Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells: How Do They Stack Up to the Competition in 2024?

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Traditional dumbbell sets can be extremely bulky. In the past, adding a weight lifting set to your home gym typically meant sacrificing a lot of space, limiting the amount of equipment you’re able to comfortably include. Now, weight training at home no longer means you’ll need to fill every inch of your space with weight plates and other bulky weight lifting accessories.

New technology is allowing strength training brands to reimagine their equipment into space-saving products that you can easily store in a corner of your home gym while lifting a variety of weight increments. Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells are some of our favorite adjustable dumbbells that allow you to strength train at home. This set comes in two starting weights of 45 and 75 pounds, with an add-on kit sold separately that allows you to lift up to 165 pounds.

Yet with so many adjustable dumbbells sets on the market in 2024, why should you choose these? Our comprehensive guide will cover what Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells are, how they work and how they stack up against other adjustable dumbbells on the market. We’ll also review features, pros and cons and who might benefit (or not benefit) from including these adjustable dumbbells to their home gym.

What Are the Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells?

Ironmaster’s Adjustable Dumbbells are an adjustable dumbbell system that allows you to lift light to heavy weights in 2.5-pound increments. They come in two starting sets of 45 and 75 pounds, which retail for $519 and $869 respectively. You can also purchase a separate add-on kit for $399 that adds an additional 90 pounds, allowing you to lift a maximum of 165 pounds with this system.

They’re made out of chrome-plated steel handles with diamond knurled grips, and can withstand heavy lifting and regular weight changes. To change weights, they use a quick-lock design, going from lighter to heavier weights with a simple turn of the locking screws (which the Ironmaster brand says takes 15 seconds or less). They also come with a lifetime warranty, an added bonus for buyers.

A dumbbell stand is included with the 75-pound set and sold separately for the 45-pound set. It costs $159, which may be a smart investment if you truly want to keep your adjustable dumbbells set organized and/or out of sight. You can buy a separate quick-lock heavy handle ($159) that allows for advanced specialty flows and warm-ups. There’s a $119 quick-lock adjustable kettlebell handle available as well that can be used for squats and other kettlebell workouts. All of these accessories are optional, however, so you can still use the dumbbells on their own. They allow for underhand, overhand or mixed grips; plus, they work well with a variety of weight benches.

The equipment doesn’t include any plastic or fragile parts, which makes it sturdy enough to drop occasionally. However, some users report that regular dropping can loosen the pin that secures the weights, so it’s best to avoid making a habit of it.

With a full set of weights that offers functionality, space-saving properties and a quick-lock system to keep lifters safe, we enjoy these adjustable weight dumbbells for their traditional feel. 

Ironmaster Dumbbell Specs (45 pounds)

Ironmaster Dumbbell Specs (75 pounds)

How do you change the weight of the Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells?

Changing the weight of the Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells is a simple process that requires a turn of the locking screws, which are made with a spin-lock design. After you turn the locking screws and unlock the adjustable dumbbells, you can lift the screw out entirely, which users report comes out easily. From there, you can add or remove as many 2.5 pounds plates that you need to achieve the weight you want. Lifters report that the plates fit together nicely, allowing them to stack together cohesively.

It’s a quick change that Ironmaster says only takes a matter of seconds. Once you’ve added the correct amount of weight to both ends of the adjustable dumbbells, you’re ready to add the locking screws back in. These locking pins are ribbed, which helps them lock securely into the dumbbell handle. How much weight you add is up to you; you can add the full weight set for a heavy lift, or lift as little as five pounds (with one 2.5 pound plate on each end of the dumbbell) for a light lift.

Still, changing weight through locking pins and weight plates will take some adjustment if you’re used to pushing a lever up and down on a traditional weight machine, or if you’re new to free weights. Even though the process is fairly fast, a locking screw will always take more time. Although Ironmaster claims users can adjust weight plates in 15 seconds or less, some lifters complain that the process is longer and that loading plates can be a slow process.

Overall Feel, Comfort and Design

Many users report Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells are extremely comfortable, thanks to their ergonomic design that allows for a sturdy grip. Lifters enjoy the aesthetics and natural look of a traditional set of dumbbells, while others say that weight plates fit together seamlessly. Users often praise the build quality and heavy duty construction. While Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells can allow you to lift up to 165 pounds, a dumbbell set won’t replicate the weight capacity a curl bar or barbell can withstand.

