Latest news with #dumbbells
New York Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
BowFlex Recalls 3.8 Million Adjustable Dumbbells After Injury Reports
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.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
BowFlex adjustable dumbbells recalled after more than 100 dislodging injuries
BowFlex is recalling millions of units of its adjustable dumbbells because their weight plates can dislodge and cause injury to users. The recall comes after over 100 reports of injuries including concussions, abrasions, broken toes or contusions, according to the CPSC. The dumbbells are popular because of their versatility: They allow users to lift dumbbells of different weights, without owning a full set of individually weighted dumbbells, which would take up a lot of space. A total of 3,844,200 units of the product are being recalled, according to a notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Thursday. That includes 3.7 million units that were sold by Nautilus Inc. Nautilus changed its corporate name to BowFlex in 2023. BowFlex filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2024 and was acquired by Johnson Health Tech Retail, which will refund customers for the dumbbells' purchase price in the form of a voucher or for replacement units, so long as they were purchased from Johnson Health Tech Trading. For customers who purchased the dumbbells from BowFlex, formerly Nautilus, consumers may request a refund in the form of a prorated voucher. They are also eligible to receive a one year digital fitness membership through Johnson Health Tech Trading. Johnson Health Tech Trading is reaching out to its customers directly, according to the recall notice. Consumer Reports, the nonprofit consumer product testing organization, said the company's remedy is insufficient. "Consumers should be able to receive their money back in full, no strings attached," she said in a statement to The recalled dumbbell sets, called the "BowFlex 552, 52.5-lb Adjustable Dumbbells," and the "BowFlex 1090, 90-lb Adjustable Dumbbells," were sold in pairs and as single units. The black weights came with handles, weight plates and a plastic storage tray. The 1090 dumbbells could be adjusted to weigh between 10 and 90 pounds. The CPSC is urging owners of the recalled dumbbells to stop using them immediately, and to seek out a refund. Consumers can fill out a claim form here.
CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Set the Weights Down: BowFlex Adjustable Dumbbells Are Being Recalled. Here's What to Know
The gains can wait: If you have a set of BowFlex 552 or 1090 Adjustable Dumbbells, you'll want to put them down and listen up. Customers have reported the weight plates coming off during use, resulting in potential impact hazards. Here's everything you should know about the recall and how to receive a replacement set. Read the full press release regarding the recall here. What products are being recalled? As of June 5, 2025, Johnson Health Tech Trading has voluntarily recalled over 3.8 million units of the BowFlex 552, 52.5-pound Adjustable Dumbbells and BowFlex 1090, 90-pound Adjustable Dumbbells. 3.7 million of these were sold by BowFlex Inc. (formerly Nautilus, Inc). These black dumbbells with red accents include handles, weight plates and a plastic tray. The 552 dumbbells have adjustable weights from five to 52.5 pounds, while the 1090 dumbbells adjust from 10 to 90 pounds. The model and serial number are on the underside of the plastic tray. A full list of serial and model numbers included in the recall can be found on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission website. The serial number is located on the bottom of the BowFlex 552 and 1090 Adjustable Dumbbells. Pictured here is the 1090 model. Johnson Health Tech Trading/US CPSC The recall includes dumbbells purchased from Johnson Health Tech Trading, or an authorized retailer between April 23, 2024, and May 2025, as well as sets purchased from Nautilus, Inc. or another authorized retailer (including Dick's Sporting Goods and Best Buy) prior to April 23, 2024 -- going back as far as 2004. Why are they being recalled? The reported issue is that the weight plates can dislodge from the handle during use, posing an impact hazard. Johnson Health Tech Trading has received 12 reports of the plates dislodging during use, with no injuries. Now-defunct Nautilus received 337 reports of the plates coming off during use, resulting in 111 people suffering injuries such as concussions, contusions, abrasions or broken toes. According to Johnson Health Tech Trading in a company statement, 'We stand behind the integrity of our products and remain committed to supporting our customers throughout their fitness journey. 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 response to the reports, Johnson Health has developed safer versions of the 552 and 1090 dumbbells designed to comply with stricter safety standards. These replacement models are the BowFlex Results Series 552 SelectTech Dumbbells and Results Series 1090 SelectTech Dumbbells. Customers who purchased their dumbbells from Nautilus can use a prorated refund voucher toward buying the new dumbbells once they are available. What should you do? The first step is to stop using your dumbbells immediately if you own either of these two models. The second step is to fill out the claim form on BowFlex's website. You will need the following information to complete the form: Your contact and mailing information Purchase details (date and place of purchase) Product information (model and serial number) Once your claim has been verified, you will receive a prepaid shipping label and box to return the handles and base of your dumbbell set. The company expects to start shipping out these boxes in July. If you have been injured by your BowFlex dumbbells, you should immediately report the injury to the CPSC by filling out the "report an unsafe product" form on its website. If you have any questions about this recall, you can contact Johnson Health Tech Trading at 800-209-3539 or email at recall@
