The PowerBlock Pro 32 is one of two light sets in the PowerBlock lineup, and almost everyone shopping for it is deciding between it and the Sport 24.
I tested both side by side along with every other current PowerBlock model. This PowerBlock Pro 32 review will help you decide between the Pro 32 and Sport 24. I’ll cover the grip size difference that can make the decision easier, and I’ll give you some important insights on the Pro 32’s balance that you might not expect for such a light set.
| Model | Pros & Cons | Rating |
|---|---|---|
PowerBlock Pro 32 | Pros:
| Rated 3.8 out of 5 |
Table of Contents
Pro 32 or Sport 24?
Both models are non-expandable, both are built for light training, and both adjust by moving a selector pin with no micro weights. That’s where the similarities end.
| PowerBlock Pro 32 | Sport 24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight range | 4 to 32 lbs | 3 to 24 lbs |
| Increments | 4 lbs | 3 lbs |
| Plates | Urethane-coated steel | Bare steel, powder coat |
| Weight indicators | Rings, both sides | Strips, one side |
| Grip length | About 4.8″ | About 4.33″ |
| Rail hardware | Stainless steel | Standard |
| Balance | Fair | Good |
| Attachments | None | Straight bar |
| Colors | Black | Gray, lavender, light blue |
| Length at max | 12″ | 10″ |
| Price | $379 | $219 |
The Pro 32 is the more premium set in terms of build quality. It’s quieter, more comfortable against your body, easier to read, roomier in the hand, and it holds 8 more pounds. The Sport 24 is $160 cheaper, smaller, better balanced, available in different colors, and it works with a straight bar attachment.
So the short version: pay the extra for the Pro 32 if the larger handle grip length, the build quality, or the extra 8 lbs will make a difference to you. Otherwise, the Sport 24 does the job for less with better balance.
My PowerBlock Pro vs Sport comparison goes into the two product lines more broadly.
PowerBlock Pro 32 Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 4 to 32 lbs per hand |
| Increments | 4 lbs, no skipped weights |
| Adjustment | Selector pin only, no micro weights |
| Grip | Contoured TPR, 32 mm at the widest point |
| Grip length | About 4.8″ |
| Handle | Wedge-shaped, open |
| Plate construction | Urethane-coated steel |
| Weight indicators | Colored rings, both sides |
| Rail hardware | Stainless steel |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 12″ × 5.75″ × 5.5″ at 32 lbs |
| Expandable | No |
| Attachments | None available |
| Classification | Residential and commercial |
| Price | $379 |
Grip Length: Why It Matters
I measured the usable grip length on both light sets. The Pro 32 comes in at about 4.8 inches. The Sport 24 comes in at about 4.33 inches. The bigger models run close to 5 inches.
That half inch is the difference between fitting and not fitting for a lot of hands. I have above-average hands, and on the Sport 24 I can feel the sides of the handles pressing on both sides of my hand.
On the Pro 32, I don’t. There’s enough space.
So if you want a light adjustable dumbbell and you have bigger hands, the Pro 32 is the pick.
The grip itself is contoured TPR rubber measuring 32 mm at its widest point. The contour means it tapers toward the ends, so it feels thinner in the hand than 32 mm suggests. For a set this size, a slimmer grip makes sense.
One Dumbbell, Two Listings
The PowerBlock Pro 32 is the only model PowerBlock sells as both a residential and a commercial product, which just comes down to listing it on both parts of their website.
But regardless of where it’s listed, it’s the exact same dumbbell at the exact same $379 price either way. What changes is the warranty, which follows how you use it:
- Used at home: the 5 year residential warranty applies.
- Used in a commercial setting: the commercial warranty applies.
The commercial classification does bring one real benefit to home buyers. The hardware connecting the rails to the urethane is stainless steel, which is standard on PowerBlock’s commercial line and upgraded over the black zinc used on residential sets like the Pro 50.
Built Like a Shrunken Pro 50
In design terms, the PowerBlock Pro 32 is a scaled-down Pro 50. It uses the same urethane-coated steel plates, the same colored ring indicators, and the same general Pro-style look.
The Pro 32’s plates are thicker than the Pro 50’s. Because the whole dumbbell is shorter and narrower, PowerBlock made up some of that lost size in plate thickness.
The urethane coating is the biggest practical upgrade over the Sport 24. It makes it quieter during use and when racking it. Plus, it’s more comfortable when you drop the dumbbells on your thighs on seated shoulder press or otherwise make contact with your body.
