{"id":91002,"date":"2025-10-22T12:23:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T12:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/91002\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T12:23:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T12:23:12","slug":"bowflex-results-series-selecttech-552-review-using-them-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/91002\/","title":{"rendered":"BowFlex Results Series SelectTech 552 Review: Using Them at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

DUMBBELLS<\/a> ARE THE undisputed S-tier of workout equipment<\/a>. There isn\u2019t a muscle you can\u2019t hit with them, and when you slow your tempo, even light weight can push serious gains<\/a>. If you only had space or budget for one tool, adjustable dumbbells<\/a> should be it. They\u2019ve become a home-gym staple for good reason: They save space, stretch your dollar, and cover every lift that matters.<\/p>\n

BowFlex\u2019s SelectTech 552s have been one of the most popular choices in a crowded category for years. The price hooks buyers; the performance is supposed to keep them. I wanted to see if that reputation holds up.<\/p>\n

\"Results<\/a>\"ImageFeatures at a GlanceWeight Range5 to 52.5 lbsDimensions9\u201dH x 8.3\u201dW x 16.9\u201d LAdjustment MechanismDial systemWeight DistributionTraditionalWarranty2-year parts warranty<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s Health named the previous edition of the SelectTech 552s<\/a> as the Best Value Dumbbells, and BowFlex sent me a pair (free of charge) of its upgraded Results Series SelectTech 552s to test. As a longtime fitness journalist, certified personal trainer, and home gym owner, I put them through a dumbbell-only routine to see exactly how they perform.<\/p>\n

Assembly<\/p>\n

Each dumbbell arrives in its own box, but setup is painless. There\u2019s no assembly\u2014just unclip the fabric strap securing the base, and you\u2019re ready to train in under a minute.<\/p>\n

Design and Features<\/p>\n

In June 2025, BowFlex recalled<\/a> its SelectTech 552 and 1090 models after more than 300 reports of plates dislodging. The company, owned by Johnson Health Tech Trading, has since released this new version, the “Results Series.” This updated dumbbell is nearly identical to the original SelectTech design, with the changes being mostly in the materials used to solve for the recall issue\u2014the new ones come in an all-black finish and a slightly lower price point. Here\u2019s what you get with the 552s:<\/p>\n

Dial Adjustment System: Each dumbbell has a dial on both ends that you twist to select the weight.Weight Range: 5 to 52.5 pounds, replacing 15 pairs of dumbbells. They adjust in 2.5-pound increments from 5 to 25 pounds, then in 5-pound increments up to 50 pounds, with one final 2.5-pound jump to 52.5.Build: A mix of plastic, rubber, and metal. The handle is steel with a textured rubber grip, and the plates are rubber-coated metal to help reduce noise.Base System: Each dumbbell rests in a molded tray with individual slots for every plate.\"bowflex1\"<\/p>\n

JASON SPEAKMAN<\/p>\n

SHOP THE BOWFLEX SELECTTECH 552 DUMBBELLS<\/a><\/p>\n

What It’s Like Using the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells<\/p>\n

For testing, I used the SelectTech 552s for over two weeks, following an upper\/lower workout split<\/a> with about 15 exercises targeting all the major muscle groups. Since I train in my apartment loft, I didn\u2019t consistently perform dynamic lifts like snatches<\/a> or clean-and-jerks or drop them since these dumbbells have non-metal components (frame, dials) that make them less durable than solid steel. <\/p>\n

Adjusting the Dumbbells<\/p>\n

Brands love to hype adjustment speed, but every set of adjustable dumbbells I\u2019ve tried clicks into place in three to 10 seconds. None have been fast enough or slow enough to change my opinion on whether or not they\u2019re worth buying. With the BowFlex 552s, you spin a dial on both ends. They\u2019re speedy, with the one drawback being you\u2019ll end up with lopsided weights if you mismatch the dials. (A mistake you can quickly correct.) <\/p>\n

\"bowflex3\"<\/p>\n

JASON SPEAKMAN<\/p>\n

Getting the dumbbells in and out of the bases can be a little clumsy. Each plate has its own slot, and because the plates don\u2019t always slide perfectly in sync, you sometimes have to pause and wiggle them into place. This isn\u2019t a dealbreaker, but when your heart rate\u2019s pounding after a brutal set and you\u2019re trying to rack the weights smoothly, say, to perform a superset<\/a>, it can be an annoying hiccup.<\/p>\n

SHOP THE BOWFLEX SELECTTECH 552 DUMBBELLS<\/a><\/p>\n

Training With the Dumbbells<\/p>\n

A common criticism of the 552s is that they\u2019re bulkier than standard dumbbells. That\u2019s only partly true. The total length and handle length are in line with many commercial dumbbells. Where you notice the difference is at lighter weights: Traditional dumbbells shrink as the weight drops, while the SelectTechs stay the same length whether you\u2019re lifting five pounds or 52.5. At first, it feels a little awkward\u2014more handle length than you “need”\u2014but you adjust. <\/p>\n

