Intro
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells are shipped as a pair and serve as a much cheaper means for working out than purchasing a traditional home gym.

The SelectTech 552 Dumbbells replace 15 different sets of weights (from 5 – 52 lbs), all with just two dumbbells.

Just turn the dials to select your preferred weights and start lifting. The method saves tons of space and money, which is why the dumbbells are so popular.

After buying my set and trying them for months, we have a lot to talk about in the full Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells review below…


Compare

Wondering if the Bowflex SelectTech 552s are your best bet? Compare them to similar home gyms at the pages below:

Here are some other great home gyms you might be interested in:


Video
Video Overview of the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

Properties

Model Bowflex SelectTech 552
Rating

Our custom rating considers all of the Home Gym's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!

 80.7/100 Rating
Rating: 80.7%
List Price

Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.

 $349
Best Price

Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.

 $598 w/ Bench
Type

There are a few different types of Home Gyms. There are weight stack, power rod and body weight.

Free Weights
Max. Weight

Home Gym Max Weight is the maximum amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that can be lifted on the machine.

 52.5 lbs x 2
Exercises

Home Gym exercises is the number of exercises you can do on the machine.

 30+
Visit Site

After carefully evaluating each online retailer that offers this Home Gym, this is the website we recommend purchasing from.
Seat

The seat on a Home Gym can be adjustable, padded, or detached.

 Bench (Adjustable)
User Weight

Home Gym User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.

 300 lbs
Dimensions

Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this Home Gym will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).

 Dumbbells:
15.75" x 8" x 9" (Each)

Bench:
56" x 26" x 20"
Workout Area

Home Gym Workout Area is the amount of space needed to use the Home Gym (Length x Width)

 N/A
Legs

This field lets you know if this Home Gym has the option to do leg workouts or not.
Abs

This field lets you know if this Home Gym has abdominal workouts or not.
Curls

This field lets you know if this Home Gym has the option to do arm curls or not.
Pulldown

This field lets you know if this Home Gym has the option to do pulldown workouts or not.
Rows

This field lets you know if this Home Gym has the option to do rows or not.
Accessories

Many Home Gyms have optional accessories you can purchase separately.

 - SelectTech Bench
- SelectTech Stand
- Workout Mat
Warranty

The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.

 2 Years
Best Deal

We do not sell Home Gyms; we are a free Home Gym Reviews service. This link goes to our top-rated retailer for the Bowflex SelectTech 552

Full Review

Quick Summary
Rating: 80.7/100. This review includes the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells and Bench to more accurately compare to the other home gyms we’ve reviewed.

This combination of equipment is the most affordable and compact home gym option we’ve found.

Coupon Code:
Bowflex is currently having a sale. Click here to get free shipping.

Pros:
- Affordable, compact way to exercise
- Sturdy feel and solid rubber grip
- Ideal for quick weight training workouts
- Very little workout space required
- Bench supports tons of exercise options
- Quieter than metal dumbbells

Cons:
- Less exercises than some complete home gyms
- Some users report dials need replaced after 1-2 years
- Super hard plastic molding doesn’t last as long as metal

Introduction

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells provide resistance levels from 5 pounds to 52.5 pounds of weight, meaning they replace 30 different dumbbell weights all in 2 pieces.

This makes it easy to start out slow, and gradually adjust workouts in 2.5 pound increments until you achieve your desired strengthening weight.

For most exercises done with proper form, 52 lbs. in each hand is more than enough, which is why I chose to buy the 552′s instead of the SelectTech 1090 set.

Hopefully I’ll be able to move onto those higher weights in the next year or so though! :)

What it Comes With

The dumbbells come with a free Bowflex SelectTech workout DVD for exercises routines you can watch and follow.

The “Secrets of the 4-step Rep” provides you with a great strength building workout and gets you on your way to maintaining your ideal weight.

Over 30 exercises are included with the 552 dumbbells, with over 80 variations to keep you from getting bored.

Note: This review covers the SelectTech Bench so we can compare the set to the other home gyms we’ve rated. If you don’t need the bench, the dumbbells alone are not $598 (the dumbbells are $349 and the bench is $249).

Home Gym Features

The best feature of Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells is that they save so much space, while still providing you with a complete strengthening workout.

Because you are using one set of dumbbells rather than 15 sets you can easily fit the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells in any corner of your house or apartment.

Many accessories are available with the Bowflex SelectTech 552 set, including an ergonomically designed stand making lifting safer and easier on your back.

The adjustable incline/decline workout bench truly makes the Bowflex SelectTech 522 a complete home gym without the traditional price tag of $1,000 – $3,000.

If you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck, I would recommend the 552 Dumbbells ($349) and the Bench ($249), which comes to $598, making this one of the cheapest home gyms available.

My Personal Experience

I’ve been using the SelectTech 552 home gym set for a long time now, and while it took a few workouts to get used to their size and shape, I can’t deny the flexibility of these things!

I was a little skeptical about ordering them since I had heard some people talking about the hard plastic molding and dial system giving them trouble, but I haven’t had any problems and the 2-year warranty would cover the repair or replacement for free if something does happen.

My only problem with replacing the dumbbells I used to use with the SelectTech home gym setup I mentioned above is that I’ve found it to be more difficult to do overhead exercises without worrying about hitting my head.

Sounds funny, I know, but until I got used to the fact that they’re wider than normal dumbbells to accommodate the space for up to 52 pounds, I hit my head a couple times.

Honestly, I got completely used to them after 2-3 workout sessions, and now I can’t see myself switching back to non-adjustable dumbbells.

The grip is fantastic, especially with a good pair of workout gloves, the construction of the metal and hard plastic molding feels sturdy.

I do kind of miss the metal “clang” sound when they touch, but it is nice that they’re quieter this way.

The bench makes me want to sell my full home gym because it gives me all the flexibility in less space.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 includes a 2 year warranty on all parts.

You can also get your money back (less S&H) in the first 6 weeks if you don’t feel they’re worth the investment, by calling  (800) 667-1689.

Conclusion

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells provide a complete workout without extra equipment (not to mention a much more affordable price tag). It’s the ultimate “home gym” for those that cannot afford and/or have space for a home gym.

What separates the Bowflex SelectTech 552 from1090? Read our SelectTech 1090 review…

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