Bowflex SelectTech 552 Assessment

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 degree. With the selection of 15 completely different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier approach to increase your house gymnasium with out the large value and area allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I really like figuring out at house and attempt to differ 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 completely different higher and decrease physique strengthening workouts with numerous masses. Throughout my classes, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally being attentive to components which are distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, similar to 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 high as our greatest total choose.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who power prepare at house (good for those who use stability boards or different related gear) and wish straightforward and handy entry to dumbbells of assorted 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 alter 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 mentioned, 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 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. Nevertheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively straightforward to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they preserve the standard dumbbell form, even on the increased finish of the burden capability. Consequently, I might carry out conventional power coaching strikes, utilizing numerous masses, with out considerably altering my kind.

Adjustability: Fast and easy

Every dumbbell may 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 if you choose up the dumbbell. When you hear the satisfying click on, the plates for that weight are locked into place and also you’re good to go.

A cool function 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 newcomers can step by step enhance the burden quantity, slightly 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 workouts 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. Total, 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 all the time 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 components, such because the connector items, which appear to be they could 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’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 gymnasium 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.   

Normally, plainly these dumbbells weren’t made to be dropped or slammed, so if that’s your lifting type, 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 house gymnasium dimension could be very restricted, or to illustrate your elliptical machine takes up a lot of the area, they’re a compact choice.

The plastic storage trays, though not essentially the most enticing choice, work nicely for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally hold the steel plates from banging collectively, serving to to attenuate noise. With that mentioned, it will be good if the trays had rubber or silicone ft on the underside to guard the ground. To this point 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 house gymnasium, 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 word of their look and portability, in addition to ease of setup.

I usually do three to 4 power 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, paying attention to any modifications I needed to make. I additionally assessed how simply and rapidly I might change the burden increments in between workouts. All through my exercises, I paid consideration to how every dumbbell felt in my fingers and if the burden felt evenly distributed. In fact, my fingers 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 group additionally put the dumbbells by means of a drop take a look at to judge 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.

Worth: Reasonably priced and nice worth

Though the worth ($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 increase 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 House Health Adjustable Dumbbells: These dumbbells have related specs to the 552s, boasting a weight vary of 5 to 50 kilos and straightforward, fast adjustability. Nevertheless, they require some meeting they usually alter in 5-pound weight increments, so they could 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 equipment, 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 related 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 straightforward to regulate.