Out of every PowerBlock I tested, the set my wife got most excited about was the smallest one in the lineup.
The PowerBlock Sport 24 runs from 3 to 24 lbs, measures 10 inches long, and costs $219. It’s also the only PowerBlock you can get in different colors.
This PowerBlock Sport 24 review covers who it’s built for, how the 3 lb increments and compact frame work in practice, the grip size consideration you should make before buying, and the new straight bar attachment.
| Model | Pros & Cons | Rating |
|---|---|---|
PowerBlock Sport 24 | Pros:
| Rated 4.0 out of 5 |
Table of Contents
Who the PowerBlock Sport 24 Is For
I’m starting this PowerBlock Sport 24 review with the buyer, because it’s a pretty niche model that’s targeted to specific groups of people.
At 24 lbs per hand, it’s too light for anyone training seriously for strength, and it can’t be expanded. But for some people, 24 lbs covers everything they’ll ever lift with a dumbbell.
It’s a good match for these groups:
- Women training for general strength and fitness, especially with smaller hands
- Seniors who want light, easy-to-adjust weights
- Rehab and physical therapy, where small, steady increments are more useful than a high weight ceiling
- Higher-rep and conditioning work, where light weight is the point
- Anyone who wants a light, compact set to take outside or on the road
My wife fits the first group. The small handle suits her hands, 24 lbs covers her workouts, and she liked the Sport 24 more than any other set in the lineup, including models that cost five times as much.
If you have larger hands or you’re still building strength, skip ahead to the grip section on this page before you buy.
PowerBlock Sport 24 Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 3 to 24 lbs per hand |
| Increments | 3 lbs, no skipped weights |
| Adjustment | Selector pin only, no micro weights |
| Grip | Contoured TPR, 32 mm at the center |
| Grip length | About 4.33″ |
| Handle | Wedge-shaped, open |
| Plate construction | Bare steel, powder coat |
| Colors | Gray, lavender, light blue |
| Weight indicators | Colored strips, one side |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 10″ × 5.5″ × 5.5″ at 24 lbs |
| Expandable | No |
| Attachments | Straight bar |
| Warranty | 5 years residential |
| Price | $219 |
Small Enough to Take Anywhere
These dumbbells are tiny. Set them beside the rest of the lineup and they look almost like toys.
At 10 inches long, the Sport 24 is the most compact PowerBlock by a wide margin. The Pro 32, the only other light set, is 12 inches while holding just 8 more pounds. Most of that difference comes from the Sport 24’s steel plates, which skip the urethane coating that adds bulk to the Pro models.
That size pays off in two ways:
- Storage. A pair fits on a shelf, in a closet, or under a bed. In an apartment or a small home gym, that’s an advantage over a rack of fixed dumbbells, or even over larger adjustable dumbbells.
- Portability. The Sport 24 is the easiest PowerBlock to take somewhere else. You can throw a pair in the car and train at the park, bring them on a trip, or move them from room to room without thinking about it. And like every PowerBlock, it’s self-contained, so you can change the weight on any flat surface; no cradle or base required.
3 lb Increments: The Finest Block Steps in the Lineup
The PowerBlock Sport 24 adjusts from 3 to 24 lbs in 3 lb increments: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24. Every weight is available, and every change is a single move of the selector pin.
Those 3 lb jumps are the smallest plate increment PowerBlock makes. Other models get finer steps by adding micro weights, but no other set moves in steps this small using the plates alone.
That makes a difference at the light end, where jumps are large in percentage terms. Going from 6 to 9 lbs on lateral raises is a 50% increase. On the Pro 32, the equivalent step is 4 to 8, which doubles the weight. For rehab work and small-muscle exercises, the Sport 24’s smaller increments make steady progression easier.
With no micro weights, adjustment is about as simple as a dumbbell gets. There are no cylinders to load, no lock lever to check, and nothing extra to keep track of. For someone who has never used an adjustable dumbbell, it’s the easiest PowerBlock to learn.
The Handle: Check Your Hand Size First
For anyone with larger hands, this is the most important section of this PowerBlock Sport 24 review, because it may not be a good fit (literally).
