Head to head
BowFlex SelectTech 552 vs PowerBlock Elite EXP (2027): Dial Now or System for Later?
552 and Elite EXP compared on increments, expansion path, handle feel, and five-year cost of ownership.
BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbell vs PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Stage 1, Pair): the specs, side by side
| Spec | BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbell | PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Stage 1, Pair) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight range | 5-52.5 lb per dumbbell, 15 settings | 5-50 lb per hand as Stage 1 pair, expandable to 70 and 90 lb with kits |
| Increments | 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 25 lb, then 5 lb steps to 52.5 lb | 2.5 lb steps using the internal adder weights, per the PowerBlock weight chart |
| Mechanism | Dial at each end, storage tray required for changes | Magnetic selector pin through a nested steel plate stack |
| Sold as | Single dumbbell (pair listing also sold); verified ASIN is the current single listing | Pair (Stage 1); verified ASIN is the Stage 1 pair listing |
| Tray footprint | 16.9 x 8.3 x 9 in per dumbbell in its tray | - |
| Warranty | - | 5 year limited (manufacturer listing) |
BowFlexBowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbell
The dial dumbbell most home gyms start with, 5 to 52.5 lb in one tray.
- 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 cart
PowerBlockPowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Stage 1, Pair)
The expandable pin system: 5 to 50 lb now, 90 lb when you buy the stages.
- Weight range: 5-50 lb per hand as Stage 1 pair, expandable to 70 and 90 lb with kits
- Increments: 2.5 lb steps using the internal adder weights, per the PowerBlock weight chart
Sources: PowerBlock Elite EXP product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Check price on Amazonor add to your Amazon cartOur recommendation
Buy the 552 if your training lives under 52.5 lb and you want the friendlier daily routine. Buy the Elite EXP if there is any real chance you will press or row past 50 lb within the system's life: it is the only one of the two that can follow you there. This is the category's central decision, and it is about your ceiling, not about which mechanism wins a demo.
Increments in the working range
The 552 offers true 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 25 lb, then 5 lb steps. The Elite EXP uses adder weights for 2.5 lb flexibility at many settings but follows its own chart, with some uneven jumps where plates change. For small-muscle progression the BowFlex ladder is cleaner; for big lifts both are adequate.
What happens at 55 lb
On the 552, nothing: the system ends at 52.5 and the next step is a new dumbbell. On the Elite EXP, a Stage 2 kit takes the same handles to 70 lb and Stage 3 to 90. Price the full journey before deciding the BowFlex is cheaper; for a progressing lifter it often is not.
Feel and failure modes
Round plates and a conventional handle against a steel cage block. The BowFlex asks for no drops, ever. The PowerBlock tolerates rougher handling but asks for a deliberate pin seat on every change. Pick the discipline you will actually keep.
Choose BowFlex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbell if…
- Your ceiling is honestly at or under 50 lb per hand
- Fine low-end steps matter for shoulders and arms
- You want the simplest routine for a shared household gym
Choose PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Stage 1, Pair) if…
- You expect to outgrow 50 lb and hate replacing equipment
- You prefer steel construction and a five year warranty
- Your space rewards the shorter, stackable footprint
FAQ
Questions, answered straight
Which is better for a couple sharing one gym?
The 552, usually: the dial is self-explanatory for a second user, and the fine low steps serve different strength levels well. The PowerBlock wins the same household if one partner trains heavy, because only it covers both ends of the house.