The ring indicators are the other upgrade. They’re embedded in the rails on both sides of the block, so you can read your weight from either direction and they can’t slide out of place. The Sport 24’s strip indicators only appear on one side and can shift around over time.
Balance: The Pro 32’s Weak Spot
I expected a light, micro-weight-free dumbbell to balance well. The PowerBlock Pro 32 doesn’t, at least not as well as I’d hoped.
The cause is its proportions. At 12 inches long, the Pro 32 is only half an inch shorter than the Pro 50 while holding 18 fewer pounds. That puts the weight spread along a long frame for how light it is, and you feel that odd weight distribution more than you would on a shorter set.
It’s not bad, but you can tell the difference, especially compared to the other light set: the Sport 24. At 10 inches, it’s compact for its weight, and it balances very well at every setting.
This is the clearest area where the cheaper set beats the more expensive one. It’s certainly not a dealbreaker to me, but if balance ranks high for you, it’s a point in the Sport 24’s (or Pro 50’s) favor.
4 lb Increments With No Micro Weights
The PowerBlock Pro 32 adjusts from 4 to 32 lbs in 4 lb increments: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32.
Every change is a single move of the selector pin.
That makes adjustments about as simple as they get. There are no micro weights to load, no lock lever to check, and no handles to swap.
The (small) tradeoff is that 4 lbs is a (relatively) big jump at the light end. Going from 4 to 8 lbs doubles the weight. Going from 8 to 12 is a 50% increase. On lateral raises or rehab work, that can make steady progression just a bit harder. But, to zoom out, we are talking about just 4 lbs, which is still pretty light in the scheme of things.
Still, if you’re looking for very small increments, the Pro 32 is not the winner. The Sport 24 has 3 lb increments, which is the smallest plate increment in the lineup.
And if you want even finer increments and you’re willing to go up in price and weight, the Pro 50 adjusts in 2.5 lb increments with no skipped weights, but it does use adder weights.
The Grip: TPR Only
The Pro 32 comes with contoured TPR grips.
PowerBlock doesn’t make knurled grips for this model. Their Pro Series knurled grips fit the Pro 50 and the discontinued Pro EXP, but not the Pro 32. Aftermarket knurled grips for it are hard to find, if they exist at all.
At a 32 lb max weight, that’s not a meaningful loss. Grip security becomes a limiting factor at heavy weights, and rubber gives you plenty of grip at these loads. My knurled handles review covers which models do have upgrade options.
No Attachments
The Pro 32 works with none of PowerBlock’s bar or kettlebell attachments. It shares that with the Commercial Pro 125/175 as the only current models with no attachment options.
The Sport 24 has a dedicated straight bar. So if a bar attachment is part of your plan, that tips the decision toward the Sport 24, or the Pro 50, which has an EZ bar and straight bar attachment as well as a kettlebell handle.
Which Stand to Get
The Small Compact Stand at $99 is the right pairing. The Pro 32 has no micro weights, so you don’t need a stand with micro weight storage, and a bigger stand would be overkill for a set this size.
The PowerStand 2.0 is also compatible and has a more polished design, but it costs nearly double the Small Compact Stand.
Who the PowerBlock Pro 32 Is For
I want my PowerBlock Pro 32 review to be direct about this fact: The Pro 32 is a light set.
Anyone training seriously for strength will find 32 lbs insufficient from the start, and it can’t be expanded.
It fits these people well:
- Lifters who want light dumbbells and have average or larger hands. The roomier grip is the main reason to choose the Pro 32 over the Sport 24.
- Women and seniors training for general strength, where 32 lbs covers most movements.
- Rehab and physical therapy, where simple pin-only adjustment helps.
- Higher-rep and conditioning work, where light weight and quick changes are the point.
- Anyone who wants a quieter, more comfortable build than bare steel in a light set.
If you’re buying for someone with smaller hands on a tighter budget, the Sport 24 serves them just as well for $160 less.
PowerBlock Pro 32 Pros and Cons
Here’s the condensed version of this PowerBlock Pro 32 review:
Pros:
- Roomier grip than the Sport 24 (4.8″ versus 4.33″)
- Urethane-coated plates are quiet and comfortable
- Ring indicators on both sides of the blocks
- Stainless steel rail hardware
- 8 more pounds of capacity than the Sport 24
- Pin-only adjustment (no micro weights)
- Wedge-shaped open handle for greater wrist ROM
Cons:
- $160 more than the Sport 24
- Longer and bulkier than the Sport 24
- Not as well balanced as competing models
- Can’t be expanded past 32 lbs
- No attachments available
- TPR grips only; no knurled option
PowerBlock Pro 32 vs Pro 50
If you’re on the fence between the two lightest urethane sets, the question is: how much total weight and how small of increments do you need?
