Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells Review: The Amazon Bestseller With 22,000+ Ratings

With over 22,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.7-star rating, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells have earned their reputation as the most popular adjustable dumbbells in the United States. But popularity alone does not make a product worth your money. After extensive research and analysis, we put together this in-depth review to determine whether the SelectTech 552s deserve their bestseller status — or if the hype has outpaced the hardware.

At $429.99 for a pair, these dumbbells promise to replace 15 sets of fixed weights while occupying less than 5 square feet of floor space. That is a compelling pitch for anyone building a home gym in a spare bedroom, garage corner, or apartment living room. But how do they actually hold up during real training sessions? Let us break it down.

Key Specifications

Design and Build Quality

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 uses a dual-dial adjustment system that is genuinely one of the most intuitive mechanisms on the market. Each dumbbell has a selector dial on both ends — twist them to your desired weight, lift the dumbbell from its cradle, and the unused plates stay behind in the tray. The entire process takes roughly 7 seconds from the lightest to the heaviest setting, which is fast enough for supersets and drop sets without killing your momentum.

The weight plates are steel at their core but encased in a plastic molding. This design choice has trade-offs. On the positive side, it keeps noise to a minimum during workouts and protects your floors. On the negative side, the amount of plastic — particularly in the dials, plate housings, and cradle — raises legitimate durability questions. These are not dumbbells you can drop after a heavy set of bench presses. The internal mechanism and plastic shell will not survive repeated impacts, and Bowflex explicitly warns against dropping them.

The ergonomic handle features a rubber-coated grip that stays comfortable even as your hands get sweaty mid-workout. It provides solid traction without being overly tacky. However, the handle length is a notable design limitation. At approximately 16.9 inches, the SelectTech 552 is longer than most traditional dumbbells regardless of the weight selected. The length does not change based on how many plates are loaded — whether you are lifting 5 lbs or 52.5 lbs, the dumbbell is the same physical size. For smaller-framed lifters, this can feel awkward during certain exercises like concentration curls and preacher curls.

The storage trays are well-designed with generous spacing between plate slots, making re-racking smooth and hassle-free. During testing across multiple review sources, the re-racking experience on the SelectTech 552 consistently outperformed competitors — plates never got jammed, and the dumbbell slid back into position cleanly every time.

Real-World Performance

Where the SelectTech 552 truly shines is in everyday home workouts. The 2.5-pound increments between 5 and 25 lbs are particularly valuable for progressive overload on isolation exercises like lateral raises, bicep curls, and tricep extensions — movements where jumping 5 lbs at a time can be too aggressive. Above 25 lbs, the increments shift to 5-pound jumps, which is standard for compound movements where you are handling more weight anyway.

The dial adjustment system is fast enough to support drop sets with minimal rest. In practice, you can rack one dumbbell, twist both dials down to a lighter weight, and pick it back up in about 5 to 7 seconds. That is not quite as fast as grabbing a pre-loaded dumbbell off a rack, but it is close enough that your muscles stay under tension and your heart rate stays elevated.

There are, however, a few real-world quirks worth mentioning. First, the plates exhibit a slight wobble and rattle during certain movements. When you are pressing overhead or performing tricep extensions with the dumbbell above your face, that subtle clinking of plates can be distracting and, for some lifters, confidence-undermining. It does not affect safety in any meaningful way at normal training speeds, but it is noticeable.

Second, the fixed length of the dumbbell can interfere with range of motion on certain exercises. Preacher curls, for example, can result in the dumbbell hitting the bench pad before your elbows fully extend. Dumbbell flyes at the bottom of the range of motion can feel crowded if you are performing them on a narrower bench. These are not dealbreakers, but they require small adjustments to your form and setup.

The JRNY app integration adds genuine value for beginners. When you purchase directly from Bowflex, you get a free 1-year JRNY membership that includes adaptive workouts, motion tracking through your phone or tablet camera, real-time rep counting, and form correction cues delivered via voice. The platform learns your fitness level and adjusts workout intensity over time. For someone new to strength training who does not have the budget for a personal trainer, this is a meaningful feature that most competitors do not offer.

For compound lifts like goblet squats, lunges, rows, and dumbbell bench press, the 52.5-lb maximum will serve most beginners and intermediate lifters well for 6 to 18 months of training. However, experienced lifters — particularly those who can already press 50+ lb dumbbells — will outgrow these quickly and should look at the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 (which goes up to 90 lbs) or a PowerBlock expandable set.

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells vs the Competition

The PowerBlock Elite EXP is the strongest competitor for anyone who wants room to grow. Its expansion kit system lets you add weight over time — starting at 50 lbs per hand and working up to 90 lbs without buying a new set. The compact block design is noticeably smaller than the Bowflex, which matters in tight spaces. PowerBlock also carries a 5-year warranty versus Bowflex’s 2-year coverage. The trade-off is a higher price point starting around $430 and a non-traditional shape that some lifters find uncomfortable at first.

The NordicTrack Select-A-Weight is a legitimate budget alternative at roughly $329 per pair. Its hex-shaped plates sit flat on the ground — a real advantage for exercises like renegade rows where round dumbbells would roll away. Weight adjustments clock in at about 3.5 seconds on average, making it the fastest of the three. However, NordicTrack starts at 10 lbs instead of 5, which limits its usefulness for very light rehabilitation work or isolation exercises where beginners need those lower increments.

Where the Bowflex wins is in overall user-friendliness. The dial system is the easiest to learn, the JRNY app adds structured training guidance, and the re-racking process is the smoothest of any adjustable dumbbell we have seen reviewed. For a first-time buyer who wants something that works right out of the box without a steep learning curve, the SelectTech 552 remains the most approachable option in its category.

