Yep, I would have expected the outside heavier to be the way to go but definitely worked better heavier on the inside. Sometimes you never know until you test!
I have purchased these handles with the extensions and I found your review of them to be excellent. Very thoughtfully composed and executed. I now understand Kensui makes a new version that is all aluminum and goes for around $100. Thanks for the video!!
As far as drop sets are concerned, given the price of these, you can easily afford to purchase an additional set and you can do a drop set with the other pair.
Yeah, people need to think more out of the box, there's no law saying you can't have multiple handles or a mix of solid and plate loaded dumbbells and yet people always compare one set of basic adjustable dumbbells to a rack of them or a modern quicker adjustable set as if you can't have multiples. People do this in their minds and in countless articles and videos and use drop sets as one of their arguments against old school adjustable dumbbells as if it's crazy to consider multiple handles as an option. It's a lack of creative thinking. It works especially well if only you are using the equipment. The same thinking can apply to barbells, ez-curl bars etcetera, one set up for biceps, the other triceps...often using opposing supersets. I realize it costs money but I buy used over many years and plates, handles and barbells are easier to pick up cheap than dumbbell sets and fancy new adjustable dumbbell systems... Why I'm even willing to use old plates with duct tape on them if you can imagine such a thing!
@@michaelkulman7095 I put up to 120 pounds one with 10 pound plates. Gray cap plates from Amazon. Thin plates. I regularly load them from 70 to 85 pounds four almost a year now work great.
Yep, they can definitely do more! I tested mine up to 180 lbs total (I think they tested 70's on each end post, total of 140 lbs). I had a couple of 45's on either side and it still felt secure to me. I couldn't actually fit anymore weight on or I would have tested higher!
Just ordered mine. Question: do you need a stabilizer for each additional olympic plate you load on? For example, would 4 plates on one handle require 4 stabilizers?
Yep, you likely would, depending on the thickness of the plates you're using. One stabilizer works for one plate that's 25 lbs or more. For 5's or 10s, you could probably fit two plates per stabilizer.
Good stuff. I'm fascinated with what you were saying about off loading dumbbells to bias one side. Mine haven't arrived yet so I can't test for myself but it seems to me that surely biasing the outer side of the dumbbell rather than the inner would create more need internal chest contraction. Have you tried it both ways? I'd be very grateful if you could share your findings and thoughts on this, sir.
You know, I actually did it with the outside side heavier first and it was good...and I thought it would be the most effective. Then, out of curiosity, I flipped it around...and it was much better. I thought for sure heavier on the outside would be better. What I realize is that with the heavier part on the inside, it forces your chest to pull more...with the heavier on the outside, I find it got into my shoulders more. Definitely try it both ways - would be interested to hear which works better for you!
@@MadScientistOfMuscle Thanks. I will certainly be giving it a go and looking into other people's research and experiences, perhaps someone has used one of those expensive muscle activation monitors that I can't remember the name of. It sounds so counterintuitive so it'll be brilliant to have something that could qualify as proof. My chest is my most developed body part already and my shoulders are lagging so perhaps I should leave it alone haha. I'm certain my results are down to using a Thigh Master (remember those?? $10) as warm up/pre exhaustion then backpack dropsets on press up handles all the way down to no weight from the knees press ups then Thigh Master chest contraction burn outs with an isometric hold on the last rep. The mind muscle connection, the contraction control and the pump are like nothing else. And you can target different portions of the chest by squeezing from different angles. Although you do look a right mincey twat using a bright pink in a public gym hahaha.
@@RickRubinesque for sure, an EMG study on it would be awesome. I'm going by feel and soreness days later, which is not always the best indicator. That's a great use of the thigh master! Love it. and yeah, i can imagine you look like a beast in the gym using that thing :)
would you trust them with 80 lb's over your head benching? is there room for 4 -10lb plates on each side? thank you for your review.. wish they were made out of metal. just looked see they have Adjusta-bell Extension.
Yep, I would definitely trust them with 80's. Definitely no issue there. Depending on how thick the 10's are, there might be room without the extensions - would be good to go with the extensions with that, though.
