Bowflex SelectTech vs PowerBlock: Which Adjustable Dumbbells Should Dads Buy?
If you’re building a garage or spare-bedroom gym, adjustable dumbbells are the smartest first buy: one pair replaces a whole rack and fits in a corner the kids can’t trip over. The two names everyone ends up comparing are Bowflex SelectTech and PowerBlock.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
THE SHORTLIST
Quick picks
This guide is for dads who want one pair that lasts, fits a small space, and doesn’t blow the budget. We’ll cover price tiers, weight range, how they feel, how well they hold up, and the big 2025 Bowflex recall you need to know about before buying anything used.
Heads up: we haven’t hands-on tested these. This comparison is based on manufacturer specs, current Amazon listings, and what reputable reviewers and long-time owners report.
Bowflex Results Series 552
A mid-range pick $$. The redesigned 5–52.5 lb pair with a familiar dumbbell shape and quick dial changes.
PowerBlock Elite USA 90
A top-end pick $$$$. The complete 5–90 lb set, with Stage 1, 2, and 3 expansions included.
PowerBlock Sport 24
The budget pick $. A compact 3–24 lb pair for higher-rep work, rehab, or tight spaces.
QUICK COMPARISON
Bowflex SelectTech vs PowerBlock at a glance
| Feature | Bowflex Results Series 552 | PowerBlock Elite USA 90 | PowerBlock Sport 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price tier | $$ mid-range (pair) | $$$$ top-end (complete 5–90 lb set) | $ budget (pair) |
| Weight range (per dumbbell) | 5–52.5 lb | 5–90 lb | 3–24 lb |
| Expandable? | No | Yes — this Amazon listing already includes Stage 1, 2, and 3 | No |
| Adjustment | Twist dials on each end (in the tray) | Magnetic selector pin + micro weights (2.5 lb jumps) | Magnetic selector pin, 3 lb steps |
| Shape | Long, traditional dumbbell (16.9″ long) | Short, boxy block (12″ × 6″ × 6″) | Very compact (10″ × 5.5″ × 5.5″) |
| Build | Redesigned with metal plates and a locking system | Made-in-USA line; knurled grip; not compatible with Elite EXP kits | Powder-coated steel; rubber grip handle |
| Warranty (as commonly listed) | 2 years, parts | 5-year residential | 5-year residential |
| Check today’s price | Bowflex 552 on Amazon ↗ | Elite USA 90 on Amazon ↗ | Sport 24 on Amazon ↗ |
Price guide: $ budget · $$ mid-range · $$$ premium · $$$$ top-end. Relative to the other picks; tap through for today’s price on Amazon. Confirm the exact listing, shipping, and in-stock status before you buy.
READ THIS FIRST
The 2025 Bowflex recall (before you buy used)
On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of about 3.8 million original BowFlex SelectTech 552 and 1090 dumbbells because the weight plates can come loose from the handle during use. The CPSC listed 111 injuries reported to the previous owner (Nautilus), including concussions and broken toes. Bowflex says all genuine legacy 552/1090 units sold in the U.S. are covered.
What that means for you:
- Don’t buy a used or “new old stock” SelectTech 552 or 1090 from Marketplace, eBay, or a garage sale.
- If you already own one, stop using it and file a claim on Bowflex’s recall page.
- Bowflex now sells a redesigned Results Series 552, which Bowflex says uses metal components to attach the plates to the handle. That’s the only Bowflex 552 we’d consider buying new.
THE PICKS
What to know before you click “Buy”
Bowflex Results Series 552: the “feels like a real dumbbell” pick
The Results Series 552 is Bowflex’s updated version of the most famous adjustable dumbbell ever made. You set it in its tray, twist the dials on each end, and lift. It goes from 5 to 52.5 lb per hand across 15 settings, stepping by 2.5 lb up to 25 lb and by 5 lb after that. It’s a mid-range pick $$, and the pair comes with storage trays included.
