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Despite the creation of many more fitness product companies since the 1960’s, Gold’s Gym remains one of the most instantly recognizable names in bodybuilding.
More recently, Gold’s have also started selling their own brand of home gym equipment, including the Switch Plate 100 adjustable dumbbells.
In this product review we take a look at the dumbbell design in a bit more detail, together with the weight plate adjustment system and a range of customer reviews.
Adjusting the Weight Plates
Arguably the most important design feature to look for on any set of adjustable dumbbells is the system used to lock and release the weight plates.
You need to find a design that’s quick and easy to adjust, while at the same time being secure enough to not worry about the plates detaching from the bar during your workout.
Unlike the ‘clam shell’ style of the Dosho Design DBL009 set, the Switch Plate 100’s use a sliding locking pin to let you adjust the amount of weight on each dumbbell.
With each weight plate weighing 2.5 lb, having a sliding clip at the top and bottom of the dumbbell lets you adjust the total weight from 10 lb all the way up to 50 lb in 2.5 lb increments.
If you’re not sure whether this will be enough to provide you with challenging workouts in the near future, unfortunately this isn’t one of the sets that offers a weight upgrade.
Although the yellow locking pins are easy to lift up and slide along to the required setting, it’s worth bearing in mind that they are made of plastic instead of metal.
Fortunately, the raised height of the slider that they sit inside does prevent them being exposed, which should protect them from damage if you drop the weight on the floor.
Gold’s Gym Switch Plate 100 – Features Summary
- 100 lb Weight Set
- Two 50 lb Adjustable Weights
- Weight Stand with Storage Tray
Comfortable Grip Design
It seems to be a theme among adjustable dumbbells that the grip is designed to be much more comfortable than on traditional fixed weight sets.
This is certainly true of the Gold’s Gym Switch Plate 100’s, which combine a smooth metallic finish with the extra grip of a coated rubber section.
The combination of the two materials and way the coated section has been shaped makes the weight easier to hold, while still making it easy to wrap a wrist strap around the bar if required.
A slight curve has been added to the shape of the bars which can also help improve your grip.
Build Quality and Exercise Options
Two more important factors to consider before making any final buying decision are price and build quality. It’s only by taking a look at a selection of adjustable dumbbell sets that you’ll know if the Switch Plate 100’s are the best option for your own workouts.
In terms of price, you should expect to be paying anywhere from $300 to $350 for a pair, depending on the time of year.
This is actually a much lower price than the Ironmaster or Dosho Design sets, while still showing a similar high level of build quality.
Despite being a lower price, there are customers who have bought this set and found it harder to adjust than more expensive sets, due to the sliding pin design.
One of the best ways to build up a clear picture of any issues that may affect your buying decision is to read customer reviews.
Customer Reviews and Comparison
Despite not offering the same 4 or 5 star average rating as similar sets, the Gold’s Gym Switch Plate 100’s still offer a good number of reviews at higher ratings.
It’s fair to say that this is a set that has received more of a mixed reception than most, and with a variety of customer reviews available on Amazon, this can be a good place to check.
That being said, the following is part of a review that rated the set the full 5 stars out of 5:
I’ve got limited space (and budget) for a full rack of dumbbells, so I went for these instead. I’ve been using them for years, and they’ve worked so well I’ll never waste all that time and money on going to a gym again.
These weights combined with an adjustable incline bench and exercise bike are all I need for a complete body workout.
I’ve got limited space (and budget) for a full rack of dumbbells, so I went for these instead. I’ve been using them for years, and they’ve worked so well I’ll never waste all that time and money on going to a gym again.Review Overview
Despite a few lower rated reviews due to the design of the adjustable slider, the Gold's Gym Switch Plate 100-lb Dumbbells are still worth considering due to their high quality design and ease of use.
The dumbbell stand is a useful addition, and allows you to rest the weights within easy reach while you adjust the number of weight plates attached to the bars.
Being able to set a different weight at each end is an added bonus, and comes in useful for exercises such as hammer curls, as well as for maintaining more gradual strength gains.
USA Home Gym gives in-depth insights into gym equipment, supplements, and fitness training methods. The motivation behind USA Home Gym is to provide you with information that goes beyond what you can find in any user manual, customer review, or other online review sites.
We go to great lengths to ensure that our reviews are completely comprehensive, usually covering everything from the design features to the warranty coverage and exercise options. This is all to help guide you towards the home gym equipment that’s best suited to your goals and budget, whilst also being the highest quality option in your chosen price range.
