I buy these dumbbell from a local dealer instead of Amazon because of a sale . I have be look at the Bowflex select-type of dumbbell as well as these . after try they out at the store , I be sell . they be easy to manipulate and sturdy in construction . one would think that a square dumbbell would get in the way of do exercise -- this be not the case . the handle be in the middle of the box and the side tube be pad for comfort . I just finish a hour long dumbbell workout a few minute ago and it be everything I expect : bench press , military press , bent over row , seat curl , triceps extension , dumbbell deadlift , upright row , dumbbell squat , etc. . . all of these exercise be perform use this product . no problem encounter at all .