The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells were without a doubt, the first product that I wanted to review on JohnnyFit.com.
These are the dumbbells that literally changed my life! When I realized that I was getting some unwanted belly fat and made a decision to do something about it, the Bowflex Select Tech 552 is what I ordered.
To this day, I often say that these dumbbells are the single best investment I’ve ever made towards my health and fitness!
The very best feature of these weights is that they take up very little space in your home or apartment. The innovative design combines 15 sets of weights into one using a unique dial system. With just the turn of a dial, you can automatically change the weight or resistance on each dumbbell from 5 pounds all the way up to 52.5 pounds of weight.
So what would normally take up a whole wall of space literally only takes up about 2 square feet of space in the corner (or middle of the room if that’s how you decorate)!
I use these weights more than anything else I have in my arsenal of fitness products. I’m able to get a full body workout with these things or just focus on specific areas.
Bowflex makes a 90-pound version if you’re a bigger guy and need some serious weight. They do seem pricey, but pound for pound, you would spend just has much if you were to buy a whole set of dumbbells! Bowflex used to make a smaller version that only went to 20 pounds but those are hard to find these days. I picked up a pair of the 20-pound version at an estate sale and they get a lot of use too. The 20-pound version is particularly suited for females, young adults, or men just getting into a fitness routine.
Cons: If there is a downside to this product, I would say that: 1. the upfront cost, and 2. the ends are bulkier than typical dumbbells. The bulkiness is something that you can easily become accustomed to and the cost…well, you can’t be a carpenter without a hammer and it’s difficult to get a well-defined body without the proper tools!
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
Here’s a list of exercises that Bowflex has provided, but there’s no limit to the amount of exercises you can use these for.
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
I love the Bowflex SelectTech 552 and eagerly endorse them. As I said earlier:
Let's hear what you have to say about this!