A flexible possibility for residence 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 stage. With the selection of 15 totally different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier approach to develop your property gymnasium with out the great value and area allotment for a rack of dumbbells.
Since I like figuring out at residence 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 totally different higher and decrease physique strengthening workout routines with numerous hundreds. Throughout my classes, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally being attentive to components which might 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 most well-liked adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on prime as our greatest total choose.
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Compact storage
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Huge weight vary
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Adjusts rapidly with the flip of a dial
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Safe, snug grip with moist or dry fingers
Backside Line
Compact and easy to make use of, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells provide a large weight vary, superior grip, and ease of adjustability with the straightforward flip of a dial.
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
Who It’s For
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who power prepare at residence (good for those who use stability boards or different comparable gear) and need 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 alter from 5 to 52.5 kilos, the set works for newbie or skilled weightlifters, and can maintain 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 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 normal dumbbell form, even on the larger finish of the load capability. In consequence, I may carry out conventional power coaching strikes, utilizing numerous hundreds, with out considerably altering my type.
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
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 proper 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 alter in increments of two.5 kilos as much as 25 kilos, and 5 kilos from 25 to 50. What meaning is that freshmen can steadily enhance the load quantity, relatively than making an enormous leap 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 cozy 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 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 seem to be they is perhaps weak to cracking if dropped. The stand can 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 checks. They weren’t broken when dropped on gymnasium 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.  Â
Generally, plainly 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.
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
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 property gymnasium measurement could be very restricted, or to illustrate your elliptical machine takes up a lot of the area, they’re a compact possibility.
The plastic storage trays, though not essentially the most engaging possibility, work nicely for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally maintain 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 ft on the underside to guard the ground. To this point 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 residence gymnasium, performing a wide range of dumbbell-based strength-training workout routines with totally different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my residence exercises, I unboxed the dumbbells and took be aware of their look and portability, in addition to ease of setup.
I sometimes do three to 4 power coaching classes 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 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 may change the load increments in between workout routines. All through my exercises, I paid consideration to how every dumbbell felt in my fingers and if the load 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 staff additionally put the dumbbells by way of a drop take a look at to judge their sturdiness. We dropped the dumbbells from hip top as soon as on foam gymnasium flooring and as soon as on concrete slabs to see how they might maintain up.
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
Worth: Inexpensive and nice worth
Though the value ($429) could appear 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 residence gymnasium area constraints and need to develop their exercise choices, they’re a wonderful funding.
The Competitors
Whereas there are some inexpensive adjustable dumbbells obtainable, 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.  Â
Core House 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 alter in 5-pound weight increments, so they might not work for freshmen.
Powerblock Elite Dumbbells: For superior weightlifters who need 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 snug grip, however the distinctive sq. design could take a bit of getting used to.
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: Should 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 freshmen, it comes assembled and is simple to regulate. Â
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
Ultimate Verdict
Sure, purchase the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells if you wish to spend money on a well-made set that’s an incredible worth and gives plenty of health choices in a compact package deal.
Should you like the flexibility and space-saving advantage of adjustable dumbbells, the 552s are a stable alternative. They’re simple to arrange, simple to make use of, and a very good worth on your cash, in comparison with what you’d spend on 15 pairs of dumbbells. And the short adjustment course of means that you can simply transition from one train to the subsequent. With a variety of weight choices, the dumbbells work for freshmen in addition to skilled weightlifters, and can be utilized by a number of members of a family.