Powerblocks vs SelectTech Dumbbells

[hellfish]

I've done alot of review reading on these, and I'm going to get one or the other for my home gym, and I don't need them to be up to 90lbs, up to the 50 range is fine. I'm leaning towards the Selectechs cause I can get a set new with stand for 400.

So with that in mind, who has personal experience from them? I'd love to hear from some guys that actually 'use' them like we all use dumbells, because I am getting them for convenience, for the price, but I do wanna know they'll hold up. Can they take a little bit of a not-so-soft let down? Does the plastic crack at all, do they feel cheap anywhere? Are they awkward at all in size or shape? Advantages or disadvantages?

Any opinions?

[Stonewald Rockwater]

little awkward but nothing crazy(different then regular dumbbells)

would not drop them
not even on rubber mats

take care of these possibly fragile

[kloan]

I own both... The SelectTech are a little clunky but you get used to it. You definitely can't drop them or be rough with them. They are pretty fragile and can damage easily... my friend borrowed mine just before I left and barely an hour later he calls to tell me he broke one of them (he drives like an ass when he's in a bad mood, didn't bother to secure it in the back of his truck so it was rolling around).

One thing I found quite tedious while using the SelectTech was that when I was finished a set and my arms were a bit fatigued, trying to get the damn things back into the right slots was really annoying.. the plates left over have to line up just right for the weights to go back into the slots.

Anyway, I'm using the PowerBlock Elites now. So far, I've been MUCH happier with these. They're not nearly as big, so the range of motion seems to be better, and the weight seems to be more centralized.. not sticking way out on each end like the SelectTechs.

I also like the option of being able to upgrade them, which I'm sure to do pretty soon if I can find a good deal on the extra plates.

The PowerBlocks, while you probably still shouldn't drop them, are definitely better built than the SelectTechs. They feel solid, are comfortable to use and I can say I'm glad I bought them.

I paid just under $400 CDN when Costco had the SelectTech on sale a couple years ago, which came with the stand.

I paid $320 US for the PowerBlock Elites with no stand.

[oharad]

I have selectech 1090s they are a good bang for the buck but:

hammer curls are impossible... dbs are too long adn hit your shoulder at about 90%
lil clumbsy on pressing motions... again too long
tough to get in stand when arms are tired

other then that they are good.

[hellfish]

Thanks for your opinions guys, appreciate it. I think for my needs the Selectechs are the way to go. Gonna pick them up and let ya know what i think.