Speedy adjustment times have always been reserved for the more expensive sets like the Bowflex 552s and PowerBlocks, so it’s refreshing to see that companies are pushing out much cheaper but well-made lightweight fast-to-adjust dumbbells for beginners or people on a budget.
PRCTZ Got all The Essentials Right.
Over the past few years, I’ve reviewed many 25lb dumbbells, and like their 50lb bigger brothers, some are more impressive than others, and a few stand out from the rest. The PRCTZ is a dumbbell that stands out from the rest because these guys seem to have got all the essentials right. Their Dumbbell uses the fastest of all adjustment systems, the plates are steel and not covered in plastic and most importantly the weight increments are small enough for beginners.
The PRCTZ Adjustable Dumbbell is an impressive well-made dumbbell, so I want to take a closer look at everything it offers, including its drawbacks, as there are a few minor ones.
At the end of the review, I’ll compare the PRCTZ dumbbell with another best seller in the price bracket, the LifePro 25lb Adjustable Dumbbell, as it will be interesting to see how they match up. First, a quick look at the PRCTZ Adjustable Dumbbell product specs!
Product Specifications
Product dimensions – 14.1 x 11.1 x 9.9 inches
Weight – 25lb per dumbbell
Adjustment system – twist lock
Weight increments – 5lb, 10lb, 15lb, 20lb, 25lb
Material – alloy steel plastic
Why Do We Like The PRCTZ Adjustable Dumbbell
The best feature of the PRCTZ dumbbell has to be its speedy adjustment system. The PRCTZ dumbbell uses a twist-lock system. It’s the fastest out of all the systems used on adjustable dumbbells and takes just a second to adjust.
All you need to do is twist your wrist to the desired weight you want to lift and take the dumbbell from its storage tray. It’s that easy.
Still, you need to remember before selecting the weight that the dumbbell is sitting fully in its storage tray. Some people mistakenly try to change the dumbbell weight when the dumbbell isn’t pushed fully into the tray, which means you won’t get a smooth weight change.
No Plastic Casings For The Weight Plates – This is a good thing!
Plastic casing surrounding weight plates is something that so many companies use for their dumbbells, and it’s a design flaw because the plastic casings are the first things to break if a dumbbell is dropped, making them unusable. Bowflex, NordicTrack, and many of the top companies surprisingly use plastic casings for their weight plates, and it’s the No.1 customer complaint because drops aren’t covered in the warranties. Many people end up with hefty repair bills.
Thankfully PRCTZ thought to powder coat their weight plates to protect them from rust rather than give them a plastic casing; not only does this mean there’s less to break if you drop one of your PRCTZ dumbbells, but it also means your dumbbells will be more compact, which is what you want.
Small Weight Increases Are Best For Progress
Something else I was pleased to see with the PRCTZ dumbbell is that it adjusts in 5lb weight increments. Small weight increases are one of the keys to progress, no matter what apparatus you’re using or what exercise you are performing. Ideally, you want a dumbbell that adjusts 2.5lb or 5lb increments.
Anything larger than 5lb will slow your progress, especially for isolation exercises. Too bigger jumps in weight will cause bad form and cause injuries and stop you adapting properly.
Also, it’s worth mentioning this is only a 25lb dumbbell. 25lb may sound heavy now, but once you’ve been lifting a few months, you’ll be surprised how fast gains in strength come.
There are no weight expansion packs available with this dumbbell, so when you reach the 25lb, you’ll have to buy a heavier dumbbell to continue your progress. If you’re serious about your lifting? You may want to consider something heavier for your first dumbbell, which allows for more growth as it will save you money in the long run. This all depends on your lifting goals and your budget?
No Drops From Height!
I mentioned there are no plastic casings for the plates, which is excellent news, the less pastic, the better when it comes to dumbbells. However, there is some plastic in the adjustment system and handle; it’s unavoidable with the 25lb sets and most 50lb sets. If you want fast-to-adjust dumbbells, you’ll have some plastic to deal with.
Does the plastic in the handle affect your training? No, not really. Still, you won’t be able to train to failure and drop the dumbbells on that last killer rep because you’ll break something. The adjustment systems of this type of dumbbell are delicate, so I wouldn’t advise any drop from height. A dumbbell like this will survive drops of 6″ or so but don’t risk anything higher.
Solid Dumbbells No Plate Movement
Plate movement plagues many cheap sets and can be off-putting when lifting. So it was a pleasant surprise to find a cheap adjustable dumbbell with no plate movement. This PRCTZ dumbbell feels solid, and because it’s pretty compact, it feels natural to lift with. The handles aren’t too long—around 14″, which is a good length for a dumbbell handle.
Okay, the handles are fixed-length handles which means no matter how much weight you lift, whether it’s 5lb or 25lb, the handle length stays the same. Which means they are not the most compact you’ll find, but since this is a lightweight dumbbell and we don’t have any plastic casing bulking the dumbbell out, it’s still relatively compact and feels great to lift with.
When pressing, there is no need to worry about the dumbbells clashing above your head. It’s a solid compact dumbbell, just how it should be.,
Should I buy One or a Pair?
How many dumbbells you buy depends on your budget and your training schedule. However, I’d always recommend buying a pair of dumbbells. Otherwise, you miss out on compound movements that require two dumbbells. Compound movements should be the backbone of any bodybuilding routine. They add muscle mass, strength and burn fat faster than any other exercise.
The Good
Solid dumbbell. Feels great to lift with no plate movement
Adjustment system fast enough for any advanced or basic bodybuilding technique that requires fast weight changes
Compact dumbbell – feels natural to lift with
5lb weight increments
Come with storage trays
Powder coated steel plates – no plastic casing
Excellent price for a well made twist lock dumbbell
The Bad
Lightweight dumbbells some lifters may outgrow the 25lb max quickly
No drops from height as there plastic in the adjustment system
Alternative
LifePro 25lb Adjustable Dumbbells
I’ve reviewed a lot of fitness gear from LifePro, and these guys always impress. Quality is right up there, and their prices are competitive. Last week, I reviewed their 25lb dumbbell, and I can say they are one of the better sets of 25lb dumbells; they’re not perfect but have great features.
They’re very similar to the PRCTZ dumbbells in that they both have a max of 25lb per dumbbell and adjust in increments of 5lb, both feel solid with no plate movement, and both dumbbells do away the plastic casing surrounding the weight plates.
What’s different is the adjustment system. The LifePro uses a pull slide type of adjustment system. It’s speedy to adjust takes 2 seconds at most, so just like the PRCTZ dumbbells, the LifePros can be used for any exercise, even drop sets that require the fastest weight changes.
The LifePros have some plastic in the adjustments system, so there is no dropping this dumbbell from height, and they are slightly longer than PRCTZ dumbells but not too long that they feel awkward to lift with.
Overall they are a very well-made pair of 25lb dumbells with a foolproof fast adjustment system and the all-important 5lb weight increments. They are not as impressive as the PRCTZ dumbells because LifePros use a pull sector, but they are worth some serious consideration if you want quality at an affordable price.
To Sum Up
There isn’t much I can fault about the PRCTZ Adjustable Dumbbells. Yes, there is some plastic in the design, but there’s plastic in every 25lb selectable dumbbell out there that costs under $100; it’s not a deal stopper just means you need to be careful not to drop from height.
Still, this impressive dumbbell boasts the fastest adjustment system, has a nice solid feel about it, and has 5lb weight increments, which means a beginner will be able to progress properly with their lifting at home.
They’re winners for the price point. To purchase two well-made twist-lock dumbbells for $140 or a single for $69 is a bargain. Look after them, and they’ll last years.
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