I bought 2 pair of handles and the extensions for 1 pair. Paid $160. Just for the handles. Too much imo. The handles are long. My hands are normal size and I wish they were an inch shorter. The extension ones don't go flush with the end plate like the regular ones. Not bad if you only need the regular length ones. Too much $ if you need the longer ones imo.
Sounds like an argument to do as in video and not just rely on 10# plates. Sounds like, according to what you said extensions and 10# plates isn't the solution it sounds like it is to go heavier. Just suffer the bigger plates, as in video then?
@@michaelkulman7095 Yep, that's pretty much my thought. I didn't find the bigger plates really interfered with any of the lifts I did with them. Could potentially be an issue with something like one-arm db rows, but even then, it won't affect your range of motion enough to really cause an issue.
What you can try is setting them on end on a rubber floor or carpet, brace the bottom plate with your knee then turn the whole top plate like a steering wheel. I had mine locked on pretty tight a few times and that did the trick.
@@MadScientistOfMuscle In my case it's just one plate stuck to the handle - I'd assume one idea would be to tighten another place on top and then try to use that as leverage? I've tried that a few time, but the result is that the newly added plate unscrews first and I end up with the handle stuck to one plate. Edit: I've tried it with just the handle and one plate - it's pretty impossible. :D Though tightening another plate in and then using that to untighten the other works - issue is the newly put plate is just as tight. Maybe I can use this to mess with leverages and degrees of tightness though. :D
@@alias5281 do you happen to have a wrench or pipe wrench? I pipe wrenches when I build stuff out of plumbing pipe and that does the trick to grip the handle. It'll allow you to lock that down, then hopefully turn the plate. Pain in the butt when these things get stuck!
PSA, I would not order anything from Kensui. 1) who knows when it will ever show up. 2) zero customer service, they won’t answer the phone or email. 3) the quality has gone to crap. These guys are so screwed up, they can’t even be bothered to delete the 1 star reviews on their website like everyone else does…
Man, that's tough to hear. They've been good in the past. I'm going to have to get in touch with them to see why that's happening. Those are the 3 most important things for running a business.
Rare you see a tip that you haven't seen elsewhere, but the bench loading on the inside sounds very good.
Yep, I would have expected the outside heavier to be the way to go but definitely worked better heavier on the inside. Sometimes you never know until you test!
I have purchased these handles with the extensions and I found your review of them to be excellent. Very thoughtfully composed and executed. I now understand Kensui makes a new version that is all aluminum and goes for around $100. Thanks for the video!!
glad to hear it! That's interesting with the aluminum handles - I'll have to look into those as well.
I purchased mine in MAY and they still haven't shipped
I was uninterested in buying more handles until you did the uneven weight. What a great, simple,and effective forearm workout!
It's one of the best things about loadable handles, to be honest. That offset loading is awesome.
As far as drop sets are concerned, given the price of these, you can easily afford to purchase an additional set and you can do a drop set with the other pair.
yep, that's for sure! That's a great thought.
Yeah, people need to think more out of the box, there's no law saying you can't have multiple handles or a mix of solid and plate loaded dumbbells and yet people always compare one set of basic adjustable dumbbells to a rack of them or a modern quicker adjustable set as if you can't have multiples.
People do this in their minds and in countless articles and videos
and use drop sets as one of their arguments against old school adjustable dumbbells as if it's crazy to consider multiple handles
as an option. It's a lack of creative thinking.
It works especially well if only you are using the equipment.
The same thinking can apply to barbells, ez-curl bars etcetera,
one set up for biceps, the other triceps...often using opposing supersets.
I realize it costs money but I buy used over many years and plates, handles and barbells are easier to pick up cheap than dumbbell sets and fancy new adjustable dumbbell systems...
Why I'm even willing to use old plates with duct tape on them if you can imagine such a thing!
You are so chill and nice listening to
I appreciate that :)
I would think the perfect combo would be the Kensui - Mad Spotter. That would avoid the kensui failing if you have to bail onto the floor.
right on the money! Works like a charm (when you use plates that aren't big like these, at least.
