Head to head
PowerBlock Elite EXP vs BowFlex 552 for Apartments (2027): Footprint or Friendliness?
Elite EXP and 552 compared for small apartments: stored size, household ease, expansion, and noise on shared floors.
PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Stage 1, Pair) vs BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbell: the specs, side by side
| Spec | PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Stage 1, Pair) | BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbell |
|---|---|---|
| Weight range | 5-50 lb per hand as Stage 1 pair, expandable to 70 and 90 lb with kits | 5-52.5 lb per dumbbell, 15 settings |
| Footprint in use | About 12 x 6.5 x 6.25 in per dumbbell at Stage 1 | - |
| Stored size | Both dumbbells side by side occupy roughly 12 x 13 in of floor or shelf | Pair in trays needs a clear area about 17 x 17 in; dial at each end, tray required for changes |
| Mechanism | Magnetic selector pin through a nested steel plate stack; pin changes make a soft metallic click | - |
| 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 |
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 cart
BowFlexBowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbell
The dial dumbbell with 2.5 lb low-end steps, in a tray that slides under a console table.
- 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
Sources: BowFlex SelectTech 552 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Check price on Amazonor add to your Amazon cartOur recommendation
For a solo apartment lifter, buy the Elite EXP: it stores smaller, loads heavier, and can expand to 90 lb in the same square foot. For a shared apartment, buy the 552: the dial teaches itself, the low-end steps serve the lighter lifter, and the trays keep the corner presentable. Both are quiet on a mat; the decision is household shape, not quality.
Stored footprint
The PowerBlock pair claims about a square foot. The 552 pair in trays claims closer to two square feet and, at 9 in tall in the tray, fewer under-furniture options. In a studio, that difference is a real shelf of storage given back or given up.
The second user test
Hand each system to a housemate with no explanation. The dial gets used correctly in ten seconds. The pin takes a demonstration and a week of habit. Apartments with two lifters feel this difference every single session.
Ceiling and the next purchase
At 52.5 lb the BowFlex story ends and a new system begins. At 50 lb the PowerBlock story continues with a stage kit. Price the apartment's five-year plan, not the first box, and the cheaper sticker often changes places.
Choose PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Stage 1, Pair) if…
- You train alone and expect to pass 50 lb per hand
- Your storage slot is a closet floor or a single square foot
- You prefer steel construction and a long service life
Choose BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbell if…
- Two people of different strength share the pair
- Fine 2.5 lb steps below 25 lb matter to your program
- You want the simplest routine and a tidy tray corner
FAQ
Questions, answered straight
Which is quieter for a downstairs neighbor?
A practical tie. The PowerBlock clicks softly per change; the BowFlex is silent to change and both set down quietly on foam. Technique and the mat decide apartment noise far more than this choice does.
Which survives an apartment move better?
The PowerBlock: two compact blocks, no trays to crack, steel throughout. The 552 moves fine in its trays with padding, but its plastic housing is the more fragile traveler of the two.
Which fits under a bed?
Neither in working form: the 552 in its tray is about 9 in tall, and the PowerBlock pair needs its blocks laid with care in a deep drawer instead. Plan closet floor storage for both and treat under-bed slots as bench and pad territory.