Name: Bowflex SelectTech 552
Brand: Bowflex

Quick Summary

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 to 52.5 lbs), all with just two dumbbells. Simply turn the dials to select your preferred weights and start lifting.

The method saves so much of space and money, which is why the dumbbells are so popular. This review includes the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells and Bench to more accurately compare the set to the other home gyms we’ve reviewed. That combination of equipment is the most affordable and compact home gym option we’ve found.

After trying a set for a months, there is so much to talk about.

Specifications

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!	86.2%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$399
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.	$399
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+
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: 61.3" L x 28.1" W x 49.5" H
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.	Bench: $199 Stand: $139
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

Pros & Cons

Pros:

An Affordable and compact way to exercise.
A sturdy feel with a 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.
Hard plastic simply doesn’t last as long as metal.

Full Review

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells provide resistance levels from 5 pounds to 52.5 pounds of weight, meaning they replace 30 different dumbbell weights 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, 52.5 lbs. in each hand is more than enough. That’s why I chose to buy the 552’s instead of the SelectTech 1090 set, but hopefully I’ll be able to move onto those higher weights in the next year or so.

What it Comes With

The dumbbells come with a free Bowflex SelectTech workout DVD for exercise routines towatch 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.

Features

The best feature of Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells is that they save so much space, while still providing a complete strengthening workout. Since users focus on one set of dumbbells rather than 15 sets, they can easily fit the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells in any corner of a house or apartment.

Many accessories are available with the Bowflex SelectTech 552 set, including an ergonomically designed stand that makes 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 combination package that includes the 552 dumbbells, 5.1S bench and stand for $899.

One of the most beneficial features of SelectTech 552 is its incredible versatility and compatiblity. With a weight capacity of 600 pounds, it can accommodate just about anybody, and adjustment angles include 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, flat, and a decline of -20°. You can workout your legs, back, chest, abs, shoulders, and arms, and the Bowflex SelectTech iOS/Android training app helps keep programming varied and productive.

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 versatility 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 issue with replacing my old dumbbells with the SelectTech home gym is that I’ve found it to be more difficult to do overhead exercises without 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 52.5 pounds, I hit my head a couple times.

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 miss the satisfying metal “clang” sound when they touch, but it is nice that workouts are quieter this way.

The bench makes me want to sell my full home gym because it gives me all the versatility of a traditional workout bench in dramatically 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.

Conclusion

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells provide a complete workout with minimal equipment and an impressively low price tag. It’s the ultimate “home gym” for those who cannot afford or find the space for a traditional home gym. Definitely give these weights a try. You’ll be surprised by how much can be done with so little. Another win for Bowflex.

To get the best deal, click here for the best price we’ve found + free shipping.

Rating: 86.2/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the size of the handle grips on the Bowflex SelectTech 552?

The handle grips are 4.5″ long and 1.5″ wide

Does the Bowflex SelectTech 552 come as a pair?

Yes

Is there any assembly required before using the Bowflex SelectTech 552?

No, Bowflex SelectTech 552 is shipped fully assembled.

What is the Bowflex SelectTech 552 made of?

Steel and polyurethane

Other Bowflex Home Gyms

Bowflex HVT

Bowflex SelectTech 1090

2 Comments

Dan S April 12, 2019 at 8:15 am from PEI, Canada

I'm looking hard at making Selectech dumbell and bench combo purchase. My only question is comparison between 3.1 & 5.1 bench. Would you recommend one over the other for home use?
- Reply
  Courtney Grafton April 18, 2019 at 10:11 am
  
  Hi Dan, great question. We are happy to hear you are looking to purchase the dumbbell set. In terms of the bench it would be mainly for physical preference. For taller users I would recommend longer benches to avoid discomfort but another factor is weight and storage. If these are determining factors you could still benefit from the smaller bench. I hope this helps give you some direction in your purchase.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Review

Rating: 86.2%