Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells Review
Fifteen pairs of dumbbells in the floor space of one - the adjustable set that makes home lifting practical.
✓ Pros
- Replaces 15 pairs of dumbbells - 5 to 52.5 lbs in 2.5 lb steps at the low end
- Dial adjustment takes seconds between sets - supersets stay practical
- Smooth, secure plate lock-in; nothing rattles mid-set
- Massive long-term value versus buying fixed pairs
✗ Cons
- Longer than fixed dumbbells - awkward at first on curls and pressing at low weights
- Not drop-proof: bail-out lifts and slam-prone training need rubber fixed bells
- 52.5 lb ceiling per hand - strong lifters eventually outgrow presses and rows
Living with them
The dial system is the whole magic: twist, lift, and the weight you left behind stays in the tray. Progressive overload - the thing that actually builds muscle - becomes frictionless when the next increment is a click away instead of another Amazon order. For dumbbell staples like presses, rows, lunges, and curls, they feel solid and secure once you adjust to the length.
The honest caveats
These are precision tools, not throwing implements: dropping them on concrete is how you buy a second pair. The extra length means low weights feel oddly long-armed on curls until muscle memory adapts, about a week. And serious strength athletes will eventually cap out the 52.5 lbs on big lifts - though for most home trainees, that day is further away than ego suggests.
Should you buy them?
If dumbbells are the core of your home training and space is finite, this is the category's default answer for a reason - the cost equals maybe five pairs of fixed bells while replacing fifteen. Budget lifters can start with our kettlebell pick and resistance bands instead; slam-heavy CrossFit-style training should stick with rubber fixed weights.
Best for
Home lifters who want a full dumbbell rack's range without dedicating a wall to one.
Buying through the link below costs you nothing extra and helps fund our independent testing.
Community discussion
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