30th January 2007

Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbell System Review Part-1

Related Pages:
Quick-Lock Dumbbell Stand Assembly

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Ironmaster Quicklock Dumbbells have been around for several years, and I had been eyeing them for a good while prior to this post. The looked tough as nails, functional and designed by men who understood what strength training is all about. Until recently, however, I have been unable to afford a set.

 

As is often the case, the passage of time brings change. An opportunity presented itself and I was able to get a set of these dumbbells. I want to thank Matt and the folks are Ironmaster for making such a tremendous product.

This is part 1 of a 2 part review.

The purpose in this segment is to give you a better idea of what the Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbell System is and what it looks like up close and personal. The photos in the following paragraphs are clickable.

Click on a picture to enlarge it. Click it again to close it. Have fun!

step9finished.jpg This photo is a pic from my last post on building the quality stand that comes with your system. The stand is one solid piece of work. It has to be, because of the 240+lbs it will be storing.

You might have noticed something missing in the above photo. Did you happen to catch it? The weights! Where are the weights? Well, as I mentioned earlier last week, they sort of got lost. UPS found them and finally delivered them to me. What follows is a revealing pictorial of that evening. Hopefully, this will help potential buyers have a much better idea of what they are getting.

The four boxes above contain your weight plates. Two boxes for standard plates, and two for the 120 lbs add-on kit.

qldb_boxes.jpgThe standard plates come in two boxes. Each of the two larger boxes seen in the photo contains 12 standard 5 lb. plates and two standard 2.5 lbs plates. That allows you a total of 65 lbs. to add to each dumbbell handle [Note: the boxes have some heft to them, so be careful]. In case you are curious, the dumbbell handles (with screws inserted) weigh 10 lbs each without any plates in place, so that brings the total potential weight of each dumbbell to 75 lbs! Not bad, eh? But it gets better.

If you opt for the 120 lb add-on kit, you will then receive an additional two boxes containing two 22.5 lbs plates each (for a total of four plates). The plates are app. 2 1/2 inches thick, and add an additional 45 lbs to the already stout 75 lbs, for a grand total of 120 lbs. In the 2nd photo, you can see two smaller boxes on the bench. That is the 120 lb add-on kit (and yes, the bench with the white frame is an Ironmaster Super Bench.)

The plates come in three sizes, ranging from 2.5, to 5.0 and 22.5 lbs respectively

imql_platecomp2.jpgThe plates come in three sizes. This photo gives you good idea of what each plate looks like.

At first glance, the plate design seems odd. The Quick-Lock plates are not round like you have come to expect from traditional dumbbell plates. Additionally, the plates are concave on one side and convex on the other. This design serves a very useful purpose, allowing the plates to neatly “stack” into each other as seen in the next photo.

The unique design of the plates allows them to “stack” into each other. This allows for space efficient storage and also holds the plates in place when in use, creating a solid, single piece of steel for lifting.

imql_platecomp2.jpgIn this photo, some of the benefits of Ironmaster inginuity are readily apparent.

The convex/concave design of the plates allows the them to be stacked, one onto another. This is a space saving feature that allows for safe and secure storage of the plates when not in use. More importantly, this allows you to change weights more quickly and more safely.

The chrome “face-plate” has a convex recess built into that “holds” the plates rigid and in place during use.

handle_faceplate.jpgIn addition, the plate design is a perfect match for the chrome handle face-plate which has a slight concave recess built into it as well. The plates nest into this built in recess which them prevents them from rotating so nothing can come loose. For all intents and purposes, this design creates a solid, single piece of steel once the screws are tightened into place.

Without a doubt, these dumbbells are twice as solid and ten times safer than any dumbbells I have used in any commercial gym.

You can see how easily the whole set up is stored. This is what happens when you have given lots of thought to design.

qldb_stand_loaded3.jpgNot to belabor the point, but a picture is worth 1000 words. This photo shows you just how compact and efficient a design this really is. Folks, that’s over 240 lbs of iron in a footprint of less than two square feet! Amazing!

This design offers several advantages over other similar products on the market. Both the stand and the dumbbell set are so well integrated. Gaining access to your plates when you need to go up or down in weight is a snap. You do not have to hunt for plates. You do not have to worry tripping over them. The stand is plenty roomy enough to keep everyone happy and if you train at home you simply must have a set of these.

The “screws” come in two sizes. We will call them small and large. The larger screws are used to accommodate the thicker and heavier 22.5 lb plates.

imql_screwcomp.jpgThe “screws” seen in this photo are the tie that binds, so to speak. The screws are used to hold the plates in place.

The smaller of the two screws is used for the standard 10-75 lb setup. The longer of the two screws is used to accommodate the larger and thicker 22.5 lb plates. The screws have substantial “heads” that are knurled on the edges, permitting a secure grasp so that loosening and tightening is more easily achieved. Each screw has a notch in the heads that allows you to properly line up the screws for insertion into the handles.

As you can see, these very stout and tough screws are partially threaded. The handles are also partially threaded. This approach allows the screws to be inserted into the handles where the thread design comes into play. Once the screws are inserted, you simply “lock” the dumbbell plates into place with no more than half a turn of the screw. Once the screws are locked into the handle the weight is secured. It would literally take a hand grenade to cause them to come loose.

The screws are designed to be slid, or inserted, into the handle of the dumbbell itself. Once in position, no more than a small turn of the screw is needed in order to secure it in place.

imql_screw2.jpgIn this photo, the screw is partially inserted into the handle in order to show you how it works.

The partial threading of the screws, combined with the unique threading of the inside of the dumbbell handles, permits the screws to slide freely, back and forth, within the handles. However, this freedom of movement can only happen when the threads of the handle and screw are properly lined up. This is accomplished by observing the notches found in both the handle-plate and the screw head. When the notches line up, the screw can be adjusted back and forth into the desire position. From there, a small turn of teh screw is all it takes to rigidly lock the plates into place. Once that is done, nothing short of an act of God is going to loosen that screw unless you manually loosen it yourself.

The 75 lb Quick-Lock Dumbbell and its big brother, the 120 lb Quick-Lock Dumbbell.

qldb_stand_120.jpgHere, we have the standard 75 lb Quick-Lock Dumbbell (in the background) and its better half, the 120 lb Quick-Lock Dumbbell in the foreground.

I hope this pictorial gives you a good understanding of the Quick-Lock Dumbbell System. In part 2 I will offer some tips and suggestions to help you get the most from your system.

 

[Editors Note: As many of you have pointed out, there is no "Part 2" for the Quicklock Dumbbells. This is largely because of my home burning down the subsequent homelessness which necessitated me having to part with all of my strength equipment. In addition, I got very, very ill. As a result, my duties as webmaster took a back seat to my need to get well and find a home to live in. Part Two is a few months down the road as I begin to rebuild my home gym. Thanks for your understanding.]

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 30th, 2007 at 11:35 am and is filed under General Discussion, Product Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

There are currently 129 responses to “Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbell System Review Part-1”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

  1. 1 On February 2nd, 2007, Don Spangler said:

    I am REALLY glad I came across your review. I was on the verge of ordering a set of dumbells but couldn’t decide between Bowflex,Powerblocks,Quantum etc. As a last resort I Googled “dumbells” and came across Ironmaster. After going to their website I had pretty much made my up my mind to go with them and after reading your review it’s hands down. Thanks for the very well-written, informative review and for making my decicion a no brainer!

  2. 2 On February 2nd, 2007, webmaster said:

    Don, you will not regret your purchase. Having these dumbbells has totally reinvigorated my enthusiasm for training. It is a long story, and one I will write about in coming days, but first I am planning a follow-up to Part 1 of my review for the QL dumbbells. Stay tuned.

    tMan; wbtpo

  3. 3 On March 7th, 2007, Beck said:

    I’ve owned the original powerblocks, elite PBs and the Ironmasters… the Ironmasters are hands-down a superior system. I’d intended on keeping the PBs for my 2nd home, but sold the PBs for another set of Ironmasters. Bigger guys will want to spring for the add-on. What an incredible value.

