Adjustable dumbbells, such as the Bowflex SelectTech range, are incredibly popular among people who want to enjoy flexibility in their training, but who don’t have the space to store a lot of gym kit. There are two series: the 1090 and the 552 dumbbells, and they are both great options for people who want to be able to use a large variety of different weights, but who don’t want to have to store multiple sets of dumbbells.
The SelectTech 1090 is an adjustable dumbbell that covers weights ranging from 10 to 90 pounds, and it is a good choice for lower body workouts. It has 17 different settings (so replaces 17 different dumbbells), and it is easy to adjust on the fly. Furthermore, it comes with a three year warranty.
The SelectTech 552 can hold up to 52.5 pounds of weights, and is adjustable in 2.5 pound increments, starting from 5 pounds and working up to 52.5 pounds. This set comes with a two year warranty. This set is ideal for people who want to work on their upper body and practice ‘micro loading’ working up to heavier weights in very small increments. The 1090 on the other hand is ideal for lower body workouts, since it accepts heavier weights.
You are sure to find many adjustable dumbbells on the market. What makes the SelectTech such a popular option is that they have a really nice look and feel and they are so easy to adjust. Simply spin the dial to select the weight that you want, and lift the bar out of the holder. The desired weight will stay on the bar and the other weights will stay in the holder. When you put the bar away, you can adjust the dial again to add or remove more weight.
The Bowflex adjustable weights are robust and reliable, but they can be a little bulky compared to other similar adjustable weights, which could be an issue if you’re using them for things like a shoulder press. They’re also limited in the increments they work in so you couldn’t buy a 1090 and use it for triceps exercises, for example because you’d probably find that the increments are too large for it to be useful for you. Similarly, the 552 is probably too light for a man to use for goblet squats. They’re a versatile piece of kit, but they’re not a one-size fits all solution.
The warranty is robust, and this is a huge benefit of this set compared to some of the more budget models. If you have owned a set of adjustable dumbbells in the past and found yourself frustrated with sticking weights or loose-feeling plates, then you should look at Bowflex because their build quality and durability is far superior. There are some things, such as aerobics with light weights, where you might still want individual dumbbells but SelectTechs are great for most other applications.
Article Submitted By Community Writer