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IronMaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbells Review

Ironmaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbells Review

This is my comprehensive review of Ironmaster’s extremely popular, Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell Set. This review covers the standard 75-pound dumbbell pair with the stand, and Ironmaster’s Heavy Handle Plate Kit; an optional accessory that increases the weight of the handles and the maximum weight of each dumbbell by 15-pounds.

In this review I’m going to cover all of the features of the Quick Lock Dumbbells, discuss the way they feel, the process of making adjustments, and their overall durability. I’ll also create a list outlining the pros and cons of these adjustable dumbbells, and go into detail when it is necessary to do so.

This is a very lengthy review and I hope to cover everything, but inevitably I will miss some-thing. Feel free to ask any questions in the comment section following the review.


Quick Lock Dumbbell Review – Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Quick Lock Specifications
  3. The Heavy Handle Kit
  4. Overall Comfort and Feel
  5. Ease of Use
  6. Quality
  7. Pros and Cons
  8. Review Summary

Ironmaster Quick Lock DB Review – Introduction

Who here wouldn’t want a 3-tier, commercial-grade rack that houses a full set of dumbbells that range from 5-lbs to 100-lbs in 5-lb increments? Seriously, given an unlimited amount of floor space and some really deep pockets, who wouldn’t prefer to have instant access to all possible increments of dumbbells just like they would at the global gym rather than have to make weight adjustments to a single pair of dumbbells?  I’d wager the answer is something like 98% of you would prefer to have a full set at your disposal.

Full set of fixed-weight, urethane dumbbells by REP

And why is that?

Well that’s easy! It’s because having to make weight adjustments; no matter how quick and easy it is; is still not ideal. It’s an extra thing to do that you don’t want to have to do. There’s no arguing that simply setting down one pair of dumbbells and grabbing another isn’t easier than messing with levers and knobs and weight plates and such (twice!).

There’s more reasons to prefer fixed dumbbells than just the hassle of making adjustments, and we’ll talk about those too, but suffice it to say for now that if we all had access to infinite space in our garage gyms and thousands of dollars to spend on sets, everyone would likely have a wall of dumbbells; but that’s just not the case for most garage/home gym owners, so the alternative is needed, and I believe that alternative is the Ironmaster Quick Lock set that I’ll be talking about in this review.

So I guess we’ll get started! I’ll begin with the product specs.


Ironmaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbells – Specs

  • core handle dimensions (with no plates): 6.7″ x 6.7″ x 8″
    • total handle length at 25-lbs: 9.5″
    • total handle length at 75-lbs: 14.5″
  • shaft (handle) diameter: 1.25″ (~31 mm)
  • handle length: about ~6.5″
  • handle length with Heavy Handle kit: ~5″
  • individual plate dimensions: 6.7″ square by:
    • 2½-lb plate thickness: 0.4″
    • 5-lb plate thickness: 0.6″
  • locking mechanism: 4″ diameter x 0.5″ depth with a 3.75″ long threaded post
  • core set includes:
    • (2) Quick Lock handle cores (5-lbs per handle)
    • (4) Quick Lock locking screws (2.5-lbs per screw)
    • (24) 5-lb plates
    • (4) 2.5-lb plates
  • plate finish: powder coated
  • handle finish: chrome
  • knurl aggressiveness: moderate (fairly standard dumbbell handle knurling)
  • price: $699 (set), $159 (heavy-handle kit)
  • lifetime warranty

IM Quick Lock Dumbbells – The Heavy Handle Kit

Ok, so I’m going to tackle the optional Heavy Handle Kit first because I think it’s a must own accessory. I cannot imagine anymore than one or two people out of a hundred not choosing to add this to their Ironmaster order once they understand what this kit is and what it does.

