The exercise equipment brand BowFlex recalled millions of its adjustable dumbbells because of the risk of metal plates dislodging from the product’s handle and hitting people during weight lifting.
Concussions, abrasions, broken toes and contusions are among the 111 reports of injuries caused by the plates dislodging, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday. More than 300 reports of plates coming off had been filed with the company that owned the brand, the agency said.
The more than 3.8 million recalled units are from the models marketed as the “BowFlex 552, 52.5-lb. Adjustable Dumbbells,” and the “BowFlex 1090, 90-lb. Adjustable Dumbbells,” the commission said.
The model 552 dumbbells adjust from five to 52.5 pounds, while the model 1090 adjusts from 10 to 90 pounds. They are black dumbbells with handles that were sold in pairs and single units, and came with weights with handles, weight plates and a molded plastic trays, the commission said.
Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the dumbbells and seek a refund.
The dumbbells were sold in stores, including Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Johnson Fitness & Wellness, as well as online on Amazon and the BowFlex website. They sold for between $200 and $800, the commission said.
The popular dumbbell models, one of which was a previous Wirecutter pick, allow people to weight train at home without dealing with the bulk of owning a full set of traditional dumbbells.
Johnson Health Tech Trading, which is part of the company that owns the BowFlex brand, will replace the dumbbells for customers who purchased the items from April 23, 2024, through May 2025, or refund them the price of the equipment with a voucher, the commission said. BowFlex was acquired by Johnson Health Tech Retail, a subsidiary of Johnson Health Tech, in 2024, after BowFlex declared bankruptcy that year.
Customers who purchased the dumbbells from BowFlex, formerly known as Nautilus, before April 23, 2024, can request a refund that will come in the form of a prorated voucher, according to BowFlex. All customers affected by the recall are eligible to receive a one-year digital fitness membership, the company said.
Gabe Knight, a senior policy analyst on the safety policy team for the nonprofit Consumer Reports, which tests products and rates them, called the company’s solution to the recall inadequate. “Consumers should be able to receive their money back in full, no strings attached,” she said.
According to Consumer Reports, this is not the first time that BowFlex has had issues with its adjustable dumbbells.
In 2012, Nautilus, as the company that owned it was called then, recalled roughly 17,000 BowFlex SelectTech 1090 dumbbell models because of an injury hazard. That recall resulted from the weight-selector dial on the dumbbells failing, and causing weight plates to fall when the dumbbell was lifted from its storage tray.
Aimee Ortiz covers breaking news and other topics.
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