Big Gains, Small Space: BowFlex SelectTech 552 Dumbbell Review

When it comes to home gyms, floor space is a precious commodity. The BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells happen to be somewhat of a Swiss Army knife for strength training.

With their cool look, dial-a-weight system, and promise to replace 15 sets of dumbbells, they had my attention. I mean, I happen to have the room, but I don’t want to burn up valuable gym space if I don’t need to. I’m a big fan of efficiency, and these seem to lend themselves to that exact situation.

Could they live up to the hype of replacing a full wall of dumbbells? I rolled up my sleeves and got to lifting.

In short: The BowFlex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells do pretty much everything I need them to in a sleek, compact package. Aside from a very minor drawback, I couldn’t be happier with this addition to my home gym.

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The Details

At first glance, the BowFlex SelectTech 552 dumbbells really do look like something out of a futuristic space station training facility. Each dumbbell sits in a molded tray with a black-and-red finish that just happens to match all the other gear in my gym.

At nearly 17 inches long and weighing up to 52.5 pounds each, they’re a bit bulkier than your traditional iron dumbbell — but that’s the tradeoff for their versatility.

The star feature is the dial-a-weight system. Located on each end of the dumbbell, the dials let you quickly and seamlessly adjust the weight in increments from 5 pounds up to 52.5 pounds.

The dials click into place, locking the selected weight while leaving the rest of the plates in the tray. If the 52.5 pounds aren’t quite enough for you, the SelectTech 1090s offer individual dumbbell weights up to 90 pounds.

The weight plates themselves are coated with plastic molding, which reduces noise and keeps your workout quiet — a boon for shared spaces. The handle feels sturdy and grippy, ensuring your sweaty palms won’t turn your bicep curls into unintended projectile practice.

If you’re used to traditional dumbbells, the elongated design might take a little getting used to, but it’s a small tradeoff for the functionality packed into these adjustable beasts.

Testing the BowFlex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

First Impressions

The first thing you’ll learn quickly if this is a product you order online and have delivered to you is this: 52.5 pounds in a small package is a tough package to move. I’m used to hauling 50-pound feed bags around, but with the weight concentrated, it’s not easy to move that slick little box around — my continued condolences to our delivery driver.

Initially, I wasn’t super stoked about the plastic bases, and more so, I was concerned about the amount of plastic overall. I’m not a huge fan of plastic in the gym. To me, plastic usually means cheap and temporary. Those concerns were fairly short-lived.

The bases seem more than capable of supporting the weight of the dumbbells, and the weights themselves seem like “high-quality” plastic. You know what I mean? Not all plastic is equal, and the molding around these weights feels top-notch.

Sizable Adjustment Period

It took me a bit of time to adjust to the overall size of the weights. For lighter-weight exercises like flies, lifting a 15-20-pound dumbbell typically means a compact weight. No matter what the weight setting is on the SelectTech, you’re swinging a 17-inch dumbbell. It’s not a huge deal, but there is an adjustment period.

It Might Be Love

So, what certainly wasn’t “love at first sight” developed into an epic love story between my SelectTech Dumbbells and me. I use them more than just about any other piece of equipment in my gym, other than maybe my squat rack.

One of the biggest perks I’ve found after using them daily for several months now is that the build of them makes them easier to use than traditional dumbbells for certain workouts. For moves like goblet squats or overhead tricep extensions, they have such a wide plate base that you get substantially more real estate for your hands to get a solid grip on one end of the dumbbell. I think that has actually helped me increase my squat weight, just from the stability of my plate grip alone.

Who Should Consider the SelectTech Dumbbells?

The BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells are ideal for anyone serious about getting strong without a gym membership. They’re perfect for small-space dwellers, fitness newbies, and anyone who loves the convenience of quickly switching between weights.

If you’re a work-from-home employee who needs to get some serious fitness in, these little guys take up almost no space and offer a wide range of workout options.

Where They Fall Short

Too Big for Some Workouts

This will vary for each person, depending on their build and workout style. For me, workouts like preacher curls, specifically preacher hammer curls, are pretty tough to do with the SelectTech dumbbells.

I just can’t quite get the extension with the additional length (the dumbbell would hit the bench before my elbow was fully extended). This isn’t a deal-breaker, but it’s certainly something to keep in mind, particularly if you’re smaller-statured.

Our fitness editor had a different issue with the size of the BowFlex SelectTech system. The inner plates are large in diameter compared to standard dumbbells. This limited the range of motion at the wrist as his forearm would hit one of these plates, specifically when putting the dumbbells down to the floor after a set of flat chest presses.

Not Throwable

This is a bit of a reach, but for those who like to toss weights around, these are not for you. I know that’s probably not a big issue for most people in their home gym, but keep it in mind. If you’re a weight dropper, stick with traditional dumbbells. These are for controlled lifts and controlled returns to the ground.

Final Thoughts

After weeks of sweat sessions, I’m sold. The BowFlex SelectTech 552s deliver on their promise of convenience and functionality while saving you space and — over time — money. They’re not perfect (what is?), but they’re about as close as you can get to the ultimate home gym dumbbell solution.

My only regret is not considering the  1090s since I’m about maxed out when it comes to moves like goblet squats. I may just need to add them at some point, which, fortunately, won’t take up much more space.

Another thing I’ll likely add is the BowFlex SelectTech Dumbbell Stand. I don’t mind having them on the gym floor, but I would prefer to have them elevated, so that’s just one more thing to toss in my cart.

Finally, the SelectTech dumbbells are durable. Our fitness editor has had a set since they came out in 2007. They weathered 7 years on a covered concrete slab at a ranch and are still in use in a metal building. They have withstood brutal humidity, over 15 years of chalk dust from the nearby climbing walls, heinous dust storms, and extreme temperatures. One of his inner plates had an “ear” that engages with the handle wear down, but it was easily replaced.

In the end, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned lifter looking to shake things up, these bad boys deserve a spot in your rotation.