Important Notice To Readers: Total Physique Online is no longer officially endorsing Ironmaster LLC. This is not a decision that was made lightly. It was arrived at after much discussion and consideration.
For the time being, I have decided to allow my Ironmaster posts to remain public. I am doing this for informational purposes only, primarily due to requests from several readers. In addition, as a courtesy to my all readers I am leaving the comments for Ironmaster products in place. These comments are very valuable and serve to help folks make a good choice regarding their purchases. Additionally, my reviews of Ironmaster products will also remain unchanged. It should be noted that at some point in the near future, these pages may be removed or replaced.
For the record, I enjoy the flagship Ironmaster products. I have considered it a privilege to recommend them to you, my readers, for the past three years. Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbells are superb. So is the Superbench produced by Ironmaster. In my view, these two products are in a class of their own.
It is my sincere hope that in time certain concerns will be addressed. If and when that happens, then I will be able to revisit this decision. However, until such a point in time, Total Physique Online will not be reconsidering its position regarding this matter.
Again, it should be noted that these recent changes have nothing to do with the quality of the Ironmaster product line whatsoever. Rather, certain other concerns came to light over the course of a six month period and, as a result of these concerns, a change of direction was decided upon. I truly wish Ironmaster nothing but the best. – Webmaster
Adjustable Kettlebells just got better – and smarter
Ironmaster will be introducing the most advanced Adjustable Kettlebell System available. The system has an intelligent design that will work with the Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbells System plates and be expandable from 24 lbs to 77.5 lbs (11 kg – 35 kg). This set is not yet available, but it is currently being tested. We will keep you posted in price and availability as facts become available. Enjoy the photos courtesy of Sam’s Fitness
My feeling is that since Kettlebell training is all the rage right now it makes perfect sense from a business standpoint for Ironmaster to go in this direction by developing a superior set of adjustable kettlebells. What’s more, to do so in such a clever way is brilliant. This is a very clean and efficient design.
If I have any questions it’s that 25 lbs is a little heavy to start with for certain adjustable Kettlebell movements. That said, maybe Ironmaster will come out with some mini adjustable Kettlebell handles that weigh like 10 lbs or so, so that you can gradually build your strength and get use to the discomfort (a hallmark trait with kb training, and one of the primary challenges one has to overcome when training with Kettlebells, adjustable or not. It’s also one of the reasons Kettlebell training is considered strength training for tough guys.). Either that or I will just pick up a small KB from my local Play It Again Sports.
Anyway, this adjustable approach, using the Quick-Lock Dumbbell plates, allows you to go up in 2.5 pound increments! I think this system will leave all other adjustable Kettlebells in the dust, what little competition there is. Way to go Matt!
[Chime in with your comments. I am knew to the concept of KB training and I am wondering what others might think of this design.]
Popularity: 39% [?]
I have had some folks raise some legitimate concerns over this approach with the kettlebells and it goes to the potential looseness of the screw or bolt that is used to tighten the plates into place.
I had a set of QL dumbbells for a few years until a house fire changed my life dramatically and I lost all my equipment, but I used my IM dumbbells every day for like 2-3 years, and looseness was never I huge issue per se. What I did was this: whenever I set a QL dumbbell up, I would grab the ends of the db by the screws, taps it once or twice on the stand to weed out any looseness, and tightened the screws as needed. Invariably, I would occasionally tease out some looseness and all I needed to do was tighten the screw a half turn or so. And boom. No rattles. Not even when I dropped them.
I think the looseness issue has to do with the fact that the plates, though they are designed to stack together, are not machined to a high standard of perfection, so the plates do not nest together perfectly. Hence, I just always tapped the dumbbells on the stand once or twice on the outside chance that I might not have stacked the plates together neatly.
Obviously, with a kettlebell that is adjustable like these, you cannot have ANY room for error! So, I don’t know if Ironmaster plans on re-desiging their plates or not. If they do, you can expect the price to almost double into the Powerblock range. Think Eleiko dumbbells in that case.
But you know, the overall design of the Quick-Locks from a conceptual standpoint is superior to any adjustable dumbbell set on the market, hands down, in my view. So, if IM decided to do some fine tuning of their plates, it would only make them dominate the adjustable dumbbell market, and hence the adjustable kettlebell market as well, and I would gladly pay the premium price to get them.
when will the 25lbs to 77lbs kettlebells be on the market for sale.?
Markus, I do not work for Ironmaster. You will need to contact them directly. I am sorry I could not be of more help.
wm
Looks like they just put up the preview for the kettlebells recently.
Presale starts 8/15/09. They look really versatile but we will have to see.
Will get back to you with a review when I get mine.
http://www.ironmaster.com/store/Quick-Lock-Kettlebell-Coming-soon-pr-129.html
Mike thanks!
Please keep everyone posted with your impressions.
I put in my order for them last week.
I will give you a review when I get some time with them.
They are supposed to ship out at the end of the month.
Question, why don’t you endorse ironmasters any more?
Just interested cause I think their weights are the best out there.
Thanks!
Hi Mike.
Rather than go into much detail, I will just say that the reason for my choice not to endorse Ironmaster was a personal one having to do with customer service.
Webmaster
hmm I wonder about the shape resting/swinging into the forearm. If it is comfortable and not painful compared to normal kbells. Also how they balance if used like a pushup bar and are they ok for kbell juggling.
Dave, I wondered the very same thing. Oddly enough, I wondered if they would be even more uncomfortable that traditional KB’s. The price sure seems good though.
Webmaster
im glad to see that they changed the handle to a more rounded shape than what the prototype (pictured above) had.