1. Bowflex Reviews – Bowflex SelectTech 552 and SelectTech 1090 Adjustable Dumbbells<br />If you’ve made the commitment to work toward your fitness goals, outfitting yourself with effective training equipment is essential. The investment in a set of quality Bowflex dumbbells will pay for itself over time in convenience, space savings, and most of all, in the results you’ll see in your physique. We’ll take a look at the Bowflex reviews of each of their adjustable dumbbell products, explain the differences between the models, the pros and cons and the intended user profile of each.<br />First, a bit about the benefits of training with dumbbells. Strength training with free weights will get you the biggest gains in the shortest amount of time. And dumbbells are more effective than machines or barbells, as your body is forced to continuously engage supportive muscles to coordinate the lifting effort. Developing your stabilizing and core muscles will give you real world strength, as opposed to gym machine strength. You can do an entire workout with dumbbells alone. <br />Bowflex makes two adjustable dumbbells, the SelectTech 552 and the SelectTech 1090, each geared toward a distinct end user. Both feature an innovative dial selector that lets you easily dial in the weight you want. As you turn the dial upward, the handle latches on to additional weight plates – a display shows you how much weight you’ve chosen. Changing weights with the turn of a dial is easy and having the choice of numerous weight combinations all in a single piece of equipment is a nice convenience. If you like to keep your workouts short, not having to waste time or focus dropping and adding weight can really help you keep up your intensity. <br />The SelectTech 552 consists of two dumbbells, adjustable from 5 to 52.5 pounds each. This set is intended for the novice strength trainer or for someone more interested in toning than building muscle mass. The increments are a handy 2.5 pounds for the first 25 pounds, allowing you to gradually move to the next level without an undue level of strain on your body. <br />The SelectTech 552 combines 15 sets of weights into one convenient package. The handles are a comfortably padded rubber and the dumbbells are considerably more compact than the SelectTech 1090s. This allows for easier maneuverability and a natural, balanced feel, similar to a conventional dumbbell. All of this makes them a better fit for those doing high repetition exercises, focusing on toning the body. With the fast changing weight selector dial, the SelectTech 552 is also a great choice for anyone trying to keep up with one of the many popular workout videos out there.<br />Changing the weights on a carpeted surface can be difficult - hardwood or concrete floors are preferable. Though not a necessity, Bowlfex does make a dumbbell stand specifically for designed for their dumbbells - it even wheels away for easy storage. The stand makes a nice addition, especially for protection of the lower back as you won't be constantly bending down to pick up your weights.<br />In the SelectTech 1090, you get a whole gym rack of dumbbells in a small footprint. The dumbbell adjusts from 10 pounds up to 90 pounds in 5-pound increments. The SelectTech 1090 replaces 17 individual conventional dumbbells and with a maximum weight of 90 pounds, will likely be all the weight you’ll ever need for serious strength training.<br />Unlike the Selecttech 552, the SelectTech 1090 is sold individually, not as a pair. Many exercises are best performed with a dumbbell in each hand, so most people will want to have two of the 1090s to optimize their workouts. The chrome handles on the SelectTech 1090s are rough textured and rectangular. They are less comfortable, especially at weights over 40 pounds, than the rubber grips on the SelectTech 552s, so using some thick tape or lifting gloves is recommended.<br />To accommodate 90 pounds, the SelectTech 1090s are 17.5” long, even with only 10 pounds on. This makes them a bit awkward at lower weights and the length can be an issue when performing some exercises like double arm curls because the weights hit when your arms are positioned close together. To compensate, you can do one set with each arm individually. For most exercises, the length is something you get used to and isn’t an issue. <br />Like with the SelectTech 552, it can be cumbersome adjusting and grabbing the dumbbells from the floor. Consider getting the stand for the added convenience and back protection – 90 or 180 pounds is a lot of weight to lift off the floor repetitively. The stand is allows for quick weight adjustments and easy pickup of the dumbbells.<br />If you want to work out at home but don’t have the space for a dedicated weight room, adjustable dumbbells are a great choice. For a lighter person or someone more interested in toning than strength training, the SelectTech 552′s, with a maximum weight of 50 pounds per hand, should be all the weight you’ll need. But for serious strength training, adding bulk and building muscle mass, the SelectTech 1090’s are the way to go.<br />Continue reading the complete Bowflex reviews, along with detailed product features, pictures, specs, and user reviews as well as reviews of comparable adjustable dumbbell sets like those made by PowerBlock.<br />Quality adjustable dumbbells, while providing good value, are not inexpensive. Before you purchase a pair of adjustable dumbbells, make sure that it will be a good fit for your intended use by gathering some information and reviews from current users. This will help you make an informed decision and give you the best chance of making a purchase you will not regret.<br />