Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells Review 2026: 552 and 1090
Bowflex sells two current SelectTech pairs, the 552 at 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell and the 1090 at 10 to 90 lb. Read on 2026-11-07, Bowflex's pages show the 552 at $399 (listed at $479) and the 1090 at $649 (listed at $799), each as a pair, and neither includes a stand.
How this review was made
MudderElla did not test either pair. Everything below is what Bowflex's own pages say, read on 2026-11-07 and attributed in the sentence, plus arithmetic on those figures. Where Bowflex's pages disagree with each other or leave a fact out, this review says so. It belongs to the wider best home gym guide, and the adjustable dumbbell comparison puts these two beside other brands.
Bowflex was showing a promotion on every page that ends 11/14. The prices here are written as the pages showed them: a shown price and a listed price. They may differ when you look.
The two models at a glance
| Fact (as Bowflex's page states it) | SelectTech 552 | SelectTech 1090 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Shown at $399, listed at $479, as a pair | Shown at $649, listed at $799, as a pair |
| Range per dumbbell | 5 to 52.5 lb | 10 to 90 lb |
| Weight settings | 15 | 17 |
| Step between settings | 2.5 lb up to 25 lb, then 5 lb | 5 lb |
| Size per dumbbell | 16.9 x 8.3 x 9 in | 17.5 x 9.5 x 10 in |
| Weight of each dumbbell | Not stated | Not stated |
| Grips | Non-slip grips | Knurled hand grips |
| Warranty | Parts 2 years | Parts 3 years |
| Replaces | 15 sets of weights | 17 sets of weights |
| Protection plans | $69 for 3 years, $99 for 5 years | $89 for 3 years, $129 for 5 years |
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SelectTech 552
Bowflex's page lists 15 settings: 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 52.5 lb per dumbbell. That is a fine 2.5 lb step through the lighter half of the range and a 5 lb step above 25 lb. The page describes quick adjustment weight selection dials and says you switch between settings with a quick twist of the dials. It prints no seconds figure. Bowflex's explore page FAQ says adjustments are "nearly instant" after you turn each dial to the number you want until it clicks into place.
The page also says that, because of tolerances in the manufacturing process, individual weight settings may vary from their stated values. That is Bowflex's own caveat, and it is worth reading if you plan to match a barbell lift to an exact number.
The 552 page says "Different look, same powerful performance as the Results Series 52 Dumbbells". Bowflex's compare table gives the 552 a curved shape with tapered weight plates and black plates with grey accents, and the 52 a traditional shape with uniform plates and white accents. Range, price and warranty match. Both carry a "New" flag on the page.
The 552 page lists storage trays and says it is compatible with the Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbell Stand, sold separately. The page shows 4.6 out of 5 stars from 176 reviews. Those are Bowflex's displayed customer reviews, not a rating by this site.
Who it is wrong for. The 552 is wrong for a lifter who expects to press, row or squat past 52.5 lb in each hand, because that is the top setting. It is also wrong for someone who needs to know the weight of the pair for shipping, storage or a floor load, because the page does not print it. The top setting of 52.5 lb is a load, not the weight of the product.
SelectTech 1090
Bowflex's page lists 17 settings from 10 to 90 lb in 5 lb steps. There are no steps finer than 5 lb, so the jump from one setting to the next is larger than on the 552 at light weights. The first setting, 10 lb, is the lowest, so lighter work such as small shoulder raises sits below the range.
The page gives the size per dumbbell as 17.5 x 9.5 x 10 in, lists knurled hand grips, and shows a 3-year parts warranty. It says the 1090 offers "the same powerful performance as the Results Series 90 Dumbbells" with the same shape and colour differences described for the 552 and the 52. The 1090 page also shows a 5.1S bench at $499 listed and $299 shown, but the bench is a separate product and not part of the pair.
Who it is wrong for. The 1090 is wrong for a buyer who lifts below 10 lb in each hand and for anyone who wants 2.5 lb steps, since the stated step is 5 lb throughout. It is also the larger of the two, which matters on a shelf or in a small room.
