Bowflex SelectTech Review -Adjustable, Versatile, and Space Saving
This Bowflex SelectTech review will familiarize you will some of the ingenious home gym ideas from the Bowflex adjustable weight home gym line. Whether you are starting a new home gym or adding to your existing, these space-saving products fit perfectly into any home gym design.
I’m impressed with the configuration of these Bowflex home gym exercise equipment for the convenience and the effortless dial in weight adjustments.
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Bowflex SelectTech equipment takes the place of dozens of pairs of dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells and weight plates. I will detail the pros and cons, shapes, sizes, components, and value of the four different SelectTech options.
Bowflex SelectTech Review – Overview
The Bowflex SelectTech products include two different adjustable dumbbells, an adjustable barbell and plate set, and adjustable kettlebells for the home gym. Depending on your fitness program and exercise goals, this category of weights may be the best fitness equipment for the home gym.
Just one of these adjustable weight options sets can give you a full-body workout. But adding the combination of all three of these adjustable sets (dumbbell, kettlebell, and barbell) will add an unlimited amount of exercises to your home gym workout routine.
The biggest advantage of all these is the fact that each of them is extremely cost-effective and space-saving since they can replace up to 15 pairs of dumbbells or kettlebells with just one set of weights. See more on space-saving in my “Best Home Gym Design Ideas of 2021″.
Bowflex is known for both quality and value, with this cutting edge technology and convenience starting at only $180.
Benefits to Bowflex Adjustable Weights
All of Bowflex SelectTech products are designed specifically to help you optimize the space in your home if you do not have enough room to install an entire home gym. If you are looking for what to buy for a home gym, SelectTech weights are ideal for any compact home gym or exercise room.
All SelectTech products work with a lock mechanism that separates only the amount of weight that you want to use on your dumbbells, kettlebell, or barbell set. This leaves the rest properly positioned, and separated on the stand so that you get the exact weight you decide each time.
The amount of weight is adjusted simply by rotating a switch for a quick and easy transition. Having an all-in-one compact weight set also makes them a great choice for personal trainers who travel and visit their clients in their homes.
Also, keep in mind that all of these products are compatible with the free Bowflex SelectTech Training App which you can find in the iOS store and Android Google Play.
Bowflex machines, equipment, and Bowflex accessories come with a great warranty for this type of gym equipment. This is very important since adjustable gym equipment contains more technical and delicate parts.
What Makes Bowflex SelectTech Better Than Standard Weights?
Despite these products being designed for home use, I’ve seen them in many gyms, and believe me, they are very convenient.
Here’s just one example from my experience. If you’ve ever had the experience of finishing a set of biceps curls and want to make a drop set, but then someone snatches the right weights right under you, this won’t be an issue with SelectTech products.
With Bowflex, it takes just a few seconds to adjust the weight level to make your dumbbells, barbell, or kettlebell switch to whatever the weight selection needed for continuous weight training.
Bowflex SelectTech Review
The different Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Weight set options available are two different adjustable dumbbell set levels, an adjustable kettlebell set, and an adjustable barbell set with a weight upgrade option.
Bowflex has some of the best small home gym design ideas, so below are the details of each one that you need to know.
Bowflex SelectTech 552 and 560 Dumbbells
The SelectTech 552 dumbbells are undoubtedly the most popular choice and the bestseller of the series for a reason – convenience. These are most likely the best adjustable dumbbells for 2021.
Each dumbbell carries a range of weights from 5 lbs to 52 lbs (2 to 24 kg), hence the name 552. Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells come with premium grips and are suitable for 30+ exercises, that you could normally do with standard equipment.
The 560 SelectTech Dumbbells are very similar, but their range goes a bit higher, to 60 lbs, instead of 52. Their major advantage over the Bowflex 552 is the fact that they have an integrated Bluetooth Technology that records and syncs your sets, repetitions, and weight.
This makes for better goal setting, it tracks the details of your previous workouts so you can push yourself to improve them. Aside from that, there aren’t other major differences, except that the shape of the Bowflex 560 is rectangular instead of oval.
Both the 552 and 560 dumbbell sets for the home gym come with a best in class Bowflex 2 year warranty. This set does come with a dumbbell docking station that sits on the floor. However, I recommend purchasing the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbell Stand with Media Rack to make your workouts more convenient.
To get even more exercises out of your SelectTech 552 Dumbbells, I recommend pairing them with the Bowflex Adjustable Bench.