I saw these and I though they looked cool and my max bench is 95 so the dumbbells will be enough for me now. Mine will be coming soon
Very helpful! Thanks mines are coming soon! Got the extentions to put more weight working with all 1 inch 10lbs plates.
Awesome! Good call on the extensions. Those will be very useful with the 10's.
Do they say or do you know how heavy you can go with 10# plates?
@@michaelkulman7095 I put up to 120 pounds one with 10 pound plates. Gray cap plates from Amazon. Thin plates. I regularly load them from 70 to 85 pounds four almost a year now work great.
no they are not coming soon. you will be waiting forever
Thanks for the review Nick!
You bet!
Good review! I'm thinking of getting them as well for the flush ends.
Those are a big feature to me, too. Makes a huge difference in how you can use them.
Thanks so much, very good explanation!
Great video! Do standards plates with 1 inch hole fit on these?
they do, yep! That's actually what I'm using in the review.
Thaxs! Just bought some
excellent!
This is a high value video.
thanks!
I asked them about capacity and they said tested up to 70 pounds, but probably can do more. I wish they would officially test their true limit.
Yep, they can definitely do more! I tested mine up to 180 lbs total (I think they tested 70's on each end post, total of 140 lbs). I had a couple of 45's on either side and it still felt secure to me. I couldn't actually fit anymore weight on or I would have tested higher!
Just ordered mine. Question: do you need a stabilizer for each additional olympic plate you load on? For example, would 4 plates on one handle require 4 stabilizers?
Yep, you likely would, depending on the thickness of the plates you're using. One stabilizer works for one plate that's 25 lbs or more. For 5's or 10s, you could probably fit two plates per stabilizer.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge
You're welcome!
Great video. Do they come in pairs?
yep, they are solid pairs
Great video! Question / how thick is your 35 and 25 lb plate?? Thank you
The plates aren't super thick - probably about an inch or so.
@@MadScientistOfMuscle ahh, that makes sense! My 1inch plates are much thicker😫
Thanks for the reply!
you bet!@@HarryBallsss
Can you mix both standard and Olympic size weights? For example have 25# olympic with adapter and a standard 10#plate on one handle
You know, you absolutely could. The adapter would fit inside the O plate and the standard plate could set on the main post. Good idea!
Good stuff. I'm fascinated with what you were saying about off loading dumbbells to bias one side. Mine haven't arrived yet so I can't test for myself but it seems to me that surely biasing the outer side of the dumbbell rather than the inner would create more need internal chest contraction. Have you tried it both ways? I'd be very grateful if you could share your findings and thoughts on this, sir.
You know, I actually did it with the outside side heavier first and it was good...and I thought it would be the most effective. Then, out of curiosity, I flipped it around...and it was much better. I thought for sure heavier on the outside would be better. What I realize is that with the heavier part on the inside, it forces your chest to pull more...with the heavier on the outside, I find it got into my shoulders more. Definitely try it both ways - would be interested to hear which works better for you!
@@MadScientistOfMuscle Thanks. I will certainly be giving it a go and looking into other people's research and experiences, perhaps someone has used one of those expensive muscle activation monitors that I can't remember the name of. It sounds so counterintuitive so it'll be brilliant to have something that could qualify as proof.
My chest is my most developed body part already and my shoulders are lagging so perhaps I should leave it alone haha. I'm certain my results are down to using a Thigh Master (remember those?? $10) as warm up/pre exhaustion then backpack dropsets on press up handles all the way down to no weight from the knees press ups then Thigh Master chest contraction burn outs with an isometric hold on the last rep. The mind muscle connection, the contraction control and the pump are like nothing else. And you can target different portions of the chest by squeezing from different angles. Although you do look a right mincey twat using a bright pink in a public gym hahaha.
