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The goal for anyone on their strength journey is to, well, get stronger, but not everyone starts at the same strength level. This is where PowerBlock Adjustable Dumbbells come in for your home strength training space. Our most popular models have EXP attached to them, which means they’re expandable. So what does that mean? That’s what we’re here to explain.
The EXP Concept Explained
When you see a PowerBlock Adjustable Dumbbell in its name, it means Expandable. It’s essential to understand why we chose this path for our dumbbells and what it means for our customers.
Expandable Dumbbells
The expandable dumbbells we have on our website are the Pro 100 EXP and the Elite USA 90 EXP. Both of these sets are meant to grow with you, meaning you can purchase them in stages. These stages are purchased as a pair, come in one box, and you will get 4 weight plates, 2 for each dumbbell.
The Pro 100 EXP
The Pro 100 has 4 Stage Kits that you can purchase: Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4. Stage one is the initial stage, getting you the dumbbell handles and adjusting from 5 to 40lbs. Stage 2 gets you to 60lbs. Stage 3 gets you to 80lbs. Finally, Stage 4 gets you to 100lbs.
Elite USA 90 EXP
The Elite USA 90 EXP has 3 Stage Kits that you can purchase: Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3. Stage 1 is the initial stage, getting you the dumbbell handles and adjusting from 5 to 50lbs. Stage 2 gets you to 70lbs. Finally, Stage 3 gets you to 90lbs.
Purchasing Either Set
When you go to purchase your first set of PowerBlock Adjustable Dumbbells, you’ll notice that there are different options on the dumbbells page for purchase. For example, the Pro 100 EXP page will show all 4 stages for you to select from. Stage 1 will be the handle up to 40lbs, Stage 2 will be the handle up to 60lbs, Stage 3 will be the handle up to 80lbs, and Stage 4 will be the handle up to 100lbs. So no matter your strength level, you can purchase the set and the starting weight limit that fits your current strength level.
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Adjustable Dumbbell: When Initially Purchased |
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Stage 4 |
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Pro 100 EXP |
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Elite USA 90 EXP |
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Adjustable Dumbbell: When Initially Purchased |
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Stage 4 |
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Pro 100 EXP |
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Elite USA 90 EXP |
Putting the Customer First
When it comes to our customers, we want you to start your strength journey where you are and with the budget you have. This is why the Stage Kits are so beneficial. If you have a smaller budget to start, are just starting your strength journey, or both, it’s easier on the wallet to start training with the Stage 1 Kits than all of the stages (or Full Kit). This way, your dumbbells grow with your strength, and you don’t have to go out and buy an additional rack of dumbbells.
The Pro 100 Stage Build Out
For the Pro 100, let’s keep it simple and say you purchase the Stage 1 Kit. Within a few months, you may be maxing out all 40lbs on some of your lifts. So what’s next? That’s when you move over to purchasing the individual kits on our Expansion Kit page and select the Pro 100 EXP. From there, you’d get the Stage 2 Kit, then the Stage 3 Kit, and finally the Stage 4 Kit.
The Elite USA 90 EXP Build Out
For the Elite USA 90 EXP, let’s say you purchase the Up to 70lbs (Stages 1 and 2) kit right away. Once you’re ready to take on the next strength level, you can purchase the Stage 3 Kit, so now your dumbbells go up to 90lbs. Similar to the Pro 100 EXP, once you have all 3 stage kits, it’s no more expensive than purchasing the full kit right away.
Putting the Customer First
When it comes to our customers, we want you to start your strength journey where you are and with the budget you have. This is why the Stage Kits are so beneficial. If you have a smaller budget to start, are just starting your strength journey, or both, it’s easier on the wallet to start training with the Stage 1 Kits than all of the stages (or Full Kit). This way, your dumbbells grow with your strength, and you don’t have to go out and buy an additional rack of dumbbells.
The Pro 100 Stage Build Out
For the Pro 100, let’s keep it simple and say you purchase the Stage 1 Kit. Within a few months, you may be maxing out all 40lbs on some of your lifts. So what’s next? That’s when you move over to purchasing the individual kits on our Expansion Kit page and select the Pro 100 EXP. From there, you’d get the Stage 2 Kit, then the Stage 3 Kit, and finally the Stage 4 Kit.