Weight steps and what they mean
Both models change weight with a dial or handle, and the practical difference is the step. A 5 lb step on the 1090 means going from 40 lb to 45 lb is a 12.5 percent jump per hand. The 552 has a 2.5 lb step up to 25 lb, so going from 20 lb to 22.5 lb is the same 12.5 percent. Above 25 lb both have 5 lb steps, so the 552 and 1090 behave alike through the shared 30 to 50 lb range. This is arithmetic on Bowflex's setting lists, not a claim about how either feels in use.
Materials, recalls and the maker's claims
Bowflex's explore page says the plates are steel coated in polypropylene and are "built to stand up to repeated use and corrosive rust". That is Bowflex's statement; this site did not examine or use either pair and makes no claim about durability. The same FAQ says the SelectTech dumbbells currently available for purchase are not involved in any recalls. The page also says the full-body use covers biceps, shoulders, core, abs and legs, and the page carries a market-share claim about dollar sales that cites Circana. That is a statement about sales, not about quality.
Stands: two options with different compatibility
No dumbbell page includes a stand. Bowflex lists two:
- SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbell Stand, $199. The page says it is compatible with all SelectTech dumbbell models, measures 30.7 x 24.4 x 26.2 in, weighs 48.5 lb assembled, and carries a 10-year frame warranty with 1 year on the device holder and water bottle tray.
- Stand with media rack, $179. The page says it fits the Results Series 552 and 1090 but not the 52 or 90, measures 26.4 x 22 x 26.9 in, and carries a 10-year frame warranty.
The two pages differ in what they say about compatibility, and the dumbbell pages say only that the stand is sold separately. Bowflex's FAQ says the stand is optional but recommended because it positions the weights correctly for lifting. If you want one, the price of the pair plus the stand is the number to compare. For the 552 at its shown price that is $399 plus $199, or $598, and with the listed price $479 plus $199, or $678.
Returns and shipping
Bowflex's return policy page says you can return equipment for a full product refund or credit, minus freight, if you are not satisfied in the first 30 days from delivery. It says return shipping costs are $155 and a processing fee of up to 20% may apply, that items must come back in like-new condition, and that returns are curbside pickups. The shipping page says orders leave the warehouse within 5 days and that delivery is to the contiguous United States only. The Shipping and Returns link on each product page opens a modal that was not read, so check it before ordering.
Where this fits in a home gym
SelectTech pairs replace a rack of fixed weights with a footprint that, by Bowflex's figures, is one dumbbell plus a tray. They do not replace machines. If you want a full-body resistance station, the Bowflex home gyms compared page sets the Revolution against the Xtreme 2 SE, and the Xtreme 2 SE review covers the Power Rod machine. For the strength-plus-rowing option, see the Bowflex Revolution review.
To see how Bowflex's range and price compare with another adjustable system, read Bowflex against PowerBlock. If the question is whether the cost makes sense next to a set of fixed pairs, are adjustable dumbbells worth it shows the arithmetic.
Bowflex's SelectTech page also lists the stands and protection plans described above.
FAQ
What is the weight range of the SelectTech 552 and 1090?
Bowflex's pages state 5 to 52.5 lb per dumbbell for the 552 and 10 to 90 lb per dumbbell for the 1090.
How fast do the dials change weight?
Bowflex's explore page FAQ says adjustments are "nearly instant". The product pages give no time in seconds, and this site did not time either pair.
Does a stand come with them?
No. Both product pages list the stand as sold separately, and Bowflex's FAQ calls it optional but recommended. Stands are listed at $199 and $179 on Bowflex's pages.
What is the warranty?
Bowflex's pages state parts coverage of 2 years on the 552 and 3 years on the 1090. Protection plans are listed separately.
How much does each dumbbell weigh?
Bowflex's pages do not print it. The page figures of 52.5 lb and 90 lb are the heaviest settings, not the weight of the product itself.