Powerblock Commercial Pro. Dissapointed.

[urbanlifter]

My ultimate dream would be finding an old set of Hoist/IM Quick Change set that went up to 120lbs. I'd pay a serious premium if those ever popped up in my area...(assuming they exist)

[supramax]

... Reason for that being if you buy the 90lb Powerblocks AND then buy IM's for heavier work, you have a massive range of the IM's that will go unused. Where if you have the Powerblocks up to 50lbs you will use the IM's alot more and subsequently get your money out of them. Nothing really knocking the 90lb set's of PB's though, it's just how I'm starting to view things now after owning so many different sets. But if I looked to only own one set it would be the EXP 90lbs....

It's six of one and half a dozen of the other. That 'massive range of the IM's' equals a massive range of the PowerBlocks that would go unused, doesn't it? The 2 1/2 lb increments that it misses is easily made up for with a pair of 2 1/2 lb wrist weights (that come in handy for long Farmers' Walks, too).

If I added IronMasters to what I have now, I'd get the heavy handles and keep the 22.5 lb plates on all the time, plus whatever else brought them to 100 lbs. I'd have to get a really good deal, though, because my loadable kettlebell handles are multi purpose and 175 lbs per hand is ****ing heavy.

[urbanlifter]

It's six of one and half a dozen of the other. That 'massive range of the IM's' equals a massive range of the PowerBlocks that would go unused, doesn't it?

Think you are overcomplicating the situation. If you have a 90lb set of Powerblocks you are theoretically using them for everything up to 90lbs. Then with 120lb set of Ironmasters you would only be using the 92.5-120lb capacity of the IM's with the first 90'lbs being the massive range going unused I mentioned. Then on top of that you have to consider the cost savings to potential benefit.

Situation #1 (90lb EXP & 120lb IM's) = $1,645

Situation #2 (50lb PB's & 120LB IM's) = $1,367

Given you have a max of 120lbs either way, I'd recommend the 50lb set of PB coupled with the 120lb set of IM's.....

[supramax]

Think you are overcomplicating the situation. If you have a 90lb set of Powerblocks you are theoretically using them for everything up to 90lbs. Then with 120lb set of Ironmasters you would only be using the 92.5-120lb capacity of the IM's with the first 90'lbs being the massive range going unused I mentioned. Then on top of that you have to consider the cost savings to potential benefit.

Situation #1 (90lb EXP & 120lb IM's) = $1,645

Situation #2 (50lb PB's & 120LB IM's) = $1,367

Given you have a max of 120lbs either way, I'd recommend the 50lb set of PB coupled with the 120lb set of IM's.....

Weight range wise, it's still 6 of one and half a dozen of the other until the money aspect enters the equation. Then, it makes sense. Clearly, you've thought this out.

[urbanlifter]

Clearly, you've thought this out.

Not really, but I figured once someone did the math it would likely make even more sense.

So essentially with situation #1 you are buying a 90lb set of IM's that are completely useless, that's all down the toilet LOL

[PCRulesPSDrools]

I'm going to attempt to transplant some alternative handles. I haven't taken the power blocks apart yet to see whats up, I'm busy for a few more days then I'll give it a look. I might have to go see someone about machining down the transplant handles for me.

Any recommendations on what handles I should buy for the project?

[ampire]

I'm going to attempt to transplant some alternative handles. I haven't taken the power blocks apart yet to see whats up, I'm busy for a few more days then I'll give it a look. I might have to go see someone about machining down the transplant handles for me.

Any recommendations on what handles I should buy for the project?

What diameter grip do you prefer?

[PCRulesPSDrools]

What diameter grip do you prefer?

28mm - 34mm, not too picky on that.

Obviously the knurl is important to me, the more aggressive the better. But I'm not gonna spend a lifetime holding out for the grittiest knurled handles on earth, I'll settle for reasonable.

Actually on second thought. I'd lean towards larger diameter grips because of the off center balance of the Powerblocks producing some Torque. So more surface area might be better. So probably 31-35mm

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Incidently, Coop has a new video up about his Powerblocks and it shows a close up of the knurled handles. Another observation I noticed in the video is that he has the Reps Direct/Elitefts Football bar hanging up in the background...

https://youtu.be/XjLAZ2ztL-M

[radrd]

Incidently, Coop has a new video up about his Powerblocks and it shows a close up of the knurled handles. Another observation I noticed in the video is that he has the Reps Direct/Elitefts Football bar hanging up in the background...

https://youtu.be/XjLAZ2ztL-M

I was going to post this as well. The set that Coop is reviewing was custom and quite possibly a prototype. To me, the close up of the knurl at 5:30 looks different and grippier than the production model ITT. He characterizes the knurl as somewhat aggressive, which doesn't fit the impression ITT. That makes his review misleading if true.

