Bowflex Dumbbells Review: Worth the Big Hype? 2023

Interested in a Bowflex dumbbells review? This article will explore the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells, a versatile set perfect for meeting your weight goals at any fitness level. From unboxing to using them in your workouts, we’ll share insights on their features, including a 1-year JRNY membership for added exercise guidance.

We’ll also discuss the innovative dial adjustment mechanism, the compact design, and the range of weights available for full-body strength training. If you’re curious about the effectiveness and operation of these adjustable dumbbells, this 552 adjustable dumbbells review is for you.

Let’s get into the Bowflex SelectTech 552 review and talk about how these Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells were shipped and what was in the box.

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Unboxing The Bowflex SELECTTECH 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

First, let me start by saying that this box was heavy. I know it’s got two SelectTech 552 weightlifting pieces in it, and the max weight was going to be over 100 pounds for the pair. But having said that, it was still a bit of a shock at how heavy it was the first time I lifted it and how difficult it was for me to get down the stairs in my house. I should’ve expected it, but it was still a surprise.

As I opened the box, my main concern was that a bunch of assembly was required to assemble the weightlifting equipment. To my shock and joy, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells were assembled and tightly packed away in the Styrofoam inside the box. This was a huge relief and saved me a lot of time not having to interpret bad instructions and assembly.

Each adjustable dumbbell came on a plastic base, fitting nicely and securely with an additional strap to keep the weights attached. Since I had already purchased the rack storage tray for these SelectTech 552 dumbbells, I knew these plastic bases were supposed to attach to the storage rack, so I set these aside for now.

As expected, there was some additional paperwork and warranty information, but since these were already assembled, I was ready to attach them to the media stand and get going.

But I have to say; I was so happy that these came preassembled and how tightly packaged everything was. Both sets of dumbbells came out in perfect condition with zero issues, so we were off to a great start.

Now, let’s talk about how this set of dumbbells is built, how these weights work, and why investing in them is a smart choice for committed fitness enthusiasts.

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells Build

The general structure of the build of these SelectTech 552 dumbbells is exactly what you would expect out of both adjustable and standard dumbbells. The space-saving compact design of this set of Bowflex dumbbells allows them to be a valuable addition to any home gym, and you won’t have to worry about taking up too much space with them, making them perfect for home fitness enthusiasts.

Each side of the Selecttech 552 dumbbell has an easy-to-use selection dial that allows you to set the goal weight for one side of the Bowflex dumbbell, ensuring that both ends have the same weight to avoid lopsidedness.

The selection dial rotates smoothly and has a solid click, making the weight adjustment process effortless. With these SelectTech 552 dumbbells, you can adjust your free weights for various exercises and weight training at home or in the gym, allowing for full body strength classes and workouts. The Bowflex SelectTech weights are a solid choice for most exercisers, and their adaptive weight targets make them an excellent option for resistance training.

The Adjustable Weight System And How It Works

Now, let’s talk about how this set of SelectTech 552 dumbbells is built and how the weights work.

The Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbell Weight Plates

The 552 weight plates, with a hard plastic exterior coating, vary in size for different weight variations. Their durable molding adds resistance against cracking or breaking. Keep in mind that using a rubber mat during workouts can help protect these plates from damage, especially on hard floors.

Confusion may exist about the material of the inner weights, but rest assured, these heavyweights are designed for efficient exercises. These are available separately on the Bowflex and Amazon websites if you need replacements.

Turning a dial lets you engage the internal gears that select the necessary weights to achieve your chosen poundage. Depending on the selected weight, some plates remain unused unless you max out at 52.5 pounds.

The Weight Selection Dial

The SelectTech dumbbell features a user-friendly weight selection dial on each side. Setting weights evenly prevents imbalances. The dials rotate smoothly, making weight selection easy and precise.

The Weight Increments

With a range of 5 to 52.5 lbs per dumbbell, the SelectTech 552 offers diverse settings for full-body strength training. Up to the 25-pound mark, the weight increments increase by 2.5 lb. After 25 pounds, the increments rise by 5 pounds, except for a final 2.5 lb jump, reaching a total of 52.5 lbs. The incremental adjustments make these dumbbells perfect for exercises that require varied resistance levels.

Strangely, there is an option for another 2.5 lbs for each SelectTech 552 dumbbell at that point. This equals a total max weight of 52.5 lbs on each dumbbell and lots of weight options in between. The adjustable weight system in the SelectTech 552 dumbbells is a crucial part of their design, allowing you to perform a wide variety of exercises at different resistance levels.

Internal Gears and Weight Plates

The Bowflex dumbells 552 functionality hinges on its adjustable weight system, orchestrated by the interplay of its internal gears and weight plates. Upon dial rotation, the gears engage and release the appropriate plates to match your weight preference.

Don’t worry about the plates left behind after lifting the dumbbell; they’re not required unless you’re going for the maximum weight of 52.5 pounds.

With their hard plastic exterior, the plates are robust yet still susceptible to damage if mishandled. Care is advised during use to ensure the plates’ longevity. In case of accidental damage, replacement weight plates are available for purchase.

Storage and Media Stand for the SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Bowflex offers an optional media rack for the SelectTech 552 dumbbells. The compact media rack securely holds the Bowflex dumbbells at an elevated level. It provides a stand for your devices like iOS and Android tablets, making watching videos or following exercise programs easier. While Bowflex offers a subscription-based home fitness JRNY app for the rack, the great value of the rack is just having the Bowflex 552 adjustable dumbbells elevated for easier reach and secure storage.

