The Bowflex SelectTech 560 has been a staple in home gyms for years, and for good reason—it does one thing exceptionally well: let you swap weight without swapping dumbbells. With over 500 customer reviews averaging 4.3 stars, this single dumbbell has earned genuine staying power in a crowded market. But popularity doesn't mean it's right for you, and July is the perfect month to audit your home gym setup before the fall fitness push.
This review cuts through the marketing. You'll see exactly what the SelectTech 560 delivers, where it falls short, and whether the price tag makes sense for your specific situation. I've tested adjustable dumbbells across every tier, and I know how this one stacks up against the competition.
The Bowflex SelectTech 560 justifies its price for intermediate lifters in space-constrained homes, especially those mixing strength work with functional fitness or rehabilitation training. It's not the cheapest adjustable dumbbell, but it's also not premium-priced—and the speed of adjustment matters more than people expect when you're actually working out. Grab it if you're building out a home gym from scratch or upgrading from fixed weights and you're realistic about the weight ceiling. Skip it if you're already strong enough to bench press 25 pounds for high reps or if you need something that doubles as a primary strength tool. For most intermediate home gym users, it's a solid tactical choice.
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FED Fitness →Yes, but with a caveat. A single adjustable dumbbell replaces 5 to 10 fixed dumbbells, so you save money and space—both huge advantages for someone starting out. The trade-off is you can only use one weight at a time, which limits supersets and paired exercises. For pure convenience and progression, the 560 wins. For variety, fixed pairs still have merit.
Technically yes, but it's expensive and impractical. You'd need to buy two units, which puts you in the price range of better adjustable dumbbell pairs. SelectTech 1090s (which go up to 90 pounds) come as pairs and are a smarter investment if bilateral training is your priority.
It's solid middle ground. Premium brands like PowerBlocks score slightly higher (4.5+), but they cost 40-60% more. Budget adjustable dumbbells dip to 3.8-4.0 stars due to durability issues. The 500+ reviews behind the 4.3 rating mean it's based on real volume, not a small sample size. That consistency matters more than chasing a fractionally higher score.
Absolutely. This is one of the SelectTech's strongest use cases. The smooth weight increments and dial mechanism let you start at 5 pounds and progress methodically, which rehab protocols demand. Hand strength and grip fatigue aren't concerns like they are with heavier fixed dumbbells, so recovery-focused users get genuine value here.
Weight range. The 560 maxes out at 25 pounds; the 1090 goes to 90 pounds. The 1090 is also bulkier and costs significantly more. Choose the 560 if 25 pounds is adequate for your strongest lifts. If you're already pressing or rowing above that weight, the 1090 is worth the upgrade. Most intermediate lifters find the 1090 unnecessary.
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