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
I did 20 military presses every day for a week — here's what happened to my shoulders
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. I was recently cleared for exercise after having a baby, so I've been very eager to dust off my favorite dumbbells and get back to work. Despite my enthusiasm, I knew I'd have to rebuild my deep core strength first before attempting most of my pre-pregnancy routine. However, I did feel strong enough to incorporate some upper-body exercises into my postpartum program. I was doing military presses consistently both before and during my pregnancy, so I decided to kickstart my return by doing 20 military presses every day for a full week. While this felt like a doable challenge for me, you should always check in with your medical team before trying a new workout, especially if you're postpartum. Meeting with a certified personal trainer is also a good idea to ensure you're moving correctly. The military press, also called an overhead press, is a compound exercise that targets multiple muscles in the shoulder. This move will work the anterior, lateral, and posterior deltoids along with your triceps, serratus anterior, and rotator cuff muscles. Military presses also require core engagement. Your transverse abdominis and internal obliques keep your torso stable and your spine neutrally aligned as you press the weight overhead. You'll need a pair of dumbbells, a barbell, or a curl bar for this exercise. If you have any lower back issues, you may also want an adjustable weight bench so you can sit while performing the movement. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Bring the dumbbells to your shoulders with your knuckles facing behind you. Engage your core and maintain neutral spine alignment. Press the dumbbells towards the ceiling. Slowly lower the dumbbells back to your shoulders. Continue for the desired number of reps. If you're using a barbell or curl bar, align the bar with your sternum, with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Engage your core and press the bar overhead. Return to the starting position with control. Since I was returning to exercise after a long absence, I split 20 reps into two sets of 10. Here's what I found after my week-long experiment. Pregnancy really does a number on your core, and I've noticed the lack of strength and stability in my abs even during the simplest of moves. Knowing that I was dealing with some serious core strength deficits, I decided to perform the exercise seated with back support for the first few days. This was the right choice, as even seated, I could feel the muscles in my back trying to overcompensate for my weak abs. Dropping the dumbbell weight alleviated this problem, and the exercise still challenged my shoulder muscles. Keep this in mind if you've got lower back issues or compromised abdominal muscles. Doing the exercise seated takes a lot of the core work out of the equation, but sometimes that's necessary to ensure proper form and prevent injury. Even though I was seated, I still made sure to engage my abdominals throughout the movement. By the time I got to the fifth day of the week, I felt like my core muscles were conditioned enough to try the military presses standing. It was much easier to keep my spine aligned without letting the low back arch. I finished out the week standing, which was more taxing for my core, but in a positive way. I was starting to see the benefits from military presses combined with my postpartum core routine. Military presses are primarily a shoulder exercise, but they're great for building abdominal stability too. My fifth day of military presses also came with a bump in dumbbell weight. Before pregnancy, I was doing military presses with 20 pounds regularly, so I decided to jump back in a bit lighter — 15 pounds. The first few days were harder than I expected, but I started to find my groove by day three. By day four, I barreled through all 20 reps without stopping. I knew that meant I was ready to up the ante, so on day five, I grabbed my 20-pound weights. I was able to increase my dumbbell weight pretty quickly because my body was used to the movement. If you're trying military presses for the first time, be wary of increasing your weight too quickly. Doing so could result in injury. Since the dumbbells were starting to feel easy, I swapped them for a curl bar on the last day of the week. Curl bars look similar to a barbell but are much shorter and lighter, making them accessible to almost anyone. I selected a 35-pound curl bar, which wasn't as heavy as the dumbbells I'd been lifting. The weight displacement on a curl bar is much different than dumbbells, though, and that threw me off a bit. I even developed some slight shoulder pain on the last few reps, and could feel my abdominals working hard. I had to rest before I got to the end of my sets. Doing military presses with different pieces of equipment, like curl bars or kettlebells, could add some much-needed variety to the movement. I'm a personal trainer — here's 3 hip-opening exercises to reduce stiffness and boost lower-body mobility This routine is designed to improve your lower body's range of motion, increase blood flow, and enhance joint mobility Personal trainer shares a five-move mobility routine to unstick tight hips and shoulders using your bodyweight.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I'm a personal trainer — this 5-move abs workout strengthens your core and hips using dumbbells
