Bowflex SelectTech 552 Assessment

A flexible possibility 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 possibly can change the load to fit your train and health degree. With the selection of 15 completely different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier solution to broaden your house fitness center with out the large price and house allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I like figuring out 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 regularly, performing a wide range of completely different higher and decrease physique strengthening workouts with numerous hundreds. Throughout my classes, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally being attentive to components which can be distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, reminiscent of the convenience 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 general choose.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who energy practice at house (good in case you use stability boards or different related gear) and need simple and handy entry to dumbbells of varied weights. They’re particularly appropriate for individuals who have restricted house for train gear or don’t wish 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 costly, 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 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 often the case with adjustable dumbbells. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively simple to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they preserve the standard dumbbell form, even on the larger finish of the load capability. Consequently, I may carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing numerous hundreds, with out considerably altering my kind.

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 alter the load, 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 if you choose up the dumbbell. When you hear the satisfying click on, you recognize 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 step by step enhance the load quantity, relatively than making a giant leap 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 workouts 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: Comfy 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 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 arms are sweaty or clammy. I haven’t seen 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 look like they may be susceptible to cracking if dropped. The stand can also be fabricated 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 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.   

On the whole, 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 simple to retailer

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

The plastic storage trays, though not probably the most enticing possibility, work properly for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally preserve the steel plates from banging collectively, serving to to reduce noise. With that mentioned, it could be good if the trays had rubber or silicone toes on the underside to guard the ground. Thus far 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 fitness center, performing a wide range of dumbbell-based strength-training workouts with completely different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my house exercises, I unboxed the dumbbells and took be aware of their look and portability, in addition to ease of setup.

I usually do three to 4 energy coaching classes per week and have used the dumbbells for quite a few higher and decrease physique workouts, 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 classes, 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 shortly I may change the load increments in between workouts. All through my exercises, I paid consideration to how every dumbbell felt in my arms and if the load felt evenly distributed. In fact, my arms 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 workforce 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: Reasonably priced and nice worth

Though the value ($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 house fitness center house constraints and wish to broaden their exercise choices, they’re a wonderful funding.

The Competitors

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

Core Dwelling Health Adjustable Dumbbells: These dumbbells have related 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 might not work for rookies.

Powerblock Elite Dumbbells: For superior weightlifters who desire a larger weight vary, this set, which maxes out at 70 kilos with the enlargement equipment, is a pleasant possibility. They’re fast to regulate and have a cushty grip, however the distinctive sq. design could take a bit of getting used to.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: In case you’re seeking to spend much less, this dumbbell is extra reasonably priced 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 rookies, it comes assembled and is simple to regulate.