If you own Bowflex dumbbells, be warned—the item is now being recalled.
Last week, Johnson Health Tech Trading and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a voluntary recall of the BowFlex 552 adjustable dumbbells “due to reports that the weight plates can dislodge from the handle during use, posing an impact hazard.”
And it isn’t just the 552s. According to the CPSC, BowFlex 1090 adjustable dumbbells are also being recalled. The Commission also says that nearly 4 million units are involved in the recall.
“BowFlex Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2024,” the CPSC statement (via the New York Post) reads. “Johnson Health Tech Trading has agreed to provide a remedy for the 552 and 1090 adjustable dumbbells sold by BowFlex Inc. (formerly Nautilus Inc.), prior to May 2024 as a part of this recall.”
The Commission also claims that, to date, Johnson Health Tech Trading has received nearly 350 reports of plates dislodging, which led to 111 injuries, such as concussions, abrasions, broken toes or contusions.”
If customers bought their BowFlex from Costco specifically, they can return it to the store for a full refund. If they bought it from another retailer, they can contact the Johnson Health Tech Trading Customer Support Team at 800-209-3539 between 8am and 7pm CT Monday-Friday, or email recall@bowflex.com.
What do customers think?
In a CBS clip posted to TikTok, customers made it clear that they weren’t happy about the recall—especially because it looks like they weren’t refunded the full amount.
“They cost me $400 and offered me $77 lol,” one wrote. “Paid $400,” another disgruntled customer added. “Offered refund? $95. lol.”
While a third shared that they received “not a money refund, [but] a voucher to buy more Bowflex.”
@cbschicago Nearly 4 million Bowflex dumbbells have been realled becasue the plates can dislodge, posing an injury risk. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says there have been more than 100 reports of injuries.
♬ original sound – CBSChicago
“If you bought them longer than 1 year ago you wont even get a full refund,” they explained. “They dont want the weights back, just the handle and base. You’ll have to dispose of the weights on your own. Maybe just dont hold them over your head and wear steel toe boots, that seems like the better option.”
At the time of writing, Johnson Health Tech Trading hasn’t said anything further.
However, CPSC’s guidance contradicts these claims, with the statement reading: ”For units sold by BowFlex Inc. (formerly Nautilus Inc.), consumers can request a refund in the form of a prorated voucher and a one-year JRNY digital fitness membership.”
Update 4:12pm CT, June 16: A spokesperson for BowFlex told the Daily Dot the following in a statement:
“Johnson Health Tech Trading has consistently worked with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to identify potential product safety concerns. We have jointly issued this voluntary recall in cooperation with the CPSC to enhance customer protection given our deep commitment to supporting our customers throughout their fitness journey. As a result of this decision, our company is proactively making available a remedy to millions of BowFlex 552 and 1090 customers who would otherwise have no recourse because their products were sold by BowFlex Inc., formerly Nautilus, a company that is now defunct.
A proactive and broad initiation of this voluntary recall is consistent with our fundamental mission to serve consumers with high-quality and durable fitness equipment.
In April 2024, our parent company, Johnson Health Tech Retail, Inc., purchased select assets of BowFlex in a bankruptcy auction. This purchase included the trademark rights to market and sell the BowFlex-branded 552 and 1090 adjustable dumbbells. Since that time, we became aware of reports that the weight plates can dislodge from the dumbbell handle during use, posing a potential impact risk.
Over 95% of the more than 3.8 million BowFlex dumbbell models subject to this voluntary recall were sold during a twenty-year period by Nautilus Inc., which is no longer in business. 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 also providing a remedy to the much smaller universe of customers who purchased BowFlex 552 and 1090 dumbbells that our company distributed or sold. Expanding this voluntary recall to include Nautilus customers who would otherwise have no recourse available is in line with our company’s deep commitment to helping our customers lead healthy lives.
We are working diligently to reach owners of the 552 and 1090 dumbbells – regardless of whether the units were purchased from our company or from the, now defunct, Nautilus.
We stand behind the integrity of our products and remain committed to supporting our customers throughout their fitness journey. We are even committed to applying these guiding principles to the dumbbells that we acquired the rights to sell through another company’s bankruptcy asset sale.”
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