The Heavy Handle Kit is two pairs of 7.5-lb plates that semi-permanently attach to the outer edge of the dumbbell handles. Yes, you read that right. These weights install on the knurled handles inside the plates that the normal weights get stacked/loaded on (see next image).

the Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbells Heavy Handle Kit

Now I mentioned that the Heavy Handle Kit attaches semi-permanently, and by that I mean that the plates require the loosening of four long bolts per dumbbell handle to remove. They are not as quickly added or removed as the normal plates, but they can indeed be removed if necessary.

the Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbells Heavy Handle 7.5-lb plates

Okay so we know how the Heavy Handle Kit works, but what’s the point? Well you probably don’t need me to explain this to you but I’m going to anyway. The Ironmaster Heavy Handle Kit converts your otherwise 5-lb handles into 20-lb handles; which takes your 5 to 75-lb set of adjustable dumbbells and shifts it up 15-lbs to a 20 to 90-lbs set, and since you are likely never going to strip your dumbbells down as low as 5-lb, 10-lbs, or 15-lbs, you’ve sacrificed nothing (for most people, anyway.)

Ironmaster Dumbbells with Heavy Handle Kit - 90-lb dumbbell next to 20-lb dumbbell

It gets even better than that though. The Heavy Handle Kit also reduces the length of each handle from 6½” to only 5″. This makes the dumbbell feel extremely balanced in the hands. It feels more tight and compact; better than most fixed-weight dumbbells even.

Look at this perfect fit! Can you ask for a more balance dumbbell? Handles with Kit are barely over 5" long!

The Heavy Handle Kit is about $160, which if you think about what it does and how it adds another three full [heavy] dumbbells to your arsenal (80s, 85s, and 90s); which would cost over $600 before shipping to do with even relatively low-cost rubber hex dumbbells, well, I would say this is quite the deal.

Seriously, get the Heavy Handle Kit if you’re capable of working with these higher weights. I’d say only miss them if you plan to work in those very low weight ranges, but honestly, I’d say get the 45-lb Ironmaster Adjustable Set if that’s the case. It’s much more affordable.


IM Quick Lock Dumbbell Review – Comfort / Feel

Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbells really stand out in the adjustable dumbbell world, and the reason for this is because they actually feel like fixed-weight dumbbells. That is to say, they feel like real dumbbells, not adjustable dumbbells; which tend to be large and awkward and even a little imbalanced depending on which style you’re talking about.

What is this? How is this ever supposed to feel normal? Feel centered and balanced? No way

How could this ever feel normal? centered and balanced? What an awkward design; and so bulky!

What makes them feel like real dumbbells? Well, the plates are always close to the handle just like they would be if they were standard dumbbells. The handle isn’t in some cage, the plates aren’t excessively bulky, or at varying distances from the center of the handle, and the overall shape of the Ironmasters; regardless of the weight currently loaded; is more in line with a standard dumbbell. Simply put, Quick Lock Dumbbells always look and feel like a dumbbell. There are no protruding parts, no knobs and switches, and no weirdly-shaped surfaces.

50-lb round, commercial-grade dumbbells next to a 50-lb Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbell

Both of these dumbbells are 50-lbs, but the Ironmasters are actually more compact.

Without the Heavy Handle Kit, the Ironmasters feel great in the hands. The 6½” long, fully-knurled handles are of a good length and not excessively long (though any longer and they would be.) However, adding the Heavy Handle Kit only makes each unit feel more centered and balanced in the hands. It’s a major improvement. As a matter of fact I think the shorter, 5″ shaft makes the Ironmasters feel about as good as any dumbbell could feel, which is one of the reasons I think it’s a must-buy accessory.

Both of these weigh 50-lbs, but the dumbbell with the Heavy Handle Kit is more compact

Both of these weigh 50-lbs, but the dumbbell with the Heavy Handle Kit installed is much more compact.

Think about it like this.. no matter how heavy you make each dumbbell; be it 60-lbs or 120-lbs; they’ll be smaller and more compact than they would be had you not added the kit.

These are all 45-lb dumbbells. Look how compact the Ironmaster Quick Locks are by comparison

Three different 45-lb dumbbells. Look how compact the Ironmasters are. So nice.