Weight Settings and Range
This Bowflex SelectTech 552 review shows, the weight range goes from 5 to 52 lbs (2 to 24 kg), with 15 weight settings you can adjust throughout your workout. The settings you can use for the dumbells are:
- In pounds – 4.4, 6.6, 8.8, 11, 15, 17.6, 19.8, 26, 30, 35, 39, 44, 52 lbs (up to 60 lbs for the 560)
- In Kilograms – 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 24 kg (up to 27.2 kg for the 560)
Dimensions
Each dumbbell has a size of:
- Length: 40 cm (15.75 inches)
- Height: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 20 cm (7.87 inches)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Incredibly space-efficient. They can take the place of up to 15 dumbbell sets.
- The weight range is enough for both beginner and intermediate lifters.
- Very quiet with smooth movements, hence expected in the best home gym equipment.
- Amazing premium grips that are very comfortable, so no training gloves needed.
- The 552 and the 560 come with a 2-year warranty.
Cons:
- As with all SelectTech products, you should not drop these on the ground.
- Limited weight range that might not be enough for advanced lifters. If 60lbs isn’t enough for you, try the Bowflex 1090 Dumbbells, which offer up to 90 lbs of weight.
CHECK PRICE ON THE BOWFLEX SELECTTECH DUMBBELL STAND WITH MEDIA RACK
Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Dumbbells
The SelectTech 1090 Dumbbells were designed to give heavy lifters a comfortable tool at home. This adjustable dumbbell set replaces up to 34 dumbbell sets and range from 10 to 90 lbs (4 to 41 kg), hence the name “1090”.
They come with a floor rack to set them in, however, this heavier adjustable dumbbell is also available with an optional home gym dumbbell rack. The Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbell Stand with Media Rack makes it safer to pick up these heavy dumbells if you don’t like to bend down or squat to ground level.
These come with a 3 year Bowflex warranty. When working out with these “heavyweights”, you will definitely get some good use out of the Bowflex Adjustable Workout Bench.
Weight Settings and Range
17 weight settings are available for the Bowflex dumbbells 1090 in intervals of 4-6 pounds from 10 lbs all the way up to 90 lbs. (Intervals of 2-3 kilograms from 4 kg to 41 kg).
Dimensions
Each dumbbell has a size of:
- Length: 44.4 cm, (17.5 inches)
- Height: 24.2 cm, (9.5 inches)
- Width: 23 cm, (9 inches)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Compared to the other products, it replaces more home gym dumbbell sets with a wider weight range.
- Allows you to gradually increase or decrease the weight in small increments, perfect for strength training.
- Coated plates make these very quiet.
- With these, if you put on 90 lbs of weight, you can even perform deadlifts and shrugs, allowing you to perform a full-body workout.
- 3-year warranty.
Cons:
- Even though these are heavy-duty, they still shouldn’t be dropped on the ground. This could break the quick select system, or risk injury by dropping heavy dumbbells.
- Can feel bulkier than most dumbbells.
COMPATIBLE WITH THE BOWFLEX SELECTTECH DUMBBELL STAND WITH MEDIA RACK
Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell
If you’re looking for the best CrossFit home gym ideas, the Bowflex 840 Kettlebell is the ultimate adjustable kettlebell. It replaces up to 6 kettlebells with a twist of a dial. When rotating the weight selection dial switch and get the weight you need between 8 lbs and 40 lbs. (3.5 to 18 kg).
I would recommend this product for beginners, and intermediate lifters, or intermediate to advanced women, because of the weight range. This adjustable kettlebell comes with the Bowflex 2 year warranty which is important on this type of gym equipment design.
Weight Selection Dial
The Bowflex adjustable kettlebell’s switch allows you to quickly adjust the weight to:
- 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs)
- 5.5 kg (12.1 lbs)
- 9 kg ( 19.85 lbs)
- 11 kg (24.25 lbs)
- 16 kg (35 lbs)
- 18 kg (40 lbs)
While 40 lbs may not seem like much, it’s enough for most one-arm exercises when safely performing with a kettlebell. On the other hand, if you are an experienced athlete or heavy lifter, you could need an 80 lbs plus kettlebell which this is not.
In this case, I would advise you to test how standard kettlebells feel in the local gym or a fitness shop, so you can decide whether 40 lbs is enough weight for you.
Dimensions
The best part of the SelectTech 840 Kettlebell is that it’s not bulky at all and is relatively smaller but taller compared to standard kettlebells of similar weight.
