I've trained a lot over the years with block weights "mostly the heads cutoff various heavy dumbbells" and they are great but the are very hard to come by and even harder to train progressively with. These are great though as the accept Olympic Plates. I've even loaded one with 3X 45# plates on each side just to see if they'd fit, and they fit easily. But more realistically you can buy some 2" washers from McMasters or Fastenal, they weight 9 ozs so just over 1/2 lb.; and can be used to progress with micro-loads. These are truly excellent pinch grip handles. I've used them for deadlifts of all kinds, but where they really shine are one or two handed snatches, cleans, and swings; all of which really strain the your grip. But you can simply toss one from hand to hand for catches, or just hold them for time.