Bowflex SelectTech 552 Overview

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

Since I like figuring out at residence and attempt to range 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 completely different higher and decrease physique strengthening workouts with numerous hundreds. Throughout my periods, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally taking note of elements which might be distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, akin 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 preferred adjustable dumbbellsthis 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 energy practice at residence (excellent in the event you use steadiness boards or different related gear) and wish simple and handy entry to dumbbells of assorted weights. They’re particularly appropriate for individuals who have restricted house for train gear or don’t wish to buy a big rack of dumbbells. For the reason that weights modify 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 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 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 usually the case with adjustable dumbbells. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively simple to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they preserve the normal dumbbell form, even on the increased finish of the load capability. Consequently, I might carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing numerous hundreds, 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 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 once 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 modify in increments of two.5 kilos as much as 25 kilos, and 5 kilos from 25 to 50. What meaning is that novices can progressively enhance the load quantity, relatively than making a giant soar 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 workouts very seamless. I like that I might rapidly and simply change the load on the finish of a set so I didn’t waste time and vitality fumbling with gear. General, 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 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 in any respect, 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 is likely to be weak to cracking if dropped. The stand can also be made from 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 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.

Usually, evidently these dumbbells weren’t made to be dropped or slammed, so if that’s your lifting model, it’s your decision 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 private home health club measurement may be very restricted, or for instance your elliptical machine takes up many of the house, they’re a compact possibility.

The plastic storage trays, though not essentially the most enticing possibility, work nicely for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally maintain the metallic plates from banging collectively, serving to to attenuate noise. With that mentioned, it could 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 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 residence health club, performing a wide range of dumbbell-based strength-training workouts with completely different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my residence exercises, I unboxed the dumbbells and took observe 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 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 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 rapidly I might change the load increments in between workouts. 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 once they had been moist.

In The Verywell Testing Labour testing group additionally put the dumbbells by a drop check 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.

Worth: 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 residence health club house constraints and wish to broaden their exercise choices, they’re a superb funding.

The Competitors

Whereas there are some inexpensive 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 related 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 novices.

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 possibility. They’re fast to regulate and have a cushty grip, however the distinctive sq. design might take a little bit getting used to.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: If you happen to’re seeking to spend much less, this dumbbell is extra inexpensive 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 novices, it comes assembled and is simple to regulate.