  4. 4 On March 7th, 2007, webmaster said:

    I agree with you. Awesome investment for strength training! The best money anyone can spend on a strength training tool.

  5. 5 On March 7th, 2007, Beck said:

    Amen Brother! Nice blog, btw.

  6. 6 On March 13th, 2007, cmurph said:

    I had already ordered my quick-locks but I was browsing for info and came across your site. I’m stoked. Great write-up and your site is really well done. Thanks for all the time you put into this.

  7. 7 On March 14th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Hey you are welcome. You will love the dumbbells. I hope you were able to grab the Super Bench too! The bench is just superb.

  8. 8 On March 20th, 2007, Kevin said:

    Thank you for your wonderful review of the Ironmasters. They seem like they’ll be the best choice for me when it comes to weightlifting at home. I wonder if you could address 3 concerns of mine: 1) How good is the knurling on the handle? 2) I’m very curious to know how your experience is over time with the heavier poundages and as the plate sizes seem small the dumbbells appear to lengthen significantly. Does this make them awkward or handle differently? 3) I heard that the 5 lb plates are actually only 4.5 lbs each and that the 120 lb set only weighs 115 lbs total.

  9. 9 On March 20th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Kevin I am glad you asked these questions. I will answer two of them right away.

    The knurling on the handles is unlike any “knurling” I have felt before. The knurling is STOUT! By that I mean it is deep, deep, deep. These handles are not the polished chrome handles you find at gyms, and I was so excited about this. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to feel a dumbbell handle slip around inside your hand. There is no slippage with these. Once you grab the handles, you are locked into place.

    Regarding the length of the dumbbells, this has not been a problem. At least no more than it is with the commercial 120’s I play with at the gym when I do, say, shrugs. In fact, I just finished doing the 115 pound shrugs last week and they were no more or less unwieldy than you would expect from a standard 120 lb dumbbell. Which is to say that they were AS unwieldy. LOL. 120 lb dumbbells are just damn awkward.

    Now, the other day I was doing DB Bench Presses with 70 lbs and I remarked to myself that the dumbbells actually looked to be the same length or shorter as the 70’s I used at the gyms I trained at. Not by much, mind you, but shorter. Now, that was simply by my eyeing it, and I was using the 22.5 pound plates, one 5 lbs and the 2.5 pound plates on either end of the dumbbells. I could not swear my comparisons were accurate, but I am pretty sure I am right.

    Granted, these were bench presses, but the weights were still easily manageable in terms of their size and length. They sure as hell felt like 70 lbs, believe that. They just don’t look like it.

    That said, I was doing curls with 45 lbs I found the QL dumbbells to be perfect. They did not bang my thighs or force me to bend in awkward positions to curl the weights. I suppose if I was strong enough to do curls with 70-75lbs I would find it a bit challenging but I will let you know if I get to that level.

    Finally, I will see about getting Matt of Ironmasters to chime in at talk about the actual weights of the plates. I realize 4.5 pounds does not seem like much of a discrepancy, but I would not be very happy if this were the case. It is not a deal breaker, but you have to realize what we are talking about here. 4.5 lbs on a dumbbells that has 6-five pound plates on either end adds up to 1/2 lbs x 12 plates, or 6 pounds. So that would mean the 70 lb handles I was doing bench presses with were in actuality 64 pounds. That is quite a difference.

    As I stated, those 70 lbs DB’s I was doing bench work with felt every bit of 70 lbs.

    I hope this helps.

  10. 10 On March 20th, 2007, Matt said:

    Hey Guys,
    I am the President of Ironmaster and wanted to help answer some questions raised here. The Ironmaster dumbbell weight plates are made at a nominal weight because the primary tolerance held is the thickness of the plates during the machining process. This is the critical part since the locking screw system requires each plate stack up at the correct thickness. Due to density variances in the iron casting process at the foundry, the weight of each plate can vary. Our current production plates are within 3% of the stated weights on average. (A couple years ago we did have some greater variances with a different foundry and some plates were only within 8-9%. Some customers from a long time ago have written about these larger variances but the accuracy is much better now.) You may have a full 75lb dumbbell be off by 2-3 lbs in the worst case. Even with these past variances, the Ironmaster adjustable dumbbells work so well and are so much better than anything else on the market, I cannot remember any returns because of this issue.

    Tim: Many thanks to you for hosting this weblog and for all of your great information on our equipment!

    Stay Strong, Matt Dawson - President - Ironmaster LLC

  11. 11 On March 20th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Matt, thanks for the great post and compliments!

    This is a great page within the site and is becoming increasingly informative as people add their comments.

    Tim

  12. 12 On March 20th, 2007, Kevin said:

    Wow, you people act fast! Thanks again and again for the willingness to provide in-depth commentary about the Ironmaster QLs. And thank you, Tim, for setting the record straight. It is extremely helpful and has set my mind at ease about your product.

  13. 13 On March 20th, 2007, Kevin said:

    Doh! Correction: Thank you Matt Dawson for setting the record straight.

  14. 14 On March 20th, 2007, webmaster said:

    LOL, well, I will admit that sometimes I am jealous of Matt. His ideas and products are incredible and I only wish I had that kind of vision!

    Kevin, keep coming back. New posts columns and more are on the way.

    T

  15. 15 On April 10th, 2007, chris said:

    Hi , my name is Chris and I was going to buy the iron master dumbells, add on kit, and super bench with add ons like the pull up bar and dip bars. my questions are ” is it common for fixed dumbells to weigh a little more or less than the stated weight on them?” someone previously said that the Ironmaster Dumbells were not quite the weight they said they were. I just wanted to know if that was common with fixed dumbells as well. I aslo wondered if the leg extension and curl attachment for the superbench which hold 100 lbs. of Iron master weights and 200lbs of olympic weights was of decent quality for a home bench? It looks like the bench and weights are superior to anything else out there. I just wanted to ask those couple questions before I buy them or maybe buy some fixed dumbells and the superbench by itself. Thanks very much. Chris

  16. 16 On April 12th, 2007, Webmaster said:

    Chris, I have a couple of comments.

    First, these are good questions.

    Yes, fixed, cast iron dumbbells tend to vary a bit in weight, but in my experience it’s not all that much. The real problem with fixed, cast iron dumbbells is that they can loosen over time, and the ends work their way off the handles. They can be extremely dangerous for that reason. Mind you, this does not happen often, but I can tell you that cast iron dumbbells break far more often than most people realize.

    Second, I own the Super Bench. It is an awesome piece of work. The padding is very, very firm without being uncomfortable. In fact, the Super Bench is hands down the MOST comfortable bench I have ever used. I think this is due to the thickness and density of the padding, which I would estimate to be about 2 inches thick.

    The Super Bench adjusts in small increments too, which makes it very useful for targeting certain muscle groups more precisely.

    I think the Super Bench is the best bench you can buy. I tell everyone that. They only application in which I would not recommend it would be competition power lifting. The bench is flat rated at (I think) 1000 pounds (I might be wrong about this, but I am pretty sure that is right). The problem is that it does not have uprights. So, it is not ideally suited for traditional barbell bench presses, though I have used it for that purpose more times than I can count.

    I am just saying that if you are a heavy bench presser, you may also wish to invest in a professional, heavy duty competition bench. That said, for dumbbell work there is not a better adjustable bench in the world that I am aware of. You will love it!

    As for the Leg Extension, I wish I had one! I have always wanted to try it! Unfortunately, you will have to be the one to come back and tell us all about your experience. ;)

    PS: When you order, please mention this web site.

  17. 17 On April 23rd, 2007, chris casad said:

    o.k. thanks for your helpful information. I was going to drive over to the warehouse in Washington ( I live in Oregon about 7 hour away) to save waiting 2 weeks but the Ironmaster Dumbells are on backorder untill May 10th right now. I will mention the website when I do go up and get them. I have done enough research to know these (Ironmaster dumbells and the super bench) are the home work out tools that make the most sense for me.
    I’ll let you know about the leg extension add on if I get one. Thanks again.
    Chris

  18. 18 On May 16th, 2007, Norton said:

    Hi,

    I was wondering if I can use the weights with my standard (non-olympic) bar for benching.

