Dumbbells are “must-have” equipment for home fitness. However, it can be expensive to buy a set of dumbbells with different weights. Having a lot of dumbbells cluttering your workout area can also be messy and even dangerous. That’s why many people find the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells very convenient. A single pair of these dumbbells provides a weight range from 5 lbs to 52.5 lbs.
Key Features
• Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 lbs to 52.5 lbs
• Weight is adjusted in 2.5-lb increments for the first 25 lbs
• Uses a unique dial system to adjust the weight
• Combines 15 sets of weights in a single pair
• Eliminates clutter in your workout area
• Weight plates come with 5-year warranty; 2-year warranty on parts
Convenient And Easy To Adjust
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells makes weight training at home easier and more convenient. A single pair of dumbbells is all you need to enjoy the benefits of a wide range of weights, from 5 lbs all the way up to 52.5 lbs. This means you can find the exact weight that is just right for your workout– comfortable yet challenging enough. The adjustable weight also means you can steadily increase the weight of the dumbbells as your strength improves.
What To Look For In A Set Of Adjustable Dumbbells
Regular dumbbells come in specific weights. Adjustable ones, on the other hand, allow you to set the weight of the dumbbells according to your needs. Below are some of the things people look for in adjustable dumbbells:
• Number of separate weight settings. You want a pair of adjustable dumbbells with as many different weight settings as possible for maximum versatility.
• Ease and speed of adjusting the weight settings. Obviously, you want to be able to adjust the weight quickly and easily so as not to hamper your workout.
• Sturdiness of the weight locking system. The lock should be sturdy and strong to prevent accidents.
• Overall size of the dumbbells. Dumbbells that are too long or large may be difficult to exercise with and to store.
• Build quality. You want your adjustable dumbbells to last for a long time.
Bowflex Selecttech 552 – More Weight Settings
One of the things people look at when choosing adjustable dumbbells is the number of standard dumbbells they are able to replace, or the number of different weight settings. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells have 15 different weight settings: 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 52.5 pounds for each dumbbell.
From 5 lbs to 25 lbs, the weight increment is 2.5 lbs. From 25 lbs to 50 lbs, increments are 5 lbs. The final 2.5 lbs brings the weight of each dumbbell to 52.5 lbs.
What this means is that with a pair of Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells, it’s like having 15 sets of dumbbells.
Easy Weight Selection
One of the best features of the Bowflex SelectTech 552 is the unique “dial design” system to change the weight of each dumbbell in a matter of seconds. Thus, adjusting the desired weight is as simple as turning the dial.
Locking System
When working with weights, including adjustable dumbbells, you want your equipment to have a reliable and secure locking system. You don’t want the plates shifting or falling off and possibly causing injury.
While the original model of Bowflex adjustable dumbbells came with a plastic lock, the newer 2009 model is now equipped with a metal locking system. This is a huge improvement because it keeps the plates firmly in place. Shaking and shifting of the separate plates is minimized. Users can now use the Bowflex adjustable dumbbells with utmost confidence.
The Right Size
Adjustable dumbbells are generally larger than regular dumbbells, and this happens to be their weak spot. It is more difficult to position and maneuver larger dumbbells, particularly with certain exercises such as the standing bicep curls. The length of the dumbbell is also important. If it is too short, you may find the inner plates rubbing against your forearm.
Another important consideration is the diameter of the plates. Heavier plates have larger diameters and may be more difficult to workout with and to store.
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is compact enough while providing about 53 pounds of maximum weight. The handle is about 16 inches long, which is not too long for easy handling. The biggest plate has a diameter of 9 inches. Storing the SelectTech 552 should not be a problem
Durable And Built To Last
Adjustable dumbbells are typically less sturdy than standard dumbbells because they have moving parts. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells, however, are sturdy and can withstand being dropped. Also, the weight selection mechanism of the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbell is one of the best in the industry.
The metal plates are made of metal encased in durable, molded plastic. Because of the plastic casing, the dumbbells are very quiet to use.
Pros
• Sturdy and built to last
• Easy weight selection
• Strong metal locking system
• Wide range of weight settings
• Takes up very little space
• Great value purchase
Cons
• Dumbbell length (16 inches) may be a problem for some people.
What Customers Say
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is one of the most popular adjustable dumbbells in the market and it gets numerous positive reviews from customers. People find it sturdy, convenient, easy to use, and easy to store. It is a great space saver and selecting the desired weight is as easy as turning a dial.
Although a few customers said that the system for selecting the desired weight is not perfect, most customers did not report any difficulty when using it. Overall, customers are very happy with the [ReviewAZON_Tooltip asin=”integrated” titlewordcount=”3″]Bowflex SelectTech 552[/ReviewAZON_Tooltip] adjustable dumbbells. It works as advertised and customers have no problem recommending it to others.