[Keetman]

Morebarbell is right...of course....the 2.5lb plate is going to increase the weight by 2.5lbs. You can increase the IM's 5lbs on each db by using two of the 2.5lb plates.

I have used on 2.5lb plate to have a smaller increase and I thought it worked fine....barely noticeable enough to bother me and I may have adjusted my grip....but I can't even remember.

Clearly, based on Morebarbell's experience, this may be a case of user preference.

[jshpark]

yup, done it and didn't notice any difference/imbalance.. i'm sure each plate has variances as well that add up so it isn't like it is always perfectly balanced..

i've accidentally had extra 5 lbs on one side just from forgetting to swap it out and didn't notice until I was taking the plates off

[trimble006]

I do it fairly regularly as I build up strength in a particular exercise. Chalk me up in the never notices an imbalance column.

[irongrandpa]

I agree with all the above posts.^^^^^^^^

[00s4boy]

I actually just gave it a shot, I've been stuck at 190(95 per dumbbell) on my flat press, tried 200 once failed miserably so tonight I tried 195 I actually could notice the imbalance oddly enough just as I was trying to load them up on my thigh's as I was sitting down, failed at 195 so I can't say if I would have noticed an imbalance during the exercise.

[KBKB]

I actually just gave it a shot, I've been stuck at 190(95 per dumbbell) on my flat press, tried 200 once failed miserably so tonight I tried 195 I actually could notice the imbalance oddly enough just as I was trying to load them up on my thigh's as I was sitting down, failed at 195 so I can't say if I would have noticed an imbalance during the exercise.

The IM Quick-Lock handles are long enough that they can feel unbalanced even when they should be totally in balance. Grabbing the handle a little bit off center can be quite distracting, especially when you're near your limit. The long handles are something of an advantage, however, when you want to purposefully load the sides unevenly. It's easy to move your hand a little bit to put them back into balance.

[morebarbell]

People have told me that I'm very sensitive. Although I don't think the uneven loading is ideal, altering my grip works well to balance it. I never really thought of microloading as feature of the dumbbells and it isn't necessary since you can use standard 1 1/4 lb plates, PlateMates, standard fractional plates from Ironwoody.com (what's up with their name??), or flat washers.

I don't really see it as a criticism of IronMaster. Lots of fixed dumbbell sets are in 5lb intervals also. If I could change the Ironmaster dumbbells, I wouldn't add smaller plates (they'd be too thin)... but I would cut the 22.5 lb weights in two pieces.

[KalleA]

... but I would cut the 22.5 lb weights in two pieces.

Good idea. Personally, I would go further: make them 25 lb, and cut them in five pieces. Never saw any benefit in them big chunks of metal, but quite some inconvenience when you go from below to above 75 lbs. Surely, it would make more sense to just have more 5 lb plates instead of the 22,5 lb weights?

Cheers

[deiphid]

Good idea. Personally, I would go further: make them 25 lb, and cut them in five pieces. Never saw any benefit in them big chunks of metal, but quite some inconvenience when you go from below to above 75 lbs. Surely, it would make more sense to just have more 5 lb plates instead of the 22,5 lb weights?

Cheers

From my experience with the Quick locks I would have to disagree. As you start to stack the 5lb plates up, the small amount of play between each 5lb plate is multiplied by each plate. I think with 11 5lb plates there would be the potential for the plates to shift enough to disengage the lock screw.

I like the 22.5lb plates for this reason. They stay on my dumbbells most of the time anyway.

[morebarbell]

I'd actually prefer some of the 5s to be replaced with 10s. Four 2.5, eight 5, and eight 10s ... and the upgrade as eight 12.5s would be my preference. I'm a little surprised that they don't use 10s. I would think it would decrease production costs but I could be wrong. Each of the plates is machined on some surfaces (photo below) and I would think less plates and less machining would reduce costs. I suspect that may be why the upgrades are one big chunk. But maybe 5s are more cost effective because production is streamlined. IDK.

Similar to deiphid, I usually leave the 22.5lb plates on the handles since I use Powerblocks for 50lbs and below.

OP, sorry if the off topic discussion is unwanted.

[irongrandpa]

I like the 22.5 plates , I too leave them on the handles all the time. I have hex DB's 5-50, and use the IM for 55-120.

[dskoo65]

but I would cut the 22.5 lb weights in two pieces.

Good idea. Personally, I would go further: make them 25 lb, and cut them in five pieces. Never saw any benefit in them big chunks of metal, but quite some inconvenience when you go from below to above 75 lbs. Surely, it would make more sense to just have more 5 lb plates instead of the 22,5 lb weights?

Cheers

I'd actually prefer some of the 5s to be replaced with 10s.

correct me if im wrong, but I think the add on kit used to consist of 5's and 2.5's. I like morebarbell's idea the best. 10 lb plates would be my preference for the add on kit.

[Keetman]

correct me if im wrong, but I think the add on kit used to consist of 5's and 2.5's. I like morebarbell's idea the best. 10 lb plates would be my preference for the add on kit.

Nah, you're right....they used to just be a bunch of 5's and 4x 2.5's. My first set was like that. They work fine, don't get me wrong....I'd take them in a heartbeat, but it was a pain to take off every single plate when you're going back and forth.

Both my sets now have the larger 22.5lb plates and I much prefer them. It's only an issue if you're dropping below 55lbs....but then you can take off a big chunk and only have to put back on the couple of plates that you need. I don't know what kind of compromise 10lb plates would make....might be a good idea....but I would rather see all 4 sizes of plates than to have them just do away with the 22.5lbers.

