BowFlex Results Series 552 vs NordicTrack Select-A-Weight: Which Should You Buy in 2026?

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BowFlex Results Series 552 vs NordicTrack Select-A-Weight: the short version

Adjustable dumbbells are one of the easiest ways to build a home gym without filling a room with metal. The BowFlex Results Series 552 and NordicTrack Select-A-Weight 55 lb set both replace multiple fixed dumbbell pairs, both include trays, and both target people who want serious strength training in a small footprint.

The difference is feel. BowFlex starts at 5 pounds, adjusts up to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell, and uses quick twist dials. It is friendly for curls, presses, lateral raises, rehab-style work, and beginner strength sessions because the low end is light enough for smaller muscle groups.

NordicTrack starts at 10 pounds and reaches 55 pounds per dumbbell. That higher starting point is fine for rows, presses, squats, deadlifts, and carries, but it is less friendly for light isolation work. The NordicTrack shape feels closer to a traditional dumbbell, which many people prefer for pressing and floor work.

One important note before buying used BowFlex dumbbells: older BowFlex 552 and 1090 adjustable dumbbells were part of a U.S. recall. This comparison is focused on the current BowFlex Results Series 552 listing. If you buy used, check recall status and model details first.

Specs compared

Feature	BowFlex Results Series 552	NordicTrack Select-A-Weight 55 lb
Amazon ASIN	B0FRNG2N5H	B08BDD6GPC
Sold as	Pair, with storage trays	Pair, with storage trays
Weight range per dumbbell	5 to 52.5 lb	10 to 55 lb
Weight settings	15 settings: 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 52.5 lb	15 settings: 10 to 55 lb with small and medium jumps depending on selector position
Adjustment style	Twist dials	Selector system with multiple tabs
Dimensions per dumbbell	16.9 x 8.3 x 9 in	Commonly listed around 19 x 11.4 x 8.5 in
Handle and build	Non-slip grips, metal components, locking system	10 lb handle bars, fitted trays, traditional dumbbell-like shape
Best for	Beginners, mixed workouts, smaller rooms, fast changes	Value buyers, heavier basic lifts, traditional dumbbell feel

Weight range and training flexibility

BowFlex wins this category because of its 5-pound starting weight. That matters more than it sounds. A 10-pound starting point can be too heavy for lateral raises, rear-delt raises, external rotations, some warmups, and people just starting strength training. BowFlex gives you 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 pound steps before moving into heavier settings, which makes it easier to train small muscle groups without buying a second light dumbbell set.

NordicTrack reaches 55 pounds, so it technically goes 2.5 pounds heavier at the top. That is useful for rows, goblet squats, Romanian deadlifts, and loaded carries. In practice, the top-end difference between 52.5 and 55 pounds is small. The bigger difference is the low end. If you will use the set for full-body training, BowFlex covers more exercises cleanly.

If your workouts are mostly presses, rows, split squats, hinges, and carries, the NordicTrack range can be enough. If you want one set to handle light shoulder work, arms, warmups, and accessory training, BowFlex has the edge.

Adjustment speed

Both sets are much faster than screw-collar dumbbells. BowFlex uses quick adjustment dials on the ends of the dumbbell. Set the weight, lift the handle out of the tray, and the unused plates stay behind. It is simple and fast during supersets or timed workouts.

NordicTrack uses a selector system that can feel more involved because you may need to adjust more than one tab to get the exact weight you want. Some users like the extra control. Others find it slower than BowFlex. For circuit training where you move from curls to rows to presses, BowFlex feels smoother.

There is one shared rule: do not drop either set. Selectorized dumbbells use plates, trays, and internal locking parts. Dropping them can damage the mechanism, create misalignment, or make plate selection unreliable. Treat them like adjustable gear, not like commercial gym iron.

Shape, handle feel, and exercise comfort

BowFlex Results Series 552 dumbbells are shorter than the NordicTrack set and have a curved, tapered look. That shorter length helps with curls, presses, and moves where dumbbells come close together. The handles are built for grip, and the current Results Series listing emphasizes metal components and a secure locking mechanism.

NordicTrack has a more traditional dumbbell shape when loaded. That can feel natural for presses, rows, goblet squats, and floor work. The set can feel bulky compared with fixed dumbbells, but all selectorized dumbbells have some extra size. NordicTrack’s shape is one reason people who dislike the long BowFlex look sometimes prefer it.

For smaller users, apartment workouts, and accessory lifts, BowFlex is easier to recommend. For people who mostly lift in the 20 to 55 pound range and care about a traditional feel, NordicTrack is competitive.

Build quality and safety

BowFlex’s current Results Series 552 page highlights premium metal components, non-slip grips, and a locking system designed to keep weights in place. That matters because the BowFlex name has a recall history tied to older adjustable dumbbells. The current Results Series is the model to compare in 2026, and buyers should avoid mixing it up with old used listings unless they verify model and recall details.

