In-depth review
BowFlex SelectTech 552 Review for Apartments (2027): The Shared-Household Dial
Research review of the BowFlex SelectTech 552 in apartment use: tray storage under furniture, low-end increments for shared training, length on presses, and the no-drop rule indoors.
BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbell
The dial dumbbell with 2.5 lb low-end steps, in a tray that slides under a console table.
- 5-52.5 lb per dumbbell, 15 settings
- Weight range
- 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 25 lb, then 5 lb steps to 52.5 lb
- Increments
- 16.9 x 8.3 x 9 in per dumbbell in its tray
- Tray footprint
Our verdict
The 552 earns its apartment place on household logistics. The dial is the one mechanism a partner, roommate, or guest can use correctly with no teaching, the 2.5 lb steps below 25 lb serve two lifters of different strength from the same pair, and the trays slide under furniture that swallows the storage problem. Its apartment costs: the pair is long, the ceiling is final at 52.5 lb, and the no-drop rule is absolute on floors you do not own. For a shared small home training general strength, those terms are easy to accept.
What we like
- Dial change takes seconds and the selected weight is printed at each end, so housemates need no instruction
- 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 25 lb are the finest low-end progression in this hub
- Trays keep the corner tidy and keep plates off rental flooring
What to watch out for
- 52.5 lb ceiling with no expansion path in the SelectTech dumbbell line
- At 16.9 in long it is wide on close presses, and the plastic dial housing must never be dropped
Who it is for
Two-person households and shared apartments training general strength to moderate loads, where one simple system must serve different strength levels.
Trays under furniture: the storage reality
Each tray is 16.9 x 8.3 x 9 in. That is too tall for most under-bed slots once the dumbbell sits in it, so the realistic homes are under a console table, inside a closet, or as a tidy visible corner on the mat. Owners who planned that corner before ordering stay happy; the tray rewards a chosen spot and punishes improvisation.
Two lifters, one pair
The printed dial numbers and instant changes make shared sessions practical: partners alternate sets at different loads with seconds of dial work between them. The 2.5 lb low-end steps matter here more than anywhere, because the lighter lifter's progression lives between 10 and 25 lb, exactly where this dumbbell is finest.
Length and movement fit in small rooms
At 16.9 in, the 552 is wide. On close-grip presses the ends meet early, and in a small room the swing radius on some movements needs awareness. Rows, goblet work, standard presses, and carries are unaffected. In a 4 ft mat zone, plan the bench angle so the length works across the zone, not along its short side.
The no-drop rule on rented floors
Dial housings crack from drops, and the floor underneath loses too. Apartment training with the 552 is controlled set-down training, full stop. Owners who keep that rule report years of service; the failure stories in feedback are remarkably consistent about the rule being broken first.
Key specifications
- Weight range
- 5-52.5 lb per dumbbell, 15 settings
- Increments
- 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 25 lb, then 5 lb steps to 52.5 lb
- Tray footprint
- 16.9 x 8.3 x 9 in per dumbbell in its tray
- Stored size
- Pair in trays needs a clear area about 17 x 17 in; dial at each end, tray required for changes
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Change speed and simplicity for households with two lifters of different strength
- Low-end increments make shoulder and rehab style work easier to progress
- Tray footprint fits under furniture that a rack never would
Common complaints
- Dial damage after drops is the recurring serious complaint
- Length feels bulky at light settings where most plates stay in the tray
- Sold as a single, so the pair price surprises buyers who skim the listing
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: BowFlex SelectTech 552 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Also consider
PowerBlockPowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Stage 1, Pair)
A 5 to 50 lb pair in a 12 in block, expandable to 90 lb without growing the footprint.
- Weight range: 5-50 lb per hand as Stage 1 pair, expandable to 70 and 90 lb with kits
- Footprint in use: About 12 x 6.5 x 6.25 in per dumbbell at Stage 1
Sources: PowerBlock Elite EXP product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Check price on Amazonor add to your Amazon cartChoose the Elite EXP if the household includes a lifter headed past 50 lb per hand; it expands in place instead of ending at 52.5 lb. Read our PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Stage 1, Pair) review
Flybird Adjustable Weight Bench (Foldable)
A flat and incline bench that folds to a slim panel and leans in a closet.
- Positions: Multiple back pad angles from flat to near upright, per the listing
- Footprint in use: About 48 in long by 16 in wide at the feet in bench position
Sources: Flybird adjustable bench product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Check price on Amazonor add to your Amazon cartNot a dumbbell alternative but the pairing that completes it: the folding bench turns the 552 pair into a pressing station that stores away.
Research-based assessment: manufacturer specifications and documentation, cross-checked against retailer listings and recurring themes in published owner feedback. We do not claim hands-on testing we have not performed.
FAQ
Questions, answered straight
Is the 552 apartment pair sold as one or two dumbbells?
The classic listing is a single dumbbell; pair listings exist. In an apartment budget the difference is the whole purchase, so confirm the unit count in the listing title before comparing its price with pair-sold rivals like the Core set.
Can the trays live on carpet?
Yes, on low pile carpet over the mat or directly on firm carpet; deep plush carpet makes the tray rock slightly during changes. A mat corner or a thin board under the trays on plush floors solves it and protects the carpet at the same time.
What breaks first in apartment use?
In owner feedback, the dial selector after a drop, and nothing else close. Indoors, dry, and undropped, the mechanism's service life is measured in years. Treat the rule as part of the product and the 552 is a durable apartment tool.