@@RickRubinesque for sure, an EMG study on it would be awesome. I'm going by feel and soreness days later, which is not always the best indicator. That's a great use of the thigh master! Love it. and yeah, i can imagine you look like a beast in the gym using that thing :)
would you trust them with 80 lb's over your head benching? is there room for 4 -10lb plates on each side? thank you for your review.. wish they were made out of metal. just looked see they have Adjusta-bell Extension.
Yep, I would definitely trust them with 80's. Definitely no issue there. Depending on how thick the 10's are, there might be room without the extensions - would be good to go with the extensions with that, though.
Mahalo for the video, it was awesome! Question? Can it hold (2) 25lb Olympic plates on each side, which equals to a 100lb dumbbell? Blessings, Gil
Sorry, another question. So going back to my first question, with (2) 25lb Olympic weights on each side
Yes it will fit
Yep, definitely will fit. You'll want the olympic adapters for sure. Those will stabilize the plates on the posts. Works GREAT, though!
btw Abmat do a bit of foam "cushions" that you can add on the end of an olympic adjustable dumbbell, I don't have them, but might be helpful to some.
that's a good thought
Can you please tell me the diameter of the largest plate you use?
The biggest plate I have in Standard size is a 35 and that's about 12 inches in diameter.
Is that the one you are using here?
@@romi888it is, yep. I've got the bigger 35's on the side, and 25's on the other side for unbalanced loading.
@@MadScientistOfMuscle thanks for the info. Can you just tell me the diameter of the 25 lbs plate?
@@romi888 those are about 10 inches
I bought 2 pair of handles and the extensions for 1 pair. Paid $160. Just for the handles. Too much imo. The handles are long. My hands are normal size and I wish they were an inch shorter. The extension ones don't go flush with the end plate like the regular ones. Not bad if you only need the regular length ones. Too much $ if you need the longer ones imo.
Good to know - I appreciate the feedback. I didn't test the extenders but I'm thinking I'll do that in the near future.
Cool. I'll look for your opinion. Another thing was the handles are so long the dumbbells didn't fit in my rack. @@MadScientistOfMuscle
Gotcha. Good to know. @@randerodr7389
Sounds like an argument to do as in video and not just rely on 10# plates.
Sounds like, according to what you said extensions and 10# plates isn't the solution it sounds like it is to go heavier.
Just suffer the bigger plates, as in video then?
@@michaelkulman7095 Yep, that's pretty much my thought. I didn't find the bigger plates really interfered with any of the lifts I did with them. Could potentially be an issue with something like one-arm db rows, but even then, it won't affect your range of motion enough to really cause an issue.
I got mine stuck. :(
What you can try is setting them on end on a rubber floor or carpet, brace the bottom plate with your knee then turn the whole top plate like a steering wheel. I had mine locked on pretty tight a few times and that did the trick.
@@MadScientistOfMuscle In my case it's just one plate stuck to the handle - I'd assume one idea would be to tighten another place on top and then try to use that as leverage? I've tried that a few time, but the result is that the newly added plate unscrews first and I end up with the handle stuck to one plate.
Edit: I've tried it with just the handle and one plate - it's pretty impossible. :D
Though tightening another plate in and then using that to untighten the other works - issue is the newly put plate is just as tight. Maybe I can use this to mess with leverages and degrees of tightness though. :D
Update:
Used a monstrous pipe wrench that I caught the end with. Held down the handle with my foot and twisted hard.
@@alias5281 do you happen to have a wrench or pipe wrench? I pipe wrenches when I build stuff out of plumbing pipe and that does the trick to grip the handle. It'll allow you to lock that down, then hopefully turn the plate. Pain in the butt when these things get stuck!
@@alias5281 awesome! Just saw this after I posted. Pipe wrenches are the ticket!
PSA, I would not order anything from Kensui. 1) who knows when it will ever show up. 2) zero customer service, they won’t answer the phone or email. 3) the quality has gone to crap. These guys are so screwed up, they can’t even be bothered to delete the 1 star reviews on their website like everyone else does…
Man, that's tough to hear. They've been good in the past. I'm going to have to get in touch with them to see why that's happening. Those are the 3 most important things for running a business.