Yes4All Old School Adjustable Dumbbell Set with Plates, 40-200 lb Review (2026)
Updated September 21, 2026 · Research-based review
Our verdict
Yes4All's old school dumbbell set uses cast iron plates and spin-lock collars across a 40 to 200 pound range, letting a home gym grow for years on one purchase. The classic design has almost nothing to break, but swapping plates is slower than a dial system, and loose plates need more storage room than all-in-one dumbbells.

Yes4All's old school adjustable dumbbell set with plates from 40-200 lb, a classic spin-lock setup for heavy lifting.
Price range: $$ (Mid-range)
What we liked
- + 40-200 lb options let the set grow with you over years of training
- + Old school plate design is simple and has almost nothing to break
- + Yes4All is a popular value brand for home strength equipment
Trade-offs
- - Changing plates with collars is slower than dial or pin systems
- - Loose plates take up more storage room than all-in-one dumbbells
A classic plate-and-collar design
This set follows the traditional adjustable dumbbell format: solid handles, loose weight plates, and star lock spin collars that thread on to hold everything in place. It is the same basic mechanism gyms have used for decades, which means there is no dial, no pin, and nothing electronic to fail over time. Yes4All builds the plates from cast iron with a protective coating meant to resist rust and chipping, while the handles use a diamond knurled texture under chrome plating for grip that holds up even when your hands are sweaty. This is a mechanically simple design, which is both its main strength and the reason it looks dated next to quick-adjust dial systems.
A 40 to 200 pound range that grows with you
The range spans from a lighter 40 pound starting point up to 200 pounds total, which is unusually wide for a home adjustable dumbbell set and covers everything from a beginner's first pressing movements to advanced strength work years later. Most quick-dial adjustable dumbbells top out well below 200 pounds combined, so this old school format is one of the few practical ways to keep adding plates as you get stronger without buying an entirely new set. That said, reaching the top of that range requires owning and storing a large number of plates, so the real-world ceiling for most apartment dwellers will likely be set by available floor space rather than the dumbbells themselves.
Swapping weight takes longer than a dial system
The tradeoff for the simple mechanical design is speed. Changing weight means spinning off the star lock collar, sliding plates on or off the handle, and threading the collar back down, which takes noticeably longer than turning a dial or pulling a selector pin the way PowerBlock or quick-adjust dumbbells allow. For a workout where you change weight once or twice, that extra thirty seconds barely matters. For circuit-style training where you are changing load between nearly every set, the collar system becomes a real interruption to your pacing, so consider how often you actually plan to change weight mid-session before choosing this format over a dial-based alternative.
Storage space adds up with loose plates
Because every increment is a separate physical plate, a set built out toward the higher end of the 40 to 200 pound range accumulates a meaningful stack of iron that needs somewhere to live between workouts. All-in-one adjustable dumbbells with an internal weight-selection mechanism keep everything in a single compact shell regardless of the weight setting, which is a real advantage for apartments with limited storage. A simple weight rack or even a sturdy shelf can keep loose plates organized and off the floor, but it is worth planning for that storage need upfront rather than discovering it after the plates arrive, especially if you intend to eventually load the set toward its upper range.
A trusted value brand for straightforward strength training
Yes4All has built a reputation as one of the more popular value brands in home strength equipment, and this set reflects that positioning: durable cast iron construction, a wide usable weight range, and a price point generally below dial-based competitors offering similar total weight. For someone who wants a dumbbell set that will last years without worrying about internal mechanisms wearing out, and who does not mind the extra seconds needed to swap plates, this old school format remains a reliable choice. If fast transitions between weights during a workout matter more to you than long-term expandability, a quick-dial set will likely suit your training style better despite the higher cost per pound.
Frequently asked questions
How much weight can this set reach in total?
The set is designed to go from 40 pounds up to 200 pounds total by adding cast iron plates onto the handles with spin-lock collars.
Is this faster or slower to adjust than a dial dumbbell?
It is slower, since you have to unscrew the collar and manually swap plates rather than turning a dial or pulling a selector pin.
What are the plates made of?
The plates are cast iron with a protective coating designed to resist rust and chipping over time.
Do I need extra storage space for this set?
Yes, loose plates take up more room than all-in-one adjustable dumbbells, so a weight rack or shelf is worth planning for, especially toward the higher end of the range.
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