Jayflex Fitness’ Hyperbell Bar converts dumbbells to a barbell.
Smaller and lighter than a straight barbell, the Hyperbell seems like a good option for those with small spaces and limited equipment.
I have plenty of dumbbells to test it with and plan to test it on my cable machine and resistance bands too.
Let’s check it out!
Unboxing
The Hyperbell bar comes in one piece and is shorter than what I imagined.
It’s 40″ long, has a clamp at each end, and the shaft is steel covered with rubber grip material.
The plastic clamps came protected with foam.
Smart move since some packages are thrown around carelessly during transit.
Specs
- Material: Bar shaft is steel covered in rubber grip, clamps are polycarbonate plastic, clamp insets are foam
- Dumbbell compatibility: Dumbbell handle length needs to be at least 4.5″ long and less than 1.5″ thick.
- Dimensions: 40″L x 4.5″W
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Weight capacity: 200 lbs (100 lbs per side)
Features
Clamps
The clamps at the end of the Hyperbell bar have a red collar that keep it locked.
According to Jayflex Fitness, the clamps are made of high-strength polycarbonate plastic.
The clamps work on a hinge so once I unlock it, I just open it up so the dumbbell handle sits in the middle of the clamp.
Here’s a side view of the clamp and you can see there’s foam inset inside the circle.
That’s there to secure the dumbbell handle tightly.
Now I’ll take you inside the clamp…
To unlock to clamp, I turn the red collar counter-clockwise and slide it up the shaft of the Hyperbell barbell.
Now I can open up the clamp right down the middle.
And here’s what it looks like up close.
You can see there’s foam insets lining the inside.
When I push on the foam it gives to accommodate different dumbbell handle diameters.
Once I set my dumbbell in the middle, I close the clamp and turn the collar clockwise to lock it down.
Hyperbell Bar Shaft
The bar shaft is made of steel and has a 200 lbs weight capacity.
As you see above, the center of the shaft is exposed.
The rest of the bar shaft is covered in commercial grade rubber grip.
Dumbbell Compatibility
Dumbbell Requirements
- The dumbbell handle length needs to be at least 4.5″ long (most dumbbell handles are approximately 6 inches long).
- Handle diameter needs to be less than 1.5″ at its thickest point.
Hyperbell Works With
- Bowflex SelectTech (552 and 1090)
- Peloton
- Weider
Dumbbells Hyperbell DOES NOT Work WIth
- NordicTrack (blue version)
My Dumbbell Tests On The Hyperbell Bar
I mostly have adjustable dumbbells so that’s all I’m able to test.
The Ativafit adjustable dumbbells have a curved handle and the handle fits very snug on them.
For curved handles, Jayflex Fitness recommends removing one of the foam insets to give the handle extra room.
Trulap adjustable dumbbells have a thick handle so I had a feeling these weren’t going to work but…
I figured out that if I take out one of the insets, it will wrap around the thick handle.
And sure enough, I’m able to lock the clamp so it works with Trulap dumbbells when I take out one inset.
The handle on Nuobell dumbbells is not as thick as Trulap’s but it is short in length.
As you can see on the left side of the handle, the Hyperbell clamp touches the black plastic next to the handle so it won’t work.
And lastly, I can’t even get the clamp under the PowerBlock handle so this one is also a no go.
Hyperbell Bar Hack
I own the Stroops Fit Stik which is a bar with eye hooks at each end that I connect to my Ancore cable machine and resistance bands.
So I wanted to see if I could do the same with the Hyperbell bar.
And here’s what I came up with…
I took off the D-handles from the cable machine.
This way I insert the strap in the clamp, use the D-ring to connect it to the cable machine, and the rubber handle acts as a stopper.
Here’s the set up.
Strap goes in the middle, everything else sits outside the clamp.
And here’s what it looks like once I shut the clamp closed and lock it down.
I repeat it on the other side and hook it up to my cable machine.
Now I can use the Hyperbell bar with my cable machine for even more exercises.
Exercises With The Hyperbell Bar
I’ll show you a few exercises I’ve tried with the Hyperbell bar.
Bicep curls with dumbbells feel different on the top and bottom of the movement.
And that’s because of where the dumbbell weight is distributed as I move through space.
Not a deal breaker, but you might have to play around with this one to see what feels best for you.
Bent over rows feel just like using a regular barbell.
I’ll show you the cable machine version later.
Squats feel good.
Only thing about squats is that I have to pick up the weight from the floor and throw it behind my head since the bar is not rackable.
I could see this being bothersome for people with shoulder issues.
Shoulder presses feel just like a barbell.
For bench presses I have to start with the Hyperbell bar on my lap since I can’t rack it on my J-cups.
Other than that, it feels good.
Now I’ll show you a few exercises with the cable machine set up.
First one up is the bicep curl.
Here I am doing standing cable rows.
Lat pulldowns.
And tricep push downs.
Overall, it works well with the cable machine.
If I wanted to use it with resistance bands, I’d use the ones with carabiners just like the cable machine.
Is There a Hyperbell Bar Alternative?
Closest alternative to the Hyperbell bar’s function I’ve used, are UClips.
Uclips also repurpose dumbbells and other home gym equipment but…
In order to use UClips like the Hyperbell bar, you need a barbell so it’s not really a Hyperbell bar alternative.
But it is another tool I can use to get the most out of the equipment I already own.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Versatile: I can do many exercises just like with a barbell plus it works with cable machines and resistance bands
- Compatibility: Fits many dumbbells
- Compact: Takes up less room than a traditional barbell so it works well for people with small spaces
- User friendly: Easy to use
- Repurposes weight: I can use weight I already own
Cons
- Weight capacity: 200 lbs (100 lbs per side) which can be limiting if you lift heavy
- Not rackable: I can’t rack it for exercises like bench press, shoulder press, squats
Jayflex Fitness Discount Code
Jayflex Fitness currently sells the Hyperbell Bar for $139 but I’ve negotiated a discount for my readers.
This will shave off about $20 off the Hyperbell bar retail price (use it for any other Jayflex products as well).
Click here and use coupon code SHREDDED for a 15% discount.
Hyperbell Bar Review
I think the Hyperbell bar is great for people who already own dumbbells and don’t have a lot of space.
It won’t replace a traditional barbell since it has a 200 lbs weight capacity and can’t be racked.
But it will help you get the most out of dumbbells, cable machines, and resistance bands you already own.
Check Out The Hyperbell Bar Here
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