The Bowflex SelectTech 552 has been in our home gym for six months, used five to six days per week across everything from warm-up lateral raises to heavy bent-over rows. Here's an honest, long-term verdict.
What We Tested
We put the 552s through upper body hypertrophy work (bicep curls, tricep extensions, lateral raises, rear delt flies), compound accessory work (dumbbell rows, Romanian deadlifts, dumbbell bench press), and mobility circuits (goblet squats, windmills).
The Good
The Dial Mechanism Is Genuinely Fast: Two seconds to switch from 15 lbs to 35 lbs. For supersets and drop sets, this is a game-changer compared to picking through a rack. No other dumbbell system at this price point is this fast.
Weight Range Is Comprehensive: 5 to 52.5 lbs covers everything from warm-up work to heavy dumbbell rows. The 2.5 lb increments at the lower end are thoughtful — essential for shoulder raises and rehab work.
Build Quality Has Held Up: After six months of daily use, the plastic housing shows minor scuffs but no cracks. The dial still clicks cleanly into every position. The internal weight stack hasn't shifted or rattled.
The Not-So-Good
Longer than Fixed Dumbbells: The SelectTech 552 is about 16 inches long — longer than a standard fixed dumbbell — because the unused plates stay attached to the ends. This matters for exercises where a longer dumbbell creates awkward leverage (e.g., close-grip presses).
Plastic Construction: The housing is plastic, and plastic has limits. Don't drop them. Don't set them down hard. They're not designed for rough treatment, and the mechanism will suffer if you're careless.
Price Fluctuates: They're frequently out of stock and can spike to $500+. At $349, they're excellent value. Above $400, the math gets tighter.
Final Verdict
After six months: still the recommendation. No other adjustable dumbbell under $400 offers this combination of weight range, adjustment speed, and build quality. Buy them during a sale if you can.
Rating: 4.5/5