Bowflex SelectTech 552 Evaluation

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 burden to fit your train and health stage. With the selection of 15 totally different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier technique to increase your house health club with out the large value and house allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I like figuring out at residence 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 frequently, performing a wide range 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 listening to components which can be 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 most well-liked adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on high as our greatest total decide.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who energy prepare at residence (good in case you use stability boards or different related tools) and wish simple and handy entry to dumbbells of assorted 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 alter 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 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 usually the case with adjustable dumbbells. Nevertheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively simple to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they keep the standard dumbbell form, even on the larger finish of the burden capability. In consequence, I may carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing numerous masses, 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 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 if you decide up the dumbbell. When you hear the satisfying click on, you understand the plates for that weight are locked into place and also you’re good to go.

A cool characteristic 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 learners can steadily improve the burden quantity, quite than making an enormous leap and risking accidents, or plateauing at a sure weight for a very long time.

When re-racking the dumbbells, it’s a must 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 may rapidly and simply change the burden 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 at all times really feel safe, even when my fingers are sweaty or clammy. I haven’t observed 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 appear to be they is likely to be susceptible to cracking if dropped. The stand can also be manufactured from 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 exams. They weren’t broken when dropped on health club 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.   

Typically, plainly 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 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 house health club dimension may be very restricted, or as an 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 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 might be good if the trays had rubber or silicone ft on the underside to guard the ground. To this point I haven’t observed 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 health club, 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 observe of their look and portability, in addition to ease of setup.

I sometimes do three to 4 energy 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, being attentive to any modifications I needed to make. I additionally assessed how simply and rapidly I may 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. In fact, 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 workforce additionally put the dumbbells by way of a drop take a look at to judge 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: Inexpensive and nice worth

Though the value ($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 residence health club house constraints and need to increase their exercise choices, they’re a superb funding.

The Competitors

Whereas there are some inexpensive adjustable dumbbells out there, the 552s are a superb 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 simple, fast adjustability. Nevertheless, they require some meeting they usually alter in 5-pound weight increments, so they could not work for learners.

Powerblock Elite Dumbbells: For superior weightlifters who need a larger 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 could take just a little getting used to.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: In the event you’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 good selection for learners, it comes assembled and is simple to regulate.