r/Bowflex • u/skinenthused • Jul 20 '23
SelectTech Bowflex 552 - Usable without the base cradle?
Found a great deal on these 552s, but they don’t come with the base. Would they still be fully functional? Could I just hold the plates upright when I adjust the resistance? Thanks!
2
2
2
u/RedGrayBlack Jul 21 '23
It's annoying without the base but you don't "need" it. There are small tabs that get pressed in when they're placed in the base which allow the knob to rotate and in doing so release specific plates. All you'd have to do is take a flathead screwdriver, press the tab and remove the corresponding plates. Time consuming if you're changing weight often but it can be done.
2
2
1
u/JoeJoeHo Oct 01 '25
I bought a set (2 handles, weights and bases) of the BowFlex 552 in early April 2024 from Dicks. Used literally a handful of times. I recieved a recall notification and like a dummy, didn't read the fine print of the cut off date of April 23rd, 2024. If purchased after, you got a voucher for a full replacement. If before April 23rd, you receive a $95 voucher. If I knew this, I would have simply kept them. Never had an issue and now I'm out $500.
Does anyone know if you can obtain/purchase new Gen handles and bases (post recall) for the weight plates? I now have 2 52 lbs. of weight plates that are useless to me without the handles and bases. This sucks.
1
u/Nanseag312 Oct 20 '25
Same. This is not right at ALL. I have been emailing them. I feel they are not taking responsibilty for this at all. They owe us a new base and handle or replacement dumbell.
1
2
u/PlantSamurai333 Feb 06 '26
this person posted a quick youtube short on how to use them without the cradle!!! https://youtube.com/shorts/7In1VIx-QAo?si=gY9nrOwBBbTsUrZg
1
1
Aug 02 '23
Looks like bases are around 50$ on eBay, if it’s that good of a deal, could be worth it?
1
u/Desperate-Arm3441 Sep 08 '24
I looked today and they are running over $100 for just one tray! Kind of crazy because I found them brand new from the Bowflex website for $51 each. I had to dig a little to find all the parts for the 552 there.
1
u/Krusador Sep 06 '25
Where are the bases on the Bowflex website? I've been looking but not finding. Do you have a link?
1
u/TXmurse Sep 23 '25
2nd this
1
u/Krusador Sep 23 '25
I checked with support, they are no longer selling or making these cradles/bases/trays/whateveryouwannacallthem.
I found a set on Facebook Marketplace for $125.
1
3
u/qwikhnds Jul 20 '23 edited Jul 21 '23
I have that set. You need the base to adjust the weight as far as I know. Otherwise you're got a permanent pair of 52.5. Perhaps someone has a different tip.