Ever since I was released from the hospital back in April 2008, I have been able to slowly rebuild my home gym into something quite functional. Training at home is my preferred method of madness, but I like quality stuff. So, between my prayers, God providence and some patience, I have been able to acquire some of the best tools available.
Thirteen years ago I purchased some Ironmind Olympic Husky Handle Dumbbells, which I love. But, when the fire forced me to part with all my equipment, I had to hold on to what I could easily salvage and store. Luckily, I was able to hold on to the dumbbell handles. The trouble was, replacing the weight plates I lost would be costly, unless I could stumble across some sweet deals.
Through prayer and patience, I began to get little “nudges” every so often to run down to my local Play It Again Sports. And don’t you know that I started finding Ivanko Rubberized Plates! Mostly, they were 2 1/2′s, but if I had enough of those and I would eventually have enough to make my workouts challenging. Little did I know that I would eventually find some Eleiko Plates at that store as well. That happened this past Saturday!
As fate would have it Play It Again Sports purchased a lot of used equipment from a local school. Some of the plates were Ivanko plates and some were…ELEIKO! So, I purchased everything I could get my hands on. I ended up with app. 22 kilos of Eleiko plates and another 4-5 small Ivanko plates. All told, when stacked on the Husky Handle Dumbbell, the mix-match setup weighed app 85 pounds! All I needed to do was take a couple plates off and I had a 75.5 pound dumbbell, which was close enough to 75 that I now had a sister dumbbell to match my 75 pound Ivanko fixed dumbbell! Now I could do dumbbell squats holding dumbbells, stiff legged dead-lifts, shrugs and more.
Between my cable set and now these dumbbells, I am enjoying my workouts even more. One thing concerned me though.
Due to the difference in the diameter of the dumbbell hands, along with the differences in length, I was worried that this setup my feel unbalanced. Not to worry. It feels perfect, and here’s why:
Though the dumbbell handles of either dumbbell are a different diameter, and while the center of the diameter of each dumbbell is different (one handle is higher off the floor than the other- as can be seen in the photo), the odd diameter of the Eleiko plates themselves even things out. The Husky Handle Dumbbell, when loaded with Eleiko plates, forces my hand into a position where the knuckles of that hand are precisely the same distance from the floor as the knuckles of my other hand when grasping the Ivanko dumbbell. In short, I am pulling equally, through equal distances, with both sides of my body. There is no instability and it could not feel more natural.
Naturally, I am continuing to look for some matching Eleiko plates, and I will find them. It is only a matter of time.
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Hello Tim,
Good article, also enjoying your reviews on QL ironmaster dumbbells. I am interested in purchasing dumbbells as well as plates some time in the near future. I have read with interest about the QL ironmaster dumbbells and am almost sold on them.
However, my first thougths were to purchase a complete set of “fixed” dumbbells, but I would need some expert advice from someone like you before making up my mind.
You mentioned the Eleiko dumbbells, are they good? Or, what other brand names could you recommend please?
The advantage of the fixed weights is obvious if one had a decent size room. Would a room of say 10mt x 5 mt be sufficient for the dumbbell rack and other gym equipment? Would the cost of a complete set be very expensive, compared to say, the QL ironmaster?
I would also like a set of plates and a barbell, does ironmaster do this as well?
Many thanks Tim, your help is appreciated.
Kind regards,
Brian
Hi Brian. Good questions.
Thank you for reading by the way.
First, let me say that the QL’s from IM are very good and very solid. Moreover, they are priced well.
The disadvantage of an adjustable set of dumbbells boils down to convenience and time. With one set of adjustable dumbbells, you have to do a lot of changing of weights to accommodate the wide range of strength curves used in any given workout. The amount of weight used for the dumbbell fly is not the same as you would use for dumbbell bench press or dumbbell curls, for example. Weights have to be adjusted to suit your needs and this becomes tedious for many people. However, if you have space and budgetary concerns, a good adjustable set is the best way to go.
If you have plenty of space and money, a complete set of fixed dumbbells is a better approach. Of course you are talking about a lot more money, but again if money is no object then the only decision that needs to be made is how fancy you want to go.
Cast Iron Hex Dumbbells are the lest expensive way to go if you want a complete set of fixed dumbbells. More often than not you will find these kind of dumbbells in home gyms due to the affordable cost. Figure on spending $1.00-1.50 per pound.
The problem with cast iron is that they tend to break if handled roughly. Sometimes an end can work its way off the handle due to a poor weld. So, there is some risk here, but you get a trade-off in the form of affordability.
When you step up to commercial grade fixed dumbbells you are talking the most durable and safest way to go, not to mention the most expensive on the order of magnitude.
Something like an Ekieko fixed DB will run you around $10.00 per pound or more. A complete kit of 2lbs – 90 lbs will run between $5000.00-6000.00 or close to it. This does not factor in shipping and handling.
Troy makes a commercial grade set of fixed dumbbells that is slightly more than half the cost of Elieko, running you around $3500.00-$4000.00 for a set that goes from 5-100 lbs.
Obviously, in an ideal world commercial grade is safest and most durable. Yes, your room size would be fine. You may wish to also look at http://www.muscledriverusa.com/ for your barbell set needs.
Ironmaster does not really specialize in barbells and barbell sets.
If you have other questions let me know.