(Last Updated on October 19, 2025 by Henry)
- Name: PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells (Pair)
- Category: Free Weights
- Purpose: Support Grip Strength
- Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
- Availability: Amazon (Prime delivery)
- Adjustable: 5 to 130 lbs/2.26 to 58.96 kg each, Combines 22, 28, or 34 Sets of Weights
- Space Efficient: Excellent Solution for Home Gym
- Expansion Sets: 4 Available Dumbbell Stages
Not Sure, How to Maximize Support Grip?
Read My Support Grip Training Guide.
Overview:
When I first came across the PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. The blocky, cage-like design doesn’t exactly scream “traditional dumbbell,” but after spending some serious time with them, I completely understand why so many lifters swear by these things. They’re practical, compact, and engineered with the kind of precision that makes every session feel smoother.
One of the first things I noticed was how solid and balanced they feel in hand. There’s no plastic looseness or rattling inside the plates, just clean, sturdy metal that locks in tight when you adjust the weight. The selector pin system is brilliantly simple; I can change from a light warm-up set to a heavier working set in a couple of seconds without breaking focus.
Each dumbbell covers a generous weight range, starting at 5 pounds and going up to 50 pounds, with optional expansion kits that push the total to 90 pounds. That flexibility means I don’t need to clutter my space with a full rack of dumbbells: a huge win if you’re building a compact home gym like mine.
Another detail that deserves credit is the flat-sided design. It might not sound like much, but it makes a big difference when you’re getting into position for chest presses or shoulder work. Resting them on your thighs feels natural, and because they’re shorter than most adjustable dumbbells, they don’t knock together when you’re pressing overhead.
As for the grip, I’m a big fan of the rubber coating. It’s comfortable, it doesn’t slip when you start sweating, and it does a surprisingly good job at training your support grip during compound lifts. You can really feel your forearms working, a bonus for anyone trying to build real grip endurance.
If you’ve got large hands, the enclosed handle design might feel a little tight at first. Personally, I got used to it after a few sessions, but if you like more space around your grip, the PowerBlock EXP might be a better fit.
All in all, I’d say these dumbbells strike a perfect balance between durability, convenience, and performance. They’re a thoughtful piece of engineering that’s stood the test of time, and if you’re serious about training at home, they’re definitely worth a look.
What Are the Pros & Cons of Using Extra-Heavy Dumbbells?
Stable, Compact & Sturdy
Pros:
- Quick Weight Changing Mechanism: Simply pull the pin out & slide it right back in on the weight you want to use. Super easy to use & fast.
- 3 Possible Default Settings: PowerBlock Elite dumbbells come in 3 possible different settings: 50-pound set, 70-pound set & 90-pound set. Note that each has different pricing.
- 3 Expansion Kits: 50-70; 70-90; 90-130: There are 3 possible extension kits available to expand your default 50-pound dumbbell set to 70 pounds, your 70-pound set to a 90-pound one & your biggest possible 90-pound PowerBlock set to a monstrous 130-pound one.
- Saves Up Space for Your Home Gym: Depending on how heavy the set you get, PowerBlock Elite combines 22, 28, or 34 different sets of weights.
- Small Weight Increments: There are 2.5-pound increments up to the first 25 pounds. Small weight increments are very beneficial, for example, if you intend to use a super-set type of routine in your workout that requires multiple small weight jumps.
- Saves Your Money: Great way to save money on dumbbells, the 90-pound version of PowerBlock Elite replaces up to 28 pairs of dumbbells, 56 individual dumbbells in total, which is 2565 pounds of free weights. You can replace an entire rack of dumbbells & it will be cheaper for you than buying dumbbells individually.
- Built Like Tank: Virtually indestructible: It’s a very sturdy yet stable & compact device, making it a reliable piece of equipment for your home gym. Dependable dumbbells for exercising for years to come.
- Flat on the Ends: This makes it easy to rest these dumbbells on your thighs between sets. Extra nice feature if you’re doing incline bench press or shoulder press: You can rest PowerBlock dumbbells on your thighs & lift them from there to start your exercise. After you’ve finished your set, you can bring dumbbells back on your thighs, making the whole exercise process much more comfortable, smoother & thus helping to prevent injuries.
