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Bowflex SelectTech 552 review: this guide covers the current BowFlex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells sold as a pair (Amazon ASIN B0FRNG2N5H). Official specs list 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell, 15 weight settings, and twist-dial selectors that pick plates from included storage trays. The strongest documented advantage is replacing a rack of fixed pairs in one compact selectorized system. The biggest limitation is official: do not drop these dumbbells. Moon Picke has not lifted, dropped, or weighed this set. See how Moon Picke evaluates products.
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See the BowFlex 552 pair on Amazon →
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Review: Quick Verdict
Is the Bowflex SelectTech 552 worth buying? It is worth considering if you want one pair of premium adjustable dumbbells for a home gym, 2.5 lb steps through the lighter settings, and trays instead of a full dumbbell rack. The documented trade-off is mechanical: dials, locking tabs, and a base you must use to change weight, plus a hard no-drop rule. Skip it if you need more than 52.5 lb per hand, prefer plate-loaded simplicity, or routinely dump dumbbells. The verdict is conditional: buy the pair as compact progressive resistance, not as drop-tolerant gym iron.
Bowflex SelectTech 552
Is the Bowflex SelectTech 552 worth buying? It is worth considering if you want one pair of premium adjustable dumbbells for a home gym,…
- Documented 5–52.5 lb range per dumbbell with 15 listed settings and 2.5 lb steps through 25 lb.
- Pair + trays in one purchase, positioned to replace 15 listed weight settings rather than 15 extra pairs of hexes.
- Dial selection in the base, with a documented lock that is designed to keep an incomplete selection from leaving the tray.
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What Are the Bowflex SelectTech 552?
This Bowflex SelectTech 552 review covers selectorized adjustable dumbbells: each handle picks a listed combination of plates from a matching tray instead of requiring a separate pair for every load. BowFlex’s Results Series 552 page lists 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell, 15 settings, quick-adjustment dials, metal components that attach plates to the handle, a locking mechanism, non-slip grips, and storage trays. The set is sold as a pair. A SelectTech stand is compatible and sold separately.
Amazon’s current pair listing matches that identity: BowFlex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells (Pair), 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell, included trays, and listed dimensions of 16.9 × 8.3 × 9 inches each. That is not a single dumbbell SKU. The one-dumbbell listing is a different Amazon configuration.
Key Specifications
Figures below come from BowFlex’s current Results Series 552 product page and the SelectTech BD552 owner’s manual unless noted as Amazon listing figures.
| Spec | Official / listing figure |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells, pair; ASIN B0FRNG2N5H |
| Minimum listed weight | 5 lb per dumbbell (handle without plates) |
| Maximum listed weight | 52.5 lb per dumbbell |
| Settings per dumbbell | 15: 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 52.5 lb |
| Dumbbells included | Pair, with two storage trays/bases |
| Adjustment | Twist dials on both ends; both numbers must match |
| Dimensions | 16.9 in L × 8.3 in W × 9 in H per dumbbell |
| Assembly / listing weight | Manual: 54.6 lb dumbbell assembly. Amazon: 110.6 lb item weight for the pair; A+ table 55.6 lb with base each |
| Materials (documented) | Metal plates attaching to the handle; non-slip grips. Amazon item materials also list plastic and rubber |
| Stand | SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbell Stand compatible, sold separately |
| Warranty | Parts, 2 years |
Check the current Amazon pair listing →
Weight Range and Adjustment Increments
What weight range does the Bowflex SelectTech 552 offer? Listed settings run 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell, not 5 to 52.5 lb for the pair. Two dumbbells at the top listed setting are 105 lb of combined listed load in the hands, plus whatever the trays still hold in unselected plates on the floor.
Maximum weight alone does not determine versatility. From 5 to 25 lb, listed steps are 2.5 lb. From 25 to 50 lb, listed steps are 5 lb, then a final 52.5 lb setting. That pattern helps early progression more than it helps someone who wants 2.5 lb jumps near 50 lb. A 10–80 lb system with larger jumps would invert the trade. Neither pattern is universally better.
The BD552 manual states that weight increments represent estimated values only and that exact values can vary due to manufacturing variances. Do not treat a dial number as competition-calibrated mass. BowFlex’s “replaces 15 sets of weights” claim is a count of listed settings, not a promise that the pair matches fifteen pairs of calibrated hex dumbbells gram for gram.
