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Dumbbells may be the most utilitarian pieces of equipment in your home gym. You can incorporate them into lighter yoga flows, or use them for heavy lifts on their own. Having a variety of weights is key if you want to mix up your training, and adjustable dumbbells are a great option if you’re strapped for cash and space. The Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells offer up to 52.5 pounds of weight each, which is equal to 15 separate pairs of dumbbells.
Another selling point: You can adjust these dumbbells in increments of 2.5 pounds — most adjustable dumbbells scale five pounds at a time — which allows you to progress with more precision and at a slower rate. While the up-front cost may send you into sticker shock, you’ll save a fair amount of money over time (and certainly more than if you were to buy the 15 pairs of dumbbells all at once). Plus, it’s hard to beat the convenience — select your weight, rep out some curls and chest presses, and then neatly stow the dumbbells away. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced set of adjustable dumbbells that can save you money and space, the Bowflex SelectTech 552’s may be your answer.
Main Takeaways
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
This pair of dumbbells range from five to 52.5 pounds and adjust at the turn of a dial. With the right amount of weight, ease of use, and sleek design, these dumbbells are just right for any workout enthusiast.
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells Highlights
To adjust the weight of these dumbbells, you twist the dial to your desired number, and the correct weight will pop out of the tray. Having such a wide range of weights at your disposal is especially useful if you like to lift both light and heavy and/or you implement muscle-building techniques such as drop sets and supersets. Plus, not many adjustable dumbbells adjust in 2.5-pound increments, offering you even more flexibility.
For those building a home gym from scratch, these dumbbells could be a great place to start. However, if you already own quite a few pairs of dumbbells or you find yourself doing more barbell work overall, this investment may not be worth your while.
Who Should Buy the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
A pair of Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells costs just under $400. Since each pair of these dumbbells is the equivalent of 15 separate pairs of dumbbells, that comes out to be $26.60 per pair. When compared to the market price for one pair of dumbbells, this is an incredible deal. For example, you can buy a single pair of 30-pound dumbbells for anywhere between $50 and $80.
Overall Build and Quality
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are just as sturdy as regular dumbbells or barbells. They’re made of a durable steel and only take up 16.9? x 8.3? x 9? of space each. However, their build may feel a little bulkier than individual pairs of dumbbells since you add plates to each dumbbell as you go up in weight. They are pretty portable though as each weight only weighs 55.6 pounds (with the base included) — moving two 55.6-pound pieces of equipment is going to be much easier than going back and forth to move 15 individual (albeit lighter) pairs.
Features
You can change the weight on these dumbbells from five pounds up to 52.5 pounds in 2.5-pound increments with just the twist of a dial. The handles are contoured for comfort to provide optimal grip, and the steel plates are coated in plastic to allow for easy maneuvering in and out of the base, and to help prevent rusting.
Adjustability
There is a dial on the outside of each dumbbell, and all you have to do is twist that dial to your desired number, and your weight will pop out with the correct number of plates.
Weight Options
These dumbbells feature multiple plates that sit in the cradle to offer weights from five pounds to 52.5 pounds in 2.5-pound increments. That means you have 15 pairs of dumbbells total starting at 5 pounds and going up to 7.5, then 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, and so on until you reach 52.5 pounds.
Handle Grip and Comfort
The handles are wide, contoured, and textured with rubber grips. While the thicker grip (compared to more standard dumbbells you may find at a commercial gym) is comfortable, these dumbbells are not knurled — the crosshatch pattern engraved into many metal-handled dumbbells — like traditional dumbbells, so they don’t provide the same grip many users may be used to. Knurling is most likely not a make-it-or-break-it factor for many lifters, but a consideration for some.
Weight Plate Design
The plates on these dumbbells are coated in a plastic to help prevent metal cores from rusting. This also makes maneuvering the weights quieter, and smoother, which is beneficial when you’re adjusting often.
Base
Each dumbbell comes with a base. Though some brands do make you purchase the base separately if you want a designated place to store your dumbbells, this is a pretty standard feature across the market.
Product Specs
Each of these dumbbells weighs 55.6 pounds when assembled and in its base. And each dumbbell only takes up about 16.9? x 8.3? x 9? of space, which makes these ideal for small home gyms. Plus, you get a free one-year JRNY membership (see below), which offers on-demand trainer-led workouts to help you make use of your dumbbells properly.
Portability
While each of these weights weighs 55.6 pounds with the base, since they are only two pieces each (one big dumbbell and a base), it’s fairly easy to move them around. Instead of having to pick up and move 15 individual sets of dumbbells, you just have to move two heavier weights, which is a pretty good trade off.
Size and Dimensions
Each of these dumbbells measures 16.9? x 8.3? x 9? (including the base) — this is about the size of a large shoe box. If you picture how much space 15 individual sets of dumbbells would consume, this could be a huge space saver for, say, apartment dwellers, where every inch of space counts.
Workout Apps and Compatibility
If you purchase this set of weights, you’ll also receive a free one-year membership to JRNY, which is a virtual training platform from Bowflex that offers on-demand strength, yoga, and pilates classes with trainers. The strength classes are specifically designed to work with your SelectTech 552 dumbbells. This is a $149 value.
