IF YOU’RE A dedicated workout-from-home guy, you need to know that the equipment you buy is going to work and last. There are few pieces worth investing in more than an adjustable dumbbell.
The dumbbell is incredibly versatile—you can press, curl, squat, or deadlift your way through many different exercises with the compact tool. You just want to make sure you get the right one. Something durable, and with enough weight to be able to continue progressively overloading your training.
There just might be one pair that addresses both of those potential issues: The Hammer Strength Pro 100 Adjustable Dumbbells, a recent collaboration between Hammer Strength and PowerBlocks. The weights run up to 100 pounds (more than most adjustable sets), and the makers bill the set as the “most durable” adjustables on the market.
| Materials | Urethane coated steel plates |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 5-100 pounds |
| Adjustable Mechanism | Removable Clip |
| Dimensions | 19.1″ x 7.6″ x 7.4″ per 100LB dumbbell |
| Warranty | 5-year limited warranty |
Do they really stack up? Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., ran them through some tests to find out.
The Hammer Strength Pro 100 Adjustable Dumbbell Review
The dumbbells are made of urethane-coated steel plates, a more durable material than some of the plastic you might find on cheaper options. They come with an easy clip structure which make changing out the weight of the tool intuitive. The clip can be finicky at times, but the transitions become seamless with more practice. The set base package has a range of 5 to 40 pounds, but can load up to 100 pounds with the purchase heavier options. One of the great benefits of the Pro 100s is the core houses 2.5 pound rods that you can take off or add on, so you adjust the weight in smaller increments.
The core price of the Hammer Strength Pro 100s, which gets you up to 40 pounds of weight, will run you about $499. From there you can purchase expansions with more weight which cost about $199 each, or a stand that runs at $349.
To test these out, Samuel runs them through five common exercises to get a feel for how well they flow.
Testing the Hammer Strength Pro 100 Dumbbells
Biceps Curl Test
When used for a dumbbell curl, Samuel says the weights feel nice and sturdy, because of the strips on the outside of the dumbbell. They’re quite bulky, however, so it’s difficult to go through the full range of motion of the contraction. Traditional dumbbells are a bit smaller and more compact, so they move better. Generally though, these get the job done.
Snatch Test
How to the dumbbells stack up with more ballistic movements, like the dumbbell snatch?
Because of the speed at which snatches are typically performed, the strips on the outside of the dumbbell get in the way when it comes to swapping grip between reps, especially if you’re moving quickly and alternating hands. They’d work well for low-rep sets, but aren’t ideal for quick pace sets.
Press Test
We’ve done some light weight tests, but how do the Pro 100s feel when it comes to heavy lifts?
Because of the thickness of the outside edges, the dumbbells don’t dig into your thighs on set up the way traditional dumbbells might, Samuel says. Again, the strips on the outside of the handles made the dumbbells feel very, very solid—so they definitely pass the press test, Samuel says.
Incline Row Test
Because of the width of the dumbbell, though, you might have to widen out your rowing form quite a bit—especially the heavier weight you use. There’s nothing wrong with that, it just might feel a bit odd for experienced lifters.
Deadlift Test
How do the dumbbells feel when you’re maxing them out with the heaviest possible weight?
These dumbbells are going to be really wide. That means you can’t keep your arms as close to your sides, so you might feel uncomfortable if you’re not used to lifting that way.
On the positive side, the rubber grip allows for a really strong hold on the dumbbell, which is important for heavy lifts. In fact, the strips on the sides can lean up along your forearm, which might actually benefit your grip.
The Drop Test
To test durability, Samuel performed a drop test from two different heights to see how well the tool handles impact. It’s important to note, though, that the dumbbells are void of warranty when dropped—so make sure you’re very careful with them at home.
When dropped from bench height, both a fully loaded 10 pound dumbbell and a lighter 50 pound version stayed intact. You can still change out the weights just fine, there’s no damage to the plastic clips.
From shoulder height, though, there was some mild damage. The clip for both the light and heavy option broke, but the core attachment and load plates stayed together well. The only piece you need to watch out for is the plastic clip. The good news though, is the clip is very easily detectable, and a replacement piece will only cost you around $15.
After both tests, there’s no visible scratches or dents in the core attachment or load plates on the dumbbells.
The Bottom Line:
The Hammer Strength Pro 100s are probably best for advanced users with a good amount of lifting experience. Beginners don’t really need the amount of load that these are going to provide—and are better off opting for something smaller and cheaper.
You also won’t get the most out of these for the smaller accessory motions, like biceps curls and snatches because of their size. They limit range of motion a bit, so you won’t get optimal contraction on these kinds of exercises. That said, they’re fantastic tools for heavy loaded exercises like deadlifts and presses.
