Bowflex SelectTech 552 Evaluate

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’ll be able to change the burden to fit your train and health stage. With the selection of 15 completely different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier option to broaden your private home health club with out the large value and area allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I really 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 quite a lot of completely different higher and decrease physique strengthening workout routines with numerous hundreds. Throughout my periods, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally listening to elements which are 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 preferred adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on high as our greatest general decide.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who energy prepare at house (excellent should you use steadiness boards or different comparable gear) and need 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 regulate 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 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 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 often the case with adjustable dumbbells. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively straightforward to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they preserve the normal dumbbell form, even on the increased finish of the burden capability. Because of this, I might carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing numerous hundreds, with out considerably altering my type.

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 proper 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 meaning is that rookies can progressively improve the burden 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 short adjustment course of makes the transition between workout routines very seamless. I like that I might shortly and simply change the burden on the finish of a set so I didn’t waste time and power fumbling with gear. Total, the 552s exceeded my expectations for ease of adjustability.

Grip: Snug 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 observed 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 seem to be they is likely to be weak to cracking if dropped. The stand can also be product of plastic and, whereas I haven’t observed any put on and tear, I ponder 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 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.   

Typically, it appears that evidently these dumbbells weren’t made to be dropped or slammed, so if that’s your lifting fashion, you might have considered trying a extra sturdy choice.

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 private home health club measurement may be very restricted, or for instance your elliptical machine takes up a lot of the area, they’re a compact choice.

The plastic storage trays, though not essentially the most engaging choice, work nicely for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally hold the metallic plates from banging collectively, serving to to reduce noise. With that mentioned, it will 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 flooring, however I ponder if the trays might scuff them over time.

How We Examined

I used the dumbbells for about 9 months in my house health club, performing quite a lot of dumbbell-based strength-training workout routines with completely different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my house exercises, I unboxed the dumbbells and took observe 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 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, paying attention to any modifications I needed to make. I additionally assessed how simply and shortly I might change the burden increments in between workout routines. All through my exercises, I paid consideration to how every dumbbell felt in my arms and if the burden 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 take a look at to guage 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 might maintain up.

Value: Reasonably priced and nice worth

Though the worth ($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 health club area constraints and need to broaden their exercise choices, they’re a superb funding.

The Competitors

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

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 regulate in 5-pound weight increments, so they could not work for rookies.

Powerblock Elite Dumbbells: For superior weightlifters who need a increased weight vary, this set, which maxes out at 70 kilos with the growth 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 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 sensible choice for rookies, it comes assembled and is straightforward to regulate.