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells are a solid choice for those who don’t want a full rack of dumbbells cluttering their workout space. The intuitive storage trays make it easy to keep the Bowflex dumbbells organized and within reach, while the compact package saves valuable space in your home gym.

Working Out With The Bowflex 552 Dumbbells

I learned a few things while working with the Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells.

For example, the selection dials on these SelectTech 552 dumbbells are very user-friendly, and it only took me a few minutes to determine how weights adjust on every single dumbbell. I quickly adjusted the weight selection on each dumbbell and moved on to the next exercise.

With my concrete floor, I wanted to have some mat or soft surface for my dumbbells to land. So I put a few home gym pads around the workout areas that I was in during my full-body workout. This helped ensure that I didn’t accidentally damage the free weights or the SelectTech 552 dumbbells. And these aren’t just for arm workouts; you can do all sorts of full and lower body exercises with these Bowflex weights as well, like the bench press, goblet squats, body weight lunges, dumbbell deadlifts, bicep curls, and more.

Overall, I found the SelectTech 552 dumbbells to be an excellent choice for home or garage gym owners. They are versatile, easy to use, and have a weight range for many users. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a high-quality set of free weights or a standard dumbbell. With the added bonus of easy storage trays and rubber grips, you’ll be able to keep your dumbbells clutter-free and in good condition.

And if you’re looking to take your workout to the next level, you can even follow trainer lead workouts on your iOS or Android tablet using the Bowflex JRNY app.

Overall, I found the Bowflex dumbbells 552 552 dumbbells to be an excellent choice for home gym owners. They are versatile, easy to use, and have a wide range of weight settings. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a high-quality set of free weights. With the added bonus of intuitive storage trays and rubber grips, you’ll be able to keep your dumbbells clutter-free and in good condition.

Who Should Get The SelectTech 552 Dumbbells?

With the Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells, you can easily adjust from the base weight of 5 to 52.5 lbs per dumbbell, effectively replacing 15 sets of weights and providing various weight settings for a comprehensive workout targeting strength for your legs, arms, and other body parts.

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are perfect for anyone looking to take their exercise to the next level. The design of the Selecttech 552 adjustable dumbbells makes them easy to store and use, while the adjustable weight options make them versatile for any workout.

These SelectTech 552 dumbbells are great for those who demand full-body strength training and want various weight options for different exercises to reach their fitness goals. With an adjustable weight from 5 lbs to 52.5 lbs of weight with the entire rack, the SelectTech 552 dumbbells are perfect for beginners who need lower weights and advanced fitness enthusiasts who can tackle heavier weights. The Selecttech dumbbells save space in your workout area compared to traditional dumbbells and provide the convenience of trainer-led workouts at home.

If you’re just starting out with resistance training or prefer lighter weights, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are an excellent choice. They’re also a great alternative to the PowerBlock adjustable dumbbells, offering a simple twist dial mechanism to switch between weights easily.

Final Thoughts On The SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

With so many free weight options on the market, including all the adjustable dumbbells, consumers have much to choose from regarding different weights. But because I’m a big fan of Bowflex home fitness equipment, this is the brand I chose, especially because of the high popularity of the Bowflex Selecttech 552 and its 5-star rating.

Right out of the box, I was impressed with the Bowflex 552 adjustable dumbbell build, quality, and overall feel of these SelectTech 552 dumbbells, featuring heavy construction and compact design. I was also very impressed by the actual process of changing the weight and how it is truly adjustable with its weight selection dial.

I loved being able to start using this pair of 52.5 lb dumbbells out of the box within 10 minutes, effectively replacing 15 sets of traditional dumbbells. It was a big burden off my shoulders not to have to mess around with any assembly. But my biggest test is always the workout, which I passed with flying colors.

Thanks to the quick change weight system of these Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells, I could do many certain exercises like bicep curls quickly with this Bowflex set of dumbbells. And you can work for any muscle group with these SelectTech 552 Dumbbells; legs, back, chest, abs, shoulders, and arms, offering full body strength.

There is a slight learning curve your first couple of times using these Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells to get used to changing Bowflex dumbbells weight on each side and inserting the SelectTech 552 dumbbells back into the base. But you can go from adjusting from 5 pounds up to 50 pounds once you’ve figured out these great weights.

Bowflex might be best known for their everyday home gyms, but these SelectTech 552 dumbbells are a game-changer and a clear leader compared to other adjustable dumbbells with their ease of use and product info.

These Bowflex adjustable weights might be the best adjustable dumbbells I’ve tried yet. The verdict is that these two dumbbells provide a versatile, space-saving solution for those looking to lift heavy and improve their fitness while adding quality equipment to their home gyms.

My only regret? Only that I didn’t get these Bowflex dumbbells sooner, as I discovered them just a few years ago.

If you’re interested in the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells, you may want to check out the average customer ratings and reviews on Amazon. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, these dumbbells have been popular for over a decade.

And with the same page link to previous reviews, you can quickly find out what others have said about the product. Additionally, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells come with a 1-year JRNY membership required, which automatically renews, to help you exercise to the next level and support your fitness journey.

YouTube Video Review | SelectTech 552 Dumbbells