Who Should Buy the Bowflex SelectTech 552

Beginners starting their first home gym. The intuitive dial system, free JRNY app membership with guided workouts, and manageable weight range make these an ideal entry point for someone who has never owned adjustable dumbbells before. You will not spend 20 minutes figuring out how they work — you will be training within 5 minutes of unboxing.

Space-constrained lifters. If you are working out in an apartment, spare bedroom, or small garage, the SelectTech 552 replaces 15 pairs of fixed dumbbells while taking up less than 5 square feet of floor space. The included storage trays keep everything organized and off the ground.

General fitness enthusiasts focused on hypertrophy and toning. For standard dumbbell exercises — curls, presses, rows, lunges, lateral raises — the 5 to 52.5 lb range with fine 2.5 lb increments below 25 lbs gives you excellent control over progressive overload for moderate-intensity training.

Drop-set and superset fans. The quick dial adjustment means you can decrease weight in seconds and keep pushing through extended sets without long pauses.

Who Should Skip the Bowflex SelectTech 552

Advanced lifters who press more than 50 lbs per hand. If you are already dumbbell bench pressing 50+ lbs, you will max out these dumbbells within weeks. The SelectTech 1090 or PowerBlock expandable sets are better investments for your strength level.

Athletes who perform explosive or Olympic-style movements. Dumbbell snatches, cleans, and other power movements involve rapid acceleration and sometimes dropping weights. The plastic housing on the 552 is not built to survive that kind of abuse.

Lifters who prioritize durability above all else. The plastic molding, while effective at reducing noise, will degrade faster than all-metal alternatives like PowerBlock. If you plan to use these heavily for 5+ years, the durability gap becomes a real consideration.

Smaller-framed individuals who need a compact dumbbell. The fixed 16.9-inch length can interfere with range of motion for those with shorter arms. If this applies to you, test them in a retail store before committing, or consider the more compact PowerBlock design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells sold as a pair or individually?

The SelectTech 552 dumbbells are sold as a pair. The $429.99 price includes two dumbbells and two storage trays. Each dumbbell adjusts independently from 5 to 52.5 lbs, giving you a combined maximum weight of 105 lbs across both dumbbells.

How long does it take to change the weight on the SelectTech 552?

Changing the weight takes approximately 5 to 7 seconds per dumbbell. You need to twist the dial on each end to your desired weight setting, which means adjusting two dials per dumbbell. While this is slightly slower than pin-based systems like PowerBlock (around 5 seconds) or NordicTrack (around 3.5 seconds), it is fast enough to support supersets and drop sets without significantly extending your rest periods.

Can I drop the Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells after a heavy set?

No, you should not drop these dumbbells. The SelectTech 552 uses steel weight plates encased in plastic molding with a dial-based selector mechanism. Dropping them can crack the plastic housing, damage the internal selector system, and void your warranty. If you regularly drop dumbbells after heavy sets, you should consider traditional cast iron or rubber hex dumbbells instead.

Is the JRNY app subscription included with purchase?

When you purchase the SelectTech 552 directly from Bowflex, a 1-year JRNY membership is included at no extra charge. The app runs on your smartphone or tablet (iOS 14.0+ or Android 9.0+) and offers adaptive dumbbell workouts with motion tracking, real-time rep counting, and voice-guided form corrections. After the first year, the subscription renews at a paid rate. You can use the dumbbells without the app — the JRNY membership is optional and the dumbbells function fully on their own.

Our Verdict

Score: 9.2/10

The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells have earned their position as the best-selling adjustable dumbbells in the United States for good reason. They combine an exceptionally intuitive adjustment system, a practical weight range with fine increments, and genuine app-based training guidance into a package that costs less than many competitors. At $429.99, you are getting 15 weight settings per dumbbell, a smooth user experience, and a solid foundation for years of home training.

Are they perfect? No. The plastic construction limits their long-term durability, the 52.5-lb ceiling will be outgrown by serious lifters, and the fixed-length handle creates minor ergonomic compromises on certain exercises. But for the vast majority of home gym users — especially those building their first setup — these shortcomings are manageable trade-offs against the convenience, value, and ease of use that the SelectTech 552 delivers better than almost anything else on the market.

With 22,000+ Amazon reviews averaging 4.7 stars, the consensus is clear: the Bowflex SelectTech 552 is not just popular — it is genuinely good. For beginners and intermediate lifters who want one piece of equipment that covers most of their dumbbell training needs without cluttering their living space, this remains our top recommendation in the sub-$400 adjustable dumbbell category.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Intuitive dual-dial system changes weight in under 7 seconds
• 15 weight settings from 5 to 52.5 lbs with 2.5 lb fine increments below 25 lbs
• Replaces 15 pairs of fixed dumbbells in under 5 square feet of floor space
• Free 1-year JRNY app membership with adaptive workouts and motion tracking
• Smooth, hassle-free re-racking into storage trays
• Plastic-coated plates reduce noise during workouts
• Comfortable rubber-grip handle maintains traction during sweaty sessions
• Competitive $429.99 price point for a pair

Cons:

• Heavy use of plastic raises long-term durability concerns
• Cannot be dropped — internal mechanism and housing will crack
• Plates exhibit slight wobble and rattle during overhead movements
• Fixed 16.9-inch length feels bulky regardless of weight selected
• 52.5 lb maximum is limiting for advanced lifters
• Round shape means dumbbells roll on the floor if set down outside the tray
• No expansion kits available — you must buy a new set to go heavier
• Two dials per dumbbell makes adjustments slightly slower than single-pin systems