Bowflex SelectTech 552 Evaluation

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’ll be able to change the load to fit your train and health degree. With the selection of 15 totally different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier option to increase your own home health club with out the great price and house allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I like understanding 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 regularly, 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 listening to components which might be distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, akin 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 energy practice at house (good when you use stability boards or different related gear) and wish simple 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. For the reason that 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 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 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 usually the case with adjustable dumbbells. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively simple to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they keep the standard dumbbell form, even on the greater finish of the load capability. In consequence, I may carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing numerous masses, 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 vary 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 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 newbies can regularly improve the load quantity, quite than making an enormous bounce and risking accidents, or plateauing at a sure weight for a very long time.

When re-racking the dumbbells, you must 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 rapidly 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

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 all the time really feel safe, even when my arms 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 look like they may be weak 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 assessments. They weren’t broken when dropped on health club 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.   

Generally, evidently 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 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 own home health club 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 essentially the most engaging possibility, work effectively 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 stated, it might be good if the trays had rubber or silicone toes on the underside to guard the ground. Up to now I haven’t seen any marks on my hardwood flooring, 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 health club, 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 be aware 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 may change the load increments in between workout routines. 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 once they have been moist.

In The Verywell Testing Lab, our testing staff additionally put the dumbbells by way of a drop take a look at to judge their sturdiness. We dropped the dumbbells from hip peak as soon as on foam health club 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 certainly cheaper than shopping for 15 pairs of dumbbells and it’s really priced very competitively for adjustable dumbbells. For individuals who have house health club house constraints and wish to increase 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 related specs to the 552s, boasting a weight vary of 5 to 50 kilos and simple, fast adjustability. Nonetheless, they require some meeting they usually regulate in 5-pound weight increments, so they could not work for newbies.

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

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: For those who’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 sensible choice for newbies, it comes assembled and is straightforward to regulate.