Ironmaster Dumbbell Pros

• 2.5 pound increments allow for precise weight changes
• Numerous compatible accessories to elevate your lifts
• Traditional dumbbell look and feel
• Ergonomic design for maximum comfort
• No plastic parts, improving durability
• Lifetime warranty

Ironmaster Dumbbell Cons

• Won’t allow extremely heavy or Olympic lifting
• Some users report the dumbbell stand is low quality
• Users report excessive dropping can loosen lock pins
• Optional accessories can be expensive

Ironmaster Dumbbells FAQs

Are Ironmaster Dumbbells made in the USA?

Yes, Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells are made in the USA. In fact, all products carried by the brand are both designed and engineered in the United States. Ironmaster is based out of Washington state.

Can you drop Ironmaster Dumbbells without breaking them?

Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells are designed to withstand being dropped. With chrome plated steel handles, diamond knurled grips and cast iron weight plates, these heavy duty adjustable dumbbells can handle a fall. Plus, they’re not made with any easily breakable pieces. That being said, users say that repeated dropping can cause the lock pin to become loose over time. This means that weight plates won’t be screwed in tightly, which can pose danger to the user. To err on the side of caution, it’s best to avoid dropping Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells.

Where can I buy Ironmaster Dumbbells?

You can buy Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells directly through the Ironmaster website. Ironmaster offers free shipping on all orders to the continental United States. As of now, Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells aren’t available for sale on Amazon or other retailers.

Ironmaster Dumbbell Alternatives

While Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells are a great addition to any garage or home gym, they don’t always stack up against competitors for some lifters, depending on their needs. These are the top alternatives to Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells and who they’re best for.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells are a solid alternative to Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells. They are available at a lower price point of just $379 for a 52.5 pound set (compared to $519 for Ironmaster’s 45 pound set), and they also come with free storage trays.

However, some reviewers say the adjustable dumbbells feel a little bulky. This means they may not be a good option for those with smaller hands or shorter individuals. 

For more information, check out our Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells review.

PowerBlock Dumbbells

PowerBlock Dumbbells are another strong alternative to Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells. This weightlifting brand offers three levels of adjustable dumbbells that include a Sport ($199-$409), Pro ($509) and Elite ($419) series, which have different capabilities. Like Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells, they use a lock pin that users unscrew and remove to change weight levels. The Pro Series is the most similar to Ironmaster’s adjustable set, yet it has a slightly higher weight capacity of up to 90 pounds per hand (or 180 pounds total) that lifters can achieve with add-on kits. Also like Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells, PowerBlock Dumbbells use 2.5 pound weight increments.

The Powerblock Dumbbells are different in that your hand goes inside the dumbbell, which some lifters might find uncomfortable.

For more information, check out our in-depth PowerBlock Dumbbells review.

Nuobell Dumbbells

Nuobell Dumbbells are Swedish-designed adjustable dumbbells set marketed as the “World’s Smartest Dumbbell.” These sets cost $625-$775, depending on the weight capacity you buy, and come in 50- or 80-pound options. Pancake-style weight plates stack together easily, and a click-lock handle means you simply rotate until you’ve reached your desired weight.

While Nuobell Dumbbells offer a lot of convenience (and a truly cool look), these adjustable dumbbells really shouldn’t be dropped. That’s because they’re made with many plastic parts that make them significantly more fragile than Ironmaster’s version.

For more information about Nuobell Dumbbells, check out our in-depth Nuobell Dumbbell review. 

Final Thoughts

Strength training is a great workout that can build muscle mass, strength and endurance. Still, strength training at home isn’t always the easiest, since the equipment necessary can be bulky and take up a lot of space, leaving you little room to work out or for other equipment. Adjustable dumbbell sets alleviate that issue.

Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells are durable, comfortable to use and offer a cohesive strength training experience. While they can be pricey, especially if you’re tacking on accessories or storage stands, the cost may be worth it if you’re planning to use these weights several times a week. They also take up little room and can easily be stored in the corner of a home or garage gym. Overall, Ironmaster Adjustable Dumbbells can be a smart investment that packs a traditional gym weightlifting experience into one extremely compact set.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.