Bowflex SelectTech 552 Overview

A flexible possibility for residence gyms, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells can add some selection to your strength-training exercises. By merely turning a dial on the finish of the dumbbell, you’ll be able to change the burden to fit your train and health degree. With the selection of 15 totally different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier technique to broaden your house health club with out the great price and area allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I really like understanding at residence and attempt to range my strength-training exercises, I used to be excited to check the Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells. Over a interval of 9 months, I used them frequently, performing a wide range of totally different higher and decrease physique strengthening workout routines with numerous masses. Throughout my periods, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally listening to components which can be distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, similar to the benefit of adjustability.

Verywell Match editors and testers additionally spent 16 hours testing this and different adjustable dumbbells in our Lab. After testing 15 of the most well-liked adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on high as our greatest total choose.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who energy prepare at residence (excellent in the event you use stability boards or different related tools) and need simple and handy entry to dumbbells of varied weights. They’re particularly appropriate for many who have restricted area for train tools or don’t need to buy a big rack of dumbbells. Because the weights alter from 5 to 52.5 kilos, the set works for newbie or skilled weightlifters, and can preserve your exercises difficult as you make progress over time.

That being stated, the set is expensive, and can run you much more than buying a few pairs of dumbbells. So it’s well-suited for many who are dedicated to a house exercise routine and are assured they’ll use a variety of weights.

Setup and Use: Handy and hassle-free

The set comes totally assembled, so unboxing them was a cinch. As soon as I used the included Allen wrench to take away the security strap that holds them in place, they have been able to go.

The dumbbells are a bit longer and barely bulkier than common dumbbells, even on the smaller weight increments, which is usually the case with adjustable dumbbells. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively simple to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they keep the normal dumbbell form, even on the greater finish of the burden capability. Because of this, I might carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing numerous masses, with out considerably altering my type.

Adjustability: Fast and easy

Every dumbbell will be adjusted to weight increments of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 52.5 kilos. To alter the burden, you merely flip the dial on the finish of the dumbbell, which clicks the right weight plates into place and leaves the unused ones within the storage tray once you choose up the dumbbell. When you hear the satisfying click on, you already know the plates for that weight are locked into place and also you’re good to go.

A cool characteristic is that the weights alter in increments of two.5 kilos as much as 25 kilos, and 5 kilos from 25 to 50. What which means is that newbies can step by step improve the burden quantity, reasonably than making an enormous leap and risking accidents, or plateauing at a sure weight for a very long time.

When re-racking the dumbbells, it’s a must to watch out to line them up correctly, however that was additionally fairly easy. The fast adjustment course of makes the transition between workout routines very seamless. I like that I might rapidly and simply change the burden on the finish of a set so I didn’t waste time and vitality fumbling with tools. General, the 552s exceeded my expectations for ease of adjustability.

Grip: Comfy and safe

After I first grasped the dumbbells, I used to be instantly impressed. The grips on the 552s are barely cushioned, which feels extra ergonomic and cozy than common metal dumbbells.

In lots of months of use, I’ve discovered the grip to all the time really feel safe, even when my palms are sweaty or clammy. I haven’t seen any slipping in anyway, whatever the train or load used.

Sturdiness: Deal with with care

The 552s have some plastic elements, such because the connector items, which appear to be they may be susceptible to cracking if dropped. The stand can be made from plastic and, whereas I haven’t seen any put on and tear, I’m wondering the way it will maintain up over time.

We did assess the dumbbells’ sturdiness in The Verywell Testing Lab by performing some drop checks. They weren’t broken when dropped on health club flooring, however they did get a bit scratched from a drop on concrete. Nonetheless, it didn’t have an effect on the dumbbell’s use or efficiency.   

Usually, it appears that evidently these dumbbells weren’t made to be dropped or slammed, so if that’s your lifting type, it’s your decision a extra sturdy possibility.

Portability and Storage: Compact and straightforward to retailer

One of many set’s most interesting advantages is its small footprint, which takes up considerably much less area than a rack of the 15 pairs of dumbbells that it replaces. If your house health club measurement could be very restricted, or for example your elliptical machine takes up a lot of the area, they’re a compact possibility.

The plastic storage trays, though not essentially the most enticing possibility, work effectively for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally preserve the metallic plates from banging collectively, serving to to reduce noise. With that stated, it could be good if the trays had rubber or silicone toes on the underside to guard the ground. To date I haven’t seen any marks on my hardwood flooring, however I’m wondering if the trays might scuff them over time.

How We Examined

I used the dumbbells for about 9 months in my residence health club, performing a wide range of dumbbell-based strength-training workout routines with totally different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my residence exercises, I unboxed the dumbbells and took word of their look and portability, in addition to ease of setup.

I usually do three to 4 energy coaching periods per week and have used the dumbbells for quite a few higher and decrease physique workout routines, together with lunges, deadlifts, squats, hip thrusts, chest press, chest flyes, tricep presses, tricep extensions, tricep kickbacks, rows, bicep curls, overhead press, Russian twists, and extra.

Throughout my periods, I evaluated the dumbbell’s ease of use whereas performing every train, paying attention to any modifications I needed to make. I additionally assessed how simply and rapidly I might change the burden increments in between workout routines. All through my exercises, I paid consideration to how every dumbbell felt in my palms and if the burden felt evenly distributed. In fact, my palms inevitably get sweaty throughout exercises, and I famous whether or not my grip felt safe once they have been moist.

In The Verywell Testing Lab, our testing workforce additionally put the dumbbells by a drop take a look at to guage their sturdiness. We dropped the dumbbells from hip top as soon as on foam health club flooring and as soon as on concrete slabs to see how they’d maintain up.

Value: Inexpensive and nice worth

Though the worth ($429) could appear excessive, the set is certainly cheaper than shopping for 15 pairs of dumbbells and it’s really priced very competitively for adjustable dumbbells. For individuals who have residence health club area constraints and need to broaden their exercise choices, they’re a superb funding.

The Competitors

Whereas there are some cheaper adjustable dumbbells out there, the 552s are a superb worth for his or her superior grip, ergonomics, and ease of use they usually stack up properly in opposition to the competitors.   

Core Residence Health Adjustable Dumbbells: These dumbbells have related specs to the 552s, boasting a weight vary of 5 to 50 kilos and straightforward, fast adjustability. Nonetheless, they require some meeting they usually alter in 5-pound weight increments, so they might not work for newbies.

Powerblock Elite Dumbbells: For superior weightlifters who need a greater weight vary, this set, which maxes out at 70 kilos with the growth package, is a pleasant possibility. They’re fast to regulate and have a cushty grip, however the distinctive sq. design might take a little bit getting used to.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: If you happen to’re trying to spend much less, this dumbbell is extra inexpensive than the 552s and really related in performance and efficiency, though it does have a smaller weight vary of 5 to 25 kilos. A good selection for newbies, it comes assembled and is simple to regulate.