bowflex selecttech 552 vs nordictrack adjustable dumbbell review
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This is for anyone tired of a rack of fixed dumbbells cluttering the spare bedroom. You want one pair that goes from light to heavy, you're stuck between the two biggest names in home fitness, and you don't want to waste $400 on the wrong set. I've spent weeks lifting with both the Bowflex SelectTech 552 and the NordicTrack Select-A-Weight dumbbells. Here’s the honest breakdown.
- Who this is for: Home gym builders who need a space-saving dumbbell set up to 52.5 lbs per hand.
- Top pick: Bowflex SelectTech 552 for smoother dialing and better long-term durability.
- Price range: $329 - $549 depending on sales and retailer.
Buyer's Guide: What to Look For in Adjustable Dumbbells
Before you buy, ignore the marketing noise. Focus on these four things.
Weight Range and Increments. Most adjustable sets stop at 50 or 52.5 pounds. That's fine for curls and shoulder presses. It's not enough for heavy rows or squats. Check if you need the heavier expansion packs later. The Bowflex 552 goes from 5 to 52.5 lbs in 2.5 lb increments for the first 25 lbs, then 5 lb jumps. The NordicTrack Select-A-Weight goes from 5 to 55 lbs in 5 lb increments only. That missing 2.5 lb step matters when you're progressing on lateral raises.
Dialing Mechanism and Locking. This is where these two differ massively. Bowflex uses a dial on the end that you twist to select weight. It's connected to plates with a locking pin. NordicTrack uses a similar dial but the mechanism feels cheaper. If the locking pin doesn't seat fully, the plates wobble. A wobbly dumbbell at 50 lbs is dangerous. Test the mechanism in-store if you can, or buy from a place with a good return policy.
Footprint and Cradle. Both come with a plastic base that holds the dumbbells. The Bowflex cradle is wider and more stable. The NordicTrack base has a tendency to tip if you drop the dumbbells back down unevenly. Measure your space. The Bowflex footprint is roughly 17" x 12" per dumbbell. The NordicTrack is about the same but the base is narrower.
Build Quality and Warranty. The Bowflex 552 has a 2-year warranty on parts and a 10-year warranty on the frame. NordicTrack offers a 1-year parts and labor warranty. That's a huge gap. The plastic internals on the NordicTrack are known to strip after heavy use. Read the Amazon reviews — you'll see the same complaints about the selector dial failing after six months.
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Review
Price: $349 - $449 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Best for: Most home lifters
The 552 is the gold standard for a reason. The weight adjustment is smooth — you twist the dial, it clicks into place, and the plates lock solid. I couldn't get any wobble even at 52.5 lbs doing overhead presses. The knurling is decent, not great, but it's grippy enough for heavy sets.
The 2.5 lb increments up to 25 lbs are a game changer for small muscle groups. You can actually progress on lateral raises without jumping 5 lbs and killing your form. The plates are made of a composite material coated in plastic, which means they don't rust like iron. But they also clack together louder than solid metal.
The weakness is the cradle. It's bulky. If you're working out in a tight apartment, the base takes up real estate. Also, the dial can be stiff when the dumbbell is loaded at max weight. You'll need to press down firmly to get it to rotate. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's noticeable.
Bottom line: The Bowflex 552 is the safer buy. It's proven, the warranty is solid, and the micro-increments help you progress longer.
NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbell Review
Price: $329 - $399 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Best for: Budget buyers on a tight timeline
The NordicTrack Select-A-Weight is the direct competitor. It looks similar from afar — a plastic base, a dial, a stack of plates. But the execution falls short. The dial is notched and clicks, but the locking pin doesn't always engage fully. I had to visually check each time before lifting. That's a safety concern when you're moving fast between sets.
The weight range goes to 55 lbs, which is 2.5 lbs more than the Bowflex. That's nice if you're doing heavy chest presses. But the 5 lb increments only mean you're stuck at 30 lbs until you can jump to 35. For isolation work, that's a huge hurdle. The plates are solid iron, which is good — they feel like real dumbbells. But they're also exposed, so they'll rust if you sweat on them and don't wipe them down.