[supramax]

I was going to post this as well. The set that Coop is reviewing was custom and quite possibly a prototype. To me, the close up of the knurl at 5:30 looks different and grippier than the production model ITT. He characterizes the knurl as somewhat aggressive, which doesn't fit the impression ITT. That makes his review misleading if true.

He said: "It's a custom set with a custom knurled handle."

[radrd]

He said: "It's a custom set with a custom knurled handle."

You're right. Did I also miss the part where he says the Commercial Pros that everyone else can buy might be different and not as good? I stand by my assertion that it's misleading and I even like the guy.

[supramax]

... Did I also miss the part where he says the Commercial Pros that everyone else can buy might be different...

It's implicit.

[radrd]

It's implicit.

No. At the end he says, "I like the knurled handles the best.... If you can afford it, go with these bad boys." Points to his custom set. "The Commercials."

He probably hasn't tried the production model Commercials and is making a big assumption that the knurled handle is the same. In the process, it's potentially misleading thousands of viewers. I wouldn't go so far as to say he's doing this intentionally to sell Commercial Pros.

[supramax]

No. At the end he says, "I like the knurled handles the best.... If you can afford it, go with these bad boys." Points to his custom set. "The Commercials."

He probably hasn't tried the production model Commercials and is making a big assumption that the knurled handle is the same. In the process, it's potentially meaning thousands of viewers. I wouldn't go so far as to say he's doing this intentionally to sell Commercial Pros.

I don't know if he was making an assumption or he just forgot that his dumbbells were custom. It doesn't alter the fact that a difference is implied between custom made dumbbells and production models.

[urbanlifter]

Honestly he probably doesn't know any better, he's got a little knowledge but at the end of the day he's not writing reviews for the love of the game.

Just grabbing money through clicks, free equipment, and YouTube attention.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

I don't know if he was making an assumption or he just forgot that his dumbbells were custom. It doesn't alter the fact that a difference is implied between custom made dumbbells and production models.

I do recall seeing a comment on his vid where someone asked about the knurled handles and Coop replied "You have to go to the commercial series section of the site. It's hidden but on desktop it's at the top navigation bar" to me that implies that he's either claiming that his commercial PBs knurling is the same as the ones on the site and are not custom knurling, he doesn't realize there's a difference between his custom handles and the ones on the site (which would be odd), or maybe he's forgetful..but who knows.

[supramax]

I do recall seeing a comment on his vid where someone asked about the knurled handles and Coop replied "You have to go to the commercial series section of the site.

Unless I'm wrong, I do believe that only the Commercial series has the knurled steel handles (for the 50 and 90 lb sets), so what he said is correct.

... to me that implies that he's either claiming that his commercial PBs knurling is the same as the ones on the site and are not custom knurling, he doesn't realize there's a difference between his custom handles and the ones on the site (which would be odd), or maybe he's forgetful..but who knows.

He said right off the bat that the handle knurling was custom. If you want to assume, then assume that he asked for a more aggressive knurling. A 'custom knurling' IOW.

[DarthCholo]

Unless I'm wrong, I do believe that only the Commercial series has the knurled steel handles (for the 50 and 90 lb sets), so what he said is correct.




He said right off the bat that the handle knurling was custom. If you want to assume, then assume that he asked for a more aggressive knurling. A 'custom knurling' IOW.

Why review a custom product nobody can buy?. That's some snake oil right there. I can easily see people thinking "custom" was just his logo. He should of really cleared this up in the video.

[ncsuLuke]

Why review a custom product nobody can buy?. That's some snake oil right there. I can easily see people thinking "custom" was just his logo. He should of really cleared this up in the video.

So he could get them for free like everything else. He admitted before he only does this for free gear but there are enough gullible people out there who think he really knows what he is talking about. Unfortunately there isn't another mainstream source that gets as much gear as he does so there isn't a central place to point people to other than here.

[supramax]

Why review a custom product nobody can buy?. That's some snake oil right there. I can easily see people thinking "custom" was just his logo. He should of really cleared this up in the video.

I tend to agree with urbanlifters' comment and I'd also say it's more of an 'in general' type review.

[urbanlifter]

On the subject of Powerblock's, thought I would mention it here as well, but my local Dick's had several pairs in stock today. They also have a Black Friday deal going on where you can get $20 off $100, so that puts them at roughly $298 for a 50lb set that has been sold out for a long while. I'm still seeing $400-$500 prices in my area on Marketplace so not hateful....

