BowFlex hit with lawsuit over ‘inadequate’ recall of ‘dangerous’ dumbbells

BowFlex class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Elizabeth Cosin filed a class action lawsuit against Johnson Health Tech Retail Inc.
• Why: Cosin claims Johnson Health Tech failed to adequately address a recall of 3.8 million BowFlex adjustable dumbbells.
• Where: The BowFlex class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

A new class action lawsuit alleges Johnson Health Tech failed to adequately address a recall of 3.8 million BowFlex adjustable dumbbells after the company announced the recall in June.

Plaintiff Elizabeth Cosin claims the BowFlex Model 552 (52.5-pound) adjustable dumbbells and Model 1090 (90-pound) adjustable dumbbells have a defect that can cause the weight plates to dislodge from the handle during use, posing an impact hazard.

Johnson Health Tech announced the recall of the defective BowFlex adjustable dumbbells on June 5 after receiving reports of the weight plates dislodging during use, Cosin claims. 

In total, Johnson Health Tech reportedly received 12 reports of dislodging weight plates, while Nautilus/BowFlex received 337 reports, including 111 that resulted in injuries such as concussions, abrasions, broken toes or contusions.

Cosin claims the Johnson Health Tech recall is inadequate. Although the company is offering a full refund or replacement for dumbbells purchased between April 2024 and May 2025, those who purchased the recalled dumbbells prior to April 2024 are only being offered a prorated voucher and a one-year membership to the JRNY digital fitness app. 

Johnson Health Tech ‘arbitrarily’ limited recall, BowFlex class action alleges

Cosin argues Johnson Health Tech’s recall claim procedure arbitrarily limits customers who purchased the BowFlex adjustable dumbbells prior to April 2024 to the “wholly inadequate” option of requesting a prorated voucher and a one-year membership to the JRNY digital fitness app.

Cosin claims the prorated vouchers are effectively worthless because they range from $20 to $95, while a new set of 552 dumbbells retails for $429 and a new set of 1090 dumbbells retails for $799.

“Plaintiff and Class members have suffered economic injury based on their purchase of the Products, which they would not have bought had they known the truth,” the BowFlex class action states.

Cosin claims Johnson Health Tech is guilty of fraudulent and unfair business practices, false advertising, violation of the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, unjust enrichment and fraud by omission.

The plaintiff demands a jury trial and requests declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of compensatory, statutory and monetary damages for herself and all class members.

What do you think of the claims in this Bowflex dumbbells class action lawsuit? Join the discussion in the comments.

Cosin is represented by Frederick J. Klorczyk III and Deborah Kravitz of KamberLaw LLP.

The BowFlex class action lawsuit is Cosin v. Johnson Health Tech Retail Inc., Case No. 3:25-cv-05085, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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