The Pro 50 costs $549, $170 more than the Pro 32. For that you get 18 more pounds of capacity, 2.5 lb increments with no skipped weights (using micro-weights), auto-lock for keeping micro-weights in, the option to add PowerBlock’s knurled grips, and compatibility with the Pro Series bars and kettlebell handle.
It’s only half an inch longer than the Pro 32, so you’re not giving up much compactness, at least in the length dimension.
Buy the Pro 32 if 32 lbs covers you and you prefer a selector pin-only adjustment process. Pick the Pro 50 if there’s any chance you’ll need more weight or you want smaller increments and you’re okay with using the micro-weights.
PowerBlock Pro 32 FAQ
Is the PowerBlock Pro 32 worth it over the Sport 24?
It is if you have average or larger hands, want a quieter urethane build, or need the extra 8 lbs. Otherwise, the Sport 24 is the better buy at $160 less, and it balances better too.
What’s the difference between the Pro 32 and the Commercial Pro 32?
Nothing about the dumbbell. It’s the same set at the same $379, listed on both PowerBlock’s residential and commercial pages. The warranty follows how you use it.
How heavy does the PowerBlock Pro 32 go?
It adjusts from 4 lbs up to 32 lbs per hand, in 4 lb increments. It can’t be expanded beyond that.
Does the Pro 32 use micro weights?
No. Every weight change is a single selector pin move, which makes it one of the simplest PowerBlocks to adjust.
Can you put knurled grips on a PowerBlock Pro 32?
Not from PowerBlock. Their Pro Series knurled grips fit the Pro 50, not the Pro 32, and aftermarket options are hard to find. At 32 lbs, the TPR grips are all you need for grip security.
What attachments work with the Pro 32?
None. It’s one of two current PowerBlock models, along with the Commercial Pro 125/175, with no bar or kettlebell attachments.
How big is the PowerBlock Pro 32?
12 inches long, 5.75 inches wide, and 5.5 inches tall at the 32 lb max weight. That’s 2 inches longer than the Sport 24 and half an inch shorter than the Pro 50.
My Rating
PowerBlock Pro 32
The PowerBlock Pro 32 adjusts from 4 to 32 lbs per hand in 4 lb increments with no micro weights. It's the more premium of PowerBlock's two light sets, with urethane-coated plates, ring indicators and stainless rail hardware. Its grip length is about 4.8 inches, against 4.33 on the Sport 24. Balance is the weak spot: it's long for its weight, so it doesn't feel as centered as you'd expect from a model with no adder weights. It isn't expandable. It fits light training and lifters with larger hands who find the Sport 24 cramped.
3.8
Pros
- Roomier grip than the Sport 24 (4.8" versus 4.33")
- Urethane-coated plates are quiet and comfortable
- Ring indicators on both sides of the blocks
- Stainless steel rail hardware
- 8 more pounds of capacity than the Sport 24
- Pin-only adjustment (no micro weights)
- Wedge-shaped open handle for greater wrist ROM
Cons
- $160 more than the Sport 24
- Longer and bulkier than the Sport 24
- Not as well balanced as competing models
- Can't be expanded past 32 lbs
- No attachments available
- TPR grips only; no knurled option
PowerBlock Pro 32 Review: Final Verdict
The Pro 32 is the premium choice among PowerBlock’s light sets. The urethane build, the double-sided ring indicators, the stainless steel hardware, and the extra 8 lbs all make it a nicer dumbbell to own than the Sport 24.
A small but meaningful difference for a lot of people will be the length of the grips: At about 4.8 inches of usable length versus 4.33 inches, it accommodates larger hands than the Sport 24. If you need the extra room, the PowerBlock Pro 32 is the best light PowerBlock set to buy.
If your hands fit the Sport 24 comfortably, the case gets weaker. The Sport 24 costs $160 less. It also balances better, and unlike the Pro 32, it works with a straight bar attachment. But of course, you get 8 lbs less of weight capacity.
You can check out PowerBlock Pro 32 here and don’t forget to use code KING20 to get $20 off any order over $200.