The handle is a wedge-shaped open design, which I like because it allows for more wrist motion, but the grip itself is pretty small. I measured the usable grip length at about 4.33 inches. The bigger PowerBlock models run close to 5 inches, and the Pro 32 comes in at about 4.8.
I have above-average hands, and when I grip the Sport 24, I can feel the handle ends pressing on both sides of my hand. So while it’s still usable for me, it’s definitely a bit cramped.
If your hands are small to average, it won’t be an issue. If they’re large, the Pro 32 is the better light set, and the extra half inch of grip length is the main reason to pay $160 more for it.
The grip itself is contoured TPR rubber. It measures 32 mm at the center and narrows toward the ends, so it feels slimmer than the number suggests. At 24 lbs, rubber is all the grip you need. Knurled steel, while it would be nice, doesn’t actually add anything at this weight.
Balance
The PowerBlock Sport 24 balances well at every setting, and it beats the more expensive Pro 32 here.
The Pro 32, while it is heavier than the Sport 24, it’s also significantly longer at 12 inches despite being just 8 lbs more. As such, you feel more weight toward the ends, which makes it feel less balanced than the more compact Sport 24.
And unlike some of the heavier models, there are no micro weights in the Sport 24, which also helps with balance.
Of course, no PowerBlock dumbbell model, including the Sport 24, feels exactly like a fixed dumbbell, since some weight sits out in the side rails. But at 24 lbs and 10 inches long, the Sport 24 comes close.
Build and Colors
The plates are bare steel with a powder coat finish and no urethane coating. That’s the reason for the compact size, and it has two tradeoffs. The Sport 24 is a little louder during use and when you set it down, and it’s a bit less comfortable than urethane when you drop the dumbbells on your thighs or otherwise make contact with your body. But at just 24 lbs, neither is a big deal.
The Sport 24 is also the only PowerBlock available in different colorways for the plates. You can get it in gray, lavender, or light blue. Every other model comes in black.
The weight indicators are long colored strips along the rails, the same classic style as the Elite models. They only appear on one side of the blocks, so you’ll want to keep the blocks facing the same way to read your weight. They can also shift slightly over time, unlike the embedded rings on the Pro models.
The Straight Bar Attachment
PowerBlock now sells a Sport 24 straight bar attachment for $199. It uses the plates from both dumbbells, loads from 15 lbs up to about 57 lbs, and fits the Sport 24 only.
That gives the Sport 24 something the Pro 32 doesn’t have: an attachment. The Pro 32 has none at all.
I own the older Pro Series bars rather than the Sport 24 version. With those, the plates hanging off each end throw off the balance, and the bar wants to rotate on anything other than a straight vertical path. Expect the same basic tradeoff here. At these lighter loads, it’s a reasonable way to add barbell curls, presses, and rows to a small setup without buying a full bar and plates.
If you get the bar attachment, PowerBlock’s Barbell Stand at $329 holds the blocks at the right spacing off the floor and fits all of their 33-inch bars, including this one. At this price point, though, the stand costs more than the bar, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use the bar often.
Which Stand to Get
The Small Compact Stand at $99 is the right match. The Sport 24 has no micro weights to store, and anything bigger is overkill for a set this size.
The PowerStand 2.0 also fits and has a more polished design, but it costs nearly double. For a $219 dumbbell set, the Small Compact Stand makes more sense.
Warranty
The Sport 24 carries PowerBlock’s 5 year limited residential warranty, covering materials and workmanship defects. It excludes misuse, including drops from above 6 to 12 inches depending on the model.
PowerBlock Sport 24 Pros and Cons
Here’s the condensed version of this PowerBlock Sport 24 review.