- height: 31.8 cm (12.5 inches)
- width: 17.8 cm (7 inches)
- depth: 22.4 cm (8.8 inches)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- The Bowflex Kettlebell enables you can perform a full-body workout
- 6 different weight options to choose from making this an incredibly versatile kettlebell. This means beginner or intermediate individuals can use it for both one arm and two arm exercisers.
- Has an ergonomic handle, which is very comfortable. You won’t be needing gloves to train with.
- An important part of this Bowflex Kettlebell review is the 2-year warranty.
Cons:
- Very narrow weight range. If you are an experienced lifter, 40 lbs are not enough to even perform one-arm exercises.
- Like all SelectTech products, you should be careful not to drop the kettlebells, as the lock mechanism might break.
Bowflex SelectTech 2080 Barbell & Curl Bar
Adjustable weights for your barbell in a compact design is what ranks the SelectTech 2080 Barbell setup as the best small home gym equipment in 2021.
This is the best With just a turn of the weight dial, you can easily switch from 20 lbs to 80 lbs and every weight in between in a second. An entire barbell and weight plate set in one makes this another perfect home gym solution.
It comes with a rack, which serves to keep weights that arent selected intact. The weight set comes in with both a barbell and a curl bar, in order to enable a more complete full-body workout. The product is great for beginners since it is compatible with the free Bowflex workout library. This is an excellent way to guide you thoroughly through each exercise.
The Bowflex barbell system comes with a floor docking rack. However, you can also purchase the convenient and sturdy curl bar stand which comes in with a 10-year frame warranty and a 1-year warranty on the rack. It fits the 2080 curl bar perfectly and also allows you to put most smart devices in its handy media rack.
The Bowflex adjustable barbell set comes with a 3 year warranty. There is also an upgrade available that lets you boost the maximum weight from 80 lbs to 120 lbs or 54 kg, which is a great deal for most advanced athletes.
Get the most out of your barbell workouts with an adjustable weight bench.
Dimensions
- Depth: 59.37 inches (150 cm)
- Width: 11.75 inches (30 cm)
- Height: 12.75 inches (32 cm)
Weight Selections
Weight selection ranges from 20 to 80 lbs, and from 20 to 120 lbs with the upgrade. Each switch of the dial gives you 10 lbs of more or less weight, depending on your choice. This gives you a total of 7 or 11 adjustable weights per bar.
- 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 lbs (standard version)
- 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 lbs (upgraded version)
CHECK PRICE ON BOWFLEX SELECTTECH 2080 “BARBELL WEIGHT UPGRADE”
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Very comfortable grips.
- Set of 7 adjustable weight levels in one or 11 with the upgrade.
- Save space and money by not needing an entire set of weight plates and collars.
- A fast and time-saving method that easily switches the amount of barbell weight needed.
- Design, along with coated plates make this a very quiet barbell system.
- Comes with both a barbell and a curl bar (perform full-body workouts).
- 3-year warranty.
Cons:
- Not as compact as the other SelectTech products.
- Like all SelectTech products, avoid dropping on the ground.
CHECK PRICE ON BOWFLEX SELECTTECH “BARBELL STAND WITH MEDIA RACK”
Bowflex App
No matter which SelectTech model you choose, the free Bowflex app provides guided workouts and full-body exercise programs for iOS, Android, and any other forms of media.
This includes linking with Google Fit, Apple Health, and many other health apps. Manually or automatically sync your SelectTech depending on the model.
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The Bowflex SelectTech App has trainer-led exercises from their website that give you tons of pre-loaded workouts or you can create your own exercise programs. Watch step by step coaching videos, or try some of the advanced training programs.
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With the Bowflex workout app, you can also focus on what you want, such as strength, endurance, fat burning and weight loss, or other specific weight lifting goals. There is also an option if you would like to focus on working out specific categories or bodyparts.
Bowflex SelectTech Limitations
On this Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbell review, it’s also important to consider all angles before purchasing any of these Bowflex accessories for your home exercise room, basement gym, or garage home gym.
The biggest factors listed below are that not all adjustable weight sets will be heavy enough if you are a big guy (or woman) that likes to “max out” on lifts.
On a side note, even if you use the big weights in your workouts, adjustable dumbbells can be a great space and money-saving idea to fill in your 2lb-90lb weight range needs. So if this exercise equipment is right for you, this all-in-one concept makes for some very cheap home gym ideas.
Commercial Gyms
If you own a gym, and you are looking for new equipment, I would recommend the SelectTech only if you trust in your customers. The SelectTech dumbbells, kettlebell, and barbell are all equipped with a delicate lock system that adjusts the weight plates for you. If these pieces of equipment are dropped on the ground, they might easily break.
