A flexible possibility 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 may change the load to fit your train and health stage. With the selection of 15 totally different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier technique to develop your house gymnasium with out the great price and house allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I really like figuring out 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 frequently, performing quite a lot of totally different higher and decrease physique strengthening workouts with varied hundreds. Throughout my classes, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally taking note of elements 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 dumbbells, this one got here out on prime as our greatest general choose.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who power prepare at house (excellent when you use steadiness boards or different related tools) and wish straightforward 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 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 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. Nonetheless, I nonetheless discovered them comparatively straightforward to maneuver. And, in contrast to another adjustable dumbbells, they keep the normal dumbbell form, even on the larger finish of the load capability. Consequently, I might carry out conventional power coaching strikes, utilizing varied hundreds, with out considerably altering my type.

Adjustability: Fast and easy

Every dumbbell might 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 whenever you choose up the dumbbell. When you hear the satisfying click on, you recognize 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 which means is that rookies can step by step enhance the load quantity, fairly than making a giant soar and risking accidents, or plateauing at a sure weight for a very long time.

When re-racking the dumbbells, it’s important 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 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

Once 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 palms are sweaty or clammy. I haven’t observed any slipping in any respect, whatever the train or load used.

Sturdiness: Deal with with care

The 552s have some plastic elements, such because the connector items, which appear to be they could be weak to cracking if dropped. The stand can be made 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 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.   

Normally, 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 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 house gymnasium measurement could be very restricted, or for instance your elliptical machine takes up a lot of the house, they’re a compact possibility.

The plastic storage trays, though not probably 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 will be good if the trays had rubber or silicone toes 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 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 workouts with totally different resistance ranges. Earlier than I began my house exercises, I unboxed the dumbbells and took observe of their look and portability, in addition to ease of setup.

I usually 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 might change the load increments in between workouts. All through my exercises, I paid consideration to how every dumbbell felt in my palms and if the load felt evenly distributed. After all, my palms 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 staff additionally put the dumbbells by means of a drop check to judge 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.

Value: Reasonably priced and nice worth

Though the worth ($429) could appear excessive, the set is unquestionably 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 develop their exercise choices, they’re a superb funding.

The Competitors

Whereas there are some inexpensive adjustable dumbbells accessible, 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 Residence Health Adjustable Dumbbells: These dumbbells have related specs to the 552s, boasting a weight vary of 5 to 50 kilos and straightforward, fast adjustability. Nonetheless, they require some meeting and so they alter in 5-pound weight increments, so they might not work for rookies.

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

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