- Great Grip, Protects Your Wrists: PowerBlock Elite dumbbells have a comfortable grip & a cage-like handle area that protects both your hands & wrists. As a result, you don’t have to squeeze the handle so much & it becomes effective for lifting bigger weights while supporting your grip. In that way, your wrists are always in the correct position & dumbbells are more stable during the lift.
- Warranty: The manufacturer offers a 10-year home use warranty.
Cons:
- Weight Changing Pin Can be Hassle: If you’re new to this, it takes a bit of practice to get it right. If you’re used to it, no problem. You must be careful to insert the weight-changing pin correctly into its proper, intended slot.
Still Deciding?
Compare it With Other Dumbbells.
PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells – Ranking 88 out of 100
Excellent Equipment
What Types of Exercises Can You Perform with Heavy Dumbbells?
Train All Major Muscle Groups
Leg Exercises:
- Wide squats
- Calf raises
- Stationary lunges
- Stiff-leg deadlift
- Reverse lunge
- Side lunge
Abdominal Exercises:
- Ab crunch
- Reverse crunch
- Lying trunk rotation
- Twisting side crunch
- Lying leg raise
Chest Exercises:
- Flat chest press
- Incline chest press
- Flat fly
- Incline fly
- Decline chest press
Back Exercises:
- Alternating rows
- Wide row
- Deadlift
Shoulder Exercises:
- Standing shoulder press
- Lateral raise
- Seated overhead press
- Front raise
- Rear delt row
- Shrugs
Arm Exercises:
- Standing curls
- Concentration curls
- Incline bench curls
- Scott curls
- Overhead triceps extension
- Triceps kickback
- Lying triceps extension
- Hammer curls
This Training Tool Targets Static Support Grip Muscles:
One of the 5 Primary Hand Movements.
Technical Details
- Dumbbells adjust from 5 to 130 lbs; adjusts in 2.5-pound & 5 pound increments
- Weight (Each): 50/70/90/130 pounds: 5 to 130 lbs (2.26 to 58.96 kg)
- Weight Increments in pounds: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 17.5, 20, 25, 27.5, 30, 35, 37.5, 40, 45, 50 lbs, etc
- Weight Settings: 22/28/34 – Combines sets of weights into one, depending on the size of the set
- Dumbbell Dimensions (Each): 12 inches long, 6 inches wide & 6 inches tall
- Shipping Weight: 180.1 pounds (for 2 x 90-pound dumbbells)
- Ships in Multiple Boxes – The item may ship in more than one box & may arrive separately
- Manufacturer: PowerBlock (USA)
Accommodate Your PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells Efficiently
- Provides a convenient storage & racking system for your PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells
- Durable dark grey steel construction
- Folds easily flat for portability & storage
- Compatible with all PowerBlock set-ups, 50 lbs (small rack) or up to 90 lbs (large rack)
- Has adder weight ports on the top of the stand for PowerBlock models that use adder weights
- Stand has a footprint of 20″ x 18″ & a height of 26″ (large) or a height of 24″ (small)
How Can Using Dumbbells Improve Your Grip Strength?
Do Bent-Over Rows
When it comes to building raw grip strength, few tools are as effective as dumbbells, and few dumbbells are as versatile as the PowerBlock Elite series. Every rep you perform with these compact, adjustable weights strengthens your support grip, crush grip, and wrist stability, all essential elements of overall hand and forearm power.
The PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells are specifically engineered to challenge your grip endurance through their dense, compact frame. The rectangular design forces your hands and fingers to constantly adjust and stabilize the load, engaging your forearm flexors, extensors, and stabilizing muscles in ways that traditional round dumbbells simply can’t match. That constant tension and adjustment build superior grip coordination and fatigue resistance.
Each dumbbell can be adjusted quickly in small increments, allowing you to progress gradually, the key to long-term strength and grip development. Whether you’re performing bent-over rows, farmer carries, or static holds, you’ll be training your grip under tension, the exact kind of stress that improves support grip capacity and helps prevent overuse injuries like tendinitis.
The ergonomic handle of the PowerBlock Elite provides a secure, firm grasp without over-compressing your palm, reducing strain on your joints while still forcing your fingers to work hard. The textured grip ensures your hands won’t slip even as fatigue sets in, making it ideal for longer sets that build grip endurance and forearm density.
One of the best ways to leverage dumbbells for grip is through time-under-tension exercises. Hold your dumbbells at the top of a row or deadlift for 20–30 seconds per set. This extended tension is incredibly effective for building the support grip that carries over to barbell lifting, climbing, and even functional daily strength. Because these dumbbells expand in weight, they grow with you.