Who it’s for: dads who mostly do moderate-weight work (curls, presses, rows, lunges) and want a dumbbell that looks and feels like the ones at the gym.
Pros
- Dial changes are about as quick and easy as it gets, which makes circuits and supersets smooth
- Traditional dumbbell shape that reviewers say feels more natural for curls and hammer curls
- Small 2.5 lb jumps in the lighter range, nice for shoulder and arm work
- Redesigned with metal parts holding the plates after the 2025 recall
Cons
- Tops out at 52.5 lb with no way to expand, so stronger lifters may outgrow it for presses and rows
- Long body (16.9″) can bump your thighs or shoulders on some movements
- Needs its tray to change weight, and a matching stand is extra (the Bowflex SelectTech stand is a budget-tier accessory $)
- Only a 2-year parts warranty, and the brand’s recall history makes some buyers nervous
PowerBlock Elite USA 90: the “buy once” pick
PowerBlocks look odd the first time you see them: a steel cage with the handle inside and nested plates around it. You slide a magnetic pin to choose your weight. The Elite USA line is PowerBlock’s made-in-USA set with a knurled grip and micro weights for 2.5 lb jumps, from 5 lb all the way to 90 lb per hand.
On Amazon, the Elite USA is sold as a complete 5–90 lb pair at the top-end tier $$$$, with Stage 1, 2, and 3 expansions included. We could not confidently match a standalone 50 lb Elite USA Stage 1 listing on Amazon, so this comparison uses the complete set.
Who it’s for: dads who plan to get stronger over the years and want one set that keeps up, without buying a whole new pair later.
Pros
- Goes to 90 lb per hand, so you won’t outgrow it for presses, rows, and goblet squats
- Made-in-USA Elite USA line with few moving parts; long-time owners commonly report many years of use
- Short, boxy 12″ shape doesn’t roll and stores easily
- No base needed to change weight
- 5-year residential warranty (does not apply to commercial use)
Cons
- The block shape takes getting used to, and reviewers say it’s not as nice for curls
- Steel plates are a bit louder than urethane (PowerBlock says so itself)
- The complete 90 lb set costs substantially more than the Bowflex 552 pair on Amazon today
- Not compatible with Elite EXP expansion kits or accessories
Also worth a look
The PowerBlock Pro 50 (premium $$$) is a 5–50 lb pair with a rubber grip and a quieter, more finished feel than bare steel. If you want to start at 50 lb and add weight later, the PowerBlock Elite EXP Stage 1 (mid-range $$) is the expandable 5–50 lb set we could actually confirm on Amazon. Check Amazon for Stage 2 and Stage 3 kits. Elite EXP kits are not compatible with Elite USA.
The older PowerBlock Pro EXP Stage 1 set no longer has a current U.S. Amazon listing we could confidently match. PowerBlock discontinued that Stage 1 model in 2024; expansion kits are still sold for existing owners, and the current expandable successor is the PowerBlock Pro 100 EXP on PowerBlock.com.
PowerBlock Sport 24: the budget pick for lighter work
If you mostly do higher-rep circuits, shoulder work, or you’re coming back from an injury, you might not need 50 lb dumbbells at all. The Sport 24 goes from 3 to 24 lb in 3 lb jumps, is only 10″ long, and is the budget pick $, a lower-priced option than the Bowflex pair.
Pros
- Lowest price of the bunch
- Tiny footprint, great for apartments and spare bedrooms
- Even 3 lb steps are nice for rehab and isolation work
- 5-year residential warranty
Cons
- 24 lb max is too light for most lower-body and heavy pressing work
- Not expandable
BUY SMARTER
How to choose between Bowflex and PowerBlock
- How heavy will you go? If you can already press or row 50 lb dumbbells, or think you will within a year or two, get an expandable PowerBlock — on Amazon today, that’s either the complete Elite USA 90 or the Elite EXP Stage 1 you can grow later. If 50 lb is plenty, the Bowflex 552 is a strong, lower-priced option.