How the Adjustment System Works
How do you change the weight? Seat the handle fully in its base. Rotate both adjustment knobs so the same listed number aligns with the arrow on the Bowflex nameplate. Lift straight up, perpendicular to the base. Unselected plates stay in the tray. Returning the dumbbell uses the same vertical path. Do not tilt or slide it until it is clear of the unselected plates.
Speed vs simplicity vs complexity is the real buying point. A dial is faster than loading collars on a plate-loaded handle. It also adds moving parts: knobs, selection discs, locking tabs, and a base that must be present to change weight. The manual says knobs rotate only when the handle is fully inserted. If a knob is between numbers, the handle is designed to lock to the base so you cannot lift an incomplete selection with light pressure. If knobs can rotate outside the cradle, the manual says stop use and contact service.
Moon Picke will not invent twist times. Convenience is documented. Correct handling is mandatory.
Size, Length and Exercise Practicality
Official per-dumbbell dimensions are 16.9 × 8.3 × 9 inches. That envelope is long compared with many 20 lb hex dumbbells. BowFlex does not publish a separate length for the 5 lb handle versus the fully loaded stack. Based on the documented mechanism, unselected plates remain in the tray, so the lifted stack should be shorter at light settings than at heavy settings. That is inference from the selector design, not a measured length chart.
The listed 16.9-inch length still matters for planning: the trays occupy that footprint even when you are curling 12.5 lb. Close-body moves—curls, laterals, some presses—can be geometry-limited on any long selectorized dumbbell. Moon Picke has not pressed or curled this set and will not claim comfort. If you need short heads at every load, fixed hexes stay the simpler shape.
Handle and Grip Design
Official language is an ergonomic, non-slip handle. Grip diameter and knurling are not listed on the current 552 Results Series spec block (BowFlex’s heavier 1090 line is the one that lists knurled grips). Hand size, load, sweat, and exercise still decide whether a grip feels right. Do not read “non-slip” as a guarantee in all conditions. Amazon’s item materials list plastic and rubber in addition to the official metal plate story; treat those as listing materials, not as a drop-proof claim.
How Much Space Can Adjustable Dumbbells Save?
One pair plus two trays replaces the storage concept of many fixed pairs. Moon Picke will not invent square-footage savings. You still need: floor for the two bases, clearance to lift vertically, and a place to train. An optional SelectTech stand, if you buy it, adds a second footprint. Apartment use is about that tray pair, not about silent or floor-safe behavior—BowFlex does not document those claims. Protect floors yourself and follow the manual’s handling rules.
What Exercises Can You Use Them For?
The owner’s manual is a workout guide as well as a safety document. Broad categories that fit dumbbells in general—and that this system is specified to support as resistance tools—include presses, rows, curls, triceps extensions, lateral raises, goblet squats, lunges, and Romanian deadlifts. That is equipment category talk, not a personalized program. Outcomes still depend on exercise selection, progression, nutrition, recovery, and the individual. Long plate stacks can interfere with some close-body paths more than short hexes. Do not use the handles as a push-up base; the manual forbids leaning on them or supporting body weight that way because it can damage plates and the lock.
Adjustable Dumbbells vs Fixed Dumbbells
| Factor | Adjustable (this 552 pair) | Fixed dumbbells |
|---|---|---|
| Space | compact pair + trays | requires more storage |
| Weight changes | dials in the base | pick another dumbbell |
| Mechanical complexity | higher | low |
| Dropping tolerance | do not drop (official) | varies by construction |
| Purchase structure | one larger pair purchase | incremental pairs |
| Exercise geometry | long selectorized stack | usually shorter heads |
| Weight expansion | not expandable to 1090-class loads | add new pairs |
Adjustable dumbbells are not universally better. They win when storage and one-pair progression matter. Fixed dumbbells win when you want simple hardware, typical hex geometry, and the option to add heavier pairs later.
Selectorized vs plate-loaded adjustable dumbbells
Selectorized systems like this 552 change load faster and need more mechanism. Plate-loaded handles change slower, use simpler collars, and may expand if the handle and plates allow it. This 552 is not a plate-loaded expandable set; 52.5 lb per hand is the documented ceiling.
Are They a Good Fit for a Small Home Gym?
Is the Bowflex SelectTech 552 good for a small home gym? On paper, yes for footprint: one pair, two trays, 16.9-inch listed length each, no rack of hexes. Weight range covers many apartment strength sessions if 52.5 lb per hand is enough. Floor space still has to include the trays plus a safe lifting zone. The optional stand is extra furniture. BowFlex does not claim the set is silent or apartment-safe. Use floor protection and the official no-drop, no-lean rules.
