Plate Mate vs Dumbell Handles

[SteppingFool]

Hi all,

I need to increase my dumbell weight to 17.5 lbs. I know I could purchase 2X1.25 lbs plate mates for my 15 lb dumbells. However, this option is a little expensive... almost $50 for a pair of dumbells.

I was thinking it would be more efficient to buy dumbell handles instead and make my own 17.5 lb dumbells since I already have the weight plates for my barbell. My question is -- for those of you who have either or both -- is there anything you like/dislike about it? Should I go one way or another?

TIA!
Haslina

p/s
I've tried using wrist weights, but I just don't think they add up to the same resistance as having the right dumbell.

 

[Beets]

I think you should buy the dumbell handles and make your own weights with weight plates. Plates themselves are not very expensive--you just need to have enough of them to make the proper weight increments for each dumbell. I also have Platemates but you are right, they are expensive. I am a personal trainer who travels to people's homes and finally realized that I cannot be lugging millions of sets of dumbells to accomodate a wide range of strengths. I finally smartened up and bought a 50# set: dumbell handles plus weight plates. I bought some additional 1.25 weight plates to be able to increase the weight in the smallest increment possible and this has worked out great. I just keep all the weight plates in a crate in my car and rack up what I need for that particular client and keep the rest in the car.

 

[Aquajock]

Hi, Haslina!

I have exactly the PlateMates you are describing, and I personally love them! However, I already have a collection of hex dumbbells of varying weights (15 lbs, 20 lbs., 25 lbs and 30 lbs) so I can use the PlateMates for each of these.

Your idea sounds just fine, to invest in dumbbell handles instead and use your weight plates. I personally prefer hexes to plates for dumbbell work (I really don't like Ivanko dumbbells, for example) but that is strictly a personal preference, based on not liking how big the weight plate's diameter is - sometimes it interferes with my preferred range of motion. If that's not an issue for you, go to it!

And I agree with you about wrist weights versus dumbbell weights - because the weight load of a wrist weight is closer to the moving joint, the workload is decreased. Stick with going heavier on the dumbbells.

Hope this helps -

Annette

 

[Gettingfit]

I have to agree that dumbbell handles are the way to go. And if you have any specialty weight stores in your area, you may be able to find 1 1/4 lb plates. I just found some for $0.49 each! I was so pleased. Now I can increase my dumbbells 2.5 lbs using handles, & they've come in handy when increasing my barbell, too. I feel like the increments are easier to handle.

"You have within you more resources of energy than have ever been tapped, more talent than has ever been exploited, more strength than has ever been tested, and more to give than you have ever given". John Gardner