As your strength increases, so does the resistance on your forearms, forcing continual adaptation and promoting progressive overload for grip strength. Over time, you’ll develop more wrist stability, better hand coordination, and the kind of grip endurance that separates serious lifters from casual gym-goers.
The PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells are more than just compact free weights; they’re an advanced training system designed to challenge and refine your grip mechanics. For athletes and home gym users alike, they’re an exceptional choice to maximize strength gains while improving grip control, stamina, and injury resilience.
What is My Final Evaluation On PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells?
Large Sturdy Behemoths
The PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells are one of those training tools I didn’t fully appreciate until I actually used them for a while. On paper, they look a bit odd compared to traditional dumbbells, almost boxy, but once you start lifting, that design begins to make a lot of sense.
They’re compact, heavy, and incredibly efficient. I’d even say they feel more stable than most adjustable dumbbells I’ve tried. What really makes the Elite series stand out is how solid they feel in hand.
There’s no wobble, no cheap plastic bits rattling around. It’s just steel stacked neatly together with a selector pin that slides in and locks the plates instantly. Adjusting the weight takes maybe two seconds. For someone like me who likes to move quickly between sets, that makes a huge difference.
Each dumbbell starts at 5 pounds and can go up to 50 pounds by default, but you can expand them all the way to 90 pounds with add-on kits. That’s a big plus because it means you don’t have to replace the whole set later, just upgrade as your strength goes up. I like that kind of long-term design thinking.
The handles are coated with a comfortable rubber grip that feels secure even when your palms start sweating. I’ve never had any slippage issues, and the grip itself actually contributes to training your forearms; you can feel your support grip working during pressing, rowing, and even isolation movements. Over time, that adds up.
One of my favorite things about the PowerBlocks is how easy they are to rest on your thighs when setting up for bench presses or overhead work. Since the ends are flat, they sit perfectly without digging into your legs. That’s a small detail, but one you notice immediately when training consistently.
If there’s one thing I’d point out as a drawback, it’s that the cage-style handle might not be ideal for lifters with very large hands. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if your knuckles tend to brush against the inner frame, you might prefer the EXP model, which gives you a bit more space. Outside of that, I honestly can’t say much bad about them.
They’re sturdy, smooth to adjust, and take up almost no space. I’ve dropped them a few times (not from overhead, but from waist height), and they’ve held up just fine.
Overall, I think the PowerBlock Elite Dumbbells are one of the best investments you can make for a home gym. especially if you care about durability, compact design, and functional strength training. They’re simple, strong, and built to last: exactly what I look for in training gear.
Thanks for Stopping By
Have Questions?
Please Leave A Comment
Looking for a Beginner Grip Training Guide Instead? Start Here.
Or, Check Out My Grip Training FAQ for Quick Answers.
Thank you for your post. It is a timely article for our family. We have a home Gym, which are used by four of us, my son, my daughter, my wife and myself. All of us use dumbbells daily, but the weight of the dumbbells need to be a wide range.
Here comes your article. The weight of the dumbbells are perfect for our family. It is range from 5 to 130 ibs. I like your Pros and Cons analyses. All Pros are what we are looking for. The two Cons are fine with us and in fact the multiple dumbbells in one save us money. Otherwise, we may need to buy four different sets of dumbbells and we have no spaces for so many dumbbells.
It is kind of you sharing this useful information with us.
There’s no need for you to get 130 lbs upgrades right off the bat, I’d say 50 lbs will be more than enough to start but this is for you to decide.
Biggest focus here is durability & since you say four of you will be regularly using the same set, withstanding wear & tear over the years will be big deal.
Thank you for this informative article Henry. I never really used powerblocks in my training but my friends told that it is one of the best ways to strengthen my hands and biceps. I will definitely give PowerBlock Elite a chance, since the seem like a great fit for me, from reading your article and their specifications.
Are there any PowerBlocks with lighter weight?
I will bookmark your website for future posts.
I appreciate your effort.
Strahinja.
Yes of course, you may want to take a look at PowerBlock Exp or Sport 24 versions.
Designs are different, however overall logic remains the same with emphasis on quick weight change.
One important detail to keep in mind with smaller models is that their handle gaps are also smaller.
It means men with bigger hands may have trouble getting their hands in & around handle.