Warranty
Bowflex offers a two-year warranty on parts for its adjustable dumbbells, which you’ll find is about average across the market.
Places to Buy
You can buy these weights through Bowflex directly, or you can find them on Amazon Marketplace.
Company Information
Bowflex has been around for over 30 years, and is one of the main players in the home fitness game. They offer bikes, ellipticals, home gyms, weights, benches, treadmills, and even online classes on their platform JRNY. You can call 1-800-605-3369 for customer service, or email them through their website.
Final Word
These dumbbells offer the opportunity to save both a ton of space and a good amount of money when you’re building out your home gym. Instead of having to purchase 15 separate pairs of dumbbells at $40+ each, you can spend just under $400 on this single set, saving you hundreds in the long game. Plus, each of these adjustable dumbbells takes up a space that’s just a little bigger than a large shoebox, which means you can ditch the huge rack you would need to store the same number of weights in separate pairs.
However, if you’ve already started your home gym build by purchasing quite a few individual pairs of dumbbells, it may not be the best financial decision for you to ditch those, and buy this pair to start from scratch. And if you don’t use dumbbells all that often, you may be better off just buying the one or two sets you know you’ll use rather than dropping hundreds on this adjustable pair. But for those who are just starting their build or need to save some space in their home gym, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells can be a great investment.
FAQs
Are the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells easy to use?Yes. All you have to do is twist the dial to your desired weight. Plus, the plastic coating on the plates makes it super easy to slide the weights in and out of their base.
Can the SelectTech 552 dumbbells replace standard dumbbells?For the most part, yes. These adjustable dumbbells can replace 15 pairs of individual dumbbells. However, it’s worth noting that as you go higher in weight, they may feel a bit clunkier than standard dumbbells as there will be multiple plates on each weight.
Are the Bowflex SelectTech 552’s worth the cost?For anyone starting from scratch, absolutely. Though the upfront price may seem high, it’s actually much lower than buying 15 separate pairs of dumbbells. If you’ve already bought a few pairs of dumbbells or you don’t use dumbbells all that often, this may not be the best purchase for you though.
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Another selling point: You can adjust these dumbbells in increments of 2.5 pounds — most adjustable dumbbells scale five pounds at a time — which allows you to progress with more precision and at a slower rate. While the up-front cost may send you into sticker shock, you’ll save a fair amount of money over time (and certainly more than if you were to buy the 15 pairs of dumbbells all at once). Plus, it’s hard to beat the convenience — select your weight, rep out some curls and chest presses, and then neatly stow the dumbbells away. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced set of adjustable dumbbells that can save you money and space, the Bowflex SelectTech 552’s may be your answer.
Main Takeaways
- These dumbbells range from five to 52.5 pounds each, which offers a wide range of weight options.
- The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells increase in weight in increments of 2.5 pounds (rather than the normal five pounds). They replace 15 separate pairs of dumbbells.
- Though these dumbbells may seem like a hefty upfront investment, they can actually save you money. If you do the math, each set of dumbbells in this pair comes out to around $27 a piece, whereas separate dumbbells normally sell for upwards of $40 a pair (depending on the weight).
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
This pair of dumbbells range from five to 52.5 pounds and adjust at the turn of a dial. With the right amount of weight, ease of use, and sleek design, these dumbbells are just right for any workout enthusiast.
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells Highlights
To adjust the weight of these dumbbells, you twist the dial to your desired number, and the correct weight will pop out of the tray. Having such a wide range of weights at your disposal is especially useful if you like to lift both light and heavy and/or you implement muscle-building techniques such as drop sets and supersets. Plus, not many adjustable dumbbells adjust in 2.5-pound increments, offering you even more flexibility.
For those building a home gym from scratch, these dumbbells could be a great place to start. However, if you already own quite a few pairs of dumbbells or you find yourself doing more barbell work overall, this investment may not be worth your while.
Who Should Buy the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
- Anyone who wants to save space. These dumbbells replace 15 separate pairs of weights.
- Fitness enthusiasts who are building a home gym from scratch may find that these dumbbells will save them money. For under $400, you’ll own 15 pairs of dumbbells, which is far less than you would spend if you bought those pairs separately.
- Folks who want more flexibility with their weight increments will appreciate that these dumbbells adjust upwards in increments of 2.5 pounds rather than five pounds.
- Athletes who find themselves only using dumbbells on occasion may not get their money’s worth out of these.
- Anyone who already owns a few separate pairs of dumbbells may be better off just filling out their stash with the weights they still need rather than purchasing these.
- Customers who don’t want to drop around $400 upfront. You can still build out your home gym bit by bit, buying pairs separately as you grow to need them.
A pair of Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells costs just under $400. Since each pair of these dumbbells is the equivalent of 15 separate pairs of dumbbells, that comes out to be $26.60 per pair. When compared to the market price for one pair of dumbbells, this is an incredible deal. For example, you can buy a single pair of 30-pound dumbbells for anywhere between $50 and $80.
