Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells Review: Are They Still Any Good?

In a perfect world, we would all have access to a full rack of dumbbells laid out conveniently in our personal home gyms. But few of us have that kind of space and money. That’s where adjustable dumbbells come in — which, for many home-gym builders, especially novices, is synonymous with the Bowflex SelectTech 552s.

This iconic piece of gear has remained largely unchanged since it came out decades ago, and it’s seen its fair share competition from newer companies trying to capitalize on a rising interest in working out at home. So how do the SelectTech 552s stack up today? And, most importantly, are they any good?

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells Review

Bowflex

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

Each adjustable dumbbell with the 552s essentially serves as a 15-in-1 profile with weights ranging from 5 to 52.5 pounds. There’s also a unique micro-adjustment feature, meaning you can alter your working weight in 2.5-pound increments for anything less than 25 pounds.

Pros

• Weight adjustment is simple and intuitive
• Weight range is ideal for beginners, with some headroom

Cons

• Weight plates can wobble during movement
• Plates adjust from the outside in, which may limit range of motion

• $429.00 at Bowflex

Adjusting the weight is quick and painless

Even total beginners could get the hang of the weight-selection system on the SelectTech 552s, which is quick and intuitive. Simply rotate the large selector knobs on each end of the dumbbell to the proper weight, lift the dumbbell from its storage tray and you’re ready for your next set.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Each available weight is clearly listed along the dial and stamped into the design itself, so there’s no fear of miscalculations, even after extended use. Some adjustable dumbbells from competitors just feature stickers to indicate the settings, which are prone to wear and tear over time.

In testing, our team enjoyed how quick and simple the adjustments are across these Bowflex adjustable dumbbells because they open the door for supersets and drop sets. In this style of training, you need to quickly grab varying weights at the end of your final set to try and stress the muscle toward even more optimization and growth.

If you need to remember a chart or have dials that aren’t clearly marked, that transition into a superset or drop set can be an annoying experience best left for another day.

They cater mostly to beginners, but there’s room to grow

When you’re starting out in strength training, you want your gear to support your aspirations. With adjustable dumbbells, this means choosing a set with a weight range you’ll actually use.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

We found that the 5 to 52.5-pound weight range showcased in these Bowflex adjustable dumbbells is oriented to beginners, since it provides most athletes with a good mix of loads suitable for your strength levels while also giving you some room to grow. Do you really think you’ll be immediately repping out 85-pound dumbbell presses if you’re brand-new to the discipline?

Additionally, we liked the SelectTech 552s for budding strength training enthusiasts because of Bowflex’s complementary JRNY app integration. This service essentially gives your workouts some added structure and flair, and the platform’s new Motion Tracking capabilities can be excellent for addressing any form corrections that may be necessary at the beginner stages.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Athletes get a complimentary two-month trial membership with these Bowflex adjustable dumbbells, and subscription prices are very reasonable at just $11.99 per month or $99 per year. When you do the math, it’s quite the approachable gym membership.

If you do feel that you’re stronger than the 5 to 52.5-pound weight range of these adjustable dumbbells, Bowflex has a heavier profile, the SelectTech 1090s, that offer adjustments from 10 pounds all the way up to 90 pounds.

There is a noticeable wobble across the plates during intense training

Clanging and banging can take on a new meaning with these Bowflex adjustable dumbbells … and not in a good way. When you press, row or curl the SelectTech 552s, the chosen plates can experience a little bit of wobble within the dumbbell itself.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Now, you may think this is a non-issue at first, but admittedly, the clinking can begin to become a nuisance if you’re going for extended reps. Additionally, this plate wobble is the last thing you want to see overhead when performing exercises like a dumbbell press or tricep extension. This rattle can quickly kill your confidence mid-lift as your body tries to avoid getting smashed by a presumably falling weight.

This doesn’t mean that the plates are hanging on by a literal thread during training. In testing, we put these dumbbells through plenty of reps and never experienced a major fault within the locking mechanism. We just wish the setup was a little more secure and stable, especially when trying to muscle up for a final heavy press.

The dumbbell profile doesn’t change as you go down in weight

The SelectTech 552s adjust across the weight range from the outside in, meaning lighter totals will sit further toward the dial than heavier totals. While there’s no problem with this from a balance standpoint, the aesthetics can be compromised for some.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Also, the size of the dumbbell never changes, unlike what you’d experience with traditional weights. This means that a 5-pound dumbbell is going to be as long and wide as a 45-pound profile.

You definitely feel as if you’re using an adjustable dumbbell with these Bowflex options, so if you prefer that more traditional feel of free weights, you’re not going to find it across this frame.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells: Alternatives

The Bowflex SelectTech 552s aren’t the only adjustable option on the market anymore, and there are a few silhouettes that have caught up to the prowess.

The Nüobell from Smrtft, for example, is the closest profile to a traditional set-weight dumbbell with impressive knurling, outward expansion and a metal design. You’ll be paying for these impressive advancements, though, to the tune of nearly double that of Bowflex.

If you prefer the dial-style silhouette, Ativafit’s 66-pound Adjustable Dumbbell is another beginner-friendly model. You also get an increased weight range of 11 to 66 pounds, but there’s no micro-adjustment feature at the lower totals.

The Bottom Line

Thanks to their intuitive adjustment toggles, worthwhile weight range and integration with the brand’s JRNY app, the SelectTech 552s still hold their own when it comes to home gym equipment. The 15-in-1 design is sure to be enough load for most athletes, and there’s no denying the amount of saved space compared to a full dumbbell set.

With that said, we think athletes can easily graduate to other adjustable dumbbells once they grow more accustomed to this type of training. For one, the singular profile regardless of weight can feel awkward, which isn’t the case with other adjustable dumbbells that better mimic the feel of traditional weights in a given range.

Additionally, there is some plate wobble during movement, which may throw off your confidence when lifting the SelectTech 552s overhead. We never had a plate come loose or fall but with cleaner profiles out there, it’s something to consider.

Bowflex

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

Each adjustable dumbbell with the 552s essentially serves as a 15-in-1 profile with weights ranging from 5 to 52.5 pounds. There’s also a unique micro-adjustment feature, meaning you can alter your working weight in 2.5-pound increments for anything less than 25 pounds.

Pros

• Weight adjustment is simple and intuitive
• Weight range is ideal for beginners, with some headroom

Cons

• Weight plates can wobble during movement
• Plates adjust from the outside in, which may limit range of motion

• $429.00 at Bowflex

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