Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair)
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List Price: Our Price: $314.99 You Save: $234.01 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $300.00 (click here) Category: Sports See more product details |
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Description of Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair)
Dial up results! The power of 30 standard dumbbells is in these redesigned SelectTech Dumbbells by Bowflex. Each dumbbell adjusts from 5 to 52.5 lbs., allowing you to build strength, loose weight and feel great! Compact and durable.If you want to get a good strength workout at home, but don't have much space, the Bowflex 552 SelectTech Dumbbells are an ideal solution. Newly designed, the innovative pair of 552 SelectTech Dumbbells combines 15 sets of weights into one using a unique dial system. It's one of the most space-efficient and flexible strength-training options available with its unique and effective design. With just the turn of a dial, you can automatically change your resistance on each dumbbell from 5 pounds all the way up to 52.5 pounds of weight. It adjusts in 2.5-pound increments (up to 25 pounds), enabling you to gradually increase your strength without bulking up.
Specifications:
- Weight Range: 5 to 52.5 lbs (2.27 to 23.8 kg) for each dumbbell
- Exercises Available: 30+
- Weight Settings: 15
- Weight Settings in pounds: 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 52.5 pounds
- Dumbbell Dimensions (Each): 15.75 inches long by 8 inches wide by 9 inches tall
- Weight (Each): 52.5 pounds / 23.8 kg
 Change the dumbbell's weight with just the turn of a dial. | |
 The SelectTech 552 dumbbells adjust from 5 pounds all the way up to 52.5 pounds of weight. |
Leg Exercises:
- Wide squats
- Calf raises
- Stationary lunges
- Stiff-leg dead lift
- Reverse lunge
- Side lunge
Back Exercises:
- Alternating rows
- Wide row
- Dead lift
Chest Exercises:
- Flat chest press
- Incline chest press
- Flat fly
- Incline fly
- Decline chest press
Abdominal Exercises:
- Ab crunch
- Reverse crunch
- Lying trunk rotation
- Twisting side crunch
- Lying leg raise
Arm Exercises:
- Standing curls
- Concentration curls
- Incline bench curls
- Scott curls
- Overhead triceps extension
- Triceps kickback
- Lying triceps extension
- Hammer curls
Shoulder Exercises:
- Standing shoulder press
- Lateral raise
- Seated overhead press
- Front raise
- Rear delt row
- Shrugs
Manufacturer's Warranty
Two-year limited warranty on all parts; five-year warranty on weight plates; one-year warranty on labor
Sports reviews of Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair)
Customer Review: Bowflex - the best choice! (long but thorough review)
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I'm a 48-yr old guy of average fitness, average strength, and average physique. I started lifting weights to...don't laugh...improve my golf game. I love a bargain, but I love a great value even more, and I'll pay for the most expensive choice if it's worth it. When I decided to get some adjustable dumbbells, I started digging into the details. See below for the brands I considered and the pros and cons in my opinion. I only reviewed the ones I was able to try with my own hands (mainly a used or new sporting goods store or friends' places). Bottom line: the SelectTech 'bells provide the most bang for the buck and are the best choice by a wide margin! [note after editing - my columns disappeared but you will get the idea]
Brand PROS CONS
Cap Barbell 40-Pound - Dirt cheap! - Take a long time to adjust
- Lift like traditional 'bells - Cheap chrome finish
- Indestructible - drop 'em! - Useless cheap case
- Add-on plates easy to find
Bottom line: I once owned some similar to this, and hardly ever used them except for at a single weight, because they were such a pain to adjust. If it's all you can afford, not bad for $40.
PowerBlock Personal Trainer - Nice range of weights - Pricey, weird shape and form
- Solid construction - HUGE, very tricky adjustment
- What is that idiotic color coding?