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Five moves and a set of dumbbells are all you need to torch your midsection and, over time, strengthen your core. This routine fits perfectly at the end of any existing workout, or you could even roll out your mat and quickly power out the moves at home in your spare time. If you don't currently own any dumbbells, a set of the best adjustable dumbbells can save you some space while allowing you to add load as your core gets stronger. Otherwise, if you're already set and ready to go, read on for the full routine and the benefits. Before we go to the moves, if your goal is to get more defined abs, just remember, this is different from strengthening the muscles that comprise the core. Definition is the result of building muscle and losing enough body fat to show more of that muscle. So if a snatched waist and rippling six-pack abs are the goals, the workout alone won't get you there — I recommend checking out our macro guide for beginners to help you learn more about nutrition and fueling your body for workouts. However, what this workout will do is help you build stronger, more stable core muscles, which, in turn, can help protect you from injury and boost exercise performance. Here are the exercises and a short workout to follow: Up first: in and outs. These target the hips, lower abs and deeper core muscles that help stabilize the spine and trunk and maintain internal abdominal pressure. Sexy. Check out our video to see how to do them properly. I use a kettlebell, but you can stand a dumbbell on one end instead. The name might not be imaginative, but the move does the job, setting your abs on fire as you lift and lower your legs over your dumbbell. Another tick for the lower abdominal muscles. Reverse crunches use the same crunching motion as standard crunches, but in reverse. As the name suggests. I like this move because it also tests your coordination skills, and the variation places less pressure on the neck and upper back. You might read 'squat' and feel confused, but the bear squat is no ordinary squat. Instead of moving vertically, this variation is performed horizontally, with your hands and feet on the ground. Rather than lowering your butt toward the floor, you'll push your hips backward toward your heels. Gravity does the work for you, creating intensity for your core muscles, which stabilize your torso. Your hips, quads, glutes, hamstrings and shoulders also work hard. To make the move even more challenging, see if you can incorporate a bear crawl, stepping forward with the opposing hand and foot, performing the squat, then repeating with the other hand and foot. I like to hold a set of dumbbells throughout to alleviate pressure on my wrists, but it also increases the load if you add the crawl, as you'll hold onto the weights throughout. Again, you can use the dumbbells to protect your wrists or place them to one side for a moment. Elevating your hands can also be helpful if you have long legs or tight hips and struggle to jump your feet close to your hands. Plank tuck jumps require explosive core power to jump your feet forward, then back again. I like to move fast, staying on the balls of my feet throughout. Finally, we have the alternating plank. As the name suggests, simply lift one arm and the opposing leg into the air while holding a high plank position. Then, switch sides. I like to hold dumbbells throughout this exercise, lifting one into the air at the same time as my leg. I recommend opting for a lighter weight that allows you to keep your hips aligned with the ground below while raising your leg to hip-height and arm to shoulder-height. Squeeze your shoulder blades and glutes as you move and focus on a strong, powerful plank position without collapsing your hips to the floor. Throughout the workout, focus on control and range of motion — maximize the tension of each movement by engaging your core (think about bracing your stomach for impact) and moving as far into each exercise as possible. A good example is your alternating plank — your arm and leg should lift high into the air without you swinging any limbs around. It's not about momentum! This routine works best for me when I reverse down from 20 reps. I start with 20 repetitions of each exercise, then drop to 18, then 16 and continue until I get to 2. If you don't have time, you could set a target, drop by more reps each round, or even choose a time cap. No, not sit-ups or crunches — this is the one low-impact exercise you should try to strengthen your core instead Pilates instructor shares a 20-minute Pilates workout for developing healthy hips and strengthening your lower body 3 strength exercises you can do with a yoga block that aren't ab exercises
