Bowflex Dumbbells

by Dr. Kal

This is a review of my favorite piece of exercise equipment, the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells. The Bowflex Dumbbells are the center of my strength training workouts, and I am not sure what I would do with out them.

Strength Training

Strength training is great for weight loss and even better for preventing weight re-gain. In order to lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit by consuming fewer calories than you burn. Primarily, you need to adopt a calorie-restricted nutrition plan in order to limit the number of calories you consume. Secondarily, you must find ways to burn more calories. Strength training is an excellent way to burn more calories.

While strength training is an excellent method for burning calories, its greatest weight loss effect is in its preservation of muscle. Once you create a calorie deficit and burn through your body’s glycogen (carbohydrate) stores, your body will begin to breakdown muscle and fat to use for energy. The only way to prevent muscle breakdown is via strength training.

Forcing your body to burn fat instead of muscle is important because muscle burns 25 times more calories per hour than fat does. Muscle increases your metabolism and fat does not. Using strength training to prevent muscle loss will allow you to burn more calories all day, even while you are sleeping.

Beyond weight loss, strength training is also beneficial because it:

  • Boosts your confidence
  • Improves the quality of your sleep
  • Helps you build stronger bones
  • Decreases your likelihood of being injured
  • Improves your stamina

Bowflex Dumbbells Video

Home Gym

Having a home gym to do your strength training is great because you:

  • Save money – Gym memberships are expensive.
  • Save time – No need to travel to the gym.
  • Eliminate weather effect – Can’t use bad weather as an excuse.
  • Can work out any time – You can work out 24/7 and on holidays.
  • Don’t have to wait – No waiting on someone to finish using the equipment.

My Experience

I decided to create a small gym in my home to save time. My schedule had become so hectic that I had no time to workout. The days in between my training sessions began to increase and I began to re-gain the weight that I had fought so hard to lose.

I started my gym with the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells because I had seen the infomercials a million times. The regular Bowflex seemed too expensive, but the Bowflex dumbbells were affordable. I am so happy that I chose them. They are great. My only regret is that I did not purchase them earlier

Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells

The Bowflex Dumbbells are adjustable. Their unique design allows you to easily switch from 5 to 52.5 pounds and 13 weights in between. The dumbbells are extremely sturdy and they have a Bowflex-backed two year warranty.

The Positives

The Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells (552):

  • Eliminate the need for a set of 30 individual dumbbells
  • Save space in your home, room, small apartment, or gym
  • Are relatively inexpensive when compared to years of gym membership fees
  • Are extremely convenient, portable, and easy to use
  • Allow you to do dozens of dumbbell strength training exercises
  • Eliminate concerns because of their sturdiness and great warranty
  • Add to the décor of the area you place them in
  • Eliminate fear of calluses because of their soft rubber coated handles
  • Can be used by couples because of their interchangeability

The Negatives

I have not experienced any negatives with the Bowflex Dumbbells, so I read the reviews at Amazon.com to give you some negatives that a few reviewers reported. They report that the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells (552):

  • Will not function well if dropped often
  • Are too wide
  • Are too expensive
  • Cannot be switched quick enough for supersets
  • Cannot be used to do heavy leg lifting
  • Cannot be used to do heavy body builder lifting

My Opinion

The positives of the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells (552) far outweigh the negatives. The convenience of the dumbbells is worth far more than the dumbbells cost. The dumbbells are extremely sturdy, but I would suggest that you do not drop them often.

My overall opinion is that you click on the Amazon.com link below, read the reviews there, and then purchase the dumbbells. You will not regret it.

Get the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells (552) for the best price at Amazon.com

I Also Recommend

I also purchased the stand for the dumbbells and recommend that you do the same. The attractive and sturdy stand:

  • Keeps you from having to bend down to pick up the dumbbells
  • Makes transporting the dumbbells easy
  • Displays the dumbbells well

Get the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbell Stand for the best price at Amazon.com

I Do Not Recommend

I do not recommend that you purchase the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells (1090). These dumbbells are great, but the average person can get a great workout for years with the 552s, which are $200 cheaper. I only recommend the 1090s for heavy lifters or those who plan to become heavy lifters.

I also do not recommend that you purchase the Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Bench. The only difference between the Bowflex Bench and any other bench is the Bowflex Logo and the price.