Converting a 1" spin-lock adjustable dumbell to use Olympic plates

[Howard]

http://adjustabledumbellsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/adjustable-dumbbells2.jpg

My friend has these adjustable dumbbells and is now trying to pick up a weight set. I would prefer that he get an Olympic set but I don't want to waste his money that he spent on these, so is there any way to convert? I do have a machine shop at my disposal, and I could easily design something but it would cost almost as much as a new pair of actual adjustable Olympic dumbbells, especially since I think he would want the same type of convenience that the spin collars afford (which, btw, are 1"-5 acme threaded, from what I can tell).

 

[iluvdeal]

Definitely tell him to pick up an olympic barbell set, however it's fine to keep using that adjustable dumbbell set. That's what I do for my gym setup, it works nicely as I don't have to switch plates between barbells and dumbbells. You don't have to go with one or the other.

 

[Howard]

Yeah but then he'd have to buy standard plates.

 

[brikis98]

Sell the standard plates to suckers on craigslist and use the money to get a nice set of olympic barbells and plates (from other sucks on craigslist, if possible). Once you start doing real workouts that include more than bicep curls and tricep kickbacks, standard sized weight sets are fairly useless.

 

[Howard]

Sell the standard plates to suckers on craigslist and use the money to get a nice set of olympic barbells and plates (from other sucks on craigslist, if possible). Once you start doing real workouts that include more than bicep curls and tricep kickbacks, standard sized weight sets are fairly useless.

He doesn't have standard plates. I want him to be able to continue with dumbbell exercises, but I also want him to get Olympic plates... so without spending too much money, what's the best way to either convert his standard adjustable dumbbells or get an Olympic pair?

 

[iluvdeal]

Okay I thought he had plates since that pic showed plates. I don't think it's worth the trouble converting them. If I'm lifting large amounts of weight over my head or face, I don't want to be using some jimmy rigged set of bars. Sell them and get a new set of dumbbells. That said, you may wanna check Craigslist for plates, I've seen standard 1" plates being given away before. For dumbbell work, I've found standard plates to be fine.

 

[brikis98]

He doesn't have standard plates.

So he just has standard 1" dumbbell handles?

I want him to be able to continue with dumbbell exercises, but I also want him to get Olympic plates...

What workouts is he doing? If he just does DB work and you want to re-use the standard stuff he already has, then just get more standard plates. If he is going to do barbell work and you are going to get an olympic size barbell and plates, then the standard handles/plates he has are useless.

so without spending too much money, what's the best way to either convert his standard adjustable dumbbells or get an Olympic pair?

You can buy various adapters, but it seems to me like a waste of money to get an inferior (and possibly unsafe) product. Depending on what kind of workouts/exercises he's going to be doing, going with all standard or all olympic is usually the way to go, with olympic typically being a far better & more versatile investment.

 

[Howard]

So he just has standard 1" dumbbell handles?

Yes, no weight yet.