If you live in a small apartment, you cannot own a rack of 15 dumbbells. You have two choices for “selectorized” dumbbells: the sleek Bowflex SelectTech 552 or the industrial PowerBlock Elite. Both replace an entire gym, but which one fits better in a living room?
The Contender 1: Bowflex SelectTech 552
- The Look: Sleek, rounded, black and red. Looks like “tech” gear.
- The Mechanism: Uses a smooth dial system. Very satisfying to click.
- The Flaw: They are physically long. Even at 5kg, the dumbbell is the same size as at 24kg. This makes them awkward for some exercises.
The Contender 2: PowerBlock Elite
- The Look: Boxy, square, industrial. Looks like a car battery.
- The Mechanism: Uses a plastic pin (like a weight stack at the gym).
- The Advantage: They are virtually indestructible. You can drop them (mostly). They are also much shorter/compact than the Bowflex.
Head-to-Head Comparison
- Durability: PowerBlock wins. Bowflex has plastic gears that can break if dropped.
- Speed: Bowflex wins. The dial is faster than the pin.
- Aesthetics: Bowflex wins. It looks better in a modern home. PowerBlock looks like it belongs in a garage.
| Caractéristique | Bowflex SelectTech 552 | PowerBlock Elite USA |
| Poids Max | 24 kg (52.5 lbs) | 22.7 kg (50 lbs) |
| Mécanisme | Molette (Rapide) | Goupille (Robuste) |
| Matériaux | Métal & Plastique | Acier Soudé |
| Forme | Longue (Fixe) | Carrée (Compacte) |
| Garantie | 2 ans | 5 ans |
Final Verdict for Apartments If you want something that looks beautiful in the corner of your bedroom, get the Bowflex. If you want something you can beat up and hide under a bed, get the PowerBlock.