Nuobell Adjustable Dumbbells Vs. Bowflex, From A Certified Personal Trainer

I’ll dive deep into each product’s weight ranges, price, materials, and overall design. While I use and enjoy both Nuobell and Bowflex, there’s one pair I tend to reach for. Keep scrolling to find out which set of adjustable dumbbells I favor.

Adjustable dumbbells are dumbbells with plates or discs that slide in and out of the handles to add or remove weight. Since each one can be modified to create a range of weight loads, these dumbbells save a lot of space and a significant amount of money. Ultimately, they’re an extremely appealing piece of equipment for home gyms.

If you’re finally ready to cut the cord with an unused gym membership but don’t want to invest in multiple sets of weights, you might want to consider adjustable dumbbells. But if you are not the type to lift at home, spending money on a hefty set is likely not a good investment.

Nuobell is a Swedish designed brand offering adjustable dumbbells that come in sets of two. There are two choices: the Nuobell 550 which reaches 50 pounds, and the Nuobell 580 which reaches 80 pounds. The brand also makes a dumbbell stand to hold sets off the floor for easier accessibility.

Bowflex is an exercise equipment company that makes adjustable dumbbells in sets, including the SelectTech 552s, which reach a max weight of 52.5 pounds, and SelectTech 1090s which go up to 90 pounds. Bowflex also has accessories for the dumbbells, including a stand and weight benches, which can be purchased separately.

Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells are priced at $379 for the 552s and $699 for the 1090s. Each set includes a 2-year warranty on parts; additional warranties are available for purchase.

The SelectTech 552 dumbbells include weight options of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 52.5lb to create 15 pairs of dumbbells. The SelectTech 1090s start at 10 pounds and increase in 5 pound increments going up to 90 pounds, providing 17 weight options.

The Nuobell adjustable dumbbells feature slim steel weight plates that fit together with no gaps. Similar to a traditional barbell or heavy-duty dumbbell, the handles are knurled steel. These dumbbells come in low profile, sturdy plastic cradles to protect your floor and keep the weights in place. When you want to adjust the weight of the Nuobells, you’ll just need to twist the handle and both ends of the dumbbell will adjust to the new weight. This makes the dumbbells easy to use and fast to adjust.

That said, there are times when the Bowflex weights are a much better choice. For instance, the Nuobell plate edges are relatively sharp, making them uncomfortable for goblet squats, where you need to hold the weight by the plates. Most notably, the 2.5-pound increments are very useful. It’s great to be able to slightly increase the weight capacity, particularly when I’m trying to increase weight in an exercise that uses small muscle groups.

Contrary to popular belief, strength training won’t make you “bulky.” In fact, there are a ton of health benefits that come along with lifting heavier weights. Studies show weight training can help you sleep better, improve your metabolism1, and even put you in a better mood. Of course, you’ll build stronger bones and may even slow down the standard bone loss that happens when we age. 

If you are looking for a durable, easy-to-use, space-saving pair of adjustable dumbbells to add to your home gym, you can’t go wrong with Nuobell or Bowflex. To really take your home workout setup to the next level, check out our picks for the best compact treadmills, best home exercise equipment, or the best workout mirrors.