Bottom line: Tough, well made, and feel good in your hands. Not droppable but solid. I can't get past the blocky, bulky form factor of these 'bells however. They hit me in the chin on curls, rows are impossible, they touch your wrists sometimes, and don't even think about anything behind your head! The adjustments are difficult and just plain won't work unless the unit is level on a solid surface (not carpet!). A no go.
Ironmaster 75 lb Quick Lock - The most weight - Big bucks
- The most solidly built - Hard to adjust, pins precarious!
- Good size, feel right - Lose the square corners!
Bottom line: By far the most solid and traditional feeling of the adjustable 'bells; I dropped them several times and they didn't break, but the pins fell out when I did! Very expensive, but the only way to get to 100+lbs in each hand (with add on kit) in this segment. The stand is adequate. The corners are annoying and got in the way sometimes. Among the most difficult to adjust. If they were round, and had easy to adjust, secure pins, they would be a winner. But they don't. Fail.
Bowflex SelectTech - BY FAR easiest to adjust - Pricey
- Solid (= to powerblocks) - Seem a bit looser than others
- Excellent size and form
- 2.5-lb increments up to 25 lbs are superb
Bottom line: The smoothest, fastest to adjust, nicest feeeling of all. The grip is just the right firmness and size, the plates aren't bulky, and while they feel a bit rattl-ey, they aren't! Actually these had the most secure adjustments except the star-locks on the Cap Bells (which take so long they defeat the purpose). These also benefit from an elegant level of finish, like a Lexus among Kias. And while they aren't cheap, they are #3 on the price list of my review (out of 6). The clear winner!
Lifesmart 5- to 55-Pound - Inexpensive - Junk construction!
- Unique (?) - Difficult to adjust
Bottom line: A weird set...the handle holds the plates from the outside, making the whole 'bell unbalanced unless hanging down in your hand. So cheaply made they feel like toys. Pesky pins to adjust; this seems to be a bad solution in general! I mention them only to advise you to avoid! Terrible product.
Proform Pro Quick 100-Pound - Fair price - Worthless stand
- Good dumbbell feel - Feel cheap
Bottom line: These use an adjustment mechanism similar to the Bowflex 'bells: dials at the ends. The increments are wider, though, and I could feel how the cheap plastic bits on the insides were near breaking (I was trying a used set). Nothing like the Bowlex's solid clunk of metal parts on the inside. Don't be swayed by the included stand, it's crap and won't last 3 months. Definitely not a good value.
Others: I stopped after 6. There seem to be several products similar to the Proforms, maybe even exactly the same manufacturer! I could tell at a glance that they're all equally cheap. If money is a big limiting factor, I suggest you go with the Cap Bells until you can afford the good stuff.
If you read this far, thanks, and enjoy whichever one you buy!
Customer Review: A versatile weight set that takes up little room
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I have owned the Bowflex SelectTech 552's for 8 months now and I must say you get what you pay for. I have been using these weights in conjunction with the power 90 routine daily. It really is as simple as placing the weight in the holder, turning the knob to the weight you desire, then lifting the weight back up and you are ready to go. Over the past 8 months these weights have been banged around, one was dropped from about 1.5 feet up, and used in all of my exercise routines. After all the use and occasional punishment, I can tell you these weights don't even have a scuff mark on them: no chips, cracks, bends, rust (the stay in a humid environment)or signs of visible wear and tear. The grips also remain just as effective as the day I got them.
Sure the price may set you off a bit, but take into consideration these weights total anything from 5 lbs all the way up to 52.5 lbs. they easily store in most locations and take up very little room if you work out at home and do not have much space to work with. If I had the opportunity to sell them back at a full refund I would not, I simply do not see any other product or products that will provide me with the same benefit while saving so much time and space, and being just as durable in the long run.