    Thanks.

  19. 19 On May 17th, 2007, webmaster said:

    This is an excellent question. I will contact Ironmaster and get back to you.

    webmaster

  20. 20 On June 12th, 2007, Eric said:

    Great info! I have 2 questions about the super bench. How comfortable is it when doing decline dumbell presses? What keeps you anchored in the decline position?

  21. 21 On June 14th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Well, last question first.

    In the decline position, you need an attachment called a Crunch/Situp attachment. That can be found here - http://www.ironmaster.com/store/Crunch-Situp-Attachment-pr-65.html

    As for comfort, I cannot speak to that. I have not purchased the attachment, but I expect to get one soon. When I do, I will get back with you via this post.

    :)

    Thanks for stopping by!

  22. 22 On June 29th, 2007, James said:

    Thanks for the great write up. I’ve been looking into ordering these dumbells for awhile now, but I’m really interested in ordering them in conjunction with Ironmaster’s IM2000 self spotting system. Do you know of anyone that has done an independent review of the IM2000 similar to your review of their dumbells?

    Thanks!

  23. 23 On June 29th, 2007, webmaster said:

    James, I will look into this and get back to you today.

    Thanks for the question and thanks for stopping by.

    Editors Note:

    Jame’s, I spoke to Ironmaster and oddly enough there is no such page as the one I created for these dumbbells. I did find two reviews at Amazon.com Click Here!

    I am most puzzled by the lack of reviews, due to the fact that Ironmaster cannot keep the IM2000’s in stock! They are that popular. My only guess is that not every strength training enthusiast has the time or expertise to build web sites.

    Here is what I can tell you. I have the QL Dumbbells and the IM Super Bench.

    The build quality of the tools I have is superb. I trust my life to this equipment any day of the week and to be honest I prefer it to that of most of the commercial equipment I find in gyms. This is owing to the fact that most gym owners are idiots and have no idea how to buy good equipment, and most of what is being produced and marketed these days is not for the professional strength training individual.

    I can tell you that the Superbench and the Dumbbells must have been engineered with some of the strongest men in the world in mind. So, I can only surmise that the IM2000 is built with the same exacting standards. Therefore, the two mini-reviews in the links above are not surprising in the least. If I were you and I had the money, I would recommend getting a few of the attachments along with the Superbench. In particular, I would suggest the LegExt/Leg Curl and Situp attachments.

    I hope this helps!

  24. 24 On August 26th, 2007, NewTim said:

    I just skimmed the page real quick, in a hurry , so sorry if this has already been addressed. Has anyone testes the super bench with the pullup bar? Does it appear to be stable/well built for this purpose. I have been looking for a bench and chin bar but have a small room. This bench, if strongly built, would be a great purchase.
    Tim (not that same tim that posted before)

  25. 25 On August 26th, 2007, webmaster said:

    This has not been addressed, and I have the Super Bench. Unfortunately I do not have the chin bar. I too wish to know about it’s strength. I believe it’s tested to hold up steady under a 300 lb load, and if that is the case it might be adequate. Though I prefer something a bit more stout.

  26. 26 On September 5th, 2007, Quicklock Dumbbells From Ironmaster Revisited. » Total Physique Online said:

    [...] READ THE FIRST REVIEW OF THE QUICK LOCK SYSTM. This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 5th, 2007 at 1:44 pm and is filed under Product Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. [...]

  27. 27 On September 16th, 2007, Craig said:

    After researching on this website, I purchased a set of Ironmaster dumbells. I REALLY REALLY hate spending my money poorly, and especially on a fitnes gimmick. However, these dumbbells were amazing. They are very sturdy, much more affordable than any of their competitors, and expandable. They are a very good buy and my best fitness tool. They are quick and easy to use ( not the fastest in the world, and slower than the bowflex, but I used that damn click lock, and one of the weights fell out and landed on my foot. I was understandably pissed.)

    I bought them from the awesome Tony at fitness factory outlet (the best choice if you’re on the east coast, to get these. They arrived quickly, well packaged, and I was able to assemble the table and use them immediately. No one likes to drop 500 bucks. It generally sucks. But they work, I have never looked at them as a waste of money, and am happier each time I use them.

    http://www.fitnessfactoryoutlet.com/

  28. 28 On September 18th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Craig, thanks for the comments. That is exactly how I feel. I am considering buying a second set in the next 6 months or so, depending on what direction my life takes.

    These are without a doubt the best dumbbells I have ever used. Period.

  29. 29 On September 20th, 2007, Jose said:

    I just bought mine today!! it looks awesome. I purchased the package 3 deal wit the chin up bar, dip bar, and the crunch sit up attachment. one question, i read here that it takes 2 weeks for this to be delivered, is that true? i hope not cuz i wanna workout next week.

  30. 30 On September 20th, 2007, Jose said:

    by the way, great review and thanx for your time. peace

  31. 31 On September 20th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Jose, congratulations!

    Why don’t you contact Ironmaster and ask them if the can expedite shipping for you. I know what it is like wanting your items to arrive quickly.

    You will love these dumbbells! If you do end up waiting 2 weeks, it will be worth the wait. I promise!

  32. 32 On September 20th, 2007, Jose said:

    wow! that quick man. lol thanx for the reply. I have the feeling that this is one of those things dont go with the sayin “its too good to be true”. I think Im gonna enjoy it. I keep you updated

  33. 33 On September 20th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Jose, please do keep us posted!

  34. 34 On September 22nd, 2007, patrick said:

    The Ironmasters have serious flaws. For one, the plates do not weigh five pounds as advertised. They weigh approx. 4.5 pounds, and therfore the 75 pound set is off by 6 to 7 lbs. The 120 pound set by more than 10 lbs. Don’t belive me? Weigh them yourself. Some accuracy tolerance is to be expected with an adjustable dummbell,
    but an inaccuracy of this amt is totally unacceptable.
    It is off by almost 10 %…wheras the Powerblock Elite is within a 1% tolerance. Ironmaster readily admits this when they are pressed on the issue, and will send you additional plates to make up the difference…..but you will still need a calculator by your side while working out to figure out how much you are lifting.

  35. 35 On September 22nd, 2007, webmaster said:

    I actually agree with you. However, I did not have to “press” Ironmaster for the truth. Before I got my set I simply asked them and they told me that the plates were off by a bit. In the end, I did not obtain my set with the desire of having something that was within 1% tolerance. I wanted something that could take as much pounding as I could throw at them and Powerblocks just did not fit the bill.

    Moreover, the Quicklocks come closer to feeling like standard dumbbells. They are not bulky in the least and the knurling in the handle is unsurpassed. Quicklocks will appeal to strong people who want to lift heavy and sweat buckets and have no concern about appearances in the wight room, whereas Powerblocks are more suited for people who like to wear spandex and would rather perspire than sweat. Don’t get me started. There simply is no comparison between Powerblocks and Quicklocks in terms of durability and function. Quicklocks win every single time. The fact that they are not within certain tolerances will not hurt your enjoyment of the system one bit.

  36. 36 On September 23rd, 2007, webmaster said:

    I want to say one more thing about the subject of PowerBlocks.

    I ask anyone to look closely at this page. Pay special attention to the thumbnail photographs, especially the last one. Then, run over to http://www.powerblock.com/blocks.html and look at the PowerBlocks. Any reasonably intelligent person will have to conclude that that Quicklock Dumbbells look sturdier, are obviously far less problematic, will be prone to fewer design flaws and are much easier to use do the the standard dumbbell handle.

    In fact, I challenge Lou Ferrigno to try a set of the Quicklock Dumbbells by Ironmaster. I would bet good money that Lou will prefer the more rugged, durable feel of the Quicklocks to the PowerBlocks any day. He will also prefer their ease of use, which is by far superior to the PowerBlocks. If you watch the video of the PowerBlocks in use, you will notice right away that to set the PowerBlocks back onto the rack you will have to literally “aim” the PowerBlock, so that it fits into the parent stack. Try doing that with 100lbs when you are dog-ass tired from a set of stiff legged dumbbell dead lifts to near failure!

