MX Fitness Supply Adjustable Dumbbells Review 2026: Are the MX55, MX70 & MX100 Worth It?
MX Fitness Supply builds rapid-change adjustable dumbbells around a patented positive-lock design. We break down how they compare to Bowflex and PowerBlock, what they actually cost, and whether the build quality justifies the price.
Adjustable dumbbells have been dominated by two names — Bowflex and PowerBlock — for years. MX Fitness Supply, a company out of Rochester, Minnesota, is trying to take them on with a different mechanism: a patented rack-and-pinion design it calls the Positive Lock System. The pitch is simple — instead of a twist dial or a sliding pin, you select a weight and it locks in place with no wobble, no loose plates and no guesswork.
The 2025 lineup is called the EVO Series, and it spans three dumbbells (55, 70 and 100 lb), an adjustable barbell/curl bar, a bench, and a handful of accessories. Everything is built for a home gym, and everything ships with a two-year warranty.
How the Positive Lock System Works
Most adjustable dumbbells change weight with a rotating dial that you turn to slide plates in and out. MX’s approach is different: a rack-and-pinion mechanism where the handle sits in a cradle, you turn a selector to the weight you want, and the plates engage with a positive, mechanical lock. The selling point is confidence — when you lock in 70 lb, it is 70 lb, held rigidly, with nothing rattling loose mid-set.
- Select: dial in the weight on the cradle while the handle is docked.
- Lift: the handle locks the selected plates; the rest stay in the cradle.
- Drop: the positive lock is rated for short drops, backed by the 2-year coverage.
What You Actually Pay
| Product | Sale | List | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX55 Evolution Series | $449 | $599 | 55 lb per dumbbell |
| MX70 Evolution Series | $649 | $899 | 70 lb per dumbbell |
| MX100 Evolution Series | $849 | $1,049 | 100 lb per dumbbell |
| MX125 Barbell / Curl Bar | $899 | $1,099 | 30–125 lb system |
| MX Select Bench | $229 | $319 | Adjustable, 6 positions |
A pair of MX55s at $449 puts MX slightly under Bowflex’s SelectTech 552 at list price, but the gap narrows at the heavier end — the MX100 pair is a serious investment. The headline trade-off: you are paying for the lock mechanism and a knurled steel handle, not a budget build.
The Lineup at a Glance
Ten products, from an $79 plate upgrade to a $899 barbell system. Tap any card to see it on the official site.
What’s Good
The positive lock genuinely feels more secure
The single biggest complaint about twist-dial dumbbells is plates that rattle or feel loose. The rack-and-pinion lock removes that — the weight is held rigid, which matters most on pressing movements where a wobble is unsettling.
A knurled steel handle is a real differentiator
Rubberised or smooth handles are fine for casual use, but serious lifters want knurl — the textured steel grip that stops your hands slipping on heavy sets. MX offers knurled handles as an option, which is unusual at this price point and a genuine plus.
The weight range is genuinely expandable
The MX70 can be upgraded to a 100 lb set with the conversion kit, so you are not forced to buy a whole new set as you get stronger. That is a smarter buy-in than a dumbbell that tops out with no upgrade path.
A real warranty with drop coverage
Two years on manufacturing defects, with a parts-coverage upgrade that even covers drop damage from 32 inches or less. That is more generous than most adjustable-dumbbell warranties.
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Positive-lock mechanism feels secure
- Knurled steel handle option for serious lifters
- MX70 upgrades to 100 lb with a kit
- 2-year warranty with drop coverage
- Free shipping to the lower 48
✗ Cons
- Premium pricing across the range
- Newer brand, shorter track record than Bowflex/PowerBlock
- Dial adjustment is not instant — a few seconds per change
- Larger footprint than a fixed dumbbell rack
- Clearance/B-stock units need careful reading
The Honest Downsides
This is the part the marketing skips, and it matters:
You are paying a premium for the mechanism
At $449–$849 a pair, these are not the budget option. A standard set of fixed hex dumbbells costs less for the same total weight — but takes up a wall of space. What you are really paying for is the space saving and the lock, and whether that is worth the premium is the honest question to ask yourself.
The brand is younger
Bowflex and PowerBlock have been around for decades and have huge user bases and repair ecosystems. MX is a smaller, newer company — the products are well reviewed, but the long-term durability record is simply shorter.
Changing weight is not instant
The rack-and-pinion design trades a little speed for security. You dock the handle, dial the selector, and lift — a few seconds per change. That is fine for most training, but if you do high-speed drop-sets, a magnetic or dial system might feel faster.
Read the clearance listings carefully
The B-stock and clearance units are discounted for cosmetic blemishes or because they are the previous generation. They are still covered by warranty, but the older MX30, for example, is not compatible with the new EVO plate upgrades.
Who It’s For (and Who Should Skip It)
This is for the home lifter who wants a full dumbbell rack in one footprint and is willing to pay for a secure, well-built mechanism — especially anyone who values a knurled handle and a real warranty. Skip it if you are on a tight budget, if you rarely lift heavier than 30–40 lb, or if you already own a set of adjustable dumbbells that is serving you fine.
Buying Tips
- Buy the weight you will grow into. The MX70 with a conversion kit is the smart middle path — you are not locked out of heavier work later.
- Get the stand or the pads. The dumbbells are heavy; a stand keeps them off the floor and the impact pads protect your flooring if you train to failure.
- Check clearance first. The MX30 and B-stock units are the cheapest way into the system if you do not need the newest EVO plates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do MX dumbbells compare to Bowflex SelectTech?
Both are adjustable, space-saving dumbbells, but they use different mechanisms. MX uses a rack-and-pinion positive lock, which many users find more secure than Bowflex’s twist dial, and MX offers a knurled steel handle option. Bowflex has the longer track record and a slightly lower entry price.
Can the MX70 really be upgraded to 100 lb?
Yes — the MX 70-100 EVO Conversion Kit adds the extra weight plates so an MX70 owner can reach 100 lb without buying a new set. That is one of the more useful features in the range.
What does the 2-year warranty actually cover?
Manufacturing defects for two years, plus optional drop coverage. The parts-coverage upgrade even covers damage from drops of 32 inches or less, which is uncommon for adjustable dumbbells.
Are the B-stock and clearance units worth it?
Often yes — they carry the same functional warranty and are discounted for cosmetic blemishes or being the previous generation. Just confirm compatibility: the older MX30 does not work with the new EVO plate upgrades.
How much space do I need?
A single pair of adjustable dumbbells replaces a whole rack, so you save a lot of space versus fixed dumbbells — but the dumbbells themselves are bulkier than a fixed pair of the same weight, and you will want a stand or floor pads.
Final Verdict
✓ Buy it if
- You want a full dumbbell range in one footprint
- You value a secure lock and a knurled handle
- You plan to lift heavier over time (get the MX70 + kit)
- You want a warranty that covers drops
✗ Skip it if
- You are on a tight budget
- You rarely lift over 30–40 lb
- You need instant weight changes for drop-sets
- You already have a dumbbell set you are happy with
Ready to build your home gym?
The MX55 is the entry point — or step up to the MX70 with the conversion kit for room to grow.
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