Universal Power-Pak 445 Adjustable Dumbbells Review

If you compare Universal Power-Pak 445 adjustable dumbbells with Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells, you can see that both sets use the same weight selection technology. And that isn’t surprising since both brands are owned by Nautilus, Inc., the company that is also the owner of the famous Schwinn brand, which many consider as a synonym for good bicycles. That means that you can expect quality from Universal. And they delivered it in the form of great dumbbells. It doesn’t matter that Universal Power-Pak 445 is their only dumbbell set, because they did a great job with it.

Universal Selectorized 445 Dumbbells and Stand

Rating: List Price: $449.00 Sale Price: $344.99 (as of 03/17/2016 18:00 UTC - Details) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Since Bowflex SelectTech 552 and Universal Power-Pak 445 adjustable dumbbells are in the same price range, and since the same company owns both brands, comparison between them is inevitable. However, to keep things simple and be on the topic, please read our Bowflex SelectTech 522 review to learn more about its features, pros and cons.

Regarding Universal Power-Pak 445 adjustable dumbbells, please keep reading to find out more about them.

Design and features of the Universal Power-Pak 445 Adjustable Dumbbells

The Universal Power-Pak 445 includes two adjustable dumbbells with weights ranging from 4 to 45 pounds, an ergonomic stand for dumbbells and a workout guide for you to personalize your workouts according to your fitness goals.

Dumbbells are made of thick plastic and padded with foam, and they are generally well made and resistant. In addition, the durable and comfortable handles are made of thermoplastic and covered with rubber for a non-slip grip.

To select the weight, you only need to turn the dial at the end of the dumbbells to the suitable resistance weight. This weight selector is simple to use and provides a quick way to select and change the weight, without making long pauses between sessions. You can adjust the weight in 5-pounds increments, which will be good enough for most people.

Versatility of use

Like every good adjustable dumbbell set, the Universal Power-Pak 445 will also enable you to do a wide selection of exercises. You will be able to choose nine different weights per dumbbell, which will enable you to perform both cardio and strength exercises.

You can incorporate them in your leg exercises and perform squats, side and stationary lunges, calf raises or stiff-leg deadlifts with increased resistance by simply holding the fitness tools in your hands during the workout. Then, you can do wide or alternating rows, deadlifts and chest presses, incline and flat flyes for your back and chest muscles.

Universal Power-Pak dumbbells can also be used in lying trunk rotations, reverse and classical crunches, twisting side crunches and lying leg raises for toning and strengthening muscles in the abdominal area.

But the most important, these dumbbells can help you to sculpt and shape your arms and shoulders, improve your posture and strengthen your core while doing exercises for the upper body. And that’s what everyone expects from a set of dumbbells. To get the best results, just be sure to use a proper weight when performing standing or incline curls, triceps kickbacks and overhead extensions, hammer curls, lateral raises, shoulder presses or shrugs.

Generally, by using Universal Power-Pak 445 adjustable dumbbells, you can perform more than 30 different exercises for your arms, legs, glutes and core area. You can’t ask for more than that from a dumbbell set.

Pros

• Most people really like the sleek and sharp appearance of these dumbbells. In addition, since they are adjustable, they replace 9 regular sets of dumbbells or 18 individual neoprene dumbbells. It will definitely save you some space and probably some money too.
• The handles are covered with rubber, so they ensure a soft and comfortable grip, reducing the risk of injury.
• The set comes with a stand for storing the dumbbells in a single location and carrying them easier from one room to another. Having a stand is a good thing, as you don’t want to hurt your backs by picking up the weights off the ground. The stand features two cradles whose height is adjustable so that you can easier reach the weights and get the dumbbells when you need to work out.
• Universal Power-Pak 445 adjustable dumbbells come with one-year warranty, both for dumbbells and stand. This guarantees that they will replace any damaged piece without extra costs within this period.

Cons

• One of the most common complaints about these dumbbells refers to the plates’ size and weight. The Universal Power-Pak 445 only allows you to increase resistance in increments of 5 pounds, which can be a little too much for beginners and for arms exercises. The 2.5 pounds increments would probably be more suitable for some biceps, triceps, shoulders and back exercises. However, it really depends on your shape, strength and workout plan. There is no rule that says that 2.5 pounds increments are better than 5 pounds increments.

• Their size can be a problem for some people to perform some specific exercises. In fact, it seems to be a common problem for all adjustable dumbbells, as their length remains the same no matter how much weight you choose. The length of these dumbbells is 14 inches, which is 2 inches shorter than the length of Bowflex SelectTech 522.

• It’s probably not fair to say the maximum weight of 45 pounds is a drawback, because it’s a feature. However, and it depends on your fitness level, if your main goal is to pump your muscles, perhaps 45 pounds may not be enough for your needs. Keep that in mind, as it would be a mistake to buy this dumbbell set and to realize after a few months that it isn’t challenging enough for you.

Conclusion

Overall, Universal Power-Pak 445 adjustable dumbbells are a good choice for its price, and they will definitely spice up your workouts if you buy them. You can use them for any strength and cardio routine, whether you’re working your arms, shoulders, back or abs, glutes or legs.

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