Staniewicz Thomas Inch Dumbbells

Name: Staniewicz Thomas Inch Dumbbells
Brand: Staniewicz Strength Equipment
Rating: 4.75 (4 reviews)

Staniewicz Strength Equipment (SSE) is a small American foundry business run by Zach Staniewicz – a former professional baseball pitcher turned competitive grip athlete – based in Greer, South Carolina. SSE casts faithful replicas of the historic Thomas Inch “unliftable” circus dumbbell, the legendary one-hand grip-strength benchmark, across 15 weight sizes from 25 lb up to 230 lb, with the classic 172 lb version matching the original’s famous specification. Castings are poured at a foundry in Jacksboro, TN from wooden lathe patterns Zach turns himself, and as of December 2025 every handle uses a standardized 2.375” OD steel pipe insert to cut casting defects and give a more consistent grip that seasons with chalk and sweat over time. Most sizes are made-to-order (6-10 week lead time, only the 25 lb and 50 lb are kept in stock), and SSE’s Inch dumbbells are used as the official implement at sanctioned grip-sport competitions such as the Greenville Grab.

Type	Thomas Inch dumbbell replica (circus dumbbell)
Origin	Cast at a foundry in Jacksboro, TN; patterns turned by hand in Greer, SC
Material	Cast iron globe/bell with steel pipe handle insert
Lead time	6-10 weeks made-to-order (25 lb and 50 lb kept in stock)
Manufacturer	Staniewicz Strength Equipment
Handle diameter	2.375" OD steel pipe (standardized Dec. 2025)
Available weights	25 lb to 230 lb (15 sizes)
Classic reference weight	172 lb (matches the historic Thomas Inch dumbbell)

What is a Fixed Dumbbell?

What fixed dumbbells are

Fixed dumbbells are single-weight hand weights — grab and go, no adjusting. The hex shape (flat sides) keeps them from rolling and makes them stable for push-ups and renegade rows; round heads sit in racks more neatly. What lasts: a comfortable knurled steel handle, a durable rubber or urethane head coating (urethane wears best and smells less), and a tight weight tolerance. Most home gyms buy a range and a rack rather than adjustables if budget and space allow.

How it compares

	Staniewicz Thomas Inch Dumbbells	Hex Dumbbells	UMAX Polyurethane Dumbbells	TROY Pro Style Dumbbells
GymRadar rating	4.75/5	4.72/5	4.78/5	4.83/5
Price	$515.00	$29.99
Type	Thomas Inch dumbbell replica (circus dumbbell)
Origin	Cast at a foundry in Jacksboro, TN; patterns turned by hand in Greer, SC
Material	Cast iron globe/bell with steel pipe handle insert
Lead time	6-10 weeks made-to-order (25 lb and 50 lb kept in stock)
Manufacturer	Staniewicz Strength Equipment			Troy Barbell & Fitness
Handle diameter	2.375" OD steel pipe (standardized Dec. 2025)
Available weights	25 lb to 230 lb (15 sizes)
Classic reference weight	172 lb (matches the historic Thomas Inch dumbbell)

4.8/5 · 4 GymRadar reviews

Reviews by source

Expert

4.75/5

4 reviews

Staniewicz Strength Equipment’s Thomas Inch replica is a made-to-order cast iron circus dumbbell aimed squarely at competitive grip athletes rather than general lifters, and its strongest endorsement is that it’s chosen as the official implement at sanctioned grip-sport meets like the Greenville Grab. Functionality stands out: the casting faithfully reproduces the historic “unliftable” Inch silhouette across 15 sizes (25-230 lb), and the handle was standardized to a 2.375” OD steel pipe insert in late 2025 specifically to cut casting defects and give a more consistent grip. The weakest dimension is independent verification – there’s no expert or video review of this exact bell, bells reportedly ship with a raw, unpainted finish that buyers finish themselves, and 6-10 week made-to-order lead times limit availability versus stocked alternatives.

+Functionality: chosen as the official competition implement at the Greenville Grab / Southeast GSI Regionals, a real-world accuracy/consistency signal from the sport it's built for (GripBoard community)
+Build quality: handle standardized to a 2.375" OD steel pipe insert (as of Dec. 2025) specifically to reduce casting defects and give a more consistent grip that seasons with chalk and sweat (manufacturer)
+Versatility: line spans 15 weight sizes from 25 lb up to 230 lb, plus a cheaper adjustable Inch training handle that takes standard 1" plates for a lower entry cost (manufacturer)
+Value: pricing ($105 at 25 lb, $515 at 172 lb, $690 at 230 lb) runs at or below comparable niche Inch-replica makers like Slater Strength ($550-650 for a single premium size) (manufacturer)

−Functionality: no expert or video review of this exact bell exists yet -- the only independent signal is forum mentions and competition adoption, not a scored test
−Build quality: bells reportedly ship with a raw/unpainted cast finish that owners then paint or coat themselves, per a GripBoard buyer thread (GripBoard community)
−Durability: no long-term or drop-test data has surfaced independently; competition use implies the castings hold up under repeated heavy attempts, but that's inferential, not measured
−Versatility: most weights are made-to-order with a 6-10 week production time (only 25 lb and 50 lb are kept in stock), limiting how quickly a buyer can get a specific size (manufacturer)

$515.00

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