Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair)

Product Information

When things sound too good to be true, they often are. To make sure this wasn’t the case, we put the Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells through a weights at home workout. And, by the end of the session, our muscles were fatigued and our mind was made up: this is a quality product that can certainly be counted among the best adjustable dumbbells. The BowflexSelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbell has a weight range of 5-52.5lb (Image credit: Future) Set up and ease of use Featuring durable moulding around metal plates, this provides a smooth lift-off and a quieter workout, making them the perfect pair for home use. Adjustable dumbbells are a valuable investment as they combine several weights, are easy to store, and mean that you can increase the load between exercises or gradually as you get stronger. They are expensive, but a set of the SelectTech 1090 might be the only weights you ever need. Considered the world’s smartest dumbbells, the Bowflex® SelectTech® 560 Dumbbells replace the need for up to 30 individual dumbbells, saving on space and maximising your workout potential.

You can change the weight of the BowflexSelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbell using dials on either end of the weights (Image credit: Future) DesignHowever, the excellent build quality and the fact that this selectable dumbbell can go all the way to the heady heights of 41kg mean it's worth considering shelling out if you like to get technological about your fitness. Bowflex SelectTech 1090i Adjustable Dumbbell review: also consider While we were impressed by the Bowflex SelectTech 552's performance and ease of use during our tests, we admit they aren’t much to look at. The plastic finish on the plates and the chunky rubber handle give it a cheaper feel than its metal competitors To inspire your training, the dumbbells come with a free Bowflex SelectTech workout DVD – Secrets of the 4 Step Rep. This features over 30 exercises and 80 variations to help you to maximise your workout. Alternative Bowflex Weights

Bowflex was probably aware of this, this is why the curl bar is added, which I think is an absolute game changer here. Adding the curl bar opens up a whole new level of possibility, practically doubling the number of exercises you can perform with the Bowflex 2080. The devil is in the detail with the Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells. Yes, they do the basics impeccably, providing 15 weight options from 5lb-52.5lb by way of 10 changeable weight plates on each dumbbell. But, it's the little things that separate them from the rest of the field. The dumbbells’ 15.8 x 9 x 8-inch footprint (when maxed out to full weight capacity) is somewhat bulkier than old-school steel dumbbells, but each one is fully adjustable between 5 and 52.5 pounds in 5-pound increments. Swapping out those mini-weight plates is as simple as twisting the knobs on either end of the dumbbell to the desired weight, and you’re good to go. A safety strap connects the dumbbells to the dumbbell tray, which takes a 7/64 Allen key to remove. At some lighter weights, where only plates further away from the central handle are attached, it can also be awkward to hold the dumbbells in a goblet squat position - a shame considering (as anyone who has ever asked a personal trainer the question, " What are the benefits of squats?" will only know too well) this is one of the best exercises for building lower body muscle.

Adjustable Weight Training From Any Home Gym

Featuring durable molding around the metal plates, the dumbbells are not only hard-wearing, but provide a smooth lift off. Removing the clanging of metal, you can enjoy more peaceful training allowing you to focus on your training goals. You see, Olympic barbells have bearings so when you twist the bar, the weights themselves stay still. This is better for the hands, otherwise the knurling would grate away the skin doing deadlifts. But since the weight you lift with the Bowflex SelectTech 2080 Barbell is relatively light, you don’t have to worry about this, nor should you be concerned about the weights dropping as they are held firmly by the hooks on each end. Should you buy the Bowflex Selecttech 2080 barbell? Admittedly, it is not the cheapest home gym equipment but if you’re happy to pay the premium, you’ll get a barbell that was designed for home use and will even provide a sense of progression, thanks to its adjustable nature. It’ll definitely take up less space than a standard Olympic barbell and weight plates. The Bowflex weights are easy to use, too. Dials on either end of each dumbbell are labelled with the 15 weight options – we tested the UK version, so these were 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23 and 24kg.