Choose the Bowflex SelectTech 552 if you want to keep progressing past 10.9 kg per dumbbell, up to 23.9 kg. Choose the PowerBlock Sport 24 for a much smaller, cheaper block that stops at 10.9 kg. Both makers list a dial or pin adjustable pair, so ceiling, size and price decide it.
This comparison reads the makers' own product pages and does not involve testing, because the site does not test products.
How do the Bowflex 552 and PowerBlock Sport 24 differ at a glance?
The 552 is the larger, higher-ceiling, more expensive set. The Sport 24 is the smaller, lower-ceiling, cheaper one. Bowflex lists the 552 at 5 to 52.5 lb (2.3 to 23.9 kg) per dumbbell, selected with quick-adjustment dials. PowerBlock lists the Sport 24 at 3 to 24 lb (about 1.4 to 10.9 kg), selected with a magnetic pin.
| Item | Bowflex SelectTech 552 | PowerBlock Sport 24 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight range per dumbbell | 5 to 52.5 lb (2.3 to 23.9 kg) | 3 to 24 lb (about 1.4 to 10.9 kg) |
| Settings per dumbbell | 15 | 8 |
| Step size | 2.5 lb to 25 lb, then 5 lb, then a final 2.5 lb step | 3 lb throughout |
| Selection method | Quick-adjustment dials | Magnetic selector pin |
| Size per dumbbell | 43 x 21.2 x 22.8 cm | 10 x 5.5 x 5.5 in (about 25 x 14 x 14 cm) |
| Expandable | No expansion kit mentioned on the page | No; Sport EXP kits are not compatible |
| Standard warranty | 2 years, parts | 5 years, limited, residential use only |
| Stand | Sold separately; storage trays listed | None included; stands sold separately |
| Indicative price | around £608 (checked Oct 2026) | around £205 (checked Oct 2026) |
PowerBlock's weights are given in pounds on its page, so the kilogram figures for the Sport 24 are conversions. Both makers say individual settings may differ slightly from the stated values because of manufacturing tolerances.
Which has the higher weight ceiling?
The 552, by a wide margin. Its top setting is 52.5 lb (23.9 kg) per dumbbell, against 24 lb (about 10.9 kg) for the Sport 24. That is roughly twice the load per hand.
PowerBlock states plainly that the Sport 24 does not expand beyond 24 lb per hand and that its Sport EXP expansion kits are not compatible. Anyone who expects to outgrow 10.9 kg per dumbbell should treat that as a hard ceiling. The dumbbell weight guide for beginners explains how to estimate the loads you need before choosing a ceiling.
Which has finer weight steps?
The 552 does at the light end. It moves in 2.5 lb steps from 5 to 25 lb, which gives eight settings at or below 22.5 lb. The Sport 24 also gives eight settings in its whole range, but in 3 lb steps: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 lb.
Only one setting is shared exactly between the two sets: 15 lb (about 6.8 kg). A 3 lb step is about 1.4 kg, so the first jump on the Sport 24 doubles the load from 3 to 6 lb. This is reasoning from the listed figures, not from use.
How much smaller is the Sport 24?
A lot smaller. Each Sport 24 dumbbell is a 10 inch block of about 25 x 14 x 14 cm. Each 552 dumbbell is 43 x 21.2 x 22.8 cm. Multiplying the listed dimensions gives a bounding volume of about 4,900 cm³ for the Sport 24 against about 20,800 cm³ for the 552, so the PowerBlock takes up around a quarter of the space per dumbbell. That is arithmetic on maker figures, not a measured result.
Neither page publishes the unloaded weight of a dumbbell or the footprint of a stand or tray, so measure the space from the manual or the seller's listing. The Sport 24 page also lists a stand as an optional accessory, but its price and size were not on the page read here. Heavy dumbbells put load on the floor underneath, so see flooring for heavy weights if you choose the 552.
Which is better value?
On the indicative prices in our data, the Sport 24 costs around £205 (checked Oct 2026) and the 552 around £608 (checked Oct 2026), about three times as much. The 552 buys a ceiling of 23.9 kg and a 15-setting ladder. The Sport 24 buys a compact block and a longer warranty. Prices move, so confirm the current price with the retailer.
The warranties differ too. Bowflex lists 2 years on parts as standard, with optional 3 and 5 year Protection+ plans sold separately. PowerBlock lists a 5-year limited warranty, for residential use only. Neither page gives UK-specific terms, so ask the seller for the exact warranty in writing.
Is either set better for beginners?
Both start light on paper: 2.3 kg for the 552 and about 1.4 kg for the Sport 24. PowerBlock's own FAQ lists beginners, high-rep training, rehab or physical therapy and light warm-ups among the uses it suits, which is marketing, not independent advice. The NHS strength exercises page suggests light weights, such as filled water bottles for a biceps curl, building up slowly by adding repetitions over time.
The question for a beginner is how long a set will last. The NHS says adults should do muscle-strengthening activities on at least 2 days a week, working all the major muscle groups: legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms. Leg and back exercises usually take heavier loads than arm work, which is where a 10.9 kg ceiling can run out first. For advice on loads, technique or a health condition, ask a qualified professional.
How does the adjustment method differ?
Bowflex describes dials that select the weight, with metal components attaching the plates to the handle and a locking system keeping them in place. PowerBlock describes a magnetic pin that you move to choose the weight, with welded steel plates and a contoured 32 mm TPR rubber grip.
The makers do not publish a time per change, so any claim that one is faster is unverified. Bowflex also promotes a separate JRNY app membership, which is optional according to the page read. Check each maker's manual for the safe way to lift once a weight is selected.
What do the makers leave out?
- The unloaded weight of each dumbbell, for both sets.
- The size of the 552 storage trays and the price of either stand.
- A care or maintenance section, for both sets.
- UK warranty terms; the pages read are the makers' US-facing pages.
Treat any figure not on a maker page as unverified, including anything quoted second-hand in a retailer listing.
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Bowflex 552 if you want to go beyond 10.9 kg per dumbbell and can accept a larger set and a higher price.
- Choose the PowerBlock Sport 24 if space and budget are tight and 24 lb per hand is enough for the exercises you plan to do.
- Look elsewhere if you need a higher ceiling at a lower price. The adjustable dumbbell guide covers other options, and adjustable vs fixed dumbbells covers the fixed-weight route.
For each set on its own, see the Bowflex 552 review and the PowerBlock Sport 24 review. If you want a larger Bowflex, the 552 vs 1090i comparison covers the step up.