    With the Quicklocks, all you need to worry about is how hard you wish to drop the dumbbells onto the dumbbell stand. They loading surface is ample, the stand is built like a tank and there is no need to “aim” the dumbbells once you are done using them. I can’t tell you the number of times I was thanking my lucky stars that all I needed to do was toss my Quicklocks onto the stand.

    Finally, in regards to the weight tolerances, I want you to look at the price of the PowerBlocks Elite Set. They are nearly $1000.00 after shipping and handling (almost 900.00 without s/h)! Most of that cost is in design and tolerances. Whereas the Quicklocks with the 120lb add-on kit are a mere $700.00 including S/H ($600.00 without), and that includes the stand! Do the math. It just seems unreasonable to pay so much for something when all you are getting in return for your money is close weight tolerances.

    The only area in which the Quicklocks take a back seat to the PowerBlocks is in speed of weight change. The PowerBlocks will adjust between weights a bit faster than the Quicklocks, but for me and my money this is just not a big enough advantage to make me want to switch.

    I will recommend the Quicklocks every single time.

  37. 37 On September 27th, 2007, Jose said:

    ^^^agree with you. by the way, I just received my shipment one day ahead of schedule in a exactly a week. woohoo!

  38. 38 On September 27th, 2007, Tim said:

    Rock n Roll brother. Those dumbbells will be a blessing to you!

    Did you get the 120 add-on kit?? I hope so.

    Just spread the word about this web site to as many folks as you can, Jose.

    By the way, keep coming back to this site as changes are coming fast and hard. I am beginning to push a wonderful line of nutritional supplements all of which can be read about in our Shameless Commerce Division page. If I can get people trying these products I can continue to keep this site moving forward.

  39. 39 On October 6th, 2007, Jose said:

    I just finished my first week of training and all i gotta say is that this is the best sh@# that has happened to me in a while. i love workinout, and now from home, plus i think this is the best homegym anybody can have if you have space problems, couldnt be happier. I’ll keep you guys posted.

  40. 40 On October 6th, 2007, Jose said:

    and yes i did get the 120lbs kit. peace

  41. 41 On October 7th, 2007, Tim said:

    Rock on brother!!! Don’t get too big on us!
    Heheheh

  42. 42 On December 5th, 2007, Jose said:

    dude, Ive been sticking with my workouts cuz i love my equipment. I just suffered a small sprain on my wrist so Ima have to take 2 weeks off. I’ll keep you guys posted and when i get ripped I’ll post em pics lol

  43. 43 On December 6th, 2007, Shannon said:

    I’ve read a few reviews that say the dip bar and chinup bar “rock” on the bench. Is this true and if so, does it affect the workout or is it something you simply adjust to?

    Thanks.

  44. 44 On December 6th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Shannon, in this instance I would have to say that I would be inclined to trust the reviews. The base of the super bench is plenty wide, especially for things like traditional bench work. However, when you insert an attachment that raises the center of gravity, you just have to assume that the whole assembly is a tad less stable. My guess is that careful use of the chin and sip stations eliminates wobble, but if you start doing faster reps with less and less attention paid to form you increase the chance of wobble. That said, I think this is true for many chin/dip stations out there. I know, for example, that I used the Ironmind Vulcan Racks with Dip bars, and those had a tendency to wobble as well. I remedied the problem by “anchoring” the base with my 120 lb Quicklock Dumbbells!!!! I am not suggesting you try this with your bench. My only point in bringing this example up is that even some of the best home-dip and chin stations can wobble.

    Finally, I would suggest calling Ironmaster and expressing your concerns. See what Matt has to say about it. He is very easy to talk to and more than willing to discuss the limitation, if any, of his equipment.

    Merry Christmas

  45. 45 On December 6th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Jose, take care that you allow that wrist to recover!!!

  46. 46 On December 12th, 2007, Espy said:

    Whats up fellas, i just received my order yesterday and i must say i am pretty happy with it, i just have one question. I noticed that on one end of the bars the lock screws in a bit different than on the other sides. What i mean is i am able to turn the screw a bit more than the half turn required to lock the rest of the sides. i also noticed that i am able to shift all the plates giving me the notion that they are not locked as well as the other three sides , any of you guys experienced this?

  47. 47 On December 12th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Hi Espy.

    What I have found is that when you get numerous plates (such as all 6 plates) in place for securement, that sometimes the plates are not properly nested one onto another. In that case, you can get what I term a “false positive” for tightening, which is to say that the screw turns and feels snug, but in fact isn’t because the plates were not completely nested. So, to be on the safe side, when I am using more than say three plates on either end, I will tighten the screws, while simultaneously lifting up in the screw ends and sort of rattling the Quicklock dumbbell to make certain that the plates are stacked tightly, one against another. Once the plates are all stacked neatly together, then in fact it should only take a small turn of the screw to cinch everything down tightly.

    In your case, if the stack of plates is rotating on he faceplate or if you are having to turn the screws more than a half-turn, then that’s usually a fairly good indication that the dumbbell needs to be shaken (rattled) to assure that there is proper seating of the plates taking place. Does any of this make sense? In the end, if plates are properly seated and screws are tight then the plates SOULD NOT be moving around at all. Come back and leave another post to keep us updated and we can proceed accordingly from there if need be.

    Bottom line is, if the set does not perform to your specs, Ironmaster will give you a refund or replace the set. But before we go down that road, let’s eliminate some of these other possibilities.

    Tim

  48. 48 On December 14th, 2007, Jay said:

    I ordered package 4 and should arrive just in time for chest day. I hope they are as good as everyone says. I’ll save some time getting in some workouts at home instead of going to the gym everyday. With an eight month old at home, I can’t do that anymore. Great review, by the way.

  49. 49 On December 14th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Have no fear, you will love your QL Dumbbell Set. The guys at Ironmaster did a tremendous job with them. I have been considering opening a personal fitness studio and buying another set! Why on earth people would spend nearly twice as much to get Power Blocks is beyond me, especially when you look at the durability and usability of the QL’s. There is just no comparison.

    Let us know what you think!

  50. 50 On December 21st, 2007, Espy said:

    Hi Webmaster,

    I appreciate your detailed reply, thanks! I am not going to return these weights, i’ve had them a little over a week and already i’m feeling more energized and i have an urge to go home everyday and just hit the weights; my wife has even joined in a couple of times which makes me very happy as well. Ironmaster has been very cooperative, they have actually sent me a new dumbell, i am going to return the one i was having problems with on Monday. The wierd thing is that i am having the same problem, for some reason it’s always one side, never on the other dumbell though, what freightens me is that it won’t secure until it takes almost a full turn, bringing it very close to the very top(we all know when the lock is positioned straight up the lock is able to just slide out). I will try what you said as far as rattling the dumbbell , it would be great to have all four locks lock in after about half a turn, it has not interrupted my workout yet, but mentally it would be greatl. I’ll take what you said into consideration and apply it tonite when i get home, i’ll keep you posted. Thanks for the quick reply and any other info. you can share on this product would be greatly appreciated!

  51. 51 On December 21st, 2007, Tim said:

    Espy, I really encourage you to play with those dumbbell handles. They should NOT require a near full turn, and you are right…if you have to turn the screws so far that the threads are nearly at the top, you run the risk of injury.

    I am going to call Ironmaster myself and have them take a look into this. The issue may not be the handle, but the plates. I will talk to Matt today and confer with him about this very issue. I will come back here and post a reply.

  52. 52 On December 21st, 2007, Espy said:

    Thank’s a lot Tim,

    I’ll play with those dumbbells some more when i get home, i’ll change the plates around as well to see if it affects the locking on the other dumbbells. I’ll keep you posted.