NordicTrack keeps the design simple. The 55 lb Select-A-Weight set includes storage trays and 10-pound handle bars. Its selector tabs give you control over the weight loaded into each handle, though they also create one more habit to learn. The safest way to use either set is to adjust only while the dumbbell is fully seated in its tray, lift straight up, and check that the plates are locked before each set.

If you need equipment for a busy shared gym, fixed dumbbells are still tougher. For a home gym where one or two people use the weights carefully, both sets can make sense.

Storage and space savings

Both products replace a large rack of dumbbells. BowFlex says the Results Series 552 replaces 15 sets of weights. NordicTrack lists 15 weight adjustments per dumbbell. Either way, you are getting a wide training range in a footprint that can sit beside a bench or against a wall.

BowFlex has the more compact single-dumbbell dimensions at 16.9 x 8.3 x 9 inches. NordicTrack is commonly listed around 19 x 11.4 x 8.5 inches. That does not sound like a huge difference, but in a small apartment it can decide where the trays fit. BowFlex is easier to tuck near a compact bench or under a console table.

If you are building a full home gym, see our Hydrow Pro vs Concept2 RowErg comparison for cardio equipment that pairs well with strength work.

Pros and cons

BowFlex Results Series 552 pros

• Starts at 5 pounds, which is better for warmups and smaller exercises.
• Fast dial-based adjustment.
• Shorter per-dumbbell footprint than NordicTrack.
• Good range for beginners through intermediate lifters.
• Includes storage trays and non-slip grips.

BowFlex Results Series 552 cons

• Maxes out at 52.5 pounds, so advanced lifters may outgrow it.
• Costs more than some value adjustable dumbbells.
• Not designed to be dropped.
• Used BowFlex listings require recall checks.

NordicTrack Select-A-Weight pros

• Reaches 55 pounds per dumbbell.
• Traditional dumbbell-like shape feels familiar for many lifts.
• Often strong value when discounted.
• Includes fitted trays.
• Good choice for rows, presses, squats, deadlifts, and carries.

NordicTrack Select-A-Weight cons

• Starts at 10 pounds, which is too heavy for some light accessory work.
• Selector system can be slower than BowFlex dials.
• Larger footprint per dumbbell.
• Less convenient for quick circuits with frequent weight changes.

Best for different buyers

Best for beginners: BowFlex Results Series 552. The 5-pound starting weight is easier for new lifters, smaller users, and shoulder accessory movements.

Best for apartment gyms: BowFlex Results Series 552. The shorter body and quick dials make it easier to use in a tight space.

Best for basic strength workouts: NordicTrack Select-A-Weight. If you mainly train rows, presses, squats, lunges, and hinges, the 10 to 55 pound range works well.

Best value pick: NordicTrack, when it is meaningfully cheaper. If the prices are close, BowFlex is the cleaner buy for most people.

Best long-term pick for heavy lifters: neither. If you already need more than 55 pounds per hand, look at heavier adjustable systems or fixed dumbbells.

Which should you buy?

For most home gyms, the BowFlex Results Series 552 is the better buy. It has the more useful weight range, starts lighter, adjusts faster, and takes less room. That makes it more versatile for real training, where you may move from light raises to curls to presses to rows in the same session.

The NordicTrack Select-A-Weight 55 lb set is still a good choice when price is the main reason to buy. It offers a little more top-end weight and a familiar shape. It makes sense for people who already know they do not need anything under 10 pounds.

If you are buying only one adjustable dumbbell pair in 2026, pick BowFlex unless NordicTrack is much cheaper or you strongly prefer the NordicTrack shape.

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FAQ

Is BowFlex Results Series 552 better than NordicTrack Select-A-Weight?

For most users, yes. BowFlex starts at 5 pounds, changes weight quickly, and has a shorter body. NordicTrack is better if you want a 55-pound max and find it at a much lower price.

Can either set replace a full dumbbell rack?

For many home users, yes. Both sets cover a wide range of common training weights. They do not replace very heavy dumbbells for advanced lifters who need more than about 55 pounds per hand.

Which adjustable dumbbell is better for beginners?

BowFlex Results Series 552 is better for beginners because it starts at 5 pounds and includes smaller early increments. That helps with shoulders, arms, warmups, and learning good form.

Are BowFlex 552 dumbbells recalled?

Older BowFlex 552 and 1090 adjustable dumbbells were part of a U.S. recall. This article compares the current BowFlex Results Series 552. If you buy used, check the exact model and recall status before using the product.

Can you drop BowFlex or NordicTrack adjustable dumbbells?

No. These are selectorized adjustable dumbbells with trays and locking parts. Dropping them can damage the mechanism or plates. Set them down carefully after each set.