Bowflex SelectTech 552 Evaluate

A flexible choice for dwelling 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 load to fit your train and health degree. With the selection of 15 completely different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier technique to develop your private home fitness center with out the large value and house allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I like figuring out at dwelling 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 workouts with varied hundreds. Throughout my periods, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally taking note of elements which can be distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, reminiscent of 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 preferred adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on prime as our greatest general decide.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who energy practice at dwelling (good if you happen to use steadiness boards or different comparable gear) and need straightforward and handy entry to dumbbells of varied weights. They’re particularly appropriate for many who have restricted house for train gear or don’t wish to buy a big rack of dumbbells. Because the weights modify 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 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 security 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. Nevertheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively straightforward to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they keep the standard dumbbell form, even on the increased finish of the load capability. Because of this, I might carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing varied hundreds, with out considerably altering my kind.

Adjustability: Fast and simple

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 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 whenever you decide 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 characteristic is that the weights modify in increments of two.5 kilos as much as 25 kilos, and 5 kilos from 25 to 50. What which means is that newcomers can regularly improve the load quantity, slightly than making a giant bounce and risking accidents, or plateauing at a sure weight for a very long time.

When re-racking the dumbbells, you need to watch out to line them up correctly, however that was additionally fairly easy. The short adjustment course of makes the transition between workouts very seamless. I like that I might rapidly and simply change the load 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: 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 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 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 seem to be they may be weak to cracking if dropped. The stand can be product of plastic and, whereas I haven’t observed 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 assessments. They weren’t broken when dropped on fitness center flooring, however they did get a bit scratched from a drop on concrete. Nevertheless, 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 straightforward 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 private home fitness center dimension may be very restricted, or as an example your elliptical machine takes up many of the house, they’re a compact choice.

The plastic storage trays, though not probably the most enticing choice, work properly for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally hold the steel plates from banging collectively, serving to to reduce noise. With that stated, it could be good if the trays had rubber or silicone ft on the underside to guard the ground. To date I haven’t observed any marks on my hardwood ground, 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 dwelling fitness center, performing a wide range of dumbbell-based strength-training workouts with completely different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my dwelling exercises, I unboxed the dumbbells and took notice of their look and portability, in addition to ease of setup.

I sometimes do three to 4 energy coaching periods 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 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 load increments in between workouts. 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 once they had been moist.

In The Verywell Testing Lab, our testing group additionally put the dumbbells by a drop take a look at 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 might maintain up.

Value: Reasonably priced and nice worth

Though the worth ($429) could appear excessive, the set is unquestionably cheaper than shopping for 15 pairs of dumbbells and it’s really priced very competitively for adjustable dumbbells. For individuals who have dwelling fitness center house constraints and wish to develop their exercise choices, they’re a superb funding.

The Competitors

Whereas there are some inexpensive adjustable dumbbells accessible, the 552s are a superb 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. Nevertheless, they require some meeting they usually modify in 5-pound weight increments, so they might not work for newcomers.

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

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: When you’re trying to spend much less, this dumbbell is extra inexpensive 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 newcomers, it comes assembled and is simple to regulate.