However, each of the SelectTech adjustable weight sets for the home gym comes with a strong warranty backed by Bowflex. Unfortunately, the warranty does not include abuse of the equipment.
SelectTech 552 and 560 Dumbbells
The heaviest setting for each dumbbell can get is up to 52.5 lbs, or 60 lbs depending on the model, which might not be enough for stronger athletes, bodybuilders, or powerlifters. If you are one of these, I suggest you stick to normal dumbbells or weights. For your heavyweights, check out the 1090 Dumbbells below.
SelectTech 1090 Dumbbells
The Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Adjustable Dumbbells comes with a much wider and higher weight range from 10 – 90lbs, which makes it suitable for heavier lifters. I personally didn’t find the weight on the Bowflex dumbells 552 enough for some exercises like back rows and I am not a professional athlete.
SelectTech 840 Kettlebell
The 840 SelectTech Kettlebell replaces up to 6 kettlebells and adjusts the weight from 8 – 40 lbs (3.5 to 18 kg). I recommend this product, it is amazing, unless you need the big boy 50lb and up kettlebell set. In this case, you would need to invest the time and the money for a large set.
SelectTech 2080 Barbell and Curl Bar
The 2080 Barbell with curl bar product is designed to give you a full-body workout at home, but much like other SelectTech products, with the exception of 1090 dumbbells, it might not be enough weight for an advanced athlete since the maximum weight is 80 lbs. Otherwise, it is a perfect fit for most women, and beginner, or intermediate male athletes.
This SelectTech Barbell set has an upgrade that takes you from 80 lbs to 120 lbs, which will fix the issues for most exercises but will still not allow a bodybuilder to perform exercises like barbell rows to the fullest.
Bowflex SelectTech Reviews
At the time of this posting, there are over 2000 reviews just on the Bowflex website just for the SelectTech 552 Dumbbells. The average rating on these is 4.8 out of 5 stars. Click the review below to see more like it.
Alternate Adjustable Weight Set Ideas
More recently, many different types of adjustable weight sets have been introduced to the market. There isn’t enough space or time here to discuss them all. However, one particular adjustable dumbbell set caught my eye because of the weight capacity.
PowerBlock Series – Elite EXP Dumbbells
This compact and versatile design is made with even more weight increments but made for those heavy-weight lifters. PowerBlock Dumbbells achieves this by offering several different “kits” or “stages” to quickly add more weight increments.
Replace an entire dumbbell rack of weights with the customizable EXP PowerBlocks or the PowerBlock Commercial Series. With the POWERBLOCK EXP ELITE, stage one is 5-50lbs each, stage two increases the weight from 50 to 70lbs, and stage three brings you up to 90lbs.
Like the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells, they are easily and quickly adjusted in 2.5lb increments with a simple “dial lock”. Each weight level is color-coded and simple to use.
Now the POWERBLOCK COMMERCIAL USE DUMBBELLS have an optional 5 stages that go up to a whopping 175lbs! These are the heaviest adjustable dumbbells out there. They are durable enough for heavy-duty commercial gym use but are still a nice spacing and money-saving option for a home gym.
These “commercial” built dumbbells are still quick to change, easy to use, have smooth movement, and are made with a comfortable handle and design
There is also a convenient and sturdy storage rack for these adjustable dumbbell sets, the Rogue “PowerBlock Cart”. These PowerBlock dumbbells are a favorite option based on customer ratings and reviews.
Bowflex SelectTech Review Final words
Bowflex SelectTech adjustable weight sets are an excellent compact home gym solution and a great money-saving idea for any type of workout.
Any small home gym, nice exercise room, garage gym setup, or even a commercial gym can benefit from having this all-in-one exercise equipment. Even in the corner of the bedroom can be put to good use.
One pair of Bowflex adjustable dumbbells contains up to 15 or more pairs of dumbbell sets. The Bowflex adjustable barbell takes the place of an entire barbell and weight plate set up to 120lbs. And the adjustable Kettlebell replaces 6 full kettlebells. These brilliant Bowflex products use a simple and easy to read, weight selection dial.
Made by Bowflex (parent company Nautilus), these adjustable workout accessories are well made and backed by an excellent warranty.
Keep in mind that since these contain moving parts, SelectTech products or any other adjustable weight sets shouldn’t be thrown around and dropped like regular weights. Above all, the incredible convenience and versatility achieved with this compact line of exercise equipment is well worth it.
For other great all-in-one workout machines, check out my Bowflex Revolution Home Gym review and Bowflex Xtreme Home Gym review.
