EXP 90

Name: EXP 90
Brand: PowerBlock
Rating: 4.6 (5 reviews)

The PowerBlock Elite USA 90 EXP is a premium, American-made adjustable dumbbell system that expands from 5 lb up to 90 lb per hand in 2.5 and 5 lb increments – replacing 28 traditional dumbbells and 825 lb of free weight in one compact unit. Welded steel weight plates and a magnetic pin selector give it a “premium feel” reviewers contrast with plastic-cased dial systems like the Bowflex SelectTech line, and it’s the rare adjustable dumbbell in its price class rated to survive a drop from lifting height. The 90 lb capacity ships in stages: a base unit covering 5-50 lb, with separate Stage 2 (50-70 lb) and Stage 3 (70-90 lb) expansion kits sold to reach full weight. Reviewers note it trades some balance on light, arcing exercises like lateral raises for far greater top-end capacity, durability, and drop-safety than budget dial-based competitors.

Finish	Black powder coat
Sold as	Pair, ships in stages (base + Stage 2/3 expansion kits for full 90 lb)
Replaces	28 traditional dumbbells and 825 lb of free weight
Warranty	5-year limited warranty, residential use only
Dimensions	16.25" L x 6" W x 6" H
Increments	2.5 lb (5-50 lb), then 5 lb (50-90 lb) -- 27 selectable weights
Grip length	4.75"
Manufacturer	PowerBlock
Weight range	5-90 lb per dumbbell
Grip diameter	32mm
Grip material	Knurled stainless steel (manufacturer spec)
Plate material	Welded steel, made in the USA
Selector mechanism	Magnetic selector pin

What is a Adjustable Dumbbell?

What adjustable dumbbells are

Adjustable dumbbells replace a whole rack of fixed dumbbells with one pair whose weight you change via a dial, pin, or selector plate. They are the space-and-money saver for home gyms: a single set can span roughly 5–50+ lb per hand. The trade-offs are bulkier handles, a fixed max weight, and a mechanism that can wear or rattle.

What to look for

Fast adjustment (dial or lever beats stacking plates), a wide and useful weight range, a balanced feel that doesn’t clunk mid-rep, and a durable locking mechanism. Many sets include or offer a stand — worth it, since the blocks are awkward to load off the floor.

How it compares

	EXP 90	QuickDraw™ Adjustable Dumbbells	EVO MX100 Dumbbells	Trulap 8592 G4 Dumbbells
GymRadar rating	4.6/5	4.59/5	4.58/5	4.67/5
Price	$867.00	$335.99		$839.96
Finish	Black powder coat
Sold as	Pair, ships in stages (base + Stage 2/3 expansion kits for full 90 lb)
Replaces	28 traditional dumbbells and 825 lb of free weight			52 traditional dumbbells (26 pairs)
Warranty	5-year limited warranty, residential use only		Manufacturer-stated drop/impact tolerance for manufacturing defects under normal home-gym use (~1 year per third-party review coverage; not itemized on the product page itself)	3 years (manufacturing defects and shipping damage; excludes drop damage)
Dimensions	16.25" L x 6" W x 6" H
Increments	2.5 lb (5-50 lb), then 5 lb (50-90 lb) -- 27 selectable weights
Grip length	4.75"
Manufacturer	PowerBlock		MX Select	Trulap
Weight range	5-90 lb per dumbbell	5–60 lb		8.5-92 lb (4-42 kg)
Grip diameter	32mm
Grip material	Knurled stainless steel (manufacturer spec)
Plate material	Welded steel, made in the USA			Cast iron with electroplated stainless finish
Selector mechanism	Magnetic selector pin

4.6/5 · 5 GymRadar reviews

Reviews by source

Expert	4.6/5	5 reviews
Youtube	4.83/5	3 reviews

The PowerBlock Elite USA 90 EXP is a premium, American-welded-steel adjustable dumbbell built for lifters who will eventually press or row past the 50-52lb ceiling of cheaper dial systems like the Bowflex SelectTech 552. Durability is the standout dimension – it is reviewers’ most-cited reason to pick it over plastic-cased competitors, being the rare adjustable dumbbell in its class rated to survive a drop from lifting height. Functionality is the weakest dimension: the pin-and-color selector is fast (2-5 seconds) but slower than a twist dial, and light exercises like lateral raises can feel slightly unbalanced compared to a fixed dumbbell.

+Durability: welded steel plates rated to be dropped from lifting height, unlike plastic-cased competitors such as the Bowflex 552 (GarageGymBuilders)
+Versatility: expands from a 50lb base in staged kits up to 90lb per dumbbell, covering a full strength progression without buying a second set (manufacturer; GarageGymBuilders; King of the Gym)
+Functionality: magnetic pin selector with 2.5lb micro-adjustment plates changes weight in 2-5 seconds, faster than walking a rack (King of the Gym; YouTube: WheelieMan)
+Build quality: USA-made welded-steel construction with a lifetime track record cited by GarageGymBuilders as "16-year" reliable, versus imported dial-based rivals (GarageGymBuilders)
+Value: replaces 28 individual dumbbells and 825lbs of plates in one compact footprint, saving significant space and cost over buying fixed-weight pairs across the same range (manufacturer; YouTube: Self Built XPS variant)

−Functionality: light, arcing-motion exercises (lateral raises, curls under ~30lb) can feel slightly unbalanced compared to a fixed dumbbell (YouTube: Self Built, on the related XPS variant)
−Value: premium pricing, roughly 2-3x a Bowflex 552, and the 90lb capacity ships via separate Stage 2/3 expansion kits rather than one box (GarageGymBuilders; manufacturer)
−Build quality: handle grip is not knurled per GarageGymBuilders, so chalk is recommended for heavy compound lifts -- though the manufacturer's own spec lists a knurled stainless grip, a discrepancy worth noting
−Versatility: the Elite USA 90's closed handle with wrist-support bars is not compatible with PowerBlock's Pro-series EZ curl bar, straight bar, or kettlebell handle attachments (King of the Gym)
−Functionality: at 90lb the dumbbell body runs about 16in long, noticeably longer than a standard fixed dumbbell of the same weight (GarageGymBuilders)

$867.00

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