The Elite USA 90 EXP Build Out
For the Elite USA 90 EXP, let’s say you purchase the Up to 70lbs (Stages 1 and 2) kit right away. Once you’re ready to take on the next strength level, you can purchase the Stage 3 Kit, so now your dumbbells go up to 90lbs. Similar to the Pro 100 EXP, once you have all 3 stage kits, it’s no more expensive than purchasing the full kit right away.
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Adjustable Dumbbell: When Initially Purchased |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Stage 4 |
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Pro 100 EXP: 5-40lbs |
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Elite USA 90 EXP: 5-50lbs |
Other EXP Models
One of our more popular models is the Elite EXP. We sell this model on our Amazon site as well as Dick’s Sporting Goods. The Elite EXP is very similar to our Elite USA 90 EXP, but the difference they have make their parts, expansion kits, and attachments are unsuitable for each other. We’ll get more into identifying which one you have in a bit.
Which PowerBlock Model Do You Have
Identify which set of PowerBlock will help you when it comes to getting your expansion kits. Below is a breakdown for each pair of our Adjustable Dumbbells.
Pro 100 EXP
For the Pro 100 EXP, take a look at your handle. On the upper portion, you will see a decal that reads “Pro 100 EXP” above the PowerBlock Logo.
Elite USA 90
The Elite USA 90 doesn’t have the name directly on the dumbbells' handle, but you can tell that you have this set by seeing “Made in the USA” on the tip right corner of the handles upper decal and the bottom left corner of the handles bottom decal.
Elite EXP
The Elite EXP can be identified by the “Elite EXP” on the top decal of the handle under the PowerBlock logo.
For more details on the difference between the Elite USA and the Elite EXP, check out our comparison page.
How to Know if You’re Ready for EXPansion
Your strength training journey will look different from someone else's. Being ready to expand your PowerBlocks will take time and consistency.
Time
When you start your strength training journey, you may be at a different starting point than someone else. You may work a labor job and have a higher baseline strength, or you may work an office job and haven’t trained much throughout your life. Focus on these three things:
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Proper Range of Motion: Getting the deepest stretch you possibly can in a movement and getting full extension for that same movement.
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Proper Form: Maintaining proper form will help your body naturally develop strength in all the muscle groups required for a particular movement. Having proper form will decrease the time it takes to gain strength.
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Time Under Tension: Your goal shouldn’t be to get through a set as fast as possible. Take your time, go through each rep in a controlled manner, which will help you keep proper form and go through the full range of motion.
Consistency
Gaining strength takes time; continuing through the process day in and day out is what will get you to the next step in training, adding weight.
Putting it all together
Now that you know the basics of gaining strength, what about expanding your dumbbell set? You’ll know it’s time to expand your set when you can easily hit 12-15 reps with your full set on bigger compound lifts like the bench press, the squat, the deadlift, and the row. Once you’re hitting those movements with ease, it’s time to progress.
How to install Expansion Kits
When it comes to installing your Expansion Kit, these are the steps you’ll need to take to get your expansion kit set up with your dumbbells:
If You Have a Stand
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Have your expansion kit near your current set so you can easily add it to your dumbbell set.
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With your current set of PowerBlocks, ensure that your selector pin is set to the heaviest weight your set can currently accommodate. This way, your entire dumbbell set and weight plates can be moved.
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If you have one of our dumbbell racks, take your set and place it on the floor.
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Open your expansion kit, if not already done, open the plastic bag holding the kit, and remove the first expansion kit from the box.
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Take the first expansion kit out and flip it. (The top kit is upside down. Without flipping it, your dumbbells will not align properly.) Place the first kit on the stand.
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If you have the Elite USA 90, make sure the weld points at either end of the dumbbell are pointed downward.
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If you have the Pro 100 EXP, make sure the weight number is readable.
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Remove the second kit from the box and place it on your stand.