  53. 53 On December 29th, 2007, erwaddell said:

    Wanted to chime in about my experiences with the Quick-locks over the last few months.
    I have the bench, QL w/ 120 add on kit, crunch attachment, leg attachment, pull up and dip attachment, and the ez-bar.
    pros:
    This is the greatest adjustable DB available. The design and durability are outstanding. The nested design keeps the weights from rolling and rattling during use. When the screws are turned in and you feel that they are tight then you can be assured they are. (I do have one dumbbell that does that weird turn me more than the others thingy) These DB can be dropped… sadly I had to test this.
    Someone asked about the knurling and yes it is deep. Almost too deep when using heavy weights. I have a serious callous collection now.
    Weight changes are fairly quick. Although near the end of a workout I have a few stacks laying on the floor.
    The atttachments work as expected. Very little wobble. I am not heavy though. When I first got the set I was about 160#, now I am about 180#. If you get crazy with inverted Sit-ups it WILL rock, I put the DB on the legs to make me feel better.
    cons:
    Slight weight disparity.. ok so I deal with it. I have taken measurements and have a chart with desired and real weight on it.
    One of my db has that “screw with me” screw.. have to turn it more than the others. It will get tight but because it feels different than the others it makes it a little funky.
    The next few cons arent really because of the system…
    Ok the ezbar isnt really something that special. It uses the screw on collar that you can get on other ezbars. It has the nesting plates on it to keep the weights from rolling, but it would be cheaper to purchase a normal one local instead of paying for shipping from washington.
    Certain positions can be hairy without a spotter. i.e. a decline bench. This position is where I had to try the drop test. If you have only done barbell work then you will have to learn to kick up weights with your hip flexors and lie down with the weights under control. Sitting back up is good ab work hehe.
    Because of this last pseudo-con I am considering the self spotter thing (on my wish list).
    OK and I am also looking at the organizer cause I have the attachments all over the floor.

    So basically I cant say anything really bad about this system. I have had to buy these things in steps, I dont like to spend alot of money. The first time I saw the shipping costs I almost changed my mind. But even with the shipping costs this set is cheaper than some crap you can get at sporting goods places.
    I am very pleased with this set.. period.

  54. 54 On December 30th, 2007, webmaster said:

    GREAT WRITE UP!!

    Thanks for taking the time to write up such a great review. This is the sort of input that really comes in handy for folks who are in the decision making process.

  55. 55 On December 30th, 2007, webmaster said:

    Out of curiosity, how do you like the leg attachment? How do the leg curls and leg extension feel as compared to a selectorized stack machine???

  56. 56 On December 31st, 2007, erwaddell said:

    I like the leg attachment. It comes with the slip on sleeve with a set screw so you can use oly weights. You can use the QL weights but only up to about 100#. The range and movement of the attachment feels good and solid to me. The attachment has a leg that sits on the floor and takes some of the weight off the bench itself. As compared to a stack machine, well I have not used one much.
    I finally caved and ordered the organizer, this might seem like overkill, but I need to clean up the attachments.
    I ordered the dumbbell spotting thing, I’ll be letting you know my opinion about that as well.
    If you have any questions about any other items I have let me know, I will answer as best as I can.

  57. 57 On December 31st, 2007, Tim said:

    Definitely keep us posted!!!!

  58. 58 On January 14th, 2008, erwaddell said:

    I have had some time with the organizer and the spotting stand.
    The organizer does a great job of getting all the accessories well organized… but not sure if it looks like modern art or something out of a Stephen King novel. haha
    The spotting stand has its uses. The decline bench now is alot safer. Even my flat db bench I added poundage. It takes a few mock “lower weight” lifts to get the correct height for each different lift. The QL dumbbells sit very stable on end in the stand.
    Neither item totally necessary but still great products.

  59. 59 On January 15th, 2008, Tim said:

    Terrific!!!! That is the sort of thing I like to hear. I am sure Matt and the guys at Ironmaster are excited to be reading this.

  60. 60 On January 17th, 2008, Craig said:

    Espy,

    Have you looked at whether you’re putting the screws in evenly? Because if you’re only using a couple of 5 lb weights per side, the length of the screw on one side can be enough that it hits the other screw and keeps it from fitting tightly. Try making sure that you screw them in at the same time and see if that works. I thought I remembered something like the same problem, and this worked for me and I never noticed any problems again.

    ~Craig

  61. 61 On January 28th, 2008, Espy said:

    Hi Craig,

    Actually, the problem seems to be the combination of certain plates for whatever reason. Once i remove the last plate and replace it with another one the lock screws in the way it’s suppose to. It’s a minor inconvenience; i will be ordering the add on kit and the leg attachment in the summer, i’m hitting this thing like 5 times a week and im glad with the results and the convenience of having it in my own crib; it looks real nice next to my mini-bar, do a set, take a shot, lol. (j/k i don’t lift and drink at the same time)

  62. 62 On February 13th, 2008, Brian said:

    Hi guys,

    I am in the market of purchasing a set of adjustable dumbbells, primarly the powerblocks and the ironmasters. I didn’t like the bowflex, because everytime I tried them out at the store, they were hard to adjust. I tried a cheaper set of Weider adjustables, and they fell apart and a plate hit my foot, not too happy with those! I was leaning toward the powerblocks, due to I can get them for $524 with shipping and being 90lbs, versus the QL’s through ironmaster for $518 w/ shipping and weighing in at 75lbs. I was planning on trying them out at a store I found online this weekend to make sure that they felt comfortable since they are the box shaped, and you put your hand inside the dumbbell. I heard a few disadvantages to this, but a lot of people seemed to like them still. But after reading this forum, the ironmasters seem to be superior. I don’t have a lot of room, so the thought of potential plates laying around versus the quick release blocks was kind of a turn off, but after reading these posts, it seems that you all are very happy with your QL set, has really turned me more to this set. I never really cared about the ability to drop these dumbbells versus powerblocks, because I don’t want to drop them anyways. But I guess that is another advantage the QL’s have, they are pretty much telling me how strong they are.

    Thanks for everyone’s reviews on these products.

  63. 63 On February 14th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Brian, you won’t be sorry. Everything about the QL is superior to the PB”s in my view. Even the knurling on the dumbbells, as well as the natural feel of the QL’s is going to blow you away.

    Have fun!

  64. 64 On February 18th, 2008, Travis said:

    Hello Fellow Ironmaster brothers,

    I have a quick question for all who can answer. 1.According to the above posts the dumbell sets can be off by as much as 10%. If this the case what good will getting a couple 5lbs plates to make up the difference? I thought the screws were only able to hold a certain amount of weight depending on which set you have. My suggestion for this is to get a couple of magnetic weights if the precision of the weights is that big of a deal. I have recently purchased a set of the quick lock dumbells and I am getting excited about having such a quality product that according to quite a few people are the best available for the price. Thanks for the great info.

  65. 65 On February 18th, 2008, Tim said:

    The magnetic weights is a good idea actually. However, I never really cared about the tolerances. 42 pound dumbbells can tire me out just as well as 45 pounders.

  66. 66 On March 23rd, 2008, Daniel said:

    Can anybody tell how long did it take for weights to be delivered? I ordered mine last week and still waiting. Thanks.

  67. 67 On March 24th, 2008, webmaster said:

    As I recall, I waited between 7-10 business days (man was that a long time - I never wanted a delivery so bad in my life!). And to make matters worse, UPS goofed up and sent one of the parcels separate from the rest of the order (the add on kit) and I had to wait an additional few days for that. In the end, it was still worth the wait, by a long shot. I was so happy. You will be too!

  68. 68 On March 26th, 2008, Daniel said:

    Just got my set today, so happy! I waited 9 days total. Going to use your assembly instructions to get build a stand. Thank you very much for your help!

  69. 69 On March 26th, 2008, Tim said:

    Superb!!!

    Enjoy your set. Also, my instructions for the stand are merely a guide. I am sure others have found better ways to put it together.

    Keep us posted Daniel.

