BowFlex customers left with worthless vouchers and dangerous equipment as Johnson Health Tech faces class action lawsuit over its inadequate recall of adjustable dumbbells that can send weight plates flying during use.
Key Takeaways
- A class action lawsuit claims Johnson Health Tech’s recall of 3.8 million defective BowFlex adjustable dumbbells discriminates against customers who purchased before April 2024
- Customers who bought dumbbells before April 2024 receive only prorated vouchers worth $20-$95, despite the products retailing for $429-$799
- The defect has resulted in 337 reported incidents and 111 injuries, including concussions, broken toes, and abrasions
- The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern California, seeks full refunds for all affected customers regardless of purchase date
Dangerous Dumbbells and Deceptive Recall Practices
Johnson Health Tech is facing significant legal challenges as a class action lawsuit filed by plaintiff Elizabeth Cosin accuses the fitness equipment manufacturer of implementing an inadequate recall for its dangerous BowFlex adjustable dumbbells. The recall, announced on June 5 in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, affects approximately 3.8 million BowFlex 552 (52.5 lb.) and 1090 (90 lb.) adjustable dumbbells sold in the United States. The weights have a critical defect causing plates to suddenly dislodge during use, creating serious impact hazards for users.
The recall was initiated after Johnson Health Tech received 12 reports of weight plates dislodging, while Nautilus/BowFlex received 337 similar reports, including 111 injuries. Despite these alarming numbers, the lawsuit claims the company has implemented a two-tier compensation system that unfairly penalizes long-term customers. Those who purchased the dumbbells between April 23, 2024, and May 2025 can receive either replacement dumbbells or a voucher for the full purchase price plus a one-year JRNY fitness app membership.
Unequal Treatment of Long-Term Customers
The most controversial aspect of the recall, and the primary focus of the lawsuit, is the dramatically different treatment of customers who purchased their BowFlex dumbbells before April 23, 2024. These long-term customers are only eligible for a prorated voucher and the same one-year JRNY fitness app membership. The prorated vouchers range from a mere $20 to $95, an amount the lawsuit describes as “effectively worthless” considering new BowFlex dumbbells retail for $429 and $799 respectively.
The recall process itself requires customers to submit claims through BowFlex’s online portal, providing personal information, purchase details, and proof of purchase. After verification, customers receive a pre-paid shipping label and box to return the dumbbell handles and bases. The lawsuit argues this process, combined with the inadequate compensation, reflects fraudulent and unfair business practices by Johnson Health Tech, essentially forcing customers who purchased before April 2024 to buy new equipment at nearly full price.
Legal Claims and Consumer Protection
The class action lawsuit accuses Johnson Health Tech of multiple violations, including fraudulent and unfair business practices, false advertising, and breach of warranty. By implementing a recall that fails to adequately compensate all affected consumers, the company is alleged to have engaged in practices that unjustly enrich the corporation at the expense of consumer safety and financial well-being. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeks a jury trial, declaratory and injunctive relief, and various damages.
For consumers affected by the recall, BowFlex states that owners should immediately stop using the dumbbells and complete a recall claim form on their website. The company notes that while the dumbbells themselves are being recalled, the dumbbell stand with a media rack is not included in the recall. Customers unable to find a suitable product on BowFlex.com with their voucher can request a cash refund via a VISA gift card, but the lawsuit contends this doesn’t address the fundamental inequity in how different customer groups are being treated.
Pattern of Corporate Negligence
This case highlights a concerning pattern among some corporations that place profits above consumer safety and fair treatment. By attempting to limit financial liability through a discriminatory recall structure, Johnson Health Tech appears to be prioritizing its bottom line over providing appropriate remedies to all affected customers. The class action lawsuit seeks to correct this imbalance by demanding equal treatment for all consumers who purchased the defective equipment, regardless of when they made their purchase.
As the lawsuit progresses, it will likely raise important questions about corporate responsibility, consumer protection laws, and the ethical obligations companies have when their products prove dangerous. For the millions of consumers who trusted BowFlex’s reputation for quality fitness equipment, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding companies accountable when they fail to properly address serious safety concerns with their products.
