Best Home Gym Gear
552 SelectTech Dumbbells

BowFlex

552 SelectTech Dumbbells

Buy Now · $399.00

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is a pair of dial-adjustable dumbbells that replace roughly 15 sets of fixed weights in one compact, nightstand-sized unit. A molded plastic tray holds unused plates while a dial on the end of the handle selects the working weight – turning the dial and lifting the handle swaps loads in about 2 seconds across 15 settings from 5 lb up to 52.5 lb per dumbbell (2.5 lb increments through 25 lb, 5 lb increments above that). The tray and dial housing are mostly plastic around internal metal plates, which keeps the unit light but means it isn’t designed to be dropped – doing so risks damaging the adjustment mechanism and voids the warranty. An optional dumbbell stand is sold separately. Buyers, especially of a used pair, should confirm current recall status before purchasing: Johnson Health Tech recalled the 52.5 lb SelectTech 552 in June 2025 over weight plates dislodging during use. Within that caveat, it remains a popular first adjustable-dumbbell purchase for beginner and intermediate lifters who want a full weight range without a rack full of fixed pairs – advanced lifters regularly pressing or rowing over 52.5 lb will outgrow it.

Handle molded
Increment 2.5 / 5 lb
Mechanism selector dial
Weight range 5–52.5 lb

What is a Adjustable Dumbbell?

What adjustable dumbbells are

Adjustable dumbbells replace a whole rack of fixed dumbbells with one pair whose weight you change via a dial, pin, or selector plate. They are the space-and-money saver for home gyms: a single set can span roughly 5–50+ lb per hand. The trade-offs are bulkier handles, a fixed max weight, and a mechanism that can wear or rattle.

What to look for

Fast adjustment (dial or lever beats stacking plates), a wide and useful weight range, a balanced feel that doesn’t clunk mid-rep, and a durable locking mechanism. Many sets include or offer a stand — worth it, since the blocks are awkward to load off the floor.

How it compares

552 SelectTech Dumbbells Eisenlink Adjustable Square Dumbell, 5pound Increments Powerblock Pro 90 Commercial Bowflex 1090 SelectTech Dumbbells
GymRadar rating 3.46/5 3.61/5 4.0/5 2.86/5
Price $399.00 $1,649.00 $699.00
Handle molded Knurled metal grip
Increment 2.5 / 5 lb
Mechanism selector dial
Weight range 5–52.5 lb 5-90 lbs (2.2-40.8 kg) per dumbbell 10-90 lb per dumbbell (4.5-40.8 kg)

3.5/5 · 21 GymRadar reviews

Reviews by source

Expert 3.46/5 21 reviews
Reddit 4.0/5 8 reviews
Youtube 4.3/5 2 reviews

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 remains the default recommendation for space-constrained lifters who want a full dumbbell rack’s range in one nightstand-sized footprint, and its dial mechanism backs that up – testers report hundreds of clean weight changes with no misfires, and one four-year owner reports zero mechanical failures despite frequent, often rough use. Functionality is the standout dimension: a roughly 2-second dial swap across 15 settings from 5 to 52.5 lb beats anything else at this price. Durability is the weakest and most consequential dimension – Johnson Health Tech recalled the 52.5 lb version in June 2025 over weight plates dislodging during use, and the mostly-plastic housing is explicitly not rated for dropped or dynamic/explosive reps. Buyers, especially of used units, should confirm current recall status before purchasing and treat these as controlled-movement dumbbells rather than CrossFit-style tools.

  • +Functionality: 2-second dial changes engaged the right plates every time across hundreds of adjustments in testing, with no misfires (YouTube: Straight Review)
  • +Versatility: 5-52.5 lb range across 15 settings covers everything from rehab-level isolation work to intermediate presses and rows in one compact unit (Garage Gym Reviews)
  • +Value: replacing roughly 15 pairs of fixed dumbbells for $350-$430 undercuts an equivalent fixed dumbbell set's $500-$900+ (YouTube: Straight Review)
  • +Durability: one owner reports 4 years of near-daily use, including some rough handling, with no mechanical failures (YouTube: Guide Nation)
  • +Functionality: footprint on the optional stand stays roughly nightstand-sized regardless of which weight is selected (Garage Gym Reviews)
  • Durability: Johnson Health Tech recalled the 52.5 lb SelectTech 552 in June 2025 over weight plates dislodging during use -- check current recall status before buying, especially a used unit (FitnessVolt)
  • Build quality: the tray and dial housing are mostly plastic around metal plates, feeling less premium than metal-frame rivals, and the plates rattle under dynamic or explosive movements (YouTube: Straight Review)
  • Versatility: the 52.5 lb per-hand ceiling is too light for advanced lifters progressing past intermediate loads (Garage Gym Reviews; Garage Gym Lab)
  • Functionality: at nearly 17" long, the handle is noticeably longer than a fixed dumbbell, making close-grip work and some shoulder exercises awkward (YouTube: Straight Review)
  • Durability: dropping the weights risks damaging the adjustment mechanism and voids the warranty (YouTube: Straight Review; Bowflex product page)

$399.00

Buy Now

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