    Tim

  70. 70 On March 27th, 2008, Daniel said:

    Thanks Tim!
    So I just finished my first workout. I am very pleased with the results. Quick-lock dumbbells are a solid piece of equipment, they really do feel like conventional gym dumbbells! At first, it took me a while to change the weights, because the pole (not sure how to call this thing :-)) wasn’t going in all the way. But after couple tries I learned how to properly line up the weights, so it wasn’t a problem anymore. Working out at home really feels awesome, I am more motivated, to my surprise. I used to thing that working out at home would be more challenging, because there are lots of distractions (TV, computer, family members), as opposed to the gym, which is a motivating environment (other people working out, big boys that you look up too). But I was wrong. Sure, gym is a great place to work out, but so is your home! You feel more comfortable at your house, there is no busy equipment, you are the boss. Overall, I would give quick-locks 9.9 out of 10 - I rarely give out 10’s because there’s always room for improvement.

  71. 71 On March 28th, 2008, Tim said:

    Yes, home training is vastly superior to the gym in my view. When you have your first workout in the nude you will understand what I mean. LOL Trust me, I am not kidding. I remember waking up one night and feeling particularly Neanderthal, so I yanked off my underwear and went to town. Squats, dips, benches. You name it. all in the buff. Really quite freeing. :)

  72. 72 On April 7th, 2008, Gene said:

    Love your review of the Quick-Lock Dumbells, but did you ever write part 2? Can’t fing it.

  73. 73 On April 7th, 2008, webmaster said:

    The funny thing is I never did. Oddly enough, the home I was living in was burned down by a neighbor. I was forced into homelessness for a while, then suffered three hospitalizations subsequent to that. It has been a tough year. Stay tuned for a post to fill you in on everything.

  74. 74 On April 8th, 2008, Josh said:

    I used this site in investigating whether or not to purchase the Quick Lock system, and boy am I glad I did. I got my weights about 2 months ago and I absolutely love it. I got the package with the bench included and it’s totally worth the money. Sturdy and solid would be the best way to describe the system.

    Changing out weights does take some time (I’ve got it down to about 30 seconds per weight), so if you’re a real freak about supersetting you might have a problem. Other than that I have nothing but praise for Ironmaster. I actually like these weights better than from the gym; the handles have a really nice grip and don’t dig into my palms as much as others. I’m planning on getting the expansion weights soon and I’ve got the chinup bar coming in the mail. Thanks for your advice!

  75. 75 On April 8th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Josh, you could not be more welcome! That is what this site is all about. Honest information and promotion of things I KNOW are good. I will let Matt see your comments (Matt owns Ironmaster).

    Tim

  76. 76 On April 16th, 2008, Chris said:

    I’m not sure how I found this link. I’m in the market for a set of weights. I’m new to the workout with weights routine and I’m female. I am just starting my workouts with dumbells of various sizes and want to expand to a nice set, but don’t want to go overboard. I’ve been looking at Bayou Fitness dumbbells as well. I’d like a set that both my husband and I can use, but don’t want to feel as though I’m investing a huge amount of money for a ‘weight lifter’ set of weights and never use the higher pound weights.

    Chris

  77. 77 On April 16th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Chris, I am glad you DID find this link. Welcome.

    One of the reasons I love the Quicklock DB System is because of the small incremental weight increases it allows. You can go from 5 lbs all the way to 75 lbs in 5 pound increments (2.5 lbs increments if you use just one of the 2.5 pound plates on one end!).

    The dumbbells are more solid than anything on the market and feel so natural to use. As you can see by the comments on this page, people love them! You can spend less money and end up with something inferior or something that you will out grow in time, or you can spend the extra money and get a set that will last you and your kids and grandkids a lifetime.

    I cannot recommend the Quicklocks enough.

    Webmaster

  78. 78 On April 16th, 2008, webmaster said:

    PS: If you go to http://www.ironmaster.com you will see that there are some very affordable accessories that can be purchased along with the dumbbells that will round out a complete home gym. And the SuperBench is awesome!

  79. 79 On May 3rd, 2008, Ahmed said:

    I was almost going to buy the Powerblocks and stumbled on the Ironmasters by chance while browsing amazon.com. After reading all the reviews, I am going to order the QLs instead. The 75# are good enuf for right now but I will get the 120# addition if I can find out whether these weights can be used with a Standard bar. I am planning on buying a Body Solid bench with a plate loaded Lat attachment. It takes standard plates. Would you know if I can load these weights in a standard bar when doing the Lats attachment or any other standard bar for that matter. TY

  80. 80 On May 4th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Congratulations on a wise purchase.

    One thing I would suggest is that you consider the Ironmaster Quicklock Superbench, My reason for suggesting that is that I believe (unless I am mistaken) that the leg attachment that docks into the Superbench will take not only standard plates and Olympic Plates, but it will take the plates that the Quicklock Dumbbells use as well.

    In addition, take a look at he new attachment that docks into the Superbench: http://www.ironmaster.com/store/Cable-Tower-Attachment-pr-118.html

    The attachment is rated at 250 lbs, which is pretty solid.

    The Leg Attachment is here:

    http://www.ironmaster.com/store/Leg-Attachment-for-Super-Bench-pr-85.html

    A quote from the blub on the Leg Attachment states that “This new attachment allows you to do leg extensions and leg curls with the Super Bench. Very heavy duty design and construction with bearing action and works with either Standard weight plates or Olympic plates with the included Olympic sleeve adapter. 200 lbs design capacity. (You can fit 100 lbs of Quick-Lock plates on the weight holder bar)”

    Unless you have a reason for desiring the Body Solid bench, I would look at the SUperbench. In case you are wondering, the Superbench was my primary bench until the fire forced me out of my home and I had to part with all my strength tools.

    PS: One of my best friends is named Ahmed :)

  81. 81 On May 4th, 2008, Ahmed said:

    Thank you for the quick reply. Initially I thought of buying the Superbench. But then I read that switching it from the incline to the decline position required one to take off the seat and reverse the curved rod holding it and make some adjustments. The reviewer said it was’nt as quick as it looked in the pics so I thought well as far as dumbbells, QLs for sure; but as for the bench I’d look at other options. I used to own some Body Solid equip so that was going to be my 2nd choice. Then again I don’t want to buy a more expensive Body Solid bench and accessories, and then have to buy free weights if the dumbbells don’t fit in a standard holder… :)

  82. 82 On May 4th, 2008, Tim said:

    Ahmed, I am not sure who you spoke to, but adjusting the Superbench up or down requires none of the things your friend spoke of. I am a tad confused by what he is saying.

    My suggestion would be to call Ironmaster before you make any other decisions and express your concerns. It could be that your friend was mistaken. One toll free phone call to get some clarity on this issue is time well spent, wouldn’t you agree?

    Their number is 800-533-3339

    I would call them to be sure.

  83. 83 On May 4th, 2008, Ahmed said:

    Good idea. I’ll call them tomorrow. TY!!

  84. 84 On May 4th, 2008, Tim said:

    You are welcome. I just want you to be totally happy with everything your purchase. The idea is to put together a gym you can live with from here until the stars burn out.

    Trust me, you don’t want to end up with something you are not thoroughly pleased with, or else you will end up not using it. Make wise choices with your money!

    For the record, I have been fortunate in that everything I have ever bought from Ironmaster ( their Superbench and QL Dumbbells ) I have loved and enjoyed. I never once regretted having acquired their tools.

  85. 85 On May 5th, 2008, Tim said:

    PS: Ahmed, if you can please keep me posted as to what Ironmaster tells you. I am curious if what they say has any bearing on your choice in terms of additional purchases above and beyond the Quicklocks.

    My guess is that after you talk to them you will be much more comfortable.

  86. 86 On May 5th, 2008, Tim said:

    Oh I almost forgot.

    Ahmed. Ironmaster also sells a standard EZ- Curl Bar that can be used with the Quicklock plates.

