Bowflex SelectTech 552 Evaluation

A flexible choice 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 possibly can 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 solution to broaden your own home health club with out the large price and house allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I really like understanding 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 regularly, performing a wide range of totally different higher and decrease physique strengthening workout routines with varied masses. Throughout my classes, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally listening to 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 most well-liked adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on high as our greatest general choose.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who power prepare at residence (excellent in case you use steadiness boards or different related tools) and need straightforward 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. 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. Nevertheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively straightforward to maneuver. And, in contrast to another adjustable dumbbells, they keep the standard dumbbell form, even on the larger finish of the load capability. In consequence, I may carry out conventional power coaching strikes, utilizing varied masses, with out considerably altering my type.

Adjustability: Fast and simple

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 right weight plates into place and leaves the unused ones within the storage tray if 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 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 which means is that newcomers can regularly improve the load quantity, slightly than making an enormous bounce and risking accidents, or plateauing at a sure weight for a very long time.

When re-racking the dumbbells, you must 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 load on the finish of a set so I didn’t waste time and power fumbling with tools. Total, 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 at all times really feel safe, even when my arms 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 elements, such because the connector items, which seem to be they is likely to be susceptible to cracking if dropped. The stand can 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 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.

Basically, evidently these dumbbells weren’t made to be dropped or slammed, so if that’s your lifting type, it’s your decision a extra sturdy choice.

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 own home health club dimension may be very restricted, or for instance your elliptical machine takes up many of the house, they’re a compact choice.

The plastic storage trays, though not essentially the most enticing choice, work nicely for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally maintain the steel 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. Thus far 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 notice 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 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 load increments in between workout routines. 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 workforce additionally put the dumbbells by way of a drop take a look at to judge their sturdiness. We dropped the dumbbells from hip top 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 seem excessive, the set is certainly cheaper than shopping for 15 pairs of dumbbells and it’s truly priced very competitively for adjustable dumbbells. For individuals who have residence health club house constraints and need to broaden their exercise choices, they’re a wonderful funding.

The Competitors

Whereas there are some cheaper adjustable dumbbells out there, the 552s are a wonderful 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 straightforward, fast adjustability. Nevertheless, they require some meeting and so they modify in 5-pound weight increments, so they could not work for newcomers.

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

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: In the event you’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 newcomers, it comes assembled and is simple to regulate.