In terms of the knurling, I think it’s perfect for the application.  The entire handle is knurled; not just portions of it like some of the ergonomic handles;  and the 31 mm handle diameter is quite standard, so these dumbbells will feel like an old friend when you grab them for the first time, not some stranger.

Close up of the moderate knurling of the Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbells

I have literally no complaints about how these dumbbells feel in the hands, and because of their shape (all flat surfaces; no protruding components), I also have zero complaints about how they feel against the body (resting them on the thighs, chest, etc.)


IM Quick Lock Dumbbell Review – Ease of Use

So, how easy is it really to change the weight of your Ironmaster dumbbells, and how long does it actually take?

Well, let’s say you have your Ironmaster Dumbbells set at 40-lbs, and you want to increase that to 50-lbs. That 10-lb jump in weight per dumbbell will require you to add a 5-lb plate on each side of both handles, correct? That means you’ll set dumbbell one on its end, spin the Quick Lock Locking Screw half a turn counterclockwise, pull out that pin, stack another 5-lb plate, then re-insert that Quick Lock Screw and turn it half a turn clockwise to lock it. That is all, my friends. Do that four times (two times per handle), and you’re done.

The Locking Pin is quick and easy to tighten and remove. Just turn and pull!

That’s easy right? Can we agree that this is easier than spinlock dumbbells that require you to spin a collar down many inches of a threaded shaft in order to add or remove a plate? It’s also faster than threading and tightening collars, and there’s no 1″ diameter shaft protruding from either end of your dumbbells.

Having said that, changing plates will never be as easy as sliding levers or turning a couple knobs in order to change the weight of your dumbbell handles.  There’s just no way around that. However, what you give up for that convenience is durability and reliability, and in most cases, compactness.

If you look at the history of most adjustable dumbbells that rely on automatic weight change while sitting in a cradle of some sort, you’ll see that the vast majority of them have issues as time goes on. Levers and switches stop working, knobs stop spinning, and components will break. Only the commercial Powerblocks have a strong history of reliability, yet not only are the commercial Powerblocks quite expensive, they are also a rather unwieldy product.


IM Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbells – Quality

There is literally no shortage of relatively inexpensive, adjustable dumbbell sets that are; for lack of a better word; fragile. Dumbbells that are prone to malfunctions and breakages if not handled with kid gloves; dumbbells with cheap plastic knobs, levers, or handles, and cheap, lightweight metal frames that just can’t handle too many drops (or tosses) to the floor before they stop adjusting properly; or just break outright.  Well, you’ll be happy to know that Quick Lock Dumbbells from Ironmaster do not fit into this category of cheap adjustable dumbbells.

Need to drop your Ironmasters after a tough set, well that can be done. No need to baby these bad boys.

Ironmaster’s Quick Lock Dumbbells are one of only a handful of available options out there that you do not have to have a panic attack over if you toss them to the floor rather than set them down into their cradles gently and lovingly. This is because Ironmaster dumbbells are 100% steel and no plastic, and with no tiny pieces or parts to wear out or break. Ironmaster dumbbells consist of a fixed steel handle, giant locking pins, and iron plates. That’s it.

Truthfully, Ironmasters are the most heavy-duty adjustable dumbbells that I’m aware of, and they even come with Ironmaster’s blessing to drop them like they were your standard, fixed dumbbells (this can be found on the product page directly above the line that says “Lifetime Warranty”.)  I don’t know why anyone would intentionally throw their equipment around, but there are those times you’ve got to ditch the dumbbells, and it’s nice to know that things will be okay if that has to happen. Try that with your Bowflex, Gold’s Gym, or even Powerblocks and see how long you get away with it.

The only other adjustable dumbbells that could be considered as durable as the Ironmaster Quick Locks would be the spinlock style – the 1″ handles with threaded sleeves that accept the classic, standard plates (picture below). You’d be hard-pressed to break these, as well.

An example of spinlock-style adjustable dumbbells. No thanks!

