SNODE AD80 Drop Proof 80 lbs Adjustable Dumbbell Set -Adjustable Weights with Cast Iron Plates and Cradle, Knurled Handle, Fast Adjust, Compact Home Gym Equipment for Bench & Press

Updated review: As previously stated the product is 5/5, very well built; since original review I received an email that Amazon sold Snode AD80 dumbbells and variations now have (great) 2 year warranty. I’ve never had such good experience with customer care. Amazing product and now amazing customer service. Also another note: the side dial mechanism is ideal if you want to attach Kettlebell handles to Snode AD80. ————— Initial review: Dumbbells themselves deserve 5 stars, IMO best adjustable dumbbells out there (I’m coming from PowerBlock Elite 90lb and Bowflex 552 ); easy and quick to change weight, enough weight for most people and most lifts, very well built; Reason for 3 stars on Amazon: beware when you purchase Snode AD80 on Amazon you only get 1 year warranty, these are very well built dumbbells and I don’t think anyone will need a warranty used that early but still would be good to get the same warranty as buying from website (2 years) I was told the reason is slightly lower price on Amazon and to encourage buyers to buy directly from their own website.

The packing was good - foam everywhere! Even though it was 103 lb, 103 lb, 49 lb packages from Fedex, they survived amazingly well the travel from New Jersey. Ordered via Amazon on July 31st, delivered on August 8, so decent for delivery time. They promised by August 25, so guess maybe it could go longer. No damage to the contents. The weight rack is heavy duty - all cast iron. One bracing component is heavy sheet metal in the back, but that is complemented by another brace of steel 1/8 inch thick. The legs themselves are exceptionally heavy duty - I would hazard a guess it could even support a small car. The weight cradles (which come with the weights) are compatible with the rack - they sit on top of the rack and then are held down on top of it with L-brackets, not bolted on. That did surprise me. I did have some issue with getting one of the cradles to not slide around due to the spacing of the L-brackets not making contact, so I had to fill in the gap with some washers then cinch it down. It didn't move around at all when I used it with those spacers in place, so I'm okay with this only modification I had to make. The weights themselves are very solid - only one plastic piece used to select the weights, but otherwise is all metal. I don't think that plastic piece will be a problem. The weights fit well in the cradle and rack, I did have to rotate them a bit sometimes putting them back in each time (there is a knob on the bottom as a safety that lets the weights be adjusted, when lifted the safety engages so the weights can't be accidentally adjusted off). I didn't notice any more rattle with these than my old power blocks, maybe just slightly less. There is some medium/heavy gnarl on the handles of the weights. I like that for grip, but it does make using regular straps on them troublesome since you can't rotate the dumbbells in the cradle to get the straps wrapped around. When I switched to my off brand versa grips, it worked great with them. Weight distribution was great, the dumbbells felt balanced.... until... You put the magnetic 1.25 lb weights on them for adders. So you have to be strategic about where you put those magnets to have a good balance. The magnets are very strong - don't need to worry about them falling off! They work on my power blocks too. There are 4 per dumbbell for a total of 8. However, this only gets you up to 5 lb additions per dumbbell, so you can't do things like 27.5, but can do 22.5. I'm considering getting a 5 lb magnetic adder - still on the fence about that, what I have may be good enough. The magnets can be stored anywhere on the rack since it is all metal. I'd recommend getting the adders since 10 lb jumps are a bit much. Doing shoulder press, chest press, etc - the dumbbells do have a dovetail on each end that attaches to the next plate. That dovetail sticks out about 1/8 inch and has some nasty ends on it. So when they are on your legs sitting to kick up, or when pressing if the dumbbell ends tap you (like when doing a chest press to know you went deep enough), it lets you know with a nasty poke. So, either rotate the dumbbells slightly so the dovetail faces a diff direction than the contact tap point, and wear workout sweatpants vs shorts. The rack is wide enough I can stand comfortably between the dumbbells to pick them up on either side of me, just a slight bend in the knees is all that is needed to reach. I did shoulder presses and shrugs just standing there then racked them fine. I was able to step out easy enough too with them. Not needing to bend over a flat table or deadlift to grab the weights was great. The weakest points likely of the rack are the leveling spinner legs on the bottom. Overall, would ride again.

The legends are true. The Snode AD80s are essentially the bulletproof, drop proof, forever weights that will last just as long as your standard fixed dumbbells. The knurling is plenty grippy and the handles are a bit on the larger side (might be frustrating for people with smaller fingers maybe). However, the fact that the adjuster knob is on the end of the handle and the handle itself is fixed--is a nice feature, as I don't want my handle to jiggle or click during reps and sets. No one really mentioned this in the reviews, but you don't need to "perfectly align" the dovetails on the weights for a re-rack until the "last few inches." Which is nice because some adjustable DBs need to be surgically placed exactly where they go every, single, time. The cradles. Man these things are sweet. Cast iron metal and easy to rack and re-rack. I think of CT Fletcher's saying, "old school iron ass whoopin'" well now you can do that cause these babies are just that. Drawbacks: Yes, as everybody says, the DBs only go up in 10lb increments from 10-80lbs total. Definitely a deal breaker for some, but for me I actually have another adjustable dumbbell set (5-50lbs increments) that I have had for almost two decades now. So I can always just use those. As of right now, the "pop socket style" magnetic 1.25lb ea. weight adders that Snode sells, in my opinion, are sort of "meh." I would personally save up and get the MicroGainz 1.25 magnetic crescent weight adders that are specifically designed for the AD80s; instead (not cheap, $149 for 8 - 1.25lb adders). Remember, the product is still new and I honestly think more 3rd party companies might jump in and make some interesting design(s) for adding 1.25 or 2.5 magnetic adders. For now, and for me at least, I'm going to wait on the weight adders (no pun intended) My suggestion to Snode would be to create a new design like MicroGainz's specific Snode AD80 design weight adders, and drastically cut the price down. Lastly, FedEx delivered early, shipping was free, and paid $731 before taxes for the (2) 80lbs dumbbells and the (2) cradles. In the past, they were much more expensive, so now might be the time to get them. Box had all parts, and nothing damaged. I'm looking forward to using these for the rest of my life, honestly. Maybe hand them down to my kids one day (grandkids?).