York Blobs

I love everything about blobs except the hefty price tag. First "discovered" them while watching Brian Shaw's "Super Grip Gauntlet" video (from September 10, 2018) after binge watching "The Strongest Man in History" in early 2021. Bought a half 85 off eBay and quickly discovered I "needed" a half 80 to work up to it. Since then I have lifted my York FATMAN and half 125 Legacy.

At first I didn't understand the desirability of blobs. Then a friend let me try his. They really do provide a great alternative to other weight forms. Prices have skyrocketed for the York Roundhead blobs, often approaching as much as a dumbbell pair. Be patient, and look for bent dumbbells of your own. They are easy to make. I'm just getting into building up a set to work with, but I'm being patient and committing to not over pay until I get down to the last few in a set.

York blobs are so much fun to use for grip training and many other things in the gym. You can easily make them yourself if you find damaged dumbbells that aren't good to use anymore. Prices for them can be all over the place. The bigger they are the more you will usually pay for them. I highly recommend them if you're trying to grow your grip strength. They don't take up a ton of room and are worth every penny. You can even add magnets to manipulate the weights and really adapt your training.

I have mixed opinions on blobs, globs, etc. On the one hand, they are historic and pretty cool. The thought of Pops Sorinex being challenged by a half 100 in the basement of a gym cleanout and then calling it the Fatman is legendary. On the other hand paying $3-$4/pound for a cut up dumbbell seems stupid. Nevertheless, I own a half 50 and use it often enough to recommend that everybody should own a blob they can lift and a challenge blob. I have not been able to lift a half 60 yet.

Is there any real way I can justify having a row of expensive, rusted, dumbbell parts in my gym? Absolutely not. I could achieve something similar with an eye hook, a chunk of 2x4 and a loadable weight pin (which I also have). Do I love these dearly and use them to motivate getting my grip strength stronger? Yes I do. 10/10 item. Very cool.

Old gym had some. Fun little thing to mess around with and see how good your grip is. Wouldn't mind some for the home gym but never see them for sale

Fun to play with, haven't seen much carry over into other grip strength using them but very fun

Incredibly fun way to train grip strength. First time breaking the floor and first time hitting lockout were magical feelings. I bought a legacy half 75 from Big Curt and might need to buy some more. Downside is that they are only useful for one thing. Upside is they are fun and look cool.

Love these things. I think they are great addition to grip training. I have now bought a half of a 20lb/30lb/40lb/50lb/60lb.

These are really cool for grip stuff and lot of fun, but aren't really available for a price I'm willing to pay very often. Fine for collectors, but I'm considering Micro Gainz loadable half 100 version.