As durable as spinlock dumbbells may be, I don’t really think most people are going to favor this style of adjustable dumbbell.  They’re super slow to make weight changes to, and good lord do they hurt to have resting on those thighs. They are cheap though. Very cheap.

At the end of the day, just know that the Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbells will last. hell, it’s guaranteed!


Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbell Review – Pros & Cons

Ironmaster Dumbbells have a lot going for them, and a couple things against them. Here is my pros and cons list. You may see things differently than I do, and that’s okay!

Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbell Pros

  • The handles are fixed-width, chrome-finished, and have a fantastic knurl (by fixed-width I mean they are not ergonomic like hex dumbbells tend to be). The handles feel like any commercial dumbbell would. Now, the handles are on the longer end of normal in terms of the length, but that length becomes absolutely ideal with the Heavy Handle Kit (which I absolutely recommend adding in pretty much all but the rarest circumstances.)
  • The plates and the locking pins are flat and compact, which makes them comfortable to have sitting on your thighs; just like standard, fixed-weight dumbbells. Ironmasters only get larger as you add weight, and they are always well-proportioned with no protruding components that you wouldn’t want being pressed against you (again, just visualize the starting position of a dumbbell press, before you kick them up).
  • Ironmasters can be as light or heavy as you need them to be. They are adjustable from 5 to 165-lbs in 2.5-lb increments (technically 180-lbs). If that’s not enough, then you are too damn strong, my friend. Cut it out.
  • All of the components (handle and plates) are finished. With only very moderate care & cleaning you’ll have dumbbells that look great and stay oxidation-free for years to come.
  • The 75-lb set includes a stand, and the stand isn’t just a stand; it holds all of your plates as and locking pins as well. It’s also very compact, taking up very little square footage in your garage gym.  Everything about the Ironmasters take up very little space; especially when you compare them to what a full dumbbell set requires in terms of space.
The 75-lb Quick Lock Dumbbell Set comes with the stand; which doubles as storage for your plates and pins
  • Practically unbreakable. Made entirely of steel, they don’t need to be handled delicately. You can even drop these adjustable dumbbells without fear of ruining components and / or any internal mechanisms.
  • Quick Lock Dumbbells come with a lifetime warranty.  You don’t even get that much of a warranty with commercial-grade, fixed dumbbells.

Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbell Cons

  • Even as you get fairly good at changing weights on your Ironmasters, it will still take you about 10-15 seconds per handle to make adjustments.
  • Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbells are definitely expensive. They’re not as expensive as a complete set of fixed dumbbells, but they are relative to many other adjustable sets.
  • Because of their popularity (and Covid-related issues) these are very, very tough to find in stock, as are all of the upgrade kits.

That’s a pretty good pros to cons ratio, wouldn’t you say? The second and third listed could almost be said of any equipment worth a damn; leaving only one real con. Anyway, let’s talk about these really quick.

Pricing

First, the price. I actually think this is mostly irrelevant because the base set is going to be a one-time purchase and it gives you access to literally thousands of dollars worth of weights. I don’t see you ever needing to replace or upgrade this base set like you would probably do with a cheaper set, so I don’t think the $699 buy-in price is at all unreasonable.  One needs only to price out any set of 5 to 75-lb dumbbells to see how $699 compares.

If and when you need to go beyond 75-lbs, that kit is also a one-time purchase. Also, I’d like to point out that if you need to upgrade to the 120- or 165-lb dumbbells, you aren’t a newbie at all, and spending several hundred dollars for that much weight isn’t going to phase you in the least. Look, it is $320 to go from 75-lb handles to 120-lb handles. A single pair of 120-lb dumbbells is $300 before shipping. That’s just the 120s!

No, I only list the pricing as a negative because $699 + $159 may simply be cost-prohibitive for some budgets, not because the price is unreasonable or unfair.

