Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells Review: Lift From Home

One of my best investments that I have made in the last 6 years was the choice to purchase my SelectTech 552s as they allowed me to keep my gym space small and compressed while providing me a large weight differential as I grew.

Over time they went from being mine to my wifes, and now my daughter is using them as she starts building up her strength for soccer. Goalkeepers need to be tough cookies you know! These 552s continue to work without failure which has proven to me that Bowflex equipment is well worth the purchase.

These adjustable dumbbells replace 15 sets of weights. Weights adjust from 5 to 52.5 lbs in 2.5 lb increments up to the first 25 lbs. Easy-to-use selection dials for adjusting weights.

Easily switch from one exercise to next and with the turn of a dial you can change your resistance, enabling you to gradually increase your strength. Versatile workout for your legs, back, chest, abs, shoulders and arms.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

• Space Efficient
• Wide Weight Range
• Build Muscle & Get Toned
• Quieter Workouts
• Premium Grips

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Here’s a rundown of what we’ll provide in our Bowflex 552 Dumbbells review:

• First we’ll share the features and benefits that you’ll find useful
• Next, we’ll take a look at the drawbacks you might need to know about
• Then, we’ll tell you a bit about the Bowflex company
• And finally we’ll provide a sampling of actual customer and Independent reviews to give you better insight into the product.

Sound good? Let’s get started!

Features and Benefits of Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

• Select the Weight You Want with a Turn of the Dial - No more picking up 30 different dumbbells to give you the results you want!
• Space Efficient - Say goodbye to 15 sets of dumbbells cluttering your workout space.
• Wider Weight Range - With weight that adjusts from 5 to 52.5 lbs., you'll continue to see results as your fitness level improves.
• Quieter Workouts - Durable molding around metal plates provides for a smooth lift-off and quieter workouts...no clanging metal plates!
• Total Body Results - With the wider weight range you can do heavy exercises such as shrugs and lunges as well as lighter exercises such as curls and raises.
• Premium Grips - Easy to hold and no issues with sweat accumulation and slippage.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Specs

• Weight Range - 5 to 52.5 pounds on each dumbbell
• 15 Total Weight Positions - 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 52.5
• Dimensions - 15.75" L x 8" W x 9" H
• Warranty - 2 Years

Special Features (Pros) of the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Perfect for Small Space or Apartment - When you are working from a smaller space where a full rack of weights isn't a viable solution this set is a perfect fit to limit the overall room taken up.

Amazingly Durable - While these weights are chosen by a spinning dial on the side you should know that this is solidly built and the selector works for years through abusive workouts without causing issues or problems.

Fast and Efficient Weight Change - There is much less downtime in your workout to re-rack weights or find the next weight. Once you finish your set and need to change the weight you drop into the cradle and turn a dial and BAM, ready to use again!

Balanced Weight Through Handles - When you hold the handles in the center the weight feels perfectly oriented in your hands and it isn't top or back heavy.

Drawbacks (Cons) for the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Bulky Size with When Loaded With Weight - Some exercises that may be simpler with a normal dumbbell can be downright irritating with these as the bulk can mean unintended hits on your body.

Grip Size for Larger Hands - While the grip fits me well there are people who have said that it is far too narrow for their hands to reach in and comfortably grab the handle.

Video: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

About the Bowflex Company

Bowflex started in the 1980s and they were more focused on making home workout equipment that wasn't just like gym gear. They started developing an innovative way to bring gym-quality results into the home.

As it turns out, people really liked that idea. No gym membership, no waiting for equipment, no judgment. Just you, a goal, and a convenient solution sitting in the next room that guaranteed results.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells Reviews

Looking at the features and benefits is great, but taking a look at what real-and-actual customers have to say about a product offers a deeper dive of insight. Here we’ve curated reviews that reflect the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells, providing feedback from product users and reviewers on independent review sites as well as online from sites like Amazon.

Independent Reviews and Recommendations for Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are well worth the purchase. They’re unmatched in speed and ease of weight changes, they’re very good-looking, and they have a massive range of weight options. Also, straight out of the box their max. weight is heavier than comparable quick adjust dumbbells. While they’re not exactly cheap, they are certainly not the most expensive adjustable dumbbells around

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These also obviously do not replace all possible machines at the gym in case you're considering dropping your monthly payment in exchange for adjustable dumbbells, but they do give you a pretty great at-home workout. You can incorporate them into a good variety of exercises just like any dumbbells (bench or shoulder presses, rows, lunges, flys, curls, extensions, etc), and the quick adjustability also makes it easier to hit multiple muscle groups in rapid succession. 

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The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells provide a complete workout with minimal equipment and an impressively low price tag. It’s the ultimate “home gym” for those who cannot afford or find the space for a traditional home gym. Definitely give these weights a try. You’ll be surprised by how much can be done with so little. Another win for Bowflex.

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What Customers Have to Say About the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

They're bulky, which is as expected. They're comfortable to use, but the handle is a little small for my hands. They're easy to use, and feel secure regardless of the weight you've selected.

Just received our BOWFLEX SelectTech 552 dumbbells a couple weeks ago and I could not be happier. They have helped us regain the amount of space we were using with our other dumbbells. At first, I didn't know what to expect with this set.

The system of locking in the weight in an all in one device didn't seem too trustworthy. Plus, I am so used to changing plates on a bar that I felt it was lazy to change systems.

Well, the 552 quickly changed my mind. It's easy to use, effective, and efficient, making my workouts more focused and complete. I love the SelectTech 552 dumbbells

I use the 552 series for stability exercises, and cross-fit conditioning workouts. I wasted a lot of time debating on getting these. They are well designed and easy to use. Not just the the weight adjustment but the way they feel in my hand they are sturdy and comfortable.

I bought a set of bands before these and tried using they for some time but they just didn't feel right. I am glad I ended up picking a set of these up. I would recommend them to anyone.

I use my weights mostly for Beachbody on demand workouts. They are wonderful because I have a small house and they are great space savers, but still able to progress and advance my strength moving up weights as I get stronger.

Final Thoughts on Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

These weights are perfect for almost all people who want to run a gym from their home, I started them with P90X and other Beachbody workouts including Body Beast!

Over time I moved from those DVD based workouts to more comprehensive plans online and I finally have maxed out on many exercises at the 52.5 pound level which is why I ordered the SelectTech 1090s because they run from 10 to 90 pounds which will be fine for probably the next 5 years.

I never purchased the Bowflex SelectTech 552 stand, which on second viewing has been growing as something I may get soon to stop having to lean all the way over to change the weights, I have a very bland bench but they offer one which is a match for the SelectTech sets here also.

I will probably never move back to normal dumbbells due to the cost to replace this one set of a multi use dumbbell. If you are a kettlebell person then they also have a pretty slick set available which is a super space saver also!

Compare to Other Dumbbells on Amazon