Bowflex SelectTech 552 Evaluate

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 burden to fit your train and health stage. With the selection of 15 totally different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier approach to broaden your house fitness center with out the great price and area allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I really like understanding at house and attempt to fluctuate 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 being attentive to components which can 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 high as our greatest general choose.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who energy practice at house (excellent when you use steadiness boards or different comparable gear) and wish simple and handy entry to dumbbells of assorted weights. They’re particularly appropriate for many who have restricted area for train gear or don’t need to buy a big rack of dumbbells. Because the weights regulate 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 mentioned, 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 absolutely 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 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, in contrast to another adjustable dumbbells, they preserve the normal dumbbell form, even on the greater finish of the burden capability. Consequently, I might carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing numerous masses, with out considerably altering my type.

Adjustability: Fast and simple

Every dumbbell might 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 burden, 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 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 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 step by step enhance the burden quantity, relatively than making an enormous soar and risking accidents, or plateauing at a sure weight for a very long time.

When re-racking the dumbbells, it’s important 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 gear. General, the 552s exceeded my expectations for ease of adjustability.

Grip: Snug 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 at all times really feel safe, even when my palms are sweaty or clammy. I haven’t observed any slipping by any means, 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 is likely to be susceptible to cracking if dropped. The stand can also be manufactured from plastic and, whereas I haven’t observed any put on and tear, I ponder 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 fitness center 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 model, you might have considered trying a extra sturdy choice.

Portability and Storage: Compact and simple 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 fitness center measurement could be very restricted, or for 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 nicely 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 mentioned, it might be good if the trays had rubber or silicone ft on the underside to guard the ground. Up to now I haven’t observed any marks on my hardwood ground, however I ponder if the trays might scuff them over time.

How We Examined

I used the dumbbells for about 9 months in my house fitness center, performing a wide range of dumbbell-based strength-training workout routines with totally different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my house exercises, I unboxed the dumbbells and took observe 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, being attentive 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. After all, my palms inevitably get sweaty throughout exercises, and I famous whether or not my grip felt safe after they have been moist.

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

Worth: Inexpensive 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 fitness center 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 and so they 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 simple, fast adjustability. Nonetheless, they require some meeting and so they 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 enlargement equipment, is a pleasant choice. They’re fast to regulate and have a cushty grip, however the distinctive sq. design could take somewhat getting used to.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: When you’re seeking 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 sensible choice for rookies, it comes assembled and is straightforward to regulate.