I was curious about what the difference was, because they both go up to 130lb, so i went ahead and asked them. Here was their response in case anyone is interested:
The Pro Rexan and Aluminum weight plates are made from one 1/2" thick weight plate, that has machined (rounded) edges. The process of machining cost both labor and machinery and that is why the Pro plates (sets) cost more than the Elite sets. The machining (shaving off) of the Pro weight plates also takes weight off and therefore what started as a 10 lb 1/2" thick weight plate becomes a 9.5 lb weight plate once machined. That is the reason for the difference in weight between the sets. The machining process was done primarily for aesthetics. With the cost of steel doubling in the past few years, the Elite weight plate was born as a way to make a lower priced weight plate to keep the price down to the consumer. The Elite set weight plates are made from two 1/4" thick weight plates welded together to make one 1/2" thick weight plate. The Edges are not machined and remain square. The Elite weight plates weigh 10 lbs (if they were machined like the Pro weight plates they would be down to 9.5 lbs as well). Long story short; the Elite sets weigh more and cost less. The Elite sets have become more popular because of this scenario. The Elite sets do have an enhanced weight chart as well, both for the stand and on the handles. The Pro Rexan sets do not have these enhanced weight charts, the Pro Aluminum Sets do also however.
Pro Rexan Sets weight:
5-45,5-85 or 5-125.
Pro Aluminum Sets weight:
10-50,10-90 or 10-130.
Elite Sets weight:
5-50,5-90 or 5-130.
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03-31-2008, 12:28 PM #1
Powerblock Elite vs. Pro Aluminum
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03-31-2008, 04:41 PM #2
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03-31-2008, 07:03 PM #3
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04-16-2008, 06:17 PM #4
I just found out the "SportBlock 9.0" is the newest version of the powerblocks and will be put on the powerblocks site next month. The sportblock 9.0 is already being sold at a few retail stores though.
I ended up going to my local store and checked them out. They have a rounded top similar to the current previous generation sportblock set. I also felt like my hand had more room inside it while i was doing various exercises. The grip also feels different, and the bars that go down the sides feel a bit thinner (for more wrist room I suppose). I ended up buying the set. Here's a few pics:
Last edited by ASFx; 04-16-2008 at 06:19 PM.
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04-16-2008, 07:27 PM #5
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04-16-2008, 07:41 PM #6
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04-16-2008, 10:32 PM #7
That was one thing I found out later which is why I ALMOST got the elites until i found out about the new SportBlock 9.0 version was being sold. They can also be adjusted in 2.5lb increments. They cost $588 + $129 for the stand which is the same price of the elites. I was able to sell my old 52.5lb bowflex select tech dumbbells to recover a good chunk of the cost, so i feel pretty good about this purchase.
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04-16-2008, 11:20 PM #8
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04-17-2008, 12:06 AM #9
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04-17-2008, 04:13 AM #10
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04-17-2008, 07:26 AM #11
I have the Aluminum pros and they come with four 2.5 pound adder weights. They are designed to be adjusted in 5 pound increments. You can only use one adder weight but you run in to problems doing so. (Just do the math) You can however purchase the 5 pound Rexan handles extra and then you can get a full 2.5 pound increment adjustment for the full range of weight.
Although I can get the 2.5 pound adjustment with my PowerBlock setup, I never use them that way. Since I have gotten the extra Rexan handles, I just switch handles instead of using the adder weights to make the 5 pound adjustment. It is a lot faster doing it that away.Here's what is happening in my neck of the woods....
Paving the way so the rubber can hit the road!
Repping back since 06!
Reps owed:
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04-27-2008, 10:14 AM #12
Picked up the SportBlock 9.0, 50-90ext & stand for $478 new.
After reading these articles, I stopped by the local "2nd Wind" equipment store to see if they had them in. They were having a Midnight Madness BOGO (Buy one get one half off) sale... and it even included the Powerblock series.
My old treadmill was starting to click-n-clack, so I ended up replacing it with a used Pacemaster Gold for $449... that gave the the main Powerblock set at $174.49 (50% off $349.99). Then I added the 50-90 extension set for $239 which gave me the stand for $64.50 (50% off $129).
The powerblocks will be new, as they only had the demo?s in the store and had to order them from their distributor.
It was a happy surpise since I never see powerblocks go on sale significantly. I felt pretty good about walking away with a Pacemaster treadmill and extended Powerblocks/stand for $900.
