BowFlex Dumbbells Recalled After Over 100 Injuries

A Dangerous Workout: BowFlex Recalls 3.8 Million Adjustable Dumbbells Following Concussions, Broken Bones

Home fitness equipment is meant to improve your health—not send you to the emergency room. But that’s exactly what happened to more than 100 consumers using BowFlex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells, now subject to a massive recall involving 3.8 million units. The recall was issued after hundreds of reports revealed a serious defect: the weight plates can unexpectedly dislodge from the handle during use, causing injuries ranging from bruises and broken toes to concussions and eye trauma.

At KBD Attorneys, we represent individuals hurt by dangerous and defective products, including home exercise equipment. The BowFlex dumbbell recall is the latest example of a corporate failure to protect consumers—and we are here to hold negligent manufacturers accountable.

More on the Recall

The recall affects two specific BowFlex adjustable dumbbell models:

• SelectTech 552 – Adjustable from 5 to 52.5 pounds

• SelectTech 1090 – Adjustable from 10 to 90 pounds

These products have been sold across the U.S. since at least 2004, including at major retailers like Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Johnson Fitness, and online at Amazon and the BowFlex website.

Even though Consumer Reports previously recommended the 552 model, the safety risk has now prompted CR to label both dumbbell models as “Do Not Buy”.

The Scope and Severity of the Problem

The numbers are staggering:

• 337 malfunction reports were received by BowFlex’s former owner, Nautilus.

• 111 injuries were documented—including concussions, broken toes, bleeding wounds, and eye damage.

• 16 incidents prompted a previous recall of the 1090 model back in 2012.

Despite these warnings, the adjustable dumbbells remained on the market for over a decade, continuing to endanger consumers in home gyms across the country.

Consumer safety advocate Gabe Knight criticized the company’s current refund policy, calling for full refunds with no conditions rather than limited vouchers or partial credit tied to the purchase date. “Consumers should be able to receive their money back in full, no strings attached,” she said in her statement to Consumer Reports.

What’s Causing the Injuries?

The core defect lies in the dumbbells’ plate-locking mechanism. When the dial or selector system fails, the weights can slide off suddenly during use—posing an immediate hazard to anyone nearby.

This issue isn’t theoretical. Users have reported:

• A dumbbell plate falling onto a consumer’s face, causing eye bruising

• Weights landing on bare feet, causing fractures and deep bleeding

• Dropped plates from shoulder height, leading to concussions and head trauma

Many of these injuries occurred with no warning signs, and users had no reason to suspect the device could malfunction so severely.

A Troubling Recall History

The 2025 recall is not BowFlex’s first. In 2012, the 1090 model was recalled for a similar issue involving the weight selector dial, and a repair kit was offered. But clearly, those repairs and changes were not enough.

According to the CPSC’s SaferProducts.gov database, safety complaints have continued to accumulate for both the 552 and 1090 models throughout the 2010s and 2020s, culminating in this latest action.

What Should Consumers Do?

If you purchased BowFlex SelectTech 552 or 1090 dumbbells, stop using them immediately, even if you’ve never had a problem.

Here’s what you can do next:

• Visit the BowFlex recall page and fill out a claim form

• Call Johnson Health Tech Trading at 800-209-3539

• Email recall@bowflex.com for assistance

• Check the CPSC recall notice for a list of affected serial numbers

Refunds or replacements vary depending on when you bought your dumbbells:

• Purchases after April 23, 2024 may be eligible for a full voucher or replacement

• Purchases before that date may only receive a prorated voucher and a free year of BowFlex’s fitness app, JRNY

How KBD Attorneys Can Help Victims of Dangerous Fitness Equipment

At KBD Attorneys, we know that serious injuries from home exercise products can change your life in an instant. Whether you suffered a concussion, broken bone, facial injury, or permanent disability, you deserve more than just a voucher—you deserve justice and compensation.

We are currently investigating and pursuing claims involving:

• Defective adjustable dumbbells and strength equipment

• Treadmill and elliptical malfunctions

• Exploding resistance bands and weight accessories

• Unsafe home fitness devices sold on Amazon and big-box retailers

KBD Attorneys is committed to product liability litigation that holds companies accountable when they fail to protect consumers. Our team has deep experience in recall-related injury claims and class action lawsuits involving defective fitness products.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation

If you or a loved one was injured while using BowFlex SelectTech dumbbells, don’t assume the recall alone will make things right. You may be eligible for compensation for:

• Medical expenses

• Lost income

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Permanent disability

• Future care costs

Even if you have not experienced an injury yet, but own a defective unit, it’s worth speaking to an attorney—especially if you were offered limited or unfair compensation through the company’s recall program.

A Pattern of Corporate Negligence

Too often, we see dangerous products remain on the market long after warning signs emerge. In the BowFlex case, injuries were reported years before this recall, yet millions of units continued to be sold—some as recently as May 2025.

While Johnson Health Tech Trading has promised to update future versions of the dumbbells with “entirely metal” selector disks for improved durability, there are no guarantees until those products are independently tested.

Contact KBD Attorneys for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been hurt—or are worried about the risks posed by a defective BowFlex product—don’t wait. The team at KBD Attorneys is here to help you:

• Understand your legal options

• Protect your rights

• Hold manufacturers accountable

We believe that no one should suffer injury from a product they trusted to improve their health. And we are dedicated to using litigation, legislation, and legal strategy to protect consumers from preventable harm.

Contact us today to speak with an experienced product liability attorney. We’re here to fight for your rights—and help prevent more injuries in the future.

Source: Consumer Reports – “BowFlex Adjustable Dumbbells Recalled After More Than 100 Injuries” (June 5, 2025)