Nearly 4 Million BowFlex Dumbbells Recalled Nationwide: CPSC

More than 100 injuries have been reported by customers, including broken toes and concussions, the agency said.

An image of the recalled BowFlex branded adjustable dumbbell. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Wisconsin-based Johnson Health Tech Trading Inc. is recalling around 3.84 million units of dumbbells due to a risk that “weight plates can dislodge from the handle during use, posing an impact hazard,” the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said in a June 5 statement.

The recall applies to BowFlex-branded Model 552 (52.5 lb.) and Model 1090 (90 lb.) adjustable dumbbells. BowFlex, formerly Nautilus Inc., filed for bankruptcy in March 2024. Johnson Health Tech bought BowFlex the following month.

Johnson has received “12 reports of the plates dislodging during use with no injuries for units it sold. Nautilus received 337 reports of the plates dislodging during use for units it sold, including 111 resulting in injuries such as concussions, abrasions, broken toes, or contusions,” the statement said.

The China-manufactured items were sold through Johnson Fitness & Wellness, Best Buy, and DICK’S Sporting Goods outlets across the nation from early 2004 through April 2024 for $200 to $800. They were also sold online via BowFlex and Amazon.

Johnson Health Tech sold the items between May 2024 and May 2025.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled BowFlex adjustable dumbbells and contact Johnson Health Tech Trading for a refund,” the notice said.

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, a Johnson Health Tech spokesperson said the company was offering remedies to customers based on when they made their purchases.

Customers who bought BowFlex 552 or 1090 dumbbells between April 23, 2024, and May 2025—after Johnson Health Tech acquired BowFlex assets—will either receive replacement dumbbells or a refund voucher equal to the amount of the dumbbell, together with a one-year complimentary subscription to the company’s JRNY digital fitness platform.

Those who bought the dumbbells prior to April 23, 2024, are eligible for a prorated refund voucher that can be used to buy products on BowFlex.com, together with a one-year subscription to JRNY.

“Both remedies require returning the handle and base of each recalled dumbbell after registering for the voluntary recall,” the spokesman said.

“Despite having no obligation to do so, Johnson Health Tech Trading is stepping up to provide a remedy to customers who purchased recalled dumbbells from Nautilus. We are working diligently to reach owners of the 552 and 1090 dumbbells—regardless of whether the units were purchased from the now defunct Nautilus or from our company.”

Consumers will be sent pre-paid shipping labels for the returns, the CPSC notice said.

Multiple dumbbell recalls have been issued by the CPSC over the past year.

In March, New York-based Tzumi Electronics Inc. withdrew about 12,400 units of adjustable dumbbells due to the risk of weight plates potentially dislodging from the handle while customers are using them. More than 60 complaints were made about weight plates dislodging, including at least seven injuries.

Utah-based iFIT Inc. pulled out around 54,400 units of dumbbell sets from the market in July last year, citing similar injury risk.

Customer Injuries

CPSC’s SaferProducts database has recorded various types of injuries reported by customers of BowFlex dumbbells over the years.

On Dec. 4, 2024, a 39-year-old customer “was performing an overhead press with adjustable dumbbells when one plate of dumbbell came loose and fell on his head. Consumer visited ER for a serious injury and immediate incapacitation,” the database said.

Another incident took place on Dec. 16, 2023, when the dumbbell plate fell on a 55-year-old customer while he was performing a bench press.

“The plate dislodged from the handle and landed on top of his right foot causing bleeding and severe swelling. Treated with first aid.”

Regarding the recent Johnson recall, Gabe Knight, a senior policy analyst at customer advocacy group Consumer Reports (CR), suggested she was not satisfied with the company’s remedy to the recall, according to a June 5 post.

The remedy involved Johnson offering vouchers and digital fitness memberships to most of the affected customers. “Consumers should be able to receive their money back in full, no strings attached,” she said.

“Even if you haven’t experienced any issues with these products so far, it’s still possible you could in the future,” Knight said, encouraging people who have bought the dumbbells to stop using them.

Johnson Health Tech told CR that they became aware of incident reports involving the dumbbells only after acquiring certain assets from BowFlex last year.

The company said it has updated the designs of both the 1090 and 552 model dumbbells involved in the recall.

“The selector disks on these new models are entirely metal for enhanced durability,” it said.