Adjustment Time

Second, let’s talk about that adjustment time. There’s just not much that can be done about that adjustment time. You can get quick at it but it’ll never be immediate. There certainly are products out there that are quicker to adjust but you will likely have to make some sacrifices in order to get those instant weight adjustments; like…

    • the compactness of each handle
    • the maximum achievable weight of each handle
    • overall feel of each handle (shape, balance, and comfort)
    • the durability of the set (more components, more plastic, etc)

If all you plan to do with your dumbbells is some lateral raises and hammer curl drop sets, then sure, I can see you owning some basic, instantly-adjusting set of dumbbells.  Why go all out with an expensive, heavy-duty dumbbell set if they’ll never weigh more than 25-lbs? Why spend that kind of money?

Ironmasters are meant to be loaded up and lifted – lifted heavy and lifted often.  Heavy-duty dumbbells like these are meant for big presses and rows, not 15-lb concentration curls. Not saying you can’t do some dumbbell curls, but you don’t need Ironmasters if that is all you’re doing.

So yeah, you just have to weigh the known adjustment time against all the perks of owning a pair of Ironmasters. Are you willing to have access to less total weight and less durability in exchange for immediate weight changes? Do you care about the size of the dumbbells? It’s just something you’ll have to decide.  Like I said, changing weight on Ironmasters is not ever going to be instant. Quick, sure. Instant, no.

(btw, your best bet for an alternative to Ironmasters if you insist on having instant changes to the weight is the Pro Commercial Powerblocks. You’re looking at $1299 for the 90-lb set and $1599 for the 125-lb set, and you’ll have to treat them with a bit more respect than you would a pair of Ironmasters but they’re probably the only other adjustable dumbbell I’d ever consider investing money in.)

The Pro Commercial Powerblocks

Availability

This is more of a temporary issue, and there’s not much I can say about this that you don’t already know. There certainly isn’t anything I can do about it. Stuff is hard to find. It sucks.


Ironmaster Quick Lock Dumbbell Review Summary

Ironmaster Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbells Review Summary

I am of the opinion that Ironmaster’s Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbells are among the very best adjustable dumbbells on the market. They’re just loaded with features that make them really stand out; a compact design that is well-balanced and feels great in the hands, highly adjustable and virtually limitless weight range, and durability that is rivaled by none. If there is a drawback at all, it’s the fact that they need to be adjusted, but this drawback is inherent in nearly all other like-products, making it pretty weak drawback indeed.

I wish for you that you could have a full dumbbell set sitting on a heavy-duty dumbbell rack. I want you to be able to do a set with your 80s, toss them aside, grab a pair of 85s, and go to town. It’s the best. But since you can’t make that happen just yet, put some very serious consideration into getting a pair of the Ironmasters. It’s the next best thing if you still want to feel like you’re pressing real dumbbells.

TL;DR – Great product! 5-stars from me. You won’t be disappointed.

 

{ 27 comments… add one }
  • TN November 12, 2020, 6:42 pm

    I’ve had these for almost a year coming up this Thanksgiving. Very happy with them and I recommend them to all my friends. The only con as you’ve mentioned is the adjustable time but that’s the name of the game. My only other complaint is the handles can get a bit stiff in cold weather at times to remove them but maybe I need to have a stronger grip.. Otherwise they’re fantastic.

    You’ve touched on this above but I think having the 2.5-pound increment is another mentionable pro, making them more verstatile than a standard conventional 5-75 pound dumbbell set. The small increments are important for say, deltoid work.

    You may want to adjust the Pricing section… There’s no shipping cost to the 48 US states!

    P.S., is that your hand in the picture or did you have to hire a hand model for this review? ;) j/k

    • jburgeson November 13, 2020, 1:13 am

      haha that’s my pasty hand. No hand model. I don’t think it’s enough to be recognized =p

      I actually wanted to go into a little more detail on some random things like those change plates, but the review was just getting so damn long and I think this particular product just sells itself already.

      Thanks for that on the shipping. For some reason I was under the impression the free shipping was gone, and I failed to confirm. I updated that.

  • Shawn Sullivan November 12, 2020, 8:39 pm

    Thanks for a great review. I’ve had my eye on the Powerblocks for a while. These look like an upgrade.