-Andrew
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05-28-2008, 07:11 AM #13
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06-15-2008, 08:37 PM #14
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08-15-2008, 11:10 PM #15
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08-16-2008, 11:25 PM #16
Im still very happy with my purchase. MUCH better than the inferior 52.5lb bowflex adjustable set i had before.
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(Success!)Come show your support and vote for Optimum Nutrition to release an all natural version of their casein and egg proteins:
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http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=109431591
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08-16-2008, 11:30 PM #17
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08-16-2008, 11:38 PM #18
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08-17-2008, 12:03 AM #19
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08-17-2008, 12:21 AM #20
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08-17-2008, 07:23 AM #21
I was able to pick up a pair of the elites(older style), up to 90lbs, with a stand and bench(bowflex 3.1) for $400 off of craiglsist.
It was used, but looked new. I actually ripped the side of the bench one day =(
Bench sucks tho, not enough positions so the incline is too steep. The 5.1 would have been better. Ill probably sell the bench or weld on some extra adjustments on the frame
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01-21-2009, 12:48 PM #22
- Join Date: May 2008
- Location: Illinois, United States
- Age: 58
- Posts: 175
- Rep Power: 1099
Bought my SportBlock 9.0s back in May and I love them. Bought it with the Stage II initially and will buy the Stage III to bring them up to 130#
There are only 2 "problems" that I see in using them for the past several months.
-The weights do increase in 2.5# intervals (great for me as a newb and 5#increases on curls is a bit much when I increase) BUT due to the way they are made there are some blank spots in the weight increases. For instance, the dumbell goes from 30, 35, 37.5, 40, 45, 47.5, 50, 55, 57.5, etc... I just use my Platemates from my Hex Dumbbells to fill in the gaps.
-Perhaps it's my technique, but when doing rows while you are partially on the bench, the pins have a tendency to catch on the sides of the bench padding, causing tears. Similar to freeweight dumbell bars, but never occured with Hex's.
Overall, totally worth it. Even better IF you can get a discount like the people above. I asked for a 10% off and got it no problem. they didn't budge above that.
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01-21-2009, 12:54 PM #23
- Join Date: Dec 2007
- Location: Massachusetts, United States
- Posts: 9,555
- Rep Power: 6736
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01-21-2009, 02:07 PM #24
- Join Date: Dec 2007
- Location: Michigan, United States
- Age: 50
- Posts: 16,707
- Rep Power: 1129521
Just the way they are constructed makes them better. they are always as compact a shape as they can be for the given weight. Other than that its just the tighter tolerances and better materials that make them superior to the selectechs.
[]---[] Equipment Crew Member No. 11
"As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another" Proverbs 27:17
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01-21-2009, 02:27 PM #25
- Join Date: May 2008
- Location: Illinois, United States
- Age: 58
- Posts: 175
- Rep Power: 1099
I have not used SelectTechs. I have also heard what the above poster has said but cannot comment on it from experience.
My reason for getting the SportBlock 9.0 was because I knew I would at some time exceed the 90# limit that the SelectTechs have (last I checked). The SportBlock goes up to 130 with the Stage III kit.
Yes, after 130, where do I go one may ask? I would just be thrilled to get to that point!
Best of luck in whatever you choose
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01-22-2009, 05:59 PM #26
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10-11-2011, 11:28 AM #27
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02-22-2012, 09:10 AM #28
The Aluminum handles, being 10 lbs, have increments of 10, 12.5. 15, 20, 22.5, 25, etc. There's no seven.
The Rexan handle, 5 lbs, will have the 7.5, 17.5, 27.5.
I just recently got the Elite Aluminum 10 to 52.5. Not sure yet if the missing 7's is going to be a problem or not. If it turns out to be a big issue, I might just get a set of the Rexan handles to fill the gap.
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02-22-2012, 09:34 AM #29
Or get two sets of 1.25 lb PlateMates. (You use them in pairs, so this gives you a way to add 2.5lbs.)
Here's a photo from my PlateMate photo thread:
Edit: Now that I think about it some more, this might not work. It's not clear to me where the aluminum bits are. Obviously, if you try to attach a magnet to an aluminum surface it won't stick. Best to try a small magnet on it first to see if there are any ferrous portions which can be used for attaching PlateMates.Last edited by KBKB; 02-22-2012 at 09:42 AM.
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02-23-2012, 01:26 AM #30
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