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What should an at-home an exerciser own these days? You’ve got a lot of options to choose from, between yoga mats, resistance bands, balance boards and connected fitness machines. But one of the most useful and versatile pieces of equipment you can buy is an adjustable dumbbell set, also known as a “dumbbell tree.” And within a crowded category, BowFlex’s 552 SelectTech Dumbbells are the right weights for the job.
What Works
SelectTech refers to BowFlex’s line of weights with a unique dial system. While the dumbbell is still in its storage tray, you can flip between weight options — anywhere from five to 52.5 pounds — and once you commit to a number (toggling each side), the mechanism locks in that weight and leaves behind the rest. It’s a really satisfying system. From there, you’re at your own leisure to knock out a strength routine in the mirror.
I’ve been testing the dumbbells for a month now. They’re invaluable on days where I can’t make it to the gym, or just prefer a quicker/simpler lift. Because they comprise 15 weights in one, I can work in anything from front rack dumbbell squats (where I’m happy with a good amount of weight), to shoulder external rotations (where I want very little…I was rehabbing my left shoulder earlier this year).
Sure, you have to return the weights to their tray to switch modes — but I’d argue it’s more onerous to walk to the corner and swap one set of weights for another. Not to mention the amount of space the whole collection would demand.
What Needs Work
I’ll admit, the “shapes” created when you leave behind a percentage of the weight takes a little getting used to. You’re left with a piece of the larger dumbbell puzzle, which looks slightly strange. It shouldn’t impact your performance though.
Another (more legitimate) concern: if you’re living in an apartment, you will have to set aside some space for your set. BowFlex markets these as a safe-spacing solution, and rightfully so; for a homeowner, they’re a smarter buy than a rack of traditional dumbbells. But if you’re short on square footage, know that in their storage tray they’re over a foot long, nine inches tall and pretty clunky. If you can keep a bin for them, you’ll be in good shape.
Is It Worth It?
A dumbbell tree worth its salt will cost you at least $500 — and potentially much more from the top brands. But you can get this set for just $400, while saving space.
Most importantly, in my opinion, this is a reasonable purchase that will level-set your expectations for at-home fitness. BowFlex’s 552 SelectTech Dumbbells are a really reliable piece of equipment to have at the house. They don’t have to be the linchpin for your next fitness resolution. Sometimes, that shift in mindset can make a real difference, making sure your wellness gadgets remain a boon…instead of morphing into a boogeyman.
Get yourself a yoga mat and work out barefoot. Use the set for squats, lunges, front presses, skull crushers, shrugs, curls, you name it. Pair them with an in-ear coach, follow a YouTube routine or look into BowFlex’s movement library, called JRNY. They’ll prove a sturdy sidekick in your strength routine, I guarantee it.
