Ironmaster Quick-lock Dumbbells
The Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells Review Notes: Ironmaster’s Quick Locks come in pairs with standard weight of 5-75 pounds each and are adjustable in 2 1/2 pound increments, with each set weighing 150 pounds total.
Should you ever need more weight (95% of people never will unless they get into power lifting) there are optional 120 and 160 pound add-on weight kits.
They’re primarily marketed to the bodybuilding crowd online, so if you haven’t heard of them you’re not alone.
I almost didn’t even consider trying them based on that fact alone, but that would have been a huge mistake because I ended up buying a set of Quick Locks and their Super Bench for my home gym where my wife and I train.
What I Liked About the Ironmaster Quick-lock Dumbbells
The quick-lock dumbbells are the most rugged set of adjustable dumbbells on the market and are made from all cast steel components — not cheap and flimsy plastic here like the Bowflex and Powerblocks — this is what adjustable dumbbells are supposed to look like.
The fact that they can take a beating like the pro style dumbbells I used for years at the Health Club is another plus, and on top of that they just feel right in your hand.
When you load the weight plates on the dumbbell handles to make 20 pound dumbbells, they’re the same size as a regular 20 pound dumbbell you’re probably used to using. If you make a twenty pound dumbbell with the Bowflex’s you end up with a 16″ behemoth handle that’s quite unwieldily and hits your legs doing curls, and they don’t go close enough together doing chest exercises like bench presses and flys.
The clincher for the Ironmaster’s that pushes them to the top of the adjustable home dumbbell heap is the fact that the quick locks dumbbells hold their value on the used market like no other. If you can ever find a used set (I’ve yet to see them on my local Craigslist in Minneapolis) you can expect to pay about 75% or retail which is unheard of for home gym equipment.
For comparison sake, the Powerblock Dumbbells and Bowflex Dumbbells price drops by 50% as soon as you take them out of the box, so if you ever plan on selling them down the line you’re at a huge disadvantage.
What I Didn’t Like About the Ironmaster Quick-lock Dumbbells
About the only gripe I have with the Ironmaster dumbbells, at least when I first got them, was changing the weights quickly isn’t as simple as the Bowflex or the Powerblock.
That issue was quickly put to bed after a week of working out with them and getting used to how the quick-lock system works. Now, I wouldn’t even consider getting another set of adjustable dumbbells because the competing brands have too many weak points in the ergonomic and durability departments.
Bottom Line on the Ironmaster Dumbbells
The Ironmaster Dumbbells have been rapidly gaining a loyal following with home gym users for their rugged construction, accurate weight (unlike Bowflex) and ease of use.
With better ergonomics, durability and functionality than the Powerblock and Bowflex Dumbbells, the Ironmaster make for a trusty workout companion.
If you’re looking for a set of adjustable dumbbells that feel as nice as the ones at the health club, the Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells should be on top of your shopping list — that’s why I own a pair of Quick Locks and use them in my gym…
get the Ironmaster Quick-lock Dumbbells on sale w/ free shipping
