Bowflex SelectTech 552 Assessment

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’ll be able to change the burden to fit your train and health stage. With the selection of 15 completely different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier method to broaden your own home gymnasium with out the super price and area allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I like understanding 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 varied hundreds. 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 preferred adjustable dumbbellsthis 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 energy prepare at residence (excellent should you use stability boards or different related gear) and need simple and handy entry to dumbbells of assorted weights. They’re particularly appropriate for individuals who have restricted area for train gear 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 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 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 often the case with adjustable dumbbells. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively simple to maneuver. And, in contrast to another adjustable dumbbells, they keep the standard dumbbell form, even on the greater finish of the burden capability. In consequence, I might carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing varied hundreds, with out considerably altering my kind.

Adjustability: Fast and simple

Every dumbbell will 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 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 whenever you decide up the dumbbell. When you hear the satisfying click on, you already know 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 newbies can steadily enhance the burden quantity, fairly than making a giant leap 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 workouts 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 gear. 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 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 look like they could be susceptible to cracking if dropped. The stand can be product of plastic and, whereas I haven’t seen any put on and tear, I ponder 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 gymnasium 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, it appears that 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 choice.

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 area than a rack of the 15 pairs of dumbbells that it replaces. If your own home gymnasium measurement may be very restricted, or as an example your elliptical machine takes up a lot of the area, they’re a compact choice.

The plastic storage trays, though not probably the most enticing choice, work effectively 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 stated, it might be good if the trays had rubber or silicone ft on the underside to guard the ground. To date I haven’t seen any marks on my hardwood ground, however I ponder if the trays might scuff them over time.

How We Examined

I used the dumbbells for about 9 months in my residence gymnasium, 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 notice of their look and portability, in addition to ease of setup.

I usually do three to 4 energy 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, paying attention to any modifications I needed to make. I additionally assessed how simply and rapidly I might change the burden increments in between workouts. 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 after they had been moist.

In The Verywell Testing Labour testing workforce additionally put the dumbbells by a drop check to judge their sturdiness. We dropped the dumbbells from hip peak as soon as on foam gymnasium flooring and as soon as on concrete slabs to see how they’d maintain up.

Value: 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 residence gymnasium area constraints and need to broaden their exercise choices, they’re a superb funding.

The Competitors

Whereas there are some cheaper adjustable dumbbells out there, the 552s are a superb 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 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 alter in 5-pound weight increments, so they could not work for newbies.

Powerblock Elite Dumbbells: For superior weightlifters who need a greater weight vary, this set, which maxes out at 70 kilos with the growth package, is a pleasant choice. They’re fast to regulate and have a snug grip, however the distinctive sq. design might take somewhat getting used to.

FLYBIRD Adjustable Dumbbell: For those who’re trying 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 newbies, it comes assembled and is straightforward to regulate.