1.) Power blocks:

Did you know:

Adipose Tissue - fatty tissue

Atherosclerosis - a form of arteriosclerosis affecting the intima (inner lining) of the artery walls

Body Fat - Amount of fat in one's body. First, your body fat percentage is simply the percentage of fat your body contains. If you are 150 pounds and 10% fat, it means that your body consists of 15 pounds fat and 135 pounds lean body mass (bone, muscle, organ tissue, blood and everything else).

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (type 1 or IDDM) - Diabetes occurring suddenly between the ages of 1 and 40; patients secrete little, if any, insulin and require insulin injections and a carefully controlled diet

Omega-3 fatty acids - Polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil; may contribute to the reduction of coronary artery disease

Adipose tissue - a specialized type of tissue composed mostly of adipocytes (see above), for storing cellular fat

Electrolytes - minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium that act to keep your nerves firing and muscles moving. These minerals are found in foods (potassium- bananas, meat) and modest amounts of electrolytes are a necessary component of a normal diet. Be careful of using sports drinks to replace minerals because of the added calories

Fiber - a general term denoting the structural part of plants such as cellulose. Fiber is not digested by human digestive enzymes, although some are digested by the gastrointestinal tract bacterial

Hyperglycemia - an elevated (above normal) blood sugar (glucose)

Vastus intermedius, lateralis and medialis - 3 of the 4 muscles of the thigh that make up the quadriceps. Strong quads help protect your knees. The 4th muscle is the rectus femoris. Cycling, skiing, running and hiking downhill work these muscles

End "Power blocks" research and recommendations

PowerBlock Elite 90 Adjustable 5 to 90-Pounds per Dumbbell Set
Feature: ... Pair of adjustable dumbbell weights for efficient, cost-effective strength training; Adjusts from 5 to 90 pounds in 5-pound increments; Selector pin lets you change weights easily, just like with weight stack at the gym; More compact and balanced than traditional dumbbells; Offers maximum weight of 90 pounds per hand; limited 10-year warranty ...more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2010-03-11 Summary: Perfect ... I purchased the PowerBlock Elite along with the stand about a month ago and I'm more than satisfied. I would recommend these to anyone who wants to have a home gym. They save so much space and time that I can't imagine using any other set of dumbbells. Easy to use, quick to adjust, and always stable. The odd shape of the PowerBlock dumbbell make it appear larger than other dumbbells but they're about the same size when compared. A good buy. ...more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2009-12-30 Summary: Built A Lot Better Than The Competition (IMO) ... These were the only weights that I wasn't able to do a hands-on review, but after reading several other reviews on the PB's and their competition, these seemed to be a smart replacement for my dumbell set. I lucked out and found this set in the classified ads of my local paper for $175. Yeah, that's right, $175. The person I bought them from said that they had never been used and she was tired of them setting around. Okay, enough bragging on the deal I got.... The weights are built for simplicity and durability, just ...more
Editorial Reviews — [1] ... Product Description | The Elite 90 Set equals/replaces 28 pair of dumbbells or 2565 lbs of free weights in the space of one pair....more
[2] ... Product Description | The only dumbbell system that can expand to meet your strength needs, PowerBlock dumbbells are the most versatile and effective exercise tool ever developed for strength training. PowerBlocks work intuitively. Rather than requiring you to buy a room full of dumbbells, PowerBlocks act just like a weight stack at the gym, with a handle that fits inside the first weight, which fits inside the second, which fits inside the third, etc. When you want to change weights, you simply move the weight...more

