There was always something about a dumbbell made mostly of plastic parts that didn’t sit right with me. But a lot has changed since then. The adjustable dumbbell has evolved a lot over the years and is not only a viable home gym option, but an essential one.
Bowflex was one of the first to ever do it and, decades later, has virtually perfected it. It has since replaced plastic parts with more durable steel components, yet its dumbbells remain one of the most affordable options on the market. The BowFlex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells are our top pick for best-value adjustable weights, and we recommend them to our readers at full price.
However, Amazon just upped the ante during its Big Deal Days sale, and they’re now more affordable than ever. For a (very) limited time, you can save $70 on the already very wallet-friendly 552 SelectTech Dumbbells. These don’t go on sale often, if at all, so this is essentially a “run, don’t walk” situation.
The 552s are easy to adjust, feature a range from 2.5 lbs to 52.5 lbs in 2.5 lb increments, and include a complimentary tray for seamless storage. We’ve tested dozens of adjustable dumbbells here at Men’s Health, and these hold up well against higher-priced competition. You’d be hard-pressed to find a pair with a traditional dumbbell feel for under $400 elsewhere.
Adjustable dials are set on each side (a pair on each dumbbell), which is the only slight downside, but I’ve found it helps keep the weights stable and secure. I’ve also found that some of the twist mechanisms aren’t nearly as sturdy as the dual-dial design, which makes these feel more like a typical commercial set of dumbbells. I have the 90-lb SelectTech 1090s (same design and model, only heavier, but also on sale), and I never thought I’d go that heavy with an adjustable set.
I’ve had trouble with sets that only go up to 52, but the SelectTech exceeded my expectations. They’re virtually indistinguishable from commercial dumbbells in a similar weight range. In fact, I find they’re even sturdier when they’re maxed out, and all the weight is packed together.
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