Overall Build and Quality
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are just as sturdy as regular dumbbells or barbells. They’re made of a durable steel and only take up 16.9? x 8.3? x 9? of space each. However, their build may feel a little bulkier than individual pairs of dumbbells since you add plates to each dumbbell as you go up in weight. They are pretty portable though as each weight only weighs 55.6 pounds (with the base included) — moving two 55.6-pound pieces of equipment is going to be much easier than going back and forth to move 15 individual (albeit lighter) pairs.
Features
You can change the weight on these dumbbells from five pounds up to 52.5 pounds in 2.5-pound increments with just the twist of a dial. The handles are contoured for comfort to provide optimal grip, and the steel plates are coated in plastic to allow for easy maneuvering in and out of the base, and to help prevent rusting.
Adjustability
There is a dial on the outside of each dumbbell, and all you have to do is twist that dial to your desired number, and your weight will pop out with the correct number of plates.
Weight Options
These dumbbells feature multiple plates that sit in the cradle to offer weights from five pounds to 52.5 pounds in 2.5-pound increments. That means you have 15 pairs of dumbbells total starting at 5 pounds and going up to 7.5, then 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, and so on until you reach 52.5 pounds.
Handle Grip and Comfort
The handles are wide, contoured, and textured with rubber grips. While the thicker grip (compared to more standard dumbbells you may find at a commercial gym) is comfortable, these dumbbells are not knurled — the crosshatch pattern engraved into many metal-handled dumbbells — like traditional dumbbells, so they don’t provide the same grip many users may be used to. Knurling is most likely not a make-it-or-break-it factor for many lifters, but a consideration for some.
Weight Plate Design
The plates on these dumbbells are coated in a plastic to help prevent metal cores from rusting. This also makes maneuvering the weights quieter, and smoother, which is beneficial when you’re adjusting often.
Base
Each dumbbell comes with a base. Though some brands do make you purchase the base separately if you want a designated place to store your dumbbells, this is a pretty standard feature across the market.
Product Specs
Each of these dumbbells weighs 55.6 pounds when assembled and in its base. And each dumbbell only takes up about 16.9? x 8.3? x 9? of space, which makes these ideal for small home gyms. Plus, you get a free one-year JRNY membership (see below), which offers on-demand trainer-led workouts to help you make use of your dumbbells properly.
Portability
While each of these weights weighs 55.6 pounds with the base, since they are only two pieces each (one big dumbbell and a base), it’s fairly easy to move them around. Instead of having to pick up and move 15 individual sets of dumbbells, you just have to move two heavier weights, which is a pretty good trade off.
Size and Dimensions
Each of these dumbbells measures 16.9? x 8.3? x 9? (including the base) — this is about the size of a large shoe box. If you picture how much space 15 individual sets of dumbbells would consume, this could be a huge space saver for, say, apartment dwellers, where every inch of space counts.
Workout Apps and Compatibility
If you purchase this set of weights, you’ll also receive a free one-year membership to JRNY, which is a virtual training platform from Bowflex that offers on-demand strength, yoga, and pilates classes with trainers. The strength classes are specifically designed to work with your SelectTech 552 dumbbells. This is a $149 value.
Warranty
Bowflex offers a two-year warranty on parts for its adjustable dumbbells, which you’ll find is about average across the market.
Places to Buy
You can buy these weights through Bowflex directly, or you can find them on Amazon Marketplace.
Company Information
Bowflex has been around for over 30 years, and is one of the main players in the home fitness game. They offer bikes, ellipticals, home gyms, weights, benches, treadmills, and even online classes on their platform JRNY. You can call 1-800-605-3369 for customer service, or email them through their website.
Final Word
These dumbbells offer the opportunity to save both a ton of space and a good amount of money when you’re building out your home gym. Instead of having to purchase 15 separate pairs of dumbbells at $40+ each, you can spend just under $400 on this single set, saving you hundreds in the long game. Plus, each of these adjustable dumbbells takes up a space that’s just a little bigger than a large shoebox, which means you can ditch the huge rack you would need to store the same number of weights in separate pairs.
However, if you’ve already started your home gym build by purchasing quite a few individual pairs of dumbbells, it may not be the best financial decision for you to ditch those, and buy this pair to start from scratch. And if you don’t use dumbbells all that often, you may be better off just buying the one or two sets you know you’ll use rather than dropping hundreds on this adjustable pair. But for those who are just starting their build or need to save some space in their home gym, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells can be a great investment.
FAQs
Are the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells easy to use?Yes. All you have to do is twist the dial to your desired weight. Plus, the plastic coating on the plates makes it super easy to slide the weights in and out of their base.
Can the SelectTech 552 dumbbells replace standard dumbbells?For the most part, yes. These adjustable dumbbells can replace 15 pairs of individual dumbbells. However, it’s worth noting that as you go higher in weight, they may feel a bit clunkier than standard dumbbells as there will be multiple plates on each weight.
Are the Bowflex SelectTech 552’s worth the cost?For anyone starting from scratch, absolutely. Though the upfront price may seem high, it’s actually much lower than buying 15 separate pairs of dumbbells. If you’ve already bought a few pairs of dumbbells or you don’t use dumbbells all that often, this may not be the best purchase for you though.
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