If I had to name any cons, they would be the length of the bar itself and the tabs on the disks as I will explain. When tucked away as stated before these weights store very nicely, however, when you are using them the actual bar for the weights can potentially interfere with a few exercises that require close movements between your two hands due to the bars length. A good example of this are forearm blasts, where you must put your wrists over your knees from a seated position, and then slowly raise and lower the weights. Due to the length of the dumbbell (longer than normal because it must be able to take all the disks), the weights will clip one another and prevents me from using them for this exercise, as i can not keep my arms parallel. Besides this particular exercise, I have yet to run into this problem elsewhere.
The only other "problem" with these weights is they use metal tabs to keep the disks locked in when in active use, these tabs do a good job, but when the weights are in motion, the do wobble ever so slightly. the first time you use them this may lead you to think the weights are not locked in properly, or your product is broken. I assure you this is not the case, as I have never had a disk fall off, or become loose, even when the weights were in active motion. There is also a safety feature for the weights so that when you go to adjust the weight, if you did not lock them properly in place, the weights will not leave the stand until you lock them in. While the weights are being used, the dial to adjust the weights becomes locked so that you cannot accidentally turn it and cause the weights to fall as well.
Overall I recommend this product to anyone looking for the large variety of weights while taking up little space. the durability is top notch and the product delivers just like you think it should. I would recommend AGAINST buying the stand for these weights as it seems too expensive for a simple stand. For my weights I simply made a stand out of basic heavy duty wood and screws, serves the same purpose, and cost me about $10 total.
Customer Review: New version good results.
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I am a Physical Therapist with my own clinic inside my health club. I have the 552 set for use with physical therapy and personal training only due to risk of ruining them if they are dropped. The new design (2009)is comfortable on the hands, has a metal locking mechanism instead of the previous plastic, and is dramatically smaller than the 1090 set I have at my house. I have looked at all sorts of adjustable weight sets both commercial and home versions and this is the brand I have purchased. I think for those who need a higher weight amount (above 90#) that Ironmaster would be the way to go. I have not been impressed with powerblock due to the small locking pin and the wrist constraints of grabbing inside the weight.
The difference between the 552 and the 1090 sets other than the weight and size is the handle. The 552 sets has a very comfortable rubber grip handle that will leave an impression in your hand at the heavier weights but is one of the most comfortable handles I have ever seen on free weights. The 1090 set on the other hand has a very uncomfortably textured handle that needs gloves, lifting straps, or handlebar wrap when lifting above 40#. In fact, this is the most uncomfortable handle I have found standard in free weights.
One particular feature with these weights is that you can make even smaller incremental changes than is stated in the item description. If you adjust the two sides at different weights you will have a weight halfway between them. For example, if you have one side set at 5# and the other at 7.5# the effective weight is 6.25# although heavier on the side of the 7.5#. This can be useful for finding the optimal weight or for increasing wrist strength. I will use 5# on one side and 30# on the other when focusing on rotating the hand or trying to strengthen specific muscles for therapy.
These weights are sturdy enough to do pushups with or crawling pushups so long as you set them down somewhat softly. I weigh around 190# and can do this without problem.
So what are the downsides. They have been mentioned in almost every review. This is one of the biggest 5# weights you will find. The weights do rattle a little but are very sturdy in lifts. You cannot drop them. They are somewhat spendy although right now you can find them in the Nautilus version (same company different brand name and color) at a big warehouse resaler for $400 with the stand in January.
The stand is pretty good and does help reduce strain on your back and knees. It is recommended.
If you are looking for a bench with these weights I do not recommend the Bowflex benches. The foam is soft as is the naugahyde which indicates that it will wear out faster than firmer versions. If you are looking for a bench that will not break the bank the Hoist fitness flat to incline bench, the Body Solid Folding Multi-FID Weight Bench GFID225, or the Ironmaster bench are good options. The Ironmaster and body solid benches offer more attachments and cost more but provide more function whereas the Hoist bench is just a solid commercial bench for an awesome price. All of these can be purchased on Amazon as of today's date.
Customer Review: Can't complain, even if I tried.
