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Dial, pin or twist: how the weight changes
Updated
All of these sets work the same basic way. You set the dumbbell in its tray or cradle, choose a weight, and lift out only the plates you chose. The rest stay behind. What differs is the control: a dial at each end, a pin you move by hand, or a handle you twist. Each has a tradeoff in speed, in how small the steps can be, and in what can go wrong.
The mechanisms on the picks
| Set | How it adjusts | What the maker or listing says |
|---|---|---|
| BowFlex Results Series 552 and 1090 | A dial at each end | BowFlex says to turn each dial until it clicks. If a dial sits between settings, the dumbbell locks and cannot be lifted out until a weight is fully selected |
| PowerBlock Elite EXP 5-50 | Magnetic selector pin, plus adder weights | The pin slides under the plates you want. Two small adder weights in the handle make the 2.5 lb steps |
| NordicTrack 55 lb Select-a-Weight | Weight selector on the handle | Listing calls it a smooth weight selector with 2.5, 5 and 10 lb increments |
| Core Fitness 5-50 Twist | Twist the handle | Core Home Fitness says you twist the handle while the dumbbell sits in the cradle, with no knobs or levers. It can be done with one hand |
| Ativafit 66 lb Dial | Dial | Listing claims a fast dial and a double lock on the plates |
| FLYBIRD 55 lb 5-in-1 | One-hand dial | Listing claims one-second changes and an 8 lock structure |
Speed claims, and what owners say
Speed numbers on listings are maker claims. FLYBIRD and Ativafit both claim a change in about one second. In the review summary we read, PowerBlock owners describe changes of about two seconds. Two end dials, as on the BowFlex sets, mean two moves per dumbbell and four per pair. A twist handle or a single dial means one move per dumbbell. If you do supersets with short rests, that difference adds up.
Where each type tends to get complaints
- End dials. Several owners of the BowFlex 552 report the locking mechanism breaking.
- Twist handle. Several owners of the Core Fitness set say it sticks in the cradle above 35 lb.
- Selector. Some NordicTrack owners say the selector sticks when changing weight.
- Pin. The PowerBlock review summary was mostly positive. The pin is simple, but it is a loose part you must seat fully every time.
Whatever the mechanism, check the lock
The recalls in this category are about plates coming off the handle. A 2024 CPSC recall of a PowerBlock commercial set, for example, involved plates that could slip off 5 lb grip handles that use a manual selector pin. None of that model is among the picks here, but the habit is the same for every type: seat the dumbbell fully in its tray, make the change, and look at both ends before the weight goes over your body. More on the recalls page.
Safety note. This page is general information, not medical or training advice. If you are new to lifting or have a health condition, talk with your doctor first. Check that every plate is locked before each lift.
Check your own lifts with the range and jump checker, or compare all seven picks on the roundup page.