PowerBlock Personal Plus 20 to 60-Pounds per Dumbbell Set
Feature: ... Pair of adjustable dumbbell weights for efficient, cost-effective strength training; Adjusts from 20 to 60 pounds in 5-pound increments (20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 pounds); Selector pin lets you change weights easily, just like with weight stack at the gym; More compact and balanced than traditional dumbbells; padded handle for wrist protection; Offers maximum weight of 60 pounds per hand; limited 10-year warranty ...more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2006-05-22 Summary: I love these things ... I was looking for tehse things a long time, and the cheapest I found them was a website that offered them for 370 with free shipping. They are very expensive, but I love them. I invested in these dumbells, and an ajustable bench, and for 500 bucks I will never have to go to the gym again. Trust me, I've been into weight training for awhile now, and if you get these and a bench, you really don't need to ever go to the gym again. You figure you can hit every body part that you need to with plenty of exercises, and [...] ...more
[2] Rating: 4 Date: 2006-04-07 Summary: Not for guys with big hands ... I own the Personal Block 5-45 pound set and I love them. I'm about to need a larger amount of weight so I went to the store to check out the 20 lb. handle that you can add on (same handle that comes with this set). I was very disappointed because the way they make the handle weigh 20 lbs. instead of 5 is by welding plates to the sides and bottom. The problem is that my knuckle bumps into the side plate preventing me from getting a solid grip on the handle. I was planning on adding the 20 lb. handle but I'm looking ...more
Editorial Reviews — [1] ... Product Description | This set adjusts from 20-60 lbs in 5 lb increments (20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 lbs) in each hand. This set has a maximum weight of 60 lbs per hand and cannot be made heavier than the 60 lb maximum weight per hand. It replaces 9 pair or 18 fixed dumbbells that would have a combined weight of 600 lbs. *Shown with optional sport block stand - not included....more
[2] ... Product Description | The only dumbbell system that can expand to meet your strength needs, PowerBlock dumbbells are the most versatile and effective exercise tool ever developed for strength training. PowerBlocks work intuitively. Rather than requiring you to buy a room full of dumbbells, PowerBlocks act just like a weight stack at the gym, with a weight handle that fits inside the first weight, which fits inside the second, which fits inside the third, etc. When you want to change weights, you simply move...more

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells
Feature: ... Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 pounds; adjusts in 2.5-pound increments up to the first 25 pounds; Lets you rapidly switch from one exercise to the next; Combines 15 sets of weights into one, using a unique dial system; Eliminates the need for multiple dumbbells cluttering your workout space; Five-year warranty on weight plates, two-year warranty on parts ...more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 4 Date: 2010-06-05 Summary: you get what you pay for ... You get what you pay for. They cost a lot but they are probably the best set out there.The only negative that I've felt towards these dumbbells is that they are kinda long. Which makes the bent over concentration curls and some of the front curls and kickbacks a bit challenging. But by changing angles a bit, I was able to modify the movements with no problem. The dumbbells are sturdy and I haven't worried at all putting the weights over my head. final word: Love em, wish I would've bought them sooner. I ordered these ...more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2010-05-31 Summary: Great for when you can't get to the gym! ... Although I have a gym membership, I still like these dumbells for times when the gym is closed or I can't get to the gym. Sometimes I feel like working out at 1:00 in the morning and having these around the house makes it convenient. I didn't buy the stand for them. They easily store on the floor in a corner out of the way. I bought a regular flat bench to use with them and I'm able to get a good workout for most muscles with them. The only con is that there are not a lot of good dumbell leg exercises. Nevertheless ...more
Editorial Reviews — [1] ... Product Description | Dial up results! The power of 30 standard dumbbells is in these redesigned SelectTech Dumbbells by Bowflex. Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 lbs., allowing you to build strength, loose weight and feel great! Compact and durable....more
[2] ... Product Description | If you want to get a good strength workout at home, but don't have much space, the Bowflex 552 SelectTech Dumbbells are an ideal solution. Newly designed, the innovative pair of 552 SelectTech Dumbbells combines 15 sets of weights into one using a unique dial system. It's one of the most space-efficient and flexible strength-training options available with its unique and effective design. With just the turn of a dial, you can automatically change your resistance on each dumbbell from 5...more

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