Again, personal preference, but since I used a set with no larger plates for a few years, I do know that its a drag and the larger plates decrease the time it takes to adjust them......which is really the IM's only downside IMO.

[trimble006]

I'm glad there aren't any 10# plates myself... There isn't room on the stand for 2.5s, 5s, 10s, and 22.5s! As is it can be a hassle to try and organize my top shelf.

For sake of ease, it's probably in the best interests of most users that there aren't more than 3 sizes of plates to try and add up anyways. It can be confusing at times as is to try and add up plates and screws. (Do you change the weight depending on which screws you use?!)

There should almost be a complete guide/official thread to the Ironmaster QLDBs thread on here which we can refer questions to and whatnot...

[Stasher1]

I'm glad there aren't any 10# plates myself... There isn't room on the stand for 2.5s, 5s, 10s, and 22.5s! As is it can be a hassle to try and organize my top shelf.

For sake of ease, it's probably in the best interests of most users that there aren't more than 3 sizes of plates to try and add up anyways. It can be confusing at times as is to try and add up plates and screws. (Do you change the weight depending on which screws you use?!)

There should almost be a complete guide/official thread to the Ironmaster QLDBs thread on here which we can refer questions to and whatnot...

Someone will be along shortly with an IPhone app to help you with the math. It's inevitable.

[jamesovercome]

The older models have 2.5lb plates so you can drop those instead of the 5's for smaller increment changes.

[deiphid]

Someone will be along shortly with an IPhone app to help you with the math. It's inevitable.

Because of the added complication for me of needing to convert back to kilograms, I made the attached spreadsheet. There a two tabs, one is how I use my set (utilising the 22.5lb plates and 7.5lb lockscrews as early as possible), and the other uses the standard kit up to 75lb and then the 22.5lb plates and add on screws after that.

I printed off the first tab and have it in stuck to the ironmaster stand in my gym. Probably not as useful for those of you dealing in pounds, but I thought it may help other non-US ironmaster users.

On topic though, yes you create 2.5lb increments by using just one 2.5lb plate. To be honest though I think 5lb increments are small enough. Lately I have just been working on squeezing out an extra couple of reps and then I making the 5lb leap.

[deiphid]

One other point... if you have the add on kit you can add or remove 2.5lb by using one longer lock screw and one shorter lock screw on weights between 42.5lbs and 82.5lbs. This feels a little less imbalanced than using one 2.5lb plate, especially at the lower weights where the lock screws nearly meet inside the handles.

[irongrandpa]

The older models have 2.5lb plates so you can drop those instead of the 5's for smaller increment changes.

The newer ones have 2 1/2 lb. plates also.

[KBKB]

One other point... if you have the add on kit you can add or remove 2.5lb by using one longer lock screw and one shorter lock screw on weights between 42.5lbs and 82.5lbs. This feels a little less imbalanced than using one 2.5lb plate, especially at the lower weights where the lock screws nearly meet inside the handles.

This is an interesting microloading idea. However, I measured the long lock-screws (from the 120lb kit) as being only 0.45lbs heavier than the short lock-screws.

[deiphid]

This is an interesting microloading idea. However, I measured the long lock-screws (from the 120lb kit) as being only 0.45lbs heavier than the short lock-screws.

Hmmm... can't say I'm surprised. In all honestly I thought it was unlikely that a few inches of threaded rod would weigh 2.5lb. Kinda messes with my table above though.

And having actually thought my idea through I can see why it wouldn't work anyway... the longer handles are supposed to add a nominal 2.5lb per pair... in theory you would be adding 1.25lbs of weight anyway am I right? Bloody imperial weights messing with my maths.

I remember reading your comprehensive review of the IMs (or was it Keetman's?). It was really helpful while I was considering whether I should make the purchase, thanks heaps. I remember you weighed all the components of your set for accuracy. Any chance you could post your experiences of what (on average) the components each weigh in reality? (Or a link to the review, I can't find it now funnily enough.)

I'm not hugely fussed on the accuracy of my dumbbell weights, but sometime when I'm bored I may pick up some electronic scales and similarly weigh all my plates. For now it would be nice to get a rough idea of what each component weighs so I can roughly work out the weight of each configuration.

[KBKB]

I remember you weighed all the components of your set for accuracy. Any chance you could post your experiences of what (on average) the components each weigh in reality? (Or a link to the review, I can't find it now funnily enough.)

See this post and others in the same thread...

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...#post629749993

[morebarbell]

I weighed all of my plates also but I used a cheap scale that is probably not as accurate as the one that KBKB used. I didn't record the weight of the post/collar for the upgrade but I remember it being not much heavier than the standard post collar. Although the actual weights were less than the nominal weight, I saw basically no substantial variation in the weights between the plates ...at least my cheap scale didn't detect any variation. That impressed me. I'm sure that I would see very small variation with a more accurate scale. But for my purpose (weightlifting) this was accurate enough. For reference, I weighed three Ivanko 2.5 lb plates and two Ivanko 25lb weights with my cheap scale and the weights were 2.6 lbs and 25.0 lbs.

nominal / actual
22.5 / 21.0
2.5 / 2.2
5 / 4.8

handle 5.0
post 3.0

The plates appear to be made by Qingdao Kely International Co. Ltd in China.
http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/...1059789781.htm
http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/...1059789750.htm