Pros:
- Cheapest set in the PowerBlock lineup at $219
- Most compact PowerBlock at 10 inches long
- Easy to carry and take outside or on the road
- 3 lb jumps, the smallest plate increment PowerBlock makes
- Pin-only adjustment with no micro weights
- Balances well at every setting
- Only model available in different colors (gray, lavender, light blue)
- The only PowerBlock available in different colors
- Straight bar attachment available
Cons:
- Grip length of about 4.33 inches is cramped for larger hands
- 24 lbs is too light for serious strength training
- Non-expandable
- Strip indicators sit on one side only and can shift
- TPR grips only
PowerBlock Sport 24 vs Pro 32
The Pro 32 is the only other light set in the lineup, and it’s the main competitor to the Sport 24 within the PowerBlock lineup. If you want a light set, you have to decide between these two models, so this section summarizes what you should consider.
The Pro 32 is $379, or $160 more. It adds 8 lbs of capacity, urethane-coated plates, ring indicators on both sides of the blocks, stainless rail hardware, and a roomier grip at about 4.8 inches.
The Sport 24 is cheaper, 2 inches shorter, better balanced, has smaller increments (3 lbs versus 4), is available in colors, and has an optional straight bar attachment.
The decision usually comes down to hand size. If the Sport 24’s grip fits you, it’s the better value. If it’s cramped, the Pro 32 is worth the extra money. My PowerBlock Pro vs Sport comparison goes deeper on the two product lines.
PowerBlock Sport 24 FAQ
Is the PowerBlock Sport 24 worth it?
For lighter lifters with small to average hands, yes. It’s the cheapest and most compact PowerBlock, it balances well, and its 3 lb steps suit light training. For anyone who needs more than 24 lbs or has large hands, look at the Pro 32 or a heavier set.
How heavy does the PowerBlock Sport 24 go?
24 lbs per hand, adjustable from as little as 3 lbs, in 3 lb increments. It can’t be expanded.
What colors does the Sport 24 come in?
Gray, lavender, and light blue. It’s the only PowerBlock available in colors other than black.
Is the Sport 24 good for people with large hands?
Usually not. The usable grip length is about 4.33 inches. On my above-average hands, the ends of the handle press against both sides of my hand. The Pro 32’s grip is about half an inch longer.
Does the PowerBlock Sport 24 have attachments?
Yes, a dedicated straight bar for $199 that loads from 15 to about 57 lbs. It fits the Sport 24 only.
How big is the PowerBlock Sport 24?
10 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, and 5.5 inches tall at 24 lbs, making it the smallest set PowerBlock makes.
Can I use my coupon code on the Sport 24?
Yes. At $219, it clears the $200 minimum for code KING20, which saves you $20.
My Rating
PowerBlock Sport 24
The PowerBlock Sport 24 is the cheapest and most compact PowerBlock set at $219. It adjusts from 3 to 24 lbs per hand in 3 lb steps, the smallest block increment in the lineup. It has no micro weights, so balance is good at every setting. The all-steel plates come in gray, lavender or light blue. The grip is about 4.33 inches long, which feels cramped for larger hands. It isn't expandable. It's best for light training and for tossing in the car to train away from home.
4
Pros
- Cheapest set in the PowerBlock lineup at $219
- Most compact PowerBlock at just 10 inches long
- Easy to carry and take outside or on the road
- 3 lb jumps, the smallest plate increment PowerBlock makes
- Pin-only adjustment with no micro weights
- Balances well at every setting
- Only model available in different colors (gray, lavender, light blue)
- Straight bar attachment available
Cons
- Grip length of about 4.33 inches is cramped for larger hands
- 24 lbs is too light for serious strength training
- Non-expandable
- Strip indicators sit on one side only and can shift
- TPR grips only
PowerBlock Sport 24 Review: Final Verdict
The Sport 24 is a light, compact set for people who will never need more than 24 lbs, and it does that job very well. The 3 lb steps suit light training, the balance is good at every setting, and the 10-inch long frame makes it the easiest PowerBlock to store or take somewhere else.
The one spec to check is the grip. At about 4.33 inches, it fits small and average hands while making larger hands feel cramped. If your hands fall in the first group, the PowerBlock Sport 24 is the best value among PowerBlock’s light sets. If they fall in the second, spend the extra $160 on the Pro 32.
Check out the Sport 24 on PowerBlock’s site. At $219, the dumbbells alone clear the $200 minimum, so my code KING20 saves you $20 without adding anything else to your cart.