The cradle is narrow and tips easily. If you drop one side down faster than the other, the whole base rocks. I almost dumped it on my foot during a drop set of shoulder presses. The warranty is the real killer though. One year on parts is nothing. If the dial strips after month 13, you're buying a new set.
Bottom line: The NordicTrack works if you're on a budget and only need basic weight jumps. But the build quality and warranty make it a riskier long-term purchase.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If neither of these fit, here are two other real options I've tested.
PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells
Price: $379 - $499 | Rating: 4/5 | Best for: Quick weight changes
The PowerBlock uses a different system — you slide a selector pin into a block of steel plates. It's faster than dialing and the weight goes from 5 to 50 lbs in 2.5 lb increments. The tradeoff is the shape. It's a square block, not a traditional dumbbell. It takes a few weeks to get used to the feel, especially for neutral-grip rows. But the build is rock solid — all steel, no plastic internals. The expansion kits let you go up to 90 lbs, which neither Bowflex nor NordicTrack offers.
NUOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells
Price: $449 - $599 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Best for: Those who want a traditional dumbbell feel
NUOBELL mimics the Bowflex dial system but uses solid steel plates. The weight range is 5 to 80 lbs depending on the model. The build quality is excellent — no wobble, smooth dial rotation, and a sturdier cradle. The downside is the price. It's significantly more expensive than the Bowflex. But if you're doing heavy lifting and want a set that lasts a decade, this is the one.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Bowflex SelectTech 552 | NordicTrack Select-A-Weight | PowerBlock Elite EXP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Range | 5 - 52.5 lbs | 5 - 55 lbs | 5 - 50 lbs (expandable to 90) |
| Increments | 2.5 lbs up to 25, then 5 lbs | 5 lbs only | 2.5 lbs up to 50 |
| Adjustment Speed | Medium (dial twist) | Medium (dial twist) | Fast (sliding pin) |
| Build Material | Composite/Plastic coated | Solid iron | Solid steel |
| Warranty | 2 yr parts, 10 yr frame | 1 yr parts/labor | 5 yr frame, 1 yr parts |
| Footprint | Wide, stable base | Narrow, tips easily | Compact, stackable |
| Price | $349 - $449 | $329 - $399 | $379 - $499 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Bowflex 552 and NordicTrack Select-A-Weight interchangeable? No. The plate locking systems are completely different. You can't swap plates between brands.
Can I drop these dumbbells? No. Both are designed for controlled movements. Dropping them will break the plastic internals or crack the cradle. Use them on a rubber mat and lower them gently.
Which is better for beginners? The Bowflex. The 2.5 lb increments let you start light and progress slowly. The NordicTrack jumps too fast for a true beginner.
Do these replace a full dumbbell set? Yes, for most people. The 52.5 lb max is enough for 90% of home exercises. If you're benching over 100 lbs per hand, look at the PowerBlock expansion kits or a fixed dumbbell set.
How much space do I need? Both sets need about 2 feet of floor space for the base. You'll also want a few feet of clearance on each side to safely lift and lower.
Verdict
Buy the Bowflex SelectTech 552. It costs a little more than the NordicTrack, but the smoother dialing, the 2.5 lb increments, and the 10-year frame warranty make it worth every extra dollar. The NordicTrack is fine if you absolutely need to save $50 and don't mind the risk of plastic failure, but the wobble and the narrow base are dealbreakers for anyone lifting over 30 lbs. If you want to spend more for a premium feel that lasts forever, get the NUOBELL. But for the best balance of price, function, and durability, the Bowflex 552 wins this fight.
Bowflex SelectTech 552 ($10)
Pros: Smooth dial, 2.5 lb increments, 10-yr frame warranty
Cons: Bulky cradle, composite plates clack
NordicTrack Select-A-Weight ($10)
Pros: Higher max weight, solid iron plates
Cons: 5 lb jumps only, narrow base, weak 1-yr warranty
PowerBlock Elite EXP ($10)
Pros: Fast pin adjustment, expandable to 90 lbs, all-steel build
Cons: Square shape feels odd, no traditional dumbbell feel
NUOBELL Adjustable Dumbbells ($10)
Pros: Solid steel, up to 80 lbs, excellent stability
Cons: Expensive, heavier than competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
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