Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells Review

What the Bowflex SelectTech 552 actually is

Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 pounds, replacing 15 separate sets. You twist a dial at each end, lift the handle out of the cradle, and the plates you don't need stay behind. The whole system lives in a footprint smaller than a doormat.

The increments are the smart part. From 5 to 25 pounds it moves in 2.5-pound steps, which matters more than it sounds. Small jumps let you actually progress on isolation moves like lateral raises and curls instead of leaping from 'too easy' to 'no chance.'

How they perform day to day

The dial mechanism is the thing people obsess over, and the consensus is clear: it works, and it's fast. Changing weight between sets takes a couple of seconds, which keeps supersets and drop sets honest. Owners consistently report years of reliable use, which is the real test for a moving part you'll cycle thousands of times.

The catch is the shape. These are physically long, especially at the heavier settings, and they feel bulkier in the hand than a fixed dumbbell of the same weight. For pressing and curls that's a non-issue. For movements where the dumbbells get close to your body, like certain rows or deep lunges, the length can feel awkward. You also need to seat them fully in the base before adjusting, or the dial won't engage cleanly.

One rule everyone learns fast: don't drop them. The plate-locking design means these aren't built to be slammed on the floor like cast iron. Treat them gently and they last. Abuse them and you'll hear about it.

The good and the annoying

On the plus side: the space savings are real, the 52.5-pound ceiling covers most home lifters for years, the small increments support genuine progression, and the build reputation is strong. The included stand (sold separately or bundled depending on the listing) saves your back from floor pickups.

The downsides are honest ones. They're long and a little unwieldy. The dials and outer shells are plastic, so they don't feel like premium gym hardware. And the top weight tops out at 52.5 pounds per hand, which serious lifters will outgrow on rows, presses, and goblet squats. The 552 is the lighter model in the line; the 1090 goes to 90 pounds for a lot more money.

Who should buy it, who should skip it

Buy these if you're building a home gym in tight space and you want one purchase to cover a wide range. They're ideal for general strength, hypertrophy work, and anyone doing dumbbell-focused programs at home. The increment range makes them especially good for beginners and intermediate lifters who actually need to progress in small steps.

Skip them if you're strong enough to need more than 52.5 pounds per hand on big lifts, in which case look at the 1090 or a fixed set. Skip them if you train somewhere you might drop weights. And if you only want one or two specific weights, plain fixed dumbbells are cheaper and tougher.

The verdict

The SelectTech 552 earned its reputation. For most home lifters, it's the smartest way to get a full dumbbell range without surrendering a room to a rack. At roughly $300 to $430, it's not cheap, but the per-pound math beats buying 15 sets, and the long-term reliability holds up. Just know what you're getting: convenience and space savings, not the dead-simple toughness of cast iron.

Frequently asked questions

What weight range do the Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells cover?

Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 pounds, replacing 15 sets. It moves in 2.5-pound increments up to 25 pounds, then in 5-pound jumps after that.

Can you drop the SelectTech 552 dumbbells?

No. The plate-locking design isn't built for impact. Dropping them risks damaging the mechanism, so set them down on the floor or in the stand rather than dropping them mid-set.

Should I get the 552 or the 1090?

Get the 552 if you don't need more than 52.5 pounds per hand, which covers most home lifters for years. Choose the pricier 1090, which reaches 90 pounds, only if you're already strong enough to outgrow the 552 on big lifts.