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Unless I'm wrong, I do believe that only the Commercial series has the knurled steel handles (for the 50 and 90 lb sets), so what he said is correct.

That part is true...however, I was referring to the fact that if the knurling was indeed "aggressive" custom knurling that he requested then directing the potential buyer to that product page where there's a possibility (likely since it happened to the OP, unless he got a pair of dud knurled handles) that the buyer would not get the better knurling that was applied to Coop's custom commercial PBs.

He said right off the bat that the handle knurling was custom. If you want to assume, then assume that he asked for a more aggressive knurling. A 'custom knurling' IOW.

By custom knurling I meant aggressive (which I originally typed, then my post didn't go through and was gonna edit it to correct it lol), but anyway...if he did say specifically that the knurling was custom made aggressive then ok, but going off the comment section it was misleading as well.

Not trying to be PC, but if I was gonna drop considerable coin on something and was thinking I'm getting the same knurled handles (minus custom logo) and didn't I'd be rather PO'ed.

[urbanlifter]

Well regardless of what the knurling is like I'll say the handle on the Sport series feels FREAKING solid. Wasn't a big fan of the rubber contoured handle at first but it has grown on me, the Sport series in general looks excellent so I really don't see the point in paying more for the Pro/Commercial series. The only thing I dislike about the Sport is that they have become obnoxiously wide compared to the older models, but they will certainly make people that have Andre the Giant hands happy. lol

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Well regardless of what the knurling is like I'll say the handle on the Sport series feels FREAKING solid. Wasn't a big fan of the rubber contoured handle at first but it has grown on me, the Sport series in general looks excellent so I really don't see the point in paying more for the Pro/Commercial series. The only thing I dislike about the Sport is that they have become obnoxiously wide compared to the older models, but they will certainly make people that have Andre the Giant hands happy. lol

Hey speak for yourself (about the non-commercial pros) lol, but yes the rubber contoured handles aren't bad at all, I might be biased because I have long fingers, but I think they're a welcomed addition for these DBs along with the traditional knurled dumbbells.

[DarthCholo]

Well regardless of what the knurling is like I'll say the handle on the Sport series feels FREAKING solid. Wasn't a big fan of the rubber contoured handle at first but it has grown on me, the Sport series in general looks excellent so I really don't see the point in paying more for the Pro/Commercial series. The only thing I dislike about the Sport is that they have become obnoxiously wide compared to the older models, but they will certainly make people that have Andre the Giant hands happy. lol

Also agree that the rubber handle is pretty good. Very grippy. Wich is why a slippery passive knurle would be annoying if I thought it was an upgrade.

[PCRulesPSDrools]

Having watched COOP's review one time, I was trying to read between the lines for some indication that his pair were non standard commercial. My interpretation of "custom" in this case is that he's only referring to the Logo's? So I think his pair are functionally the same as all other so called commercial pairs ( if my interpretation is correct ).

Well, you can take his word or mine. I've got nothing to gain by bad mouthing the handles. It could theoretically make it harder for me to sell them forward to some other sucker. Plus I'm about to drop more money on a project to replace the handles anyway.

[Duplicitous]

This pic is from the official Powerblock FB page and was labeled "Pro 90 Commercial" and looks similar to the set Coop has.



I came across another on Google from an expired eBay listing with similar looking handles. I am beginning to wonder if PB changed the handles at some point in time to cut costs.

[radrd]

Well regardless of what the knurling is like I'll say the handle on the Sport series feels FREAKING solid. Wasn't a big fan of the rubber contoured handle at first but it has grown on me, the Sport series in general looks excellent so I really don't see the point in paying more for the Pro/Commercial series. The only thing I dislike about the Sport is that they have become obnoxiously wide compared to the older models, but they will certainly make people that have Andre the Giant hands happy. lol

Agreed on the handle. I have old Sport 90s and like the handles just fine. Not looking to upgrade or sell because they just work. After seeing this thread, I certainly won't consider "upgrading" to the Commercial Pros.

[supramax]

Having watched COOP's review one time, I was trying to read between the lines for some indication that his pair were non standard commercial. My interpretation of "custom" in this case is that he's only referring to the Logo's? So I think his pair are functionally the same as all other so called commercial pairs ( if my interpretation is correct ).

If only he hadn't said: "Now, this is a very unique set of PowerBlocks. This is a custom set with a custom knurled handle."

1:16 https://youtu.be/XjLAZ2ztL-M

Guys, the horse is dead.