    • jburgeson November 13, 2020, 1:15 am

      Thanks, Shawn. I’d honestly like to check those out – a larger Pro set. I’ve only ever handled the cheap model, and that wasn’t even recently. Not sure about that #1299-$1599 price though!

      • Shawn Sullivan November 18, 2020, 6:23 pm

        The price tag of the power blocks is a big hurdle for me. Also, the sheer size when you get the 90 pound set is also a negative. I’m not sure how durable the power blocks are either.

        • Ivo Budinovič January 17, 2021, 8:20 pm

          I consider investing in My own Gym so I started looking at Adjustable Dumbbells The Bowflex Quickly Fell out of the Consideration (they are for kids) I Was Already sure about Ironmasters but then the 175 lbs Set of Powerblocks made my Eyes Sparkle but after Researching for a bit…as much better as The Powerblocks May look we are not in For Looks especially at 175-180 pounds a hand ,Second while 3 cm longer may not look like much,when we talk about 60 or 63 cm it definitely country,Third Imagine Ronnie Benching Powerblocks? Can you ? Me Neighter. And you Definitely would wanna drop them after a set….you will need to….and Powerblocks may break

  • Jake November 12, 2020, 9:13 pm

    Great article, thank you! How is the stand width when changing weights? It looks like the dumbbells are a tight fit. So you’d say a total of 30 seconds per weight change once you get used to it?
    BTW, the Powerblock commercial 90 and 125 both come with a stand according to Powerblock and Rogue websites.

    • jburgeson November 13, 2020, 1:21 am

      Oh shit they do. Man did I fall asleep on my last revision. That’s two things I missed. I’m fired!

      Yeah so, if standing directly in front of the stand I would tilt one head towards me and add/remove the plate. It’s not spacious but it’s not like stupid tight. Still, 90% of the time I changed plates I did it on the floor in front of the bench or where I was standing. It’s just easier and faster. I’d also set the plates I knew I’d be adding over there so I didn’t even have to go to the stand to get the plates.

      And yes, you can change out all four heads in under 30 seconds. You get kind of good at sticking that pin in without missing. There’s a notch in the chrome plates that shows which direction the pin needs to be facing to slide it in, and the first few times you will fiddle with it a second or two, but it gets easier.

  • Mandricardo November 29, 2020, 4:52 pm

    Great review!

    By the way, I noticed the Powerblocks Commercial Pro dumbbells are advertised on Rogue’s website but not on Powerblocks’ website. Only the “normal” Powerblocks Pro dumbbells are advertised on Powerblocks’ website. It’s very strange. Also, what’s the difference between these two varieties of the Pro series? Go figure.

    • jburgeson November 29, 2020, 4:58 pm

      You have to go to Powerblock’s commercial site to see the Commercial line. The link is just at the top of the normal Powerblock site.

    • jburgeson November 29, 2020, 4:59 pm

      Oh, and the weight capacity of the Commercial line is double that of the standard Pro, and I’d imagine there are some construction quality differences in order to handle this extra weight.

      • Mandricardo November 30, 2020, 3:25 am

        I hadn’t noticed that, thank you for pointing this out.

  • Mandricardo November 30, 2020, 3:27 am

    What’s best in a dumbbell? An ergonomic handle like what you’d typically find in hex dumbbells or a fixed-width handle like that of IronMasters?

    • jburgeson November 30, 2020, 9:21 am

      I think that’s just a matter of personal preference. I’d argue it’s a fixed-width handle though

  • Mike Johnson December 3, 2020, 2:30 pm

    Now we need a comparison between these and the BAADASS adjustable dumbbells.

    Nice review.

  • Mandricardo December 8, 2020, 3:23 pm

    Hey JB,

    Which dumbbells is this guy using?

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CHc-J0Vl0jx/

    They look like IronMasters rip-offs!

