Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells

Bowflex Articles

Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells

Serious fitness buffs know that nothing beats free weights when it comes to resistance training. This is because lifting the weights requires the use of a lot of stabilizer muscles, to help keep the correct form. When using a machine, muscles are more isolated, and though this can be an advantage for certain types of training, often a plateau is reached with isolation training that can only be broken through by switching to free weights.

There are two main disadvantages to using free weights, however, particularly in the home. The first is that there is a far greater likelihood of injury, since the same lack of isolation that helps build up extra muscle also makes it easier to strain or tear a tendon, particularly when getting into larger weight stacks. The second is that you need quite a few free weights and a fair bit of room for a proper workout sequence. Bowflex has at least addressed the second issue with its unique SelectTech Dumbbell design.

For anyone familiar with dumbbell's, the Bowflex SelectTechs look a bit different. They have the same basic shape as a classic dumbbell, with a handle in the middle and two weights on either end. But in this case the weights are the innovation. Instead of the usual method of adding more weight to each end of the dumbbell, as in the case of adjustable dumbbell, or simply grabbing a different weight from the stack, the Bowflex SelectTech has a dial that allow you to simply choose the amount of weight you want, then lift the dumbbell with the correct plates attached.

Just by turning a dial the Bowflex dumbbell allows you to switch from 5 pounds up to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell. Not only does this innovation save a great deal of space, it saves time. This system is really great for anyone who enjoys doing circuit training, where you move from set to set without resting in between. Proper circuit training is impractical with a standard adjustable dumbbell setup, because you are constantly removing and replacing weights, and moving the clips or threading the collars to hold the weight in place. Each changeover could easily take a minute. Like in a commercial gym, the best way would be having a rack of dumbbell's at arms reach, so you could quickly switch to another weight. But in the home this is an expensive and space-consuming setup.

With the Bowflex SelectTech however, it is possible to have the best of both worlds. Not only is the SelectTech a compact unit, but the dialling technology allows nearly instantaneous changeovers, so that you can move from exercise to exercise without wasting a lot of time. Really a big plus for circuit training enthusiasts.

There are a couple of drawbacks with the Bowflex SelectTech. One is the price. Like most Bowflex equipment, they are not cheap. However, they are well built and durable, and a good set of dumbbell's will cost about as much, unless you can score a used set. For anyone who has scoured Craigslist waiting for a deal though, you know that finding a deal on used dumbbells can be quite a challenge. The second problem with the SelectTech system is that the stand that comes with them is not as compact as it could be. Seems maybe Bowflex was more concerned with aesthetics than practicality. Of course, if you have the space, this is not an issue, but for those who are going to be cramming their dumbbell's in a corner of the bedroom, it may be a bit unwieldy.

Ultimately, the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbell system is going to find a lot of fans in home training enthusiasts. Unless you are one of the lucky few who have a large dedicated space for working out, and can afford a full-rack of traditional dumbbell's, this is the tool for you. The compact design is very advantageous, and the ease and speed that you can change weights makes the system as flexible as having a full rack, but taking up the space of only a single set of weights. Once again Bowflex has looked at a particular problem in home training, and come up with a very clever solution.

Articles provided are for informational purposes only. Please seek the advice of a health care profesional before embarking on any fitness program. Learn to use your equipment properly to reduce the chance of injury.