Comments on: Adjustable Kettlebells From Ironmaster

By: Muscle Building Diets

Muscle Building Diets — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:58:04 +0000

This looks like a great exercise tool! I think I’ve seen this in the market already, am I correct? But after reading the other comments, I think I should reconsider getting the adjustable kettlebells…

By: webmaster

webmaster — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:21:48 +0000

Derek, all these issues were addressed to my satisfaction. And you are right, my issues had nothing to do with the products or their quality. All disclaimers have been removed. All is well.

By: derek

derek — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:29:25 +0000

RE: the reason you no longer endorse IM. i see from one of the posts above it was apparantly due to customer service issues, not a product quality issue.

By: derek

derek — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:07:03 +0000

By the way, several of us have been dying to know if something in product design and/or quality control had anything to do with you no longer endorsing IM products (especially the Quick Locks) or if it was something more on the business side of the relationships. my only qualm with them is that the consistency with which the plates are casted also affects the consistency with how well they fit together. i theorize this also affects how “finicky” the locking pin can be when pushing it in and trying to get it to grab as well as how far the knob has to be turned to lock up tight. ive had 3 sets of IM dumbbells, and all 3 acted differently enough that it makes me feel IM has yet to settle on a method for making their plates to a more consistent standard (since the handles,screws have all seemed identical in each of my sets).

i guess i am just ranting because IM is so so close to having a really polished product, but for $500 there does seem to be some QC issues with the plates and how consistently they lock up with minimal “fiddling” by the user. (without even mentioning their inability to cast plates that actually weigh 5 lbs)

By: webmaster

webmaster — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:17:40 +0000

I am glad to see this. Matt Dawson’s company makes such good products, and while I have not been able to get my hands on their new kettlebell handle, I liked the concept and design. So, this comment of yours is encouraging news.

By: derek

derek — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:50:10 +0000

other than juggling and pushups (due to the aforementioned knob of the screw on the bottom of the bell), i and my friend (owner of the IM kettlebell handle) have been doing all moves with his kettlebell for the past 2 months. the screw stays just as secure as it has on my IM dumbbells over the last 2+ years (that is to say very secure). i have no worries of anything coming loose. besides, if a screw even started coming loose, you would notice a looseness in the plates. the screw would then have to work its way to the “open” position before anything would actually fall off.

By: webmaster

webmaster — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:56:24 +0000

Monkey thanks. It is always good to hear from everyone, especially those that are not 100% satisfied. Thanks for the good description.

By: monkey

monkey — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:34:36 +0000

Ironmaster Quick-lock Kettlebells ARE suitable for curls, rows, light swinging, squats, etc…

Ironmaster Quick-lock Kettlebells are NOT suitable for the more advanced/dynamic KB exercises like juggling/flipping, push-ups (base it not flat, obstructed by the screw base), various snatches, punches etc.. Instead of one whole iron mass like in a solid KB falling, you have the potential of the screw loosening and ALL the parts flying off or ONTO you. Regardless of how secure the screw maybe, it is still prone to failure. So hundreds of dollars saved by buying these, or your buy traditional KB’s to save your life. You choose.

I am an actual owner or the Ironmaster KB and the Superbench. I’m returning the former.

By: derek

derek — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:59:59 +0000

im glad to see that they changed the handle to a more rounded shape than what the prototype (pictured above) had.

By: webmaster

webmaster — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:48:44 +0000

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

By: Mike Byrne

Mike Byrne — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:01:00 +0000

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!

By: webmaster

webmaster — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:14:19 +0000

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

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 01:54:22 +0000

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.

By: webmaster

webmaster — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:44:39 +0000

Mike thanks!

Please keep everyone posted with your impressions.

By: Mike Byrne

Mike Byrne — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:01:16 +0000

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

By: webmaster

webmaster — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:49:15 +0000

Markus, I do not work for Ironmaster. You will need to contact them directly. I am sorry I could not be of more help.

By: markus

markus — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:08:52 +0000

when will the 25lbs to 77lbs kettlebells be on the market for sale.?

By: webmaster

webmaster — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:04:05 +0000

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.