PowerBlock vs Bowflex SelectTech
One expands from 50 to a real 90 lb per hand in stages you buy separately; the other swaps 15 weights on a dial. How to pick between blocks and Bowflex.
These two adjustable dumbbells look nothing alike, and that’s the whole story. The PowerBlock Elite EXP is a rectangular block: nested plates that you select with a pin, with your hand inside a cage-style handle. Its base set spans 5–50 lb per hand, and you can buy expansion kits to reach 70 lb, then a genuine 90 lb. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is the more conventional shape — a rounder handle in a plastic housing that you adjust with a dial, swapping 15 settings from 5–52.5 lb per hand.
Both are solid ways to replace a rack of dumbbells and both cover the muscle-strengthening work public-health guidelines recommend, so the decision comes down to three things: how high you’ll ever lift, how the handle feels, and how much you want to spend up front. The PowerBlock wins on ceiling and long-term headroom; the Bowflex wins on a familiar shape and a simpler, lower-cost start. Both options below show a live price so you can compare the gap directly.
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| Feature | PowerBlock Elite EXP | Bowflex SelectTech 552 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight range | 5-50 lb per hand (base) | 5-52.5 lb per hand |
| Expandable to | 70 lb, then 90 lb with kits | Fixed at 52.5 lb |
| Adjustment | Selector pin | Dial on each end |
| Increment | 2.5 lb with adder weights | 2.5 lb low, then 5 lb |
| Shape | Rectangular cage around the hand | Long plastic housing |
| Replaces | 16 pairs (base set) | 15 pairs |
| Warranty | 5 yr handle/plates, 1 yr pin | 2 years |
PowerBlock Elite EXP
PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells
Buy this if: Space-tight lifters who want the highest ceiling and plan to expand toward 90 lb over time.
Strengths
- Base set already spans 5-50 lb per hand
- Expansion kits push each hand to 70 lb, then 90 lb
- Adder weights allow 2.5 lb steps for micro-loading
- Nesting plates keep each hand short even at heavy weight
Trade-offs
- Rectangular cage handle feels nothing like a round dumbbell
- Reaching 90 lb means buying two separate expansion kits
- Selector pin is warranted for only 1 year
- The block shape takes some getting used to
Price as of August 7, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Bowflex SelectTech 552
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
Buy this if: Home lifters who want the simplest weight change and a more familiar dumbbell shape at a lower start price.
Strengths
- Dial adjusts 5-52.5 lb per hand in seconds
- One pair replaces 15 fixed dumbbells
- 2.5 lb micro-jumps at the low end for slow progression
- Rounder shape feels more like a normal dumbbell than a block
Trade-offs
- Long plastic housing is awkward for close-grip and some angles
- Caps at 52.5 lb per hand, with no expansion path
- Earlier units were part of a Bowflex/CPSC recall
- Plastic shell will not survive drops
Price as of August 7, 2026. #ad How we’re funded
Two very different ways to add weight
The PowerBlock uses a selector pin and nesting rectangular plates. Drop the pin into the hole for the weight you want, lift, and the outer plates you didn’t select stay behind. Because the plates nest, each hand stays short even when it’s heavy — useful in a tight space. The catch is the shape: your hand sits inside a cage rather than wrapping a round handle, and that feel is polarizing. The Bowflex uses a dial at each end; spin to a number and the handle picks up only those plates, in a rounder body that feels closer to a normal dumbbell. If you want to see how both compare with a solid set, our adjustable versus fixed dumbbells guide lays out the trade-offs.
The ceiling question: 52.5 lb versus 90 lb
This is where they truly split. The Bowflex is fixed at 52.5 lb per hand — enough for most people’s dumbbell work, but a hard stop with no upgrade path. The PowerBlock starts at 50 lb and can grow to 70 lb and then 90 lb by buying Stage 2 and Stage 3 expansion kits, so it can follow you for years as you get stronger. The honest catch is that those stages cost extra and are bought separately, so the sticker price isn’t the whole price if 90 lb is your goal. If you’re nowhere near the low 50s, that headroom may never matter; if you already press heavy, it can be the deciding factor. For the wider field of picks, see the best adjustable dumbbells.
Warranties and the Bowflex recall
The two makers commit to different things in writing. PowerBlock publishes a split warranty — five years on the handle assembly and weight plates, but only one year on the selector pin and micro weights, for residential use. Bowflex, meanwhile, conducted a recall of SelectTech 552 and 1090 adjustable dumbbells with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission after reports of plates loosening or detaching, with a remedy that differs for units bought before versus after April 23, 2024. Neither fact is a dealbreaker, but both are worth reading before you spend, especially if you’re buying used. Whichever you pick, plan the rest of the room around it — our home gym build guidecovers the bench, floor and space you’ll want alongside a good adjustable pair.
Frequently asked questions
Does the PowerBlock Elite EXP really reach 90 lb per hand?
Yes, but not out of the box. The base set covers 5 to 50 lb per hand. Reaching 70 lb takes the Stage 2 expansion kit, and 90 lb takes the Stage 3 kit on top of that. Both kits are bought separately, so factor their cost in if a 90 lb ceiling is the reason you are choosing PowerBlock over the Bowflex.
Is the PowerBlock or Bowflex better for small spaces?
Both are far more compact than a rack of fixed dumbbells. The PowerBlock's nesting plate design keeps each hand physically short even at heavy weight, which some people prefer in a tight corner. The Bowflex is longer because of its plastic housing but has a more familiar shape. Either one fits a spare room or apartment easily.
What does PowerBlock's warranty cover?
PowerBlock publishes a split warranty for residential use: five years on the handle assembly and weight plates, and one year on the selector pin and micro weights. That means the main structure is covered for a long time, but the moving selection parts carry the shorter term. Check PowerBlock's own warranty page for the current terms before you buy.
Was the Bowflex SelectTech recalled?
Yes. Bowflex recalled SelectTech 552 and 1090 adjustable dumbbells with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission after reports of weight plates loosening or coming off during use. The remedy depends on whether the unit was purchased before or after April 23, 2024. Check Bowflex's official recall notice for the current status, especially if you are considering a used pair.
Sources
- CDC — Adult Activity: An Overview — CDC on muscle-strengthening 2+ days/week, 8–12 reps, all major muscle groups (accessed July 19, 2026)
- BowFlex — SelectTech 552 / 1090 adjustable dumbbell recall notice — Recall conducted with the U.S. CPSC; remedy differs for units bought before vs. after April 23, 2024 (accessed July 20, 2026)
- PowerBlock — Warranty & Repairs — 5-year limited on handle assembly and weight plates, 1 year on selector pin and micro weights; residential use only (accessed July 20, 2026)
Keep reading
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