when I see these weight on the internet , I be really turn off by the `` square '' shape . I try to find they in local store to see if they be really that ugly in person , but could not find any . however , just as I be set to purchase from a different manufacturer which offer a traditional barbell look , one review on the PowerBlock change my mind . it be a review by a woman state that the PowerBlock 's handle grip be very comfortable for a woman 's hand , whereas as the handle on the other set I be consider buy be fatter in the middle , make it harder for smaller hand to get a good grip . anyway , go with the PowerBlocks in spite of the square shape and be totally in love with they now . they fit my hand perfectly and take up less space than the two pair of dumbbell that I have be use previously -lrb- a 3lb . set and a 5 lb . set -rrb- . and it be really , really easy to switch the amount of weight with the pin setup , which be very similar to the way you change weight on a weight machine at the gym . I would definitely recommend these ...