Ownership, Maintenance and Long-Term Considerations
You are trading a rack of simple weights for one mechanically complex system. The manual says to inspect before each use, not to use worn or damaged parts, and not to disassemble the handle or base—doing so voids the manufacturer warranty. Cleaning is a lightly damp cloth. Service goes through Nautilus/BowFlex, not DIY plate rebuilds. Standard coverage on the current product page is parts for two years. Optional Protection+ plans are sold separately on BowFlex’s site; they are not required to own the pair.
Replacement-handle listings exist in the accessory market for older SelectTech generations. Confirm series compatibility with BowFlex before assuming a third-party handle fits Results Series 552. Correct handling—vertical in/out of the tray, matched dials, periodic lock tests in the manual—matters more than marketing durability language. Metal plates do not make the selector drop-proof.
What It Does Well — and Its Main Limitations
What It Does Well
- Documented 5–52.5 lb range per dumbbell with 15 listed settings and 2.5 lb steps through 25 lb.
- Pair + trays in one purchase, positioned to replace 15 listed weight settings rather than 15 extra pairs of hexes.
- Dial selection in the base, with a documented lock that is designed to keep an incomplete selection from leaving the tray.
- Published dimensions and a two-year parts warranty plus a full owner’s manual covering operation and lock tests.
Important Limitations
- Do not drop. The manual states dropping can damage plates and the lock, can let plates disengage without warning, can cause serious injury, and will void the warranty.
- 52.5 lb per hand is the ceiling. Heavy pressing and rows beyond that listed max need another tool.
- 5 lb jumps from 25–50 lb reduce fine progression at the top of the range.
- Cradle dependence: weight changes happen in the base; you carry that procedure into every session.
- Long listed geometry (16.9 in) and a selector stack, not short hex heads.
- Not user-serviceable. Disassembly voids warranty; complexity is the ownership tax.
- Listed weights are estimates with manufacturing variance.
Who Are the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Best For?
Best for home-gym and apartment users who want one pair for presses, rows, curls, and lower-body dumbbell work, who will progress through the 2.5 lb settings, and who will treat the trays as part of the equipment. Intermediate lifters fit if 52.5 lb per hand still challenges the lifts they actually do.
Who should skip them? Anyone who drops dumbbells. Lifters who need more than 52.5 lb per hand. Commercial-gym environments. Buyers who want fixed-hex geometry or plate-loaded simplicity. People who need 2.5 lb jumps above 25 lb. Anyone unwilling to confirm both dials and the lock before every set.
Are the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Worth Buying?
This Bowflex SelectTech 552 review’s answer is conditional. Worth considering if the listed range matches your training, 2.5 lb steps at the light end matter, space savings versus many fixed pairs matter, dial convenience is valuable, and you will follow the no-drop, matched-dial, vertical-lift rules. Skip if 52.5 lb is not enough, if dumbbells will be dumped on the floor, if short fixed geometry matters more, or if you want hardware with almost no moving parts.
Final Verdict
This Bowflex SelectTech 552 review lands on a compact home-gym buy, not a drop-tolerant iron buy. BowFlex’s Results Series 552 pair puts 15 listed settings from 5 to 52.5 lb on each dial-selected dumbbell, with trays included and a two-year parts warranty. The strongest advantage is one pair covering a useful beginner-to-intermediate range in a small footprint. The biggest limitation is the official handling envelope: do not drop them, do not lift until both selectors are fully engaged, and do not expect 52.5 lb to replace a heavy fixed rack. If that is your training, the current Amazon pair listing is the purchase path.
See the BowFlex Results Series 552 pair on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Bowflex SelectTech 552 worth buying? Yes if you need a compact pair up to 52.5 lb per hand and will not drop them. No if you need heavier loads or simple hexes.
What weight range do they offer? Listed 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell, 15 settings. That is each dumbbell, not the pair total.
Are they sold as a pair? Yes. Official and Amazon pair listings include two dumbbells and two trays. A single-dumbbell SKU is separate.
Can the Bowflex SelectTech 552 be dropped? No. The owner’s manual forbids dropping and warns of damage, plate disengagement, injury, and a voided warranty.
How do you change the weight? Fully seat the handle, set both dials to the same listed number, then lift straight up from the base.
Are they good for beginners? The 2.5 lb listed steps from 5 to 25 lb suit progression if the person will use the trays correctly. They do not guarantee results.
What is the warranty? BowFlex’s current 552 page lists parts coverage for two years.