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
The BowFlex SelectTech Dumbbells are just about the sexiest piece of gym equipment I've ever owned.
I'm currently in Phase 3 of my P90X workouts and the only regret I have is not having purchased these sooner! They are FUN to use! Everything from switching the weight dials, pulling them out of the base, the feel of the grip and sliding them back into the base is enjoyable. Even the rattle of the weights works with your momentum when lifting. (that is not to say the weights are loud in any way)
A few things I noticed.
BowFlex did a great job selecting which weight plates are added and removed for every setting! In other words, the dumbbells look great with any weight setting because they are distributed and spread out accordingly. I think they look pretty cool even with no added weight plates (5 pound setting)kinda like futuristic hex dumbbells.
The hand grips are hands down the best I've ever felt on any dumbbell period. In fact, they feel better than majority of other handles on unrelated devices, like bicycle handles and hammers.
Although I worried initially from some of the other reviews about the size, mainly the width of these dumbbells, they have not presented any issues whatsoever. Even when I read that you'd have to make slight adjustments to certain movements, I was worried... but now I understand what those adjustments are and they truly are so minor that it doesn't even take conscious thought past the initial perception of it.
The design/colors are truly a thing of beauty. They don't feel like a dirty, rusty, smelly pair of dumbbells like my old hexagon dumbbells. They feel like a sleek, expensive, hi-tech gadget, which for me, really adds that extra motivation while working out. It's a good feeling knowing you have the best gear to support your fitness goals.
As for durability and construction, once again... feels solid. Of course these are not your regular pair of steel/metal dumbbells that you can drop and throw around with little concern. The SelectTechs have intricate moving parts and many different materials beyond just steel, but with proper use and care, I can see them lasting indefinitely. (life-time)
Conclusion:
Visual Design - 5 stars
Functional Design - 5 stars
Durability (w/proper use) - 5 stars
Ease of Use - 5 stars
Satisfaction - 5 stars
If you're looking for a pair of dumbbells that look great, work great, costs less than buying individually, takes up minimal space and inspires you to push your workouts to the next level... get these immediately. You won't regret it!
Customer Review: The best I have owned.
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
This set is absolutely perfect for my need and is the best set I have ever owned. The range, from 5 to 52.5 pounds of perfect and I especially like the 2.5 pound increment change which goes up for the first 25 pounds. The switch system is extremely rapid, a feature which delights me as I absolutely hate jumping through hoops between sets and various drills.
The range of exercises you can accomplish with these things, once you learn precisely what you are doing is very impressive. It meets my home use perfectly and I can then go to the local gym and supplement what I do in my own home. At the gym, I tend to want to accomplish more aerobic than static as I do not have the equipment in my home or apartment to do this. This is particularly important for me in winter when I cannot run or ride my bicycle outside.
I have absolutely no desire to "bulk up" and the small increment increasing system fits my plan perfectly. My space for such equipment is limited and these units are compact and easily stored. They are very attractive so I do not mind leaving them out in plane sight when not in use. This set is portable too, which is a huge advantage for me as I spend part of my time in my home in the country, part of it at my apartment in the city and extended stays with friends all over the country. As I do much of my travel my car, this is no problem.
Now these are a heavier set than I need (being a girl, my objectives are somewhat different than many men) but I did go ahead and purchase the larger set as I do have brothers that stay with me from time to time and the are weight fanatics. This suits their needs also. Of course my workout plan and goals may change with time. I have friends that are trying to get me into the body building thing, and this larger set would be an advantage to have if I decide to go that route.
There are other sets out there and I am sure some very nice ones. The ones I have looked at for my personal use were good, but this particular product just met my needs more than other. As with any equipment we consider buying, each individual needs to do all the research they can, and if possible, try it out before purchase. A good friend of mine had a set of these and she was kind enough to loan them to me for a few days...that sold me. But again, buyers take care, select what meets your needs. I will say that I thought the price of these things and the shipping price was rather attractive.