Bowflex SelectTech 552 Assessment

A flexible possibility for dwelling 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 private home fitness center with out the large price and house allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I really like figuring out at dwelling 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 workouts with numerous masses. Throughout my classes, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally being attentive to elements which can be distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, corresponding 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 most well-liked adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on prime as our greatest general decide.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who power prepare at dwelling (good should you use steadiness boards or different related tools) and need simple and handy entry to dumbbells of varied weights. They’re particularly appropriate for individuals who have restricted house for train tools or don’t need 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 stated, 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 often the case with adjustable dumbbells. Nevertheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively simple to maneuver. And, in contrast to another adjustable dumbbells, they preserve the normal dumbbell form, even on the increased finish of the load capability. Consequently, I may carry out conventional power coaching strikes, utilizing numerous masses, with out considerably altering my kind.

Adjustability: Fast and easy

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 decide 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 characteristic 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 load quantity, slightly 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 fast adjustment course of makes the transition between workouts 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 vitality fumbling with tools. 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 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 arms are sweaty or clammy. I haven’t seen any slipping in any way, whatever the train or load used.

Sturdiness: Deal with with care

The 552s have some plastic components, such because the connector items, which seem to be they may be weak to cracking if dropped. The stand can be manufactured 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 checks. They weren’t broken when dropped on fitness center flooring, however they did get a bit scratched from a drop on concrete. Nevertheless, it didn’t have an effect on the dumbbell’s use or efficiency.   

Basically, it appears that 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 straightforward 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 fitness center measurement could be very restricted, or for 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 properly for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally preserve the metallic plates from banging collectively, serving to to attenuate noise. With that stated, it could 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 dwelling fitness center, performing quite a lot of dumbbell-based strength-training workouts with totally different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my dwelling 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 power coaching classes 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 classes, 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 workouts. 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 had been moist.

In The Verywell Testing Lab, our testing staff additionally put the dumbbells by a drop check to guage their sturdiness. We dropped the dumbbells from hip peak as soon as on foam fitness center flooring and as soon as on concrete slabs to see how they’d maintain up.

Value: Reasonably priced and nice worth

Though the worth ($429) could seem excessive, the set is unquestionably cheaper than shopping for 15 pairs of dumbbells and it’s really priced very competitively for adjustable dumbbells. For individuals who have dwelling fitness center house constraints and need to increase their exercise choices, they’re a wonderful funding.

The Competitors

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

Core Dwelling Health Adjustable Dumbbells: These dumbbells have related specs to the 552s, boasting a weight vary of 5 to 50 kilos and straightforward, fast adjustability. Nevertheless, they require some meeting they usually modify in 5-pound weight increments, so they might not work for freshmen.

Powerblock Elite Dumbbells: For superior weightlifters who desire a increased 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 cushty grip, however the distinctive sq. design might take slightly getting used to.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: If you happen to’re trying 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 freshmen, it comes assembled and is straightforward to regulate.