- What exercises matter most? Lots of curls and arm work? Bowflex’s traditional shape wins. Presses, rows, squats, and lunges? PowerBlock’s compact block is great.
- How rough are you on gear? No adjustable dumbbell should be dropped, but reviewers consistently rate PowerBlock’s simple steel design as the more durable of the two.
- Space and storage: PowerBlocks are shorter and stack neatly. Bowflex needs its trays (and ideally a stand).
- Total cost: Add a stand if you want one, and think about whether you’re buying 50 lb now or 90 lb for good. Pair your dumbbells with a solid adjustable workout bench and you’ve got a full home gym in one corner.
- Buying used? Avoid any legacy Bowflex 552/1090. Used PowerBlocks are generally fine, but check the pin and handle for damage.
Want more options? See our roundup of the best adjustable dumbbells for the price, and if you’d like to add swings to the mix, our affordable adjustable kettlebells guide.
FAQ
Questions before you buy
Is the Bowflex SelectTech 552 still safe to buy?
The original SelectTech 552 and 1090 were recalled in June 2025, so don’t buy those used or as leftover stock. Bowflex now sells the redesigned Results Series 552, which it says uses metal components to hold the plates. Buy that version new from an authorized seller if you want a Bowflex.
Are PowerBlocks better than Bowflex?
For most dads planning to lift for years, yes: they expand to 90 lb, have a simpler steel design, and reviewers rate them as more durable. Bowflex is better if you care most about a traditional dumbbell feel, the quickest weight changes, and a lower price if 52.5 lb is all you’ll need.
Can you expand Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells?
No. The 552 maxes out at 52.5 lb per hand. If you want heavier Bowflex dumbbells, you’d need the separate Results Series 1090. Amazon is selling the Results Series 1090 as a single dumbbell at the mid-range tier $$. We could not confirm a current Amazon listing for a pair, so check the listing if you need two. The complete PowerBlock Elite USA 90 already goes to 90 lb per hand. Check the Results Series 1090 single on Amazon ↗.
Are PowerBlocks awkward for curls?
Many reviewers and owners say the boxy shape feels a little different for curls and hammer curls, especially with expansion weights on. For presses, rows, and squats they’re great.
Do I need a stand?
Not strictly, but a stand saves your back from bending to the floor every set. The Bowflex SelectTech stand is a budget-tier accessory $, and PowerBlock sells stands and bundles too.
What should I put under my dumbbells?
A rubber mat protects floors and quiets things down. Our treadmill mats for hardwood floors guide has options that work great under a dumbbell setup too.
FINAL TAKE
The verdict
For most dads who want one set that grows with them, the PowerBlock Elite USA 90 is the better buy. It sits at the top-end tier $$$$, substantially above the mid-range Bowflex 552 $$, because this listing is the complete 5–90 lb set, not a 50 lb starter. You get 90 lb of room to grow, a simple steel design, and no recall baggage.
If you’d rather start in the same mid-range as the Bowflex $$ and add weight later, look at the Elite EXP Stage 1 $$, knowing its kits are a separate line from Elite USA.
Bowflex Results Series 552 on Amazon ↗
PowerBlock Sport 24 on Amazon ↗
PowerBlock Elite EXP Stage 1 on Amazon ↗
Pick the Bowflex Results Series 552 if you want a traditional dumbbell feel, the fastest weight changes, and you know 52.5 lb is all you’ll need. Just buy the new Results Series version, not a used original.
On a tight budget or doing mostly lighter work? The PowerBlock Sport 24 is the budget pick $ that gets you started.
Tap through to Amazon for today’s price and shipping. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Healthy Dad Project may also earn a commission on purchases made through other links on this page at no extra cost to you. This article is for general fitness information and is not personalized medical advice. We have not hands-on tested these dumbbells.