Kensui AdjustaBELL Review - Home Gym Dumbbell Handles

Learn More About the Kensui AdjustaBELL Handles Here

 

The design of the AdjustaBELL handle is very simple. Instead of being a single solid post, you have a center handle with two end pieces that screw INWARDS into the center handle.

This solves the #1 issue we all have with post-style dumbbell handles...the post extending beyond the plates (and yes, I know the plate has duct tape on it...because of course it does :).

When you use these types of handles, you can't comfortbaly set these on your thighs when doing dumbbell bench press...not many people enjoy a steel post going into their thighs weighted down with hundreds of pounds.

As well, when doing exercises like dumbbell curls, if you try and keep your palms forward at the bottom, the extended post hits your thighs and stops the range of motion at the bottom. You have to work around the physical shape of the handle rather than just focusing on doing the exercise.

And when doing bench presses, you have to tilt the weights so that the posts don't hit each other at the top.

With the AdjustaBELL handles, you have NO post sticking out.

And I'll be honest...this is not the first implementation I've seen of this style of dumbbell handle...but it IS the best.

I had a set of handles (inwards posts) that worked in a similar way about 20 years ago.

The downside I found with those was how they worked...the posts didn't screw in. They had little pressure thingies (hard to describe) that caught on grooves inside the handle, which didn't always line up perfectly with the size of plates I was using, resulting in the plates often sitting loose in the handles.

It was a great concept...but the screw-in system that the Adjust-A-Bell handles use is much more effective for setting the plates solidly.

 

The default size is to use Standard plates...but you CAN use Olympic plates, too.

To do that, you will need to get some stabilizers (sold separately but very inexpensive and totally worth it).

These stabilizers screw onto the posts so that you can put Olympic plates onto the posts without them shifting around loosly on a standard size post.

Here's what it looks like sitting in the center hole of an Olympic weight plate.

 

 

How to put weight plates on the AdjustaBELL Handles

This is a very easy process with light plates. Just put the end posts through the holes in the plates and screw them into the handle.

With heavier plates, it requires a bit different strategy.

The easiest way I've found is to set one of the end posts on the ground, pointing up. Then set the plate over the post.

This allows you to then set another plate on top of that one without having to worry about the plate shifting around.

Then screw the handle on.

Now take the other plate and set it on top of the handle, with the holes lined up.

Then pop the post in and screw it in and you're good to go.

You can tighten it up by rotating it with your hands.

If you want to get it REALLY tight and solid, spin the dumbbell counter-clockwise. This will use the rotation to tighten up the plates even more.

I wouldn't recommend spinning it TOO much as you can tighten it up so much that the plates are hard to get off again.

To loosen up the plates and take them off, set the dumbbell on end, set your foot on the bottom plates then use your bodyweight to rotate the top plates. This will unscrew them fairly easily, even if they're tight.

If you find the bottom post doesn't come off easily, step on the plate, grip the handle with both hands, then use your bodyweight to turn it. This usually does the trick, even if you really screwed it on tight.

 

 

Offset Loading...one of the BEST uses for adjustable dumbbells

While this concept is not exclusive to the Kensui AdjustaBELL handles, I did find it easier to implement using them. The flat-end functionality makes it much easier to work with this concept on dumbbell bench press.

The offset load bench press is one of THE best variations of dumbbell presses I've found.

I found a ratio of about 2 to 1 of weight on the inside versus the outside of the handles to be ideal. This forces amazing contraction of the chest. You'll get deep soreness from this, even if you're using moderate weight.

(I actually originally thought having the weight heavier on the outside would be better, but it turned out to be much better being heavier on the inside).

I like these for offset weight dumbbell rows as well (heavier towards the back).

And even one-side loaded training (no weight at all on one end).

This version is murder on the grip, too (keeping the plates tilted up rather than letting them just hang down).

This one-end loaded setup is AMAZING for hammer curls.

 

 

Great, but are the AdjustaBELL handles durable?

These things are overbuilt. You'd have to literally TRY to break them in order to actually break them, and even then, you'd have quite a job ahead of you.

To give you an idea, I stress-tested these with 180 lb dumbbell rows and they did not give AT ALL. They're rated by the company to 170 lbs and they'll handle that no problem.

I felt confident doing heavy dumbbell presses with these as well.

You're not going to have any quality issues with these.

I didn't have these to review, but if you want to load these handles with even more weight (or you like to use more lighter plates), you can also get metal extension pegs that are longer, allowing you to use more plates.

 

 

The Bottom Line...

These dumbbell handles are, to be honest, one of THE most cost-effective pieces of home gym equipment you'll get. They work better than any do-it-yourself dumbbell handles I've ever found, they're almost indestructible and the price is VERY reasonable.

If you're looking for some good home gym equipment, I would give these my highest recommendation.

Learn more about the Kensui AdjustaBELL Handles here...and get a pair for yourself!