A workout equipment set is not a standardized product category, so what ships in the box depends entirely on the manufacturer and the type of set.
Two boxes labeled “workout equipment set” can hold wildly different things. One might contain a matched pair of adjustable dumbbells and their storage trays; another might contain a camera hub, an HDMI cable, and a mounting bracket — and nothing you’d actually lift. Knowing which type you’re buying before checkout prevents the most common and expensive mistake in home fitness: assuming the accessories are in the box.
The two official examples below come straight from manufacturer documentation, and they show the full spread.
What Does an Adjustable Dumbbell Set Actually Contain?
An adjustable dumbbell set typically ships as a matched pair of dumbbells plus storage trays — and nothing else. The Bowflex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells are the clearest official example: the box holds two adjustable dumbbells sold as a pair, along with two storage trays.
Each dumbbell measures 16.9 × 8.3 × 9 in, uses adjustment dials to change weight, and relies on non-slip grips, metal plate components, and a locking mechanism.
That range is the whole selling point: Bowflex states the pair replaces 15 separate weight sets. Two details trip up buyers again and again.
- The stand is not included. The compatible SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbell Stand is sold separately.
- Capacity is per dumbbell, not per pair. The 52.5 lb ceiling applies to each dumbbell individually.
Pricing is just as time-sensitive as the contents.
What Ships in a Connected Fitness Bundle?
A connected workout bundle ships hardware for a screen-based training system, not weights. The Peloton Guide package contains the Guide hub, a mounting bracket, a power cable and adapter, a remote control with batteries, and a 5-foot HDMI cable.
What it does not contain matters more. The compatible TV, the internet connection, and the required membership are not in the box. Those are the four most common setup assumptions Peloton’s own documentation flags as errors: assuming the TV, HDMI port, internet service, or membership is included.
The hardware itself is compact. Inside the casing sit a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with a privacy slider, two microphones, Bluetooth 5.0 with Bluetooth Low Energy, and Wi-Fi support for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks on 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.
The bracket mounts on top of a TV or sits on a table, with vertical tilt of ±20 degrees; the device does not rotate horizontally. Your TV needs an HDMI port, and Peloton recommends a 4K or 1080p set with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Two Set Types, Side by Side
The table below lines up what the official documentation says ships with each type, so you can see how little the two boxes have in common.
| What You Get | Bowflex 552 Dumbbell Set | Peloton Guide Bundle |
|---|---|---|
| Core hardware | Two adjustable dumbbells | Guide hub and mounting bracket |
| Storage | Two storage trays | Table or TV-top mount |
| Cables and power | None | Power cable and adapter, 5-foot HDMI cable |
| Control and extras | Adjustment dials on each dumbbell | Remote with batteries, 12MP camera, two microphones |
| Sold separately | SelectTech dumbbell stand | TV, internet service, membership |
| Price noted officially | $479 regular, $399 sale | Set price varies; membership required |
| Best for | Strength training in a small space | Screen-guided classes and form tracking |
If you are still deciding between the two categories — and between specific models — our tested workout equipment set roundup walks through which packages are worth the money for a home gym. Peloton’s own support pages confirm the Guide’s key features and specifications in detail.
What Setup Requires Beyond the Box
Neither set works straight out of the box, and the gaps are where buyers get stuck. For the Peloton Guide, plan for the following:
- Mount the Guide 3–6 ft above the ground on an anchored TV, or place it on a stable surface.
- Aim it at the workout area with no obstructions, and keep at least 4.5 × 6 ft of clear workout space.
- Connect the included power cable and HDMI cable, then plug power into a standard outlet and HDMI into the TV.
- Connect the Guide to Wi-Fi and complete activation in a web browser.
- Pair any Bluetooth heart-rate monitor before starting a class — ANT+ devices and dual-band ANT+/Bluetooth monitors are incompatible.
Compatible heart-rate monitors Peloton names include the Polar H9, Polar H10, Polar Verity Sense, Wahoo TICKR, OTBeat Flex, and WHOOP Straps 3.0 and 4.0. Keep the unit indoors in a ventilated, climate-controlled spot, away from direct lamps or windows, at least 1 ft from speakers, and clear of food, liquids, and heat sources.
On the dumbbell side, the setup is simple but the buying math is not. Confirm the stand situation, confirm the weight range per dumbbell, and confirm the current price before you commit.
Whichever box you open, the rule is the same: read the contents list and the “sold separately” line before the product photos talk you into anything.
Common Questions
Is the dumbbell stand ever included with a Bowflex set?
No. The compatible SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbell Stand is sold separately from the 552 set. Bowflex lists it as an add-on, so budget for it separately if you want the dumbbells stored off the floor. Without the stand, the two included trays are what you have for holding the dumbbells between sets.
Do I need a membership to use a connected workout bundle?
Yes, in the case of the Peloton Guide. Peloton’s setup documentation states the Guide requires a Guide-Only All-Access Membership or an All-Access Membership account to activate and use the device. The membership is not included in the box, so it is a recurring cost on top of the hardware price.
Can I use any heart-rate monitor with the Peloton Guide?
Only Bluetooth models work. The Guide is incompatible with ANT+ devices and dual-band ANT+/Bluetooth monitors, and any Bluetooth heart-rate monitor must be paired before class starts. Peloton names the Polar H9, Polar H10, Polar Verity Sense, Wahoo TICKR, OTBeat Flex, and WHOOP Straps 3.0 and 4.0 as compatible examples.
Sources
- Bowflex. “Bowflex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells” Confirms the pair-and-trays contents, 15 weight settings, dimensions, $479/$399 pricing, and that the stand is sold separately.
- Peloton. “Setting Up Your Peloton Guide” Source for box contents, setup steps, membership and Wi-Fi requirements, space needs, and heart-rate monitor compatibility.
- Peloton. “Peloton Guide Key Features & Specifications” Supplies hub dimensions, weight, camera and microphone details, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi specifications, and tilt range.