Bowflex SelectTech 552 Evaluation

A flexible choice for house 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 may change the load to fit your train and health stage. With the selection of 15 completely different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier solution to broaden your property gymnasium with out the great price and area allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I really like understanding at house 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 regularly, performing a wide range of completely different higher and decrease physique strengthening workout routines with varied masses. Throughout my periods, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally being attentive to components which might be distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, corresponding 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 prime as our greatest total decide.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who power practice at house (good for those who use steadiness boards or different comparable gear) and need straightforward and handy entry to dumbbells of varied weights. They’re particularly appropriate for individuals who have restricted area for train gear or don’t need to buy a big rack of dumbbells. For the reason that weights regulate from 5 to 52.5 kilos, the set works for newbie or skilled weightlifters, and can hold 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 individuals 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 protection strap that holds them in place, they had been able to go.

The dumbbells are a bit longer and barely bulkier than common dumbbells, even on the smaller weight increments, which is often the case with adjustable dumbbells. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively straightforward to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they keep the normal dumbbell form, even on the greater finish of the load capability. Consequently, I may carry out conventional power coaching strikes, utilizing varied masses, with out considerably altering my kind.

Adjustability: Fast and easy

Every dumbbell could 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 vary the load, you merely flip the dial on the finish of the dumbbell, which clicks the proper weight plates into place and leaves the unused ones within the storage tray whenever you decide up the dumbbell. When you hear the satisfying click on, you understand the plates for that weight are locked into place and also you’re good to go.

A cool function is that the weights regulate in increments of two.5 kilos as much as 25 kilos, and 5 kilos from 25 to 50. What which means is that rookies can steadily enhance the load quantity, reasonably than making a giant bounce 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 short adjustment course of makes the transition between workout routines very seamless. I like that I may shortly and simply change the load on the finish of a set so I didn’t waste time and power fumbling with gear. General, the 552s exceeded my expectations for ease of adjustability.

Grip: Snug and safe

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

In lots of months of use, I’ve discovered the grip to at all times really feel safe, even when my fingers 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 seem to be they may be susceptible to cracking if dropped. The stand can also be product of 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 exams. They weren’t broken when dropped on gymnasium 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, evidently these dumbbells weren’t made to be dropped or slammed, so if that’s your lifting fashion, you might have considered trying a extra sturdy choice.

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 property gymnasium measurement could be very restricted, or as an instance your elliptical machine takes up a lot of the area, they’re a compact choice.

The plastic storage trays, though not probably the most engaging choice, work properly for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally hold the metallic plates from banging collectively, serving to to attenuate noise. With that stated, it might be good if the trays had rubber or silicone toes on the underside to guard the ground. To this point I haven’t seen any marks on my hardwood ground, however I’m wondering if the trays may scuff them over time.

How We Examined

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

I usually do three to 4 power 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 shortly I may change the load increments in between workout routines. All through my exercises, I paid consideration to how every dumbbell felt in my fingers and if the load felt evenly distributed. After all, my fingers inevitably get sweaty throughout exercises, and I famous whether or not my grip felt safe after they had been moist.

In The Verywell Testing Lab, our testing crew additionally put the dumbbells by way of a drop check to guage their sturdiness. We dropped the dumbbells from hip peak as soon as on foam gymnasium flooring and as soon as on concrete slabs to see how they might maintain up.

Value: Reasonably priced and nice worth

Though the value ($429) could seem excessive, the set is unquestionably cheaper than shopping for 15 pairs of dumbbells and it’s truly priced very competitively for adjustable dumbbells. For individuals who have house gymnasium area constraints and need to broaden their exercise choices, they’re a wonderful funding.

The Competitors

Whereas there are some cheaper adjustable dumbbells obtainable, the 552s are a wonderful worth for his or her superior grip, ergonomics, and ease of use they usually stack up properly towards the competitors.   

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

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

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: For those who’re trying to spend much less, this dumbbell is extra reasonably priced than the 552s and really comparable in performance and efficiency, though it does have a smaller weight vary of 5 to 25 kilos. A good selection for rookies, it comes assembled and is straightforward to regulate.