Dumbbell sets, metal vs polyurethane?

[Driller]

I'm going to get a set of dumbbells for my gym, was thinking 2.5kg-30Kg.

It looks like the best is either metal "prostyle" or polyurethane. A set as above of either looks to be about £1k plus a few hundred for a rack.

Any tips for one over the other and best place to purchase?

Been looking at Sport-tiedje and Fitness Superstore/Powerhouse.

[Belle427]

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/bowflex-2-24-k...

Have you considered some of these?
I used to have a set and found them very good.

[Driller]

Thanks for the info Belle427.

I know these are very popular but from what I know of adjustable weights they have certain disadvantages and I'm lucky enough to not need their space saving advantage.

[ttfun]

I have the Bowflex set and I'm pretty impressed with them, even if I don't use them as much as I should. I think the main advantage is the speed of changing weights rather than just saving space. They are a bit bulkier for any particular weight but I haven't really found that to be a problem.

[Driller]

That's great! but I'd rather have this:

[ttfun]

That does look good. If you have the space then you may as well use it.
Biggest problem I find with a home gym is explaining to visitors why I'm still fat.

[Driller]

I'm a hard gainer which is annoying sometimes but on the upside I can eat as much cake as I like and not get fat.

[Wobbegong]

Driller said:

I'm a hard gainer which is annoying sometimes but on the upside I can eat as much cake as I like and not get fat.

I hate you

[Driller]

Cake or bulk-what a dilemma

[Driller]

Decided on a set of Jordan fitness urethane dumbbells, 2.5-25Kg with a three tier rack. They seem very good quality and apparently are absolutely odourless.

They do two shapes, Classic:



and "Ignite" anti-roll:



The Ignite ones are slightly more expensive and aside from looking more cool IMO, I'm not sure how useful the antiroll shape is.

I did wonder if the more angled part of the heads of these might dig in to the legs/hips when lugging the heavier ones up for bench press etc.

Any thoughts from those with experience of this sort of thing?

[J4CKO]

ttfun said:

That does look good. If you have the space then you may as well use it.
Biggest problem I find with a home gym is explaining to visitors why I'm still fat.

Indeed, a room full of exercise gear does set certain expectations

[Driller]

J4CKO said:

ttfun said:

That does look good. If you have the space then you may as well use it.
Biggest problem I find with a home gym is explaining to visitors why I'm still fat.

Indeed, a room full of exercise gear does set certain expectations

Depends if you have an over inflated ego or not

[Hoofy]

Driller said:

J4CKO said:

ttfun said:

That does look good. If you have the space then you may as well use it.
Biggest problem I find with a home gym is explaining to visitors why I'm still fat.

Indeed, a room full of exercise gear does set certain expectations

Depends if you have an over inflated ego or not

Depends if you use them or not.

[Driller]

Hoofy said:

Driller said:

J4CKO said:

ttfun said:

That does look good. If you have the space then you may as well use it.
Biggest problem I find with a home gym is explaining to visitors why I'm still fat.

Indeed, a room full of exercise gear does set certain expectations

Depends if you have an over inflated ego or not

Depends if you use them or not.

Why would you not?

[Hoofy]

Driller said:

Hoofy said:

Driller said:

J4CKO said:

ttfun said:

That does look good. If you have the space then you may as well use it.
Biggest problem I find with a home gym is explaining to visitors why I'm still fat.

Indeed, a room full of exercise gear does set certain expectations

Depends if you have an over inflated ego or not

Depends if you use them or not.

Why would you not?

Most people buy exercise equipment with good intentions...

[cat with a hat]

Those 'ignite' anti roll dumbbells look very annoying to use! Metal dumbbells are also annoying as they make noise/clang and can feel a bit too solid (more vibrations, less give).


Definitely go for the standard polyurethane!

[Driller]

Hoofy said:

Driller said:

Hoofy said:

Driller said:

J4CKO said:

ttfun said:

That does look good. If you have the space then you may as well use it.
Biggest problem I find with a home gym is explaining to visitors why I'm still fat.

Indeed, a room full of exercise gear does set certain expectations

Depends if you have an over inflated ego or not

Depends if you use them or not.

Why would you not?

Most people buy exercise equipment with good intentions... are deluded, undisciplined, lazy numpties who see a great body in a cheap TV ad and are stupid enough to think that the rubbish gadget they buy will somehow give them this body in one week by them just looking at it.

[Hoofy]

Yes, well, you know what to do!

[Driller]

Stare at the dumbbells really, really hard for a week?

[Driller]

BTW Hoofy any thoughts on those antiroll jobbies, do you reckon they might dig in and are just for show or do you think they're useful compared to the round ones?