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 burden to fit your train and health stage. With the selection of 15 completely different weight increments, the dumbbells are a budget-friendlier solution to develop your property gymnasium with out the large price and house allotment for a rack of dumbbells.

Since I really like understanding at house 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 quite a lot of completely different higher and decrease physique strengthening workout routines with numerous hundreds. Throughout my classes, I evaluated the dumbbells’ high quality, sturdiness, and grip, whereas additionally being attentive to components which can be distinctive to adjustable dumbbells, similar to 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 preferred adjustable dumbbells, this one got here out on prime as our greatest total decide.

Who It’s For

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells are perfect for individuals who energy practice at house (excellent when 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 house for train gear or don’t wish to buy a big rack of dumbbells. Because the weights modify 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 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 increased finish of the burden capability. Consequently, I might carry out conventional energy coaching strikes, utilizing numerous hundreds, with out considerably altering my kind.

Adjustability: Fast and easy

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 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 whenever you decide 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 freshmen can progressively improve the burden 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, 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 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

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 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 arms 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 appear to be 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’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 assessments. 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.   

Basically, plainly these dumbbells weren’t made to be dropped or slammed, so if that’s your lifting model, you might have considered trying 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 property gymnasium dimension could be very restricted, or to illustrate your elliptical machine takes up a lot of the house, they’re a compact possibility.

The plastic storage trays, though not probably the most enticing possibility, work nicely for storing the dumbbells when not in use. The trays additionally hold the metallic 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. To date I haven’t seen 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 usually 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 might change the burden increments in between workout routines. All through my exercises, I paid consideration to how every dumbbell felt in my arms and if the burden felt evenly distributed. After all, 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 staff additionally put the dumbbells by way 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 might maintain up.

Value: Inexpensive 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 house gymnasium house constraints and wish to develop 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 they usually stack up properly towards 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 straightforward, fast adjustability. Nonetheless, they require some meeting they usually modify in 5-pound weight increments, so they might not work for freshmen.

Powerblock Elite Dumbbells: For superior weightlifters who desire a increased 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 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 freshmen, it comes assembled and is simple to regulate.