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Place your current set of dumbbells back on the stand, nesting them within the new set.
If You Don’t Have a Stand
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Have your expansion kit near your current set so you can easily add the expansion kit.
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With your current set of PowerBlocks, ensure that your selector pin is set to the heaviest weight your set can currently accommodate. This way your entire dumbbell set and weight plates can be moved.
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If you have one of our dumbbell racks, take your set and place it on the floor.
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Open your expansion kit, if not already done, open the plastic bag holding the kit, and remove the first expansion kit from the box.
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Take the first expansion kit out and flip it. (The top kit is upside down. Without flipping it, your dumbbells will not align properly.)
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If you have the Elite USA 90, make sure the weld points at either end of the dumbbell are pointed downward.
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If you have the Pro 100 EXP, make sure the weight number is readable.
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Place the first expansion kit next to either dumbbell.
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Remove the second kit from the box and place it next to the other dumbbell.
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Place your current set of dumbbells into the expansion kits, nesting them within the kit, and move the selector pin to your new maximum weight.
FAQ
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Question |
Answer |
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Can I use Elite kits on Pro dumbbells? |
No, the design of the Elite and Pro Dumbbells are different and are not compatible with each other. The same goes for the Elite USA and Elite EXP; they have different designs, and these do not work together. |
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Are older expansion kits compatible with new models? |
Unfortunately, our older models kits are not compatible with our new models. |
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What’s the difference between Stage 3 and Stage 4? |
On the Elite USA & Elite EXP models, the stage 3 kit is the last kit in the set, so the dumbbell cannot go any heavier. For our Pro 100 EXP, the stage 3 kit is the second to last kit before getting to 100lbs (stage 4 kit). |
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Can I mix handles or plates? |
You cannot mix handles or plates as each dumbbell's design is unique to itself. |
Recommended Expansion Order (with Attachments)
When it comes to building your home gym, how you build it out is up to you and your strength level. If you’re just getting started, maybe just a stand and dumbbells will work for you, but let’s break down the order of how to expand your space.
Pro 100
For the Pro 100, start with the set you know you can lift, if that’s up to 60lbs get the Pro 100 Stage 1 and 2 on the main Pro 100 page. If you want to keep your home gym organised and dumbbells off the floor, add one of the compatible stands that can hold up to 100lbs.
The Next Stages
Once you feel as though you’re ready, hitting 12-15 reps easily on the major compound lifts, it’s time to think about expanding your dumbbell set to the next level. If you have up to 60lbs, you’d get the stage 3 kit, bringing your dumbbell up to 80lbs. From their repeat the process for stage 4.
Wanting more exercise variety?
If you want more variety in your workouts, adding our attachments can do just that. The Pro 100 EXP attachments can be added at any point, from the start, when you purchase your first expansion kit. The option is yours. The Pro 100 EXP has a Straight Bar Attachment, an EZ-Curl Bar Attachment, and a Kettlebell Handle.
Elite USA 90 EXP
For the Elite USA 90 EXP, similar to the Pro 100 EXP, start with the weight that you know you can lift. If that’s 50lbs, start with the stage 1 kit on the Elite USA 90 page. If you want to keep you home gym organized, add one of our compatible stands that can hold up to 90 or 100lbs.
The Next Steps
Once you feel as though you’re ready, hitting 12-15 reps easily on the major compound lifts, it’s time to think about expanding your dumbbell set to the next level. If you have up to 50lbs, you’d get the stage 2 kit, bringing your dumbbell up to 70lbs. From their repeat the process for stage 3.
Wanting more exercise variety?
If you want more variety in your workouts, adding our attachments can do just that. The Elite USA 90 EXP attachments can be added at any point, from the start, when you purchase your first expansion kit; the option is yours. The Elite USA 90 EXP has a Straight Bar Attachment and an EZ-Curl Bar Attachment.
Other Home Gym Equipment
PowerBlock has a full ecosystem worth of products you can add to your home gym to expand exercise selection, make heavier movements easier, and
With PowerBlock, your strength training journey is your own. How you build your home training space is up to you, what you have space for, and how strong you want to get.