In practice, they are user-friendly for most lifts, requiring only minor tweaks. For dumbbell chest presses<\/a>, I had to flare my elbows a bit wider to clear my torso. During hammer curls<\/a>, the heads tapped my shoulders and shortened my range of motion. I widened my pull path on prone rows<\/a> so the dumbbells didn\u2019t bang into my weight bench<\/a>. No movement was undoable. The 552s felt like dumbbells I\u2019d use in a gym, just slightly larger. <\/p>\n

\"bowflex2\"<\/p>\n

JASON SPEAKMAN<\/p>\n

Given the recent recall, I was nervous about plates slipping mid-set. They never did. The small gaps between plates are by design so they can slot into the base, and while that causes a bit of rattle, the weights still feel secure. I even tried a few dumbbell snatches to test how they handled quick movements. The plates made some noise, but they never shifted in a way that felt unsafe.<\/p>\n

My main gripe is how they feel balanced on your knees before pressing. The dials sit right on top of each end, and when you rest the dumbbells on your knees to kick them up, they dig in uncomfortably. It\u2019s tolerable with the 552s, but I can only imagine how much worse it feels with the heavier 90-pound SelectTech 1090s<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SHOP THE BOWFLEX SELECTTECH 552 DUMBBELLS<\/a><\/p>\n

The Handles<\/p>\n

I measured the handle length at a little under five-inches, which, in some cases, is a full inch shorter than the non-adjustable dumbbells you\u2019re used to lifting, but I didn\u2019t notice. Bigger lifters might max out the grip space, but most won\u2019t. I usually prefer a straight, knurled steel handle, but BowFlex went with smooth steel wrapped in rubber. It\u2019s comfortable enough, though once you start sweating, it can get slippery compared to the grip of gym dumbbells.<\/p>\n

Weight Increments<\/p>\n

My favorite feature about these dumbbells is that they adjust in 2.5-pound increments (from five to 25 pounds). I gravitate towards a lot of bodybuilding-style isolation lifts\u2014skull crushers, incline dumbbell curls, seated lateral raises\u2014and it\u2019s not always feasible to progress these movements by five pounds. Five pounds is a lot when it comes to lateral raises, for example, so having the option to increase or decrease the by half that much weight cost or saved me two to three reps. <\/p>\n

SHOP THE BOWFLEX SELECTTECH 552 DUMBBELLS<\/a><\/p>\n

The Verdict<\/p>\n

The new Results Series design is a solid improvement from the previous SelectTech models, both in aesthetic and materials. And somehow BowFlex has managed to keep the cost the same as the previous edition. Unless you\u2019re a strength athlete who needs more than 52.5 pounds, I\u2019d buy these dumbbells\u2014especially for the price. (Again, BowFlex sent me these Results Series SelectTech 552s for free.) <\/p>\n

Yes, you might miss a knurled handle; they feel clunkier than gym dumbbells, and the plates can rattle. But at $400 for the equivalent of 15 pairs of dumbbells, you\u2019re paying about $26 a set. Take care of them\u2014don\u2019t drop them\u2014and resilience shouldn\u2019t be an issue. Plus, you\u2019re covered by a two-year warranty.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re not perfect, but they get the job done. And when it comes to dumbbells for your home gym, what more do you really need?<\/p>\n

\"Results<\/a>\"ImageFeatures at a GlanceWeight Range5 to 52.5 lbsDimensions9\u201dH x 8.3\u201dW x 16.9\u201d LAdjustment MechanismDial systemWeight DistributionTraditionalWarranty2-year parts warrantyMore of Our Favorite Home Gym Equipment<\/p>\n

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Shop All the Men’s Health Training Guides\"Chevron\"Chevron\"Muscle<\/a>Men’s Health Muscle After 40 At Home\"28-Day<\/a>Men’s Health 28-Day Belly Fat Burner Workout\"Weight<\/a>Men’s Health Weight Loss After 40\"No<\/a>Men’s Health No Gym Required: Kettlebells\"6-Week<\/a>Men’s Health 6-Week Lean Muscle Level-up\"90-Day<\/a>Men’s Health 90-Day Transformation Challenge: Abs\"Unstoppable<\/a>Men’s Health Unstoppable After 40\"The<\/a>Men’s Health The Lose Your Gut Guide\"Lettermark\"<\/p>\n

Andrew Gutman, NASM-CPT is a journalist with a decade of experience covering fitness and nutrition. His work has been published in Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Muscle & Fitness, and Gear Patrol. Outside of writing, Andrew trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, helps coach his gym’s kickboxing team, and enjoys reading and cooking.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men\u2019s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he\u2019s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"DUMBBELLS ARE THE undisputed S-tier of workout equipment. There isn\u2019t a muscle you can\u2019t hit with them, and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":91003,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[61463,61464,61465,61466,589,163,61469,85,46,61468,61467],"class_list":{"0":"post-91002","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fitness","8":"tag-adjustable-dumbbells","9":"tag-best-dumbbells","10":"tag-bowflex","11":"tag-bowflex-dumbbells","12":"tag-fitness","13":"tag-health","14":"tag-home-gym-equipment","15":"tag-il","16":"tag-israel","17":"tag-results-series","18":"tag-selecttech-552"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91002"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91002\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}