Weights That Give You Options – Good or Bad?

by Sue on November 8, 2007

Reebok SpeedpacI was looking at a past issue of Shape magazine, when I saw these really adjustable weights. Made by Reebok, the SpeedPac provides a way to tone up without having to worry about owning different sized weights. You may have seen something similar made by BowFlex, which are really expensive! And they’re monstrous too!

I don’t know how safe these would be, and although these seem pretty convenient, I don’t know. They’re cool in a sense that you can adjust the weight. I’ve read mixed reviews on these, such as the pins that hold the weight don’t always match up correctly. That concerns me because of the fact I’d hate to have metal drop on my foot. What do you think about these?

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  • http://www.worldfitnessnetwork.com Jason

    Hey Sue!

    Honestly, I’ve never tried these and they seem a bit scary to me too. But I did have a friend in high school who’s dad used a larger version of these in his home gym. He didn’t have any dents in his head, and he seemed perfectly happy with his gym, so I assume he didn’t have the weights falling on top of him.

    The other kind of adjustable dumbbell I’ve usually seen has a screw-type collar that tightens the weights onto a small bar. That type of adjustable dumbbell strikes me as being slightly safer, but less convenient. That’s just my 2 cents.

  • http://news.runtowin.com Blaine Moore (Run to Win)

    I just use the standard “bar” dumbbells that Jason mentions. You can easily upgrade your weights as you get stronger, which isn’t possible without purchasing a new dumbbell with the model you have here.

    I just spend the few bucks on the pair of dumbbells and a straight bar, and then buy the weights that I need. As I get stronger, I just buy more or heavier weights and then I can adjust my dumbbells/barbells accordingly.

    Sports Authority and other stores usually have sales a few times per year that can get the cost down to 25 to 50 cents per pound depending upon where you live.

    You can also get bars that have either screw type collars or regular tension spring collars. Screw type are about the safest you can get, but tension springs are much more convenient.

  • http://www.lazymanandhealth.com Lazy Man

    I think they are fine, but I haven’t done a ton of research.

    I’ve been wanting a set for some time. It seems like they are always expense though. There are never any deals online because no one wants to ship something like weights. Maybe Craigslist is an option.

  • Mollie

    I’ve seen those around, but it seems to me that they would waste a lot of time if you’re doing a pyramid-style weight workout. It’s much easier to just grab the next set of dumbbells than to stop and adjust those.

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