I’m A CPT But I’m Also A Homebody — My No. 1 Tip For Effective Home Workouts

As a strength and conditioning specialist and personal trainer, it’s no surprise I love the gym—but admittedly, I am a homebody at heart. To that end, I’ve curated a pretty substantial home gym with everything I need and more to get a fantastic workout. One of the first notable pieces of equipment I bought was a set of adjustable dumbbells, and my life was forever changed. I’ve tested a number of models, but today I’m comparing two of my favorites: Bowflex vs. Nuobell.

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.

Dumbbells can be used for a vast number of excellent exercises that will work your entire body. Anyone wanting to improve body composition, build muscle, increase bone mass, or boost muscular endurance and longevity could use adjustable dumbbells. They typically go up to 50 or 80 pounds, so adjustable dumbbells are ideal for those who do not need super heavy weights.

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 vs. Bowflex:

Nuobell adjustable dumbbells

Materials:

Machined steel

Weight capacity:

50lb80lb

Who should try them?

These adjustable dumbbells are great for anyone who wants access to a wide range of weights, but doesn't have a lot of space. The flat edges make them perfect for pushups, and the sleek design is preferable over bulkier options. They're easy to use and even simpler to store.

Who should skip them?

If you're looking for weights that can be adjusted at 2.5-pound increments, you'll be better off with the Bowflex dumbbells. Additionally, if you often do exercises that involve holding weights by the plates, these might not be the most comfortable to use.

Bowflex adjustable dumbbells

Materials:

NylonABS plasticThermoplastic rubber

Weight capacity:

52.5lb90lb

Who should try them?

It seems like everyone loves these adjustable dumbbells (including our commerce editor, Carleigh Ferrante, and I myself, the writer). They're an excellent option for anyone who wants a variety of weights (at 2.5-inch increments) but doesn't want to take up a ton of space in their home gym.

Who should skip them?

The length is a bit longer than other options (the Nuobells in particular), so some people may find these a bit awkward to use for specific exercises.

Nuobell dumbbells are only sold as a pair, with the 50 pound set priced at $595 and the 80 pound set priced at $745. Each comes with a 2-year warranty and includes portable cradles to house the dumbbells. You can purchase a one or 3-year extended warranty for extra assurance.

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.

Nuobells are made with plates in 5 pound increments that start at 5 pounds and go up to 50 or 80 pounds, depending on your chosen set. The 50 pound set replaces ten pairs of dumbbells, while the 80 pound set replaces 16 sets.

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.

Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells are made from nylon and ABS plastic, with thermoplastic rubber handles and ends. Steel pins keep the weight plates in place, and plastic storage trays protect the floor. To adjust the weight on the dumbbells, simply turn the dials on each end of the dumbbell so they are both pointing at the same number before you lift it off the storage tray.

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.

I happily use both my Nuobells and Bowflex weights—but for the most part, I reach for the Nuobells. The knurled steel grip, ease of use, and sleek design is preferable to the bulkier Bowflex weights. What’s more, Nuobell’s plates are firmly conjoined and do not move around or rattle when using them.

The Bowflex weight plates have gaps in between, which add to their length and can sometimes create an off-balance feeling. Note: This tends to only happen when they’re set to a heavier weight capacity, or when performing exercises that require careful balancing to get them into the starting position, such as bench and shoulder presses. When performing these exercises, the length of the Bowflex weight can prohibit a full range of motion, especially if you are more narrow in your chest and shoulders.

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.

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