XMark 50 lb. Adjustable Dumbbell

I''d like to start this review with a disclaimer. This is coming from someone who is mid P90X and has made great progress. I built up from regular screw on dumbbells to these. I''m not a body builder and I''m a beginner.

I originally looked at a few different weight sets. While looking I considered the following factors: Durability, convenience, versatility and space saving.

Durability: The majority of this weight set is made out of metal, mostly the important parts: the weights and weight adjustment part. The handle is a durable solid plastic and the other plastic parts are mostly just for show. Overall this weight set is durable and sturdy. This is a primary reason I selected this set, it seems like it''d be able to stand the test of time.

Convenience: The weight set comes with it''s own cradle. The cradle is just plastic, but it works. The real nice part is the easy adjustment. It''s just a quick turn of a handle and slide to the weight you want and slide back. Super simple. Doing P90X I need to go sometimes from 20''s to 50''s then back to 20''s quickly. Simple place it on the cradle, move the slide and off you go. Great feature.

Versatility: Here is unfortunately where it comes up a little short. The max weight for each dumbbell is 50 LBS and it only moves in 10 LBS increments. So making the jump from 20''s to 30''s can be really rough, if it had 5 LBS adjustments instead of 10''s it''d be better for lifting, but you can just simply add more reps until you''re ready for the 10 so overall it''s not a bad deal.

Space saving: As mentioned above I needed 3 adjustable sets and they still couldn''t do all the weights this one could. I''d need a ton of space if I were to use traditional hex weights or even adjustables. Great feature.

Now with all the great things being said, time to move into my biggest complaint.

Although the design is neat looking, they are a bit bulky. The one issue comes is sometimes I must adjust my body positioning as not to hit myself with the weights as they are extremely wide (in order to fit up all the adjusted weights. When you compare it to a dumbbell loaded with 50 LBS though, the bulk isn''t too much more. Overall, while it sometimes gets in the way it''s still a great set.

Final recommendation: I would highly recommend this weight set over the higher priced and less durable Bowflex. I haven''t tried others but I''ve read enough about bowflex to know they''re build not to last. These weights are a good set. They are worth the money!

Update: 1/8/11: The weights are still going strong with no signs of slowing down. I use them three times a week for about an hour, so they get plenty of wear and tear.

Update: 4/26/11: The weights are still in excellent shape. No oil, no upkeep, just solid workin'' out.

I purchased the XMark XM-3305 adjustable dumbbells in March 2011 from Bayou Fitness. I had considered other dumbbell sets, but these met our criteria: well constructed, inexpensive, attractive, and flexible.

Weights can be switched almost as quickly as selecting different weights at the gym. I checked the weights for 15, 20, and 25 pounds. The dumbbells are within 2% of the setting. Each dumbbell weighs almost exactly 25.5 pounds at maximum setting.

The labels on the product are cheap paper discs (look like cd labels) on each end of the dumbbell. I took these off immediately. The weights are actually better looking than the SelectTechs.

The dumbbells appear to be sturdy, and the mechanism for holding the plates on the bar looks almost infallible. The tray is a sturdy plastic that holds the unused plates in the proper position for reinserting the bar. When the bar is inserted into the plates, the motion is smooth. This is definitely a quality product.

The customer service at Bayou Fitness is top-notch. They will converse with you online and their e-mail responses are quick. I talked to them several times prior to ordering.

I would not have any hesitation in ordering other XMark products.

Buy XMark 50 lb. Adjustable Dumbbell Now

I bought these dumbbells to use with the ChaLean Extreme fitness program. I was having increasing difficult with the bands that I had and wanted space saving weights. I chose these over Select Techs and other brands because the reviews on these were the best and I couldn''t beat the price point.

The weight plates and bar are metal. The portion that holds the weights and the weight selector are heavy duty plastic. I''ve found no problems keep a good grip on the weights while sweating during workouts.

The weights do come in a pair, unlike the 10-50 pound version. The bar itself weighs 5 pounds. Upping the settings on both sides will increase the whole weight by 5 pounds. The total weight possible is 25 pounds. Now, you can manipulate the adjustment to increase by different increments but that makes the dumbbell unbalanced. Depending on the exercise you are doing, this may or may not be a problem.

Adjusting can be tricky at first. I had to pause my workout several times the first week to get the settings right. It did become easier. Sometimes it is also awkward to put the dumb bells back down in the holders properly. It has to do with the angle you are placing them down in. This too gets better with practice.

I feel the weights are locked in well and have no hesitation lifting them above my head or face. I don''t see where the weights would easily become dislodged. If they aren''t locked in place, they don''t come out of the main holders easily. At least, this has been my experience this far. Should I become injured, I will update my review immediately.

These weights do clank a bit. Mostly when I''ve set them too heavy. Then my muscle starts to shake and I shake the weights. Otherwise, they don''t make much noise or if they do I''m used to it.

I have short arms and have not found that these weights are too bulky or awkward to use. I''ve done better with them than I have with individual weights.

This is a solid purchase. I would do it again without hesitation. My main worry is that I will need the heavier set sooner than I anticipated. Unlike the Select Techs that go up to 52 pounds, these do only come in 5-25 pounds or 10-50 pounds. Also unlike the Select Techs, I''m not worried that these will break easily.

If you are in the market for 5-25 pound adjustable weights, look no further than these XMarks.

Read Best Reviews of XMark 50 lb. Adjustable Dumbbell Here

I will not reiterate all the pros that have been mentioned already, but just affirm them. I noticed only one other review that mentioned sizing, so I will say that because I am a woman of small statute I find these to be somewhat over-sized and bulky for my frame. Plus, I have small hands and must use gloves to keep a secure grip on the handle bar due to its large diameter. The dumbbells are 15 inches in length so for me to use two together to do forearm or bicep curls I have to rotate my arms out wider than my body (something I am not certain about the safety/wisdom of doing) so the dumbbells do not hit each other as I lower and raise them.

UPDATE: I decided to return these after giving them an honest go. They are simply too clunky, bulky and large for a smaller person. They also take some time to re-rack and add on or take off weights, which quickly becomes rather annoying and cumbersome.

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I picked these up about a month ago and only wish I had bought them sooner.

This set is great for quick weight changes between workout moves. The system is stable and solid. I haven''t had any problems with it at all.

The write up for these show a 10lb change between settings. To elaborate, each plate is 5 lbs. and you can adjust each side individually so you can change by a factor of 5. Just be aware, if you do, the weight won''t be balanced.

I would definitely recommend these weights.

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