    Ask them about the screw on collars. They claim these are “fast action” collars, and they would have to be in order for me to by the bar. I have always hated screw-on/threaded collars. However, it could be that these collars are designed differently (the photo seems to suggest they are) and that in fact they do change out quickly. If they do change quickly then this would be a great accessory to have!

    http://www.ironmaster.com/store/EZ-Curl-Bar-pr-84.html

  87. 87 On May 5th, 2008, Tim said:

    Ahmed, did you get a chance to talk to Ironmaster today? What was the final verdict?

  88. 88 On May 7th, 2008, Ahmed said:

    Hi there

    Yes I called them. They said the holes in the plates were 1 inch so they could not guarantee that every standard bar would accomodate them. I’d have to try case-by-case. This makes sense really because the bar since the standard bars also have a 1 inch holder. I see that they have a lot of neat accessories such as the EZ bar.

  89. 89 On May 7th, 2008, Jay said:

    I am so glad I ran across this sight. I have been so confused as to what system I needed to buy. I am 43 and have not lifted seriously in 20 years. I ran across the Dosho 5000 which is made by the man who designed the Bowflex, but it only tops out at 90 lbs total (2X45). I guess what I need to know is what do you guys think I need, I am considering package number 1. After reading all the posts my only concern is the trouble a few are having with the screw locking properly into place. It sounds as if Ironmaster stands behind there product, has there been any issues with customer service? And also, is the bench width wide enough for a big boy like me, I weight 265.

    Thanks for any info or suggestions.

  90. 90 On May 8th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Hi Jay.

    Since I was only 163 lbs at the time, I cannot attest to the sufficient width of the super bench. While I did not need a super wide bench, I always found it stable and plenty wide enough. As I have always suggested, a quick call to Ironmaster should put your concerns to rest or at the very least tell you whether or not you need to look elsewhere for your bench needs.If you decide on a different bench, come back here and we can talk about it. That said, a person your size (what is your height) should do fine on the Superbench, but talk to Ironmaster. Their number is 800-533-3339

    As for the screws not locking into place, until the fire took out my home I enjoyed my set for one whole year. and during that time I used nothing but the Quicklocks for my resistance needs. I had the 120 lb add on kit as well. I became totally familiar with how the set worked within a few days of getting them. I found that it was always best to grab a QL dumbbell and slightly jiggle the unit as a whole while making sure the screws were properly seated before I began using it. All this took was one or two seconds and I was off and running. I found them to be such a joy to use that this was a minor inconvenience that faded into a dim memory very quickly. I have yet to see anyone buy a set and not fall in love with them after the very first workout session.

  91. 91 On May 12th, 2008, Jonathan said:

    Hello Fellas,

    Just bought my Iron Master Dumbbell set on Saturday. I cannot wait to give them a try. I was torn between IM and PB for quite sometime but after thorough research I bit on the IMs.

  92. 92 On May 12th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Keep us posted! And congratulations!

  93. 93 On May 19th, 2008, Taylor said:

    Where is part 2?

  94. 94 On May 19th, 2008, Taylor said:

    Nevermind….Sorry to hear about that.

    “”"The funny thing is I never did. Oddly enough, the home I was living in was burned down by a neighbor. I was forced into homelessness for a while, then suffered three hospitalizations subsequent to that. It has been a tough year. Stay tuned for a post to fill you in on everything.”"”

  95. 95 On May 25th, 2008, smego said:

    has any one tried the lat pull down attachment for the super bench. is it any good?

  96. 96 On June 5th, 2008, Chris said:

    Can’t wait to get my weights.

  97. 97 On June 17th, 2008, Glen said:

    Thanks for hosting this site Tim. I first came across the Ironmaster products while browsing on Amazon.com. I was considering buying the Bowflex Selectech dumbbells at the time, but after some searching I found this site. The reviews here (and on Amazon) convinced me to go with Ironmaster instead and I am SO happy I did.

    I bought the Quick Lock Dumbbells and Superbench about a month ago and they arrived in 1 week. The bench feels solid and it is very fast to adjust to any position. The seat just slides on and off in seconds. I had not done decline work with dumbbells in the past, so this has been a bit awkward getting comfortable. But that is not an issue with the bench.

    The dumbbells are amazing. They feel so solid and I love the deep knurling. No slipping when I’m doing heavier weights. Changing weights does take a bit longer than the “dial” dumbbells, but like others have said this is a minor sacrifice. My only issue was that one of the 5lb plates is a bit off and doesn’t stack properly with the other plates. I contacted Matt at Ironmaster about this issue and they are going to replace the one plate.

    Overall I am 100% satisfied with the dumbbells and Superbench. I would definitely recommend to anyone shopping for adjustable dumbbells.

  98. 98 On June 17th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Glen I am so happy for you.

    I am so pleased you stopped by and commented as well. The site is a blessing to many people and I will host it as long as I am alive.

    Blessings abound!

  99. 99 On July 10th, 2008, Ironmind Five Star Flat Bench Review » Total Physique Online said:

    [...] what I needed. Two companies immediately came to mind. One is Ironmaster, from whom I obtained my Quick Lock Dumbbells and Ironmind Enterprises, from whom I obtained all my racks and dumbbell handles over the [...]

  100. 100 On August 22nd, 2008, peter said:

    im contemplating purchasing the 75lb dumbbells , unfortunately the only problem with me getting these is i live in ontario ,canada.not sure about how others feel about ups broker fees / duty fees but i sure do not enjoy them . i had a friend buy me a pair of headphones valued at 45 bucks , and once ups was at my doorstep required me to pay 60 bucks just to receive them . i was definitely not happy with that .i can only imagine how much it would cost just to receive my ironmaster set valued at 600bucks.i would hate to pay basically double the price just to have em shipped and then the have to pay another 600 to receive em.if they have places in canada that i can order from to avoid these annoying duty / broker fees it would be greatly appreciated.

  101. 101 On August 22nd, 2008, webmaster said:

    This is a legitimate concern, but one you will face no matter what you buy as long as it originates in the USA or any other nation outside Canada. I think this is so ridiculous. This duties policy discourages commerce and more importantly free enterprise. Our brothers and sisters in Canada should be allowed access to the many products made here in the USA.

    Have you tried calling Ironmind to see if there is a workaround?

    W

  102. 102 On August 22nd, 2008, peter said:

    havent spoken to them directly over the phone , ive been surfing the net trying to find places in canada , but have come up short handed.i have no problems paying a duty / broker fee of 10 to even20% of the purchase , but often times ups is charging me basically 80-100% of its retail price in fees and that is something that is unacceptable to me.quite sad that not many retailers have ironmaster sets in ontario , otherwise i wouldnt be in this dilemma.i really dont want to go with powerblocks due to them looking so odd and i definitely mind spending a little more time for quality.the bowflex selectechs are way too pricey and are made of plastic i believe and are too big in comparison to the others.i hope i can find ironmasters on craigslist or something :(.

  103. 103 On August 22nd, 2008, webmaster said:

    I still would recommend calling Ironmaster. It could be that IM is trying to develop a Canadian outlet. You never know. :)

  104. 104 On August 27th, 2008, Teddy said:

    Just and FYI for everyone: the interlocking dumbbell weights are not guaranteed to fit the leg attachment. Mine don’t and unfortunately I was not aware of this when I bought it.

    Ironmasters does state it on their website (which I didn’t notice of course :-/). I had figured since they are selling it as an attachment to the super bench, their weights would work with it. It’s quite disappointing that they don’t…

  105. 105 On August 27th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Teddy, this is a good comment, albeit unfortunate. Can you please elaborate?

    Do you mean the holes on the square plates that form the weights for the dumbbell handles do not fit over the post for the leg extension/curl attachment? Is that what you mean?

  106. 106 On August 27th, 2008, Les said:

    Peter: I’m also in Ontario and I share in your pain regarding brokerage fees. For QL dumbells, try exercisedirect.com. They are located in Winnipeg and they do ship to Ontario.

    I’m also thinking about pullin’ the trigger on a set myself.

  107. 107 On September 20th, 2008, stephanazs said:

    Interesting facts.I have bookmarked this site. stephanazs

  108. 108 On October 27th, 2008, chris said:

    i have limited space. how easy is it to store the power bench?

