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 degree. With the selection of 15 completely different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier option to increase your own home gymnasium with out the large 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 completely different higher and decrease physique strengthening workout routines with varied hundreds. Throughout my periods, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally being attentive to elements which are distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, corresponding 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 preferred adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on prime as our greatest total decide.
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Compact storage
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Broad weight vary
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Adjusts rapidly with the flip of a dial
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Safe, snug grip with moist or dry fingers
Backside Line
Compact and easy to make use of, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells supply a large weight vary, superior grip, and ease of adjustability with the straightforward flip of a dial.
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
Who It’s For
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who energy prepare at house (excellent should 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 need to buy a big rack of dumbbells. For the reason that weights regulate 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 stated, 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 protection strap that holds them in place, they have 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 straightforward to maneuver. And, not like another adjustable dumbbells, they keep the standard dumbbell form, even on the increased finish of the burden capability. Consequently, I might carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing varied hundreds, with out considerably altering my type.
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
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 burden, 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 decide 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 regulate 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, fairly 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: 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 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 by any means, whatever the train or load used.
Sturdiness: Deal with with care
The 552s have some plastic components, such because the connector items, which look like they is likely to be susceptible to cracking if dropped. The stand can also be fabricated 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 gymnasium 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.
On the whole, plainly these dumbbells weren’t made to be dropped or slammed, so if that’s your lifting fashion, you might have considered trying a extra sturdy choice.
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
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 gymnasium measurement could 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 properly for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally maintain the metallic plates from banging collectively, serving to to reduce noise. With that stated, it will be good if the trays had rubber or silicone ft on the underside to guard the ground. Up to now 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 completely different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my house exercises, I unboxed the dumbbells and took be aware of their look and portability, in addition to ease of setup.
I sometimes do three to 4 energy coaching periods 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 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 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 once they have been moist.
In The Verywell Testing Lab, our testing staff additionally put the dumbbells by means of a drop take a look at to guage their sturdiness. We dropped the dumbbells from hip top as soon as on foam gymnasium flooring and as soon as on concrete slabs to see how they’d maintain up.
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
Worth: Reasonably priced and nice worth
Though the value ($429) could appear 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 house gymnasium house constraints and need to increase their exercise choices, they’re a wonderful funding.
The Competitors
Whereas there are some inexpensive adjustable dumbbells obtainable, the 552s are a wonderful worth for his or her superior grip, ergonomics, and ease of use and so they stack up properly towards the competitors.
Core House Health Adjustable Dumbbells: These dumbbells have comparable 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 regulate in 5-pound weight increments, so they could not work for learners.
Powerblock Elite Dumbbells: For superior weightlifters who desire a increased weight vary, this set, which maxes out at 70 kilos with the enlargement equipment, is a pleasant choice. They’re fast to regulate and have a snug grip, however the distinctive sq. design might take just a little getting used to.
FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: For those who’re seeking to spend much less, this dumbbell is extra reasonably priced 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 learners, it comes assembled and is straightforward to regulate.
Verywell Match / Ashleigh Morley
Remaining Verdict
Sure, purchase the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells if you wish to put money into a well-made set that’s an important worth and supplies plenty of health choices in a compact bundle.
For those who like the flexibility and space-saving advantage of adjustable dumbbells, the 552s are a stable selection. They’re straightforward to arrange, easy to make use of, and a very good worth in your cash, in comparison with what you’d spend on 15 pairs of dumbbells. And the short adjustment course of lets you simply transition from one train to the subsequent. With a variety of weight choices, the dumbbells work for learners in addition to skilled weightlifters, and can be utilized by a number of members of a family.