    • Will September 23, 2021, 1:37 am

      Those are the Hoist adjustable dumbbells. They aren’t a ripoff of Ironmaster’s. In fact, they are Ironmasters, but the old version. Once Ironmaster switched to the current version reviewed here, they sold the patent/rights to the old version to Hoist. Those ones don’t go up as much in weight though but I heard they’re solid overall.

  • Mandricardo December 8, 2020, 5:36 pm

    I’ve looked around a bit and I’ve gathered what they are, namely the Hoist adjustable dumbbells. I’ve found a review that compares them with the IronMasters, concluding that they are even superior to those. Here it is:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwYZDX8RI14

    I don’t know what you think. :-D

    • jburgeson December 9, 2020, 12:31 am

      yeah they’re old Ironmasters. I play with heavy dumbbells and I don’t think that’s even an option with the Hoists.

      I can see why someone who was dealing with lighter dumbbells would prefer that variation though. although the video review made it sound like having to remove the screw from the current Ironmasters makes it more difficult and I don’t really see how that’s the case unless you’re just clumsy. Tip the thing on its end, take out the screw, add your plate(s), screw it down again. Flip and repeat. Doesn’t matter how big the stack is.

      I’d be fine with either so long as whatever I had could adjust high enough.

  • David December 8, 2020, 10:41 pm

    What a detailed and thorough review! Thank you so much for going over all the subtle details and differences. I’m signed up for the lottery, my future order includes: Ironmaster QLDB, 120+ add-on, heavy handle kit (you convinced me), the Super Bench Pro and a few attachments. It’s going to be a big investment for myself. But as with Covid, it’s affected my ability to go to the gym consistently and effectively. As far as heavy handle kit. I currently have a few standard iron dumbbells ranging from 15lbs to 25lbs, I went to go measure the handle size and it was 5″ which is spot on with what you mentioned with the heavy handle kit. I was surprised to find that out since I thought the heavy handle kit would make it smaller than a traditional dumbbell but it hasn’t. Again, thank you so much for a wonderful review. I’ve been looking on the internet for a while for a detailed review and yours is the best one yet. I’m glad I saw these QLDB before I purchased the Bowflex or Powerblocks.

    • jburgeson December 9, 2020, 12:34 am

      I appreciate this David. Thank you very much. I’m very glad to have helped you figure out exactly what you want; what would suit your needs. Good luck with the lottery! I wish there was a trick to it that I could share, but I think it’s just dumb luck.

  • Justin Kriezelman January 18, 2021, 1:44 pm

    I am looking for a solid bench FID that allows for olympic dimensions with bench (no more than 18″ off ground). One that “feels” similar to one you would experience at a gym. I would like something that is available now. Thanks for your input and advice. i am currently leaning towards the vulcan product.

    • jburgeson January 20, 2021, 10:08 am

      Hey Justin, the Vulcan Prime I believe is 18″ high when flat; meeting that criteria. It’s not in stock but has a pre-order date for this month – a day that has passed though, leading me to believe it hasn’t arrived at Vulcan’s warehouse yet. There’s also the Rep 5200 but that’s not in stock.

      The 18″ and under isn’t so tough, finding something in stock right now definitely is.

  • Mike February 10, 2021, 5:23 am

    Nice review and confirms my purchase. I got the 75lb set for Christmas last year and a weight bench, perfect timing for what was about to happen and then the 120lb upgrade kit this christmas. They’ve been awesome. I should of considered the heavy handle,but I didn’t have access to.your review at the time of purchase!! Haha. Anyway, I’m considering buying the straight bar or ez curl bar from ironmaster as well, of course when they are back in stock. Stay health, stay safe out there all.

    • jburgeson February 15, 2021, 11:23 am

      Thanks! Yeah if you go back for more weights later, add that Heavy Handle Kit.

  • Jim April 2, 2021, 7:31 am

    Great review! Your whole site is so well done … classy. Even the photos reveal attention to detail in your personal gym space.

    • jburgeson April 11, 2021, 10:19 am

      Thanks, Jim!

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