  109. 109 On October 27th, 2008, webmaster said:

    My inventory of equipment exceeds just the bench, but I imagine if all you had was the bench you would need 5 square feet within which to work.

  110. 110 On October 31st, 2008, Serge said:

    Great post guys, thanks for all the info. I do have one question. Has anyone tried the QL dumbells with the superbench and cable tower attachment? Is the tower stable? Does the weight carriage that can hold the dumbells work well?

    Serge

  111. 111 On October 31st, 2008, webmaster said:

    Serge, good question! I have often wondered that myself. I personally have not tried the cable attachments, so I cannot answer you with any degree of confidence. Have you considered talking to Mike at Ironmaster? I understand the appeal of objective opinions, but if one is not available I would suggest calling Ironmaster.

  112. 112 On November 1st, 2008, mongcong said:

    Peter & Les,
    I called IronMaster a few weeks ago to find Canadian retailers. Unfortunately they are few and far between. I was told that there was an Ontario retailer, http://fitnessequipmentottawa.com/. Their website has very little info though (it sucks?). I was going to call them and find out available items and prices. I’ve got a brother up there who will be able to drive a set down for me this Christmas (and save on shipping charges!) I’ll post as soon as I find out more details.

    mongcong

  113. 113 On November 3rd, 2008, mongcong said:

    I finally heard back from the folks at fitness equipment of ottawa.
    5-75lb $529 - shipping to London, ON $49
    120lb add-on $249 - shipping to London, ON $78
    (all prices are in CDN dollars and subject to PST and GST)
    seems pretty reasonable to me.

    mongcong

  114. 114 On November 4th, 2008, Les said:

    Thanks for the info mongcong. I’ve never heard of those guys before so it’s nice to know that there is a second source for Quick-Locks in Canada. BTW, I’m also located in London, On.

    Les.

  115. 115 On November 7th, 2008, mongcong said:

    Hey Les, I don’t know if I’ll be able to afford a set (the add on kit too) very soon, but I thought maybe we could try and get a better deal if we order 2 sets together (to London). They told me they’d knock $50 off if I ordered the 5-75 and -120 sets together. Maybe we could get a bigger discount if we teamed up! Email me - wanted_nesgames@yahoo.ca

    mongcong

  116. 116 On November 8th, 2008, Joe said:

    I love everything about the Powerblocks and the bench except for one thing. I have yet to figure out a way to do the decline bench. Obviously you use the foot lock, but how do you lift the weights into place, and then lay back to start the presses. Right now, I have stands on both sides, but it is a bitch to lift the dumbells with your legs hunched over the foot lock, and then lay back on the bench.In the gym, you don’t have the hurdle of the upper leg pads.

  117. 117 On November 8th, 2008, webmaster said:

    The simple answer is to get a spotter, which you should have anyway.

    Place an ad in Craig’s List. Get yourself a training partner, and don’t take risks you would not let your own children take. :)

  118. 118 On November 8th, 2008, Joe said:

    The whole point of getting this system is to work out at my home,when I want, alone……………….

  119. 119 On November 8th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Joe, I hear ya. But I would never try to squat or bench alone without some safety racks in place, even with a spotter. Doing decline dumbbell work really requires at least one pair of extra hands. I encourage you to think about it. Training at home is great, but injuries are quite common when you train alone. Just be careful.

  120. 120 On November 8th, 2008, webmaster said:

    PS: my comment is poorly worded. WHat I mean is that training with a barbell has inherent risks. Training with dumbbells carries just as much risk, if not more so, for certain movements. Decline dumbbell work is one of those movements.

  121. 121 On November 14th, 2008, Dalton said:

    What a superb blog. I really appreciate your efforts here to inform others on a variety of health related topics. I have been trying to decide between Powerblock and Ironmaster adjustable dumbbells. I have had a horrible time making up my mind. I just don’t know which way to go. I really like the ease in which you can change Powerblock weights, but the Ironmasters just seem so much more solid. I tried the Powerblocks, and I liked them. But I did notice a rattle among the weight plates that I think would really get on my nerves in the long run. The manner in which the weights feel seems a bit off to me, a little odd. Perhaps I’m just used to conventional dumbbells. I haven’t tried the Ironmasters, but the fact that you can try them for 30 days and return them (without having to pay shipping) is pretty attractive. This site has helped me to solidify my choice to go with Ironmaster dumbbells, although I haven’t made up my mind 100%, as of yet.
    I think it really comes down to what is most important to me. Rapidity of weight change or overall construction and durability. I’ll have to think long and hard about this before I commit to either one, because in the end it is a lot of money either way.
    I also want to tell the webmaster that I read his story and my heart goes out to him. I wish you the very best and my thoughts are with you….

  122. 122 On November 15th, 2008, webmaster said:

    This was a very nice reply. Your well wishes are so very much appreciated. Quite touching actually. :)

    As for your dilemma, let me offer a few things. One, I do not get paid to recommend these dumbbells. I just happen to love them. Two, I opted for durability and natural feel over speed of change. There are a few good dumbbell systems out there, but I have noticed that the sets with the quickest change times are also the most bulky, and therefore they just tended to be a bit unwieldy. I wanted something that felt as close to the “real thing” as I could fine. The Quick-Locks won in this department hands down.

    Also, I like knurling. The deeper the better. I have had it up to here with comfort grips designed to appeal to the more feminine of the species.I have no desire for something that might slip out of my hand. I wanted something that communicated to me when I grabbed it and said, “Here I am and I ain’t goin’ nowhere! ’til you let go”. Again, the Ironmaster product won hands down.

    Give them a shot and get back to us. I am sure you will not be disappointed.

  123. 123 On November 15th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Oh, and Dalton, thank you for your donation!!!!! That just made my morning!

  124. 124 On November 16th, 2008, Dalton said:

    Hi guys….

    I tried other dumbbells as well, including the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells. Pure junk. It’s really hard for me to believe that anyone who does any type of research whatsoever on adjustable dumbbells would even consider going with the Bowflex dumbbells. I think sometimes people are initially exposed to a particular brand of adjustable dumbbell, and they somehow solidify that brand as the only brand they want. That initially happened to me. I was 100% absolutely certain without a doubt whatsoever come hell or high water that I was going to buy Powerblocks, without ever even trying them. Then, of course, I tried them. Then the doubt started to creep in. Between this site, some forum searches, and Amazon reviews I started to seriously reevaluate my options, particularly with the Ironmaster dumbbells. Although I think, on the whole, the forums I’ve seen tend to slightly favor Powerblocks (mainly because of the quickness with which one can change weights), I’m leaning towards quality and durability. I think some of the Powerblock opinions I’ve read are also due to lack of exposure with other dumbbells, or people have invested so much money in PBs they feel they have to favor them, simply in order to pacify their own conscience.
    At any rate, I’ll let you guys know my decision soon, although at this point I’m about 80-85% certain I’ll be going with the Ironmasters (I’m definitely buying their bench)….

    Dalton

  125. 125 On November 18th, 2008, Brandon said:

    Thanks very much for the info, I’m also in London Ontario, and your posts have been quite helpful!
    Much Appreciated

    Brandon

  126. 126 On November 18th, 2008, webmaster said:

    Brandon you are very welcome. I will begin adding new posts very soon. I am still recovering from illness, but am getting back into the swing of things.

  127. 127 On November 19th, 2008, Dalton said:

    Tim,

    Contact me via email, please. I have a question for you.
    Thanks.

    Dalton

  128. 128 On November 21st, 2008, mongcong said:

    Brandon - If you’re seriously considering purchasing the Quicklocks, email me (posting #115). You’d be the third person in London looking to get these. I’m going to see if we can get a good discount for multiple purchases. I’ll be looking to buy within the week (I’m just waiting for my Ebay auctions to end - under the same name if you’re curious).

  129. 129 On November 24th, 2008, Joel said:

    I have had the 75 lbs dumbbells for a while and absolutely love them. I remember thinking I’d never need any more than 75 lbs, but now I am Incline Benching with the full 75 lbs, so looks