Intro
Before I get into the decision, I just wanted to point out that I’ve had a home gym for about eight years now and have had a change of heart regarding my preference for dumbbells in my home gym.
Initially, I favored traditional hex dumbbells, but I now realize that space is just too precious of a commodity. Additionally, there have been significant advancements in adjustable dumbbells, making them a superior option, in my opinion. Many are simpler to use, built more compact, and have an overall higher value than they used to be.
Thus, I definitely prefer owning adjustable dumbbells and think they are likely a “better option for most people” as well. However, if space is not a factor or you are using dumbbells for CrossFit-style workouts, traditional hex should be the choice for you.
Nevertheless, I didn’t need two sets of adjustable dumbbells, which I stumbled upon while creating content.
I owned the traditional Nuobells along with a Powerblock Set.
So what did I end up choosing?
*There are numerous types of Powerblocks. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll simply refer to all Powerblock dumbbells vs. Nuobells because I don’t think the type of Powerblock dumbbells changes my thoughts.
Subscribe
The Decision & Primary Reasons
First of all, both are great options, but I chose Powerblocks for the following reasons.
- Durability was the #1 factor I stuck with this more established brand. The plastic base on my NuoBells was damaged very early on, and while they could still be used, I definitely had to work around the chip (others had issues as well). Since Powerblocks primarily consist of metal, I know they’ll last forever, and I know many Powerblock owners will attest to this.
- Somewhat related, I love knowing that I can drop the Powerblocks without fear of damage. This allows me to push a bit harder and to failure, if necessary, without caring if I need to drop or not. With Nuobells, that wasn’t necessarily the case. There is a very good chance they will break if dropped enough.
- Nuobells only go up to 80 lbs, and the ability to add even an additional 10 pounds on the Powerblocks makes a difference for me.
- My least favorite part of the NuoBells would be the sharp edges. They do not feel great when resting on your legs before the lift or bringing them back after the set. This is especially the case when loading up the heavier weight for bench press.
With that being said, Nuobells are more compact (but still not as compact as hex/many loadable dumbbells), include a bit of a better grip, and have more weight increment. Still, the reasons above were more important to me.
It wasn’t necessarily an easy choice at the time, but after a few months of using the Powerblocks on their own, I do feel I made the correct decision.
Other Notes
- My favorite aspect of the NuoBells would be their compactness.
- While NuoBells are known for their quick weight change, I don’t find it takes much more time at all to switch the PowerBlocks weight. Both are extremely easy to adjust and efficient to use. Therefore, this didn’t play into the decision much at all.
- The Pro PowerBlocks up to 90 lbs are about $100 more than the heaviest Nuobells. This price difference would not change my mind if I had to re-purchase again. Considering the PowerBlocks will likely last much longer, I think they are an overall better value.
Conclusion
These are just my personal thoughts! I can certainly see why someone would go the other way with their decision. Nuobells may certainly be the “best option for most people.” However, as my workouts have evolved, I greatly enjoy the durability and overall performance.
Please let me know your adjustable dumbbell preference choice in the comments! Or, what style you prefer instead?