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 possibly can change the burden to fit your train and health stage. With the selection of 15 totally different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier option to develop your private home gymnasium with out the great value 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 quite a lot of totally different higher and decrease physique strengthening workout routines with numerous masses. Throughout my classes, 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 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 preferred adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on prime as our greatest general choose.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who power practice at house (good when you use steadiness boards or different comparable tools) and wish straightforward and handy entry to dumbbells of assorted weights. They’re particularly appropriate for many who have restricted house for train tools 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 preserve 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 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 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. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively straightforward to maneuver. And, in contrast to another adjustable dumbbells, they preserve the standard dumbbell form, even on the larger 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 vary 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 once you choose up the dumbbell. When you hear the satisfying click on, you realize the plates for that weight are locked into place and also you’re good to go.

A cool function is that the weights modify 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 burden quantity, somewhat than making an enormous soar 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 workout routines 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 tools. 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 fingers 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 perhaps 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’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.   

Generally, plainly these dumbbells weren’t made to be dropped or slammed, so if that’s your lifting fashion, it’s your decision 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 house than a rack of the 15 pairs of dumbbells that it replaces. If your private home gymnasium dimension could be very restricted, or for example your elliptical machine takes up many of the house, they’re a compact choice.

The plastic storage trays, though not probably the most engaging choice, work effectively for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally preserve 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 toes 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 house gymnasium, performing quite a lot 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 notice 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 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 might change the burden increments in between workout routines. All through my exercises, I paid consideration to how every dumbbell felt in my fingers and if the burden felt evenly distributed. After all, my fingers inevitably get sweaty throughout exercises, and I famous whether or not my grip felt safe after they had been moist.

In The Verywell Testing Lab, our testing crew additionally put the dumbbells by means of a drop check 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’d maintain up.

Value: Inexpensive and nice worth

Though the worth ($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 gymnasium 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 and so they stack up properly in opposition to the competitors.   

Core Dwelling 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 modify 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 growth package, is a pleasant choice. They’re fast to regulate and have a cushty grip, however the distinctive sq. design might take a bit of getting used to.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: In case you’re seeking 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 freshmen, it comes assembled and is simple to regulate.