Why Bowflex Dumbbells Get "Stuck"

Describes two ways that Bowflex adjustable dumbbells (Selecttech 552, 1090) can get "stuck": 1) the dial won't turn, and 2) the dumbbell won't come out of its cradle.
Both of these are due to locking features that are there for your safety. Understanding the mechanics of the locking mechanisms makes it pretty easy to figure out what is wrong when the dumbbells seem to be stuck.
This video doesn't address cases where the dumbbells are damaged or faulty. However, it may help to understand how they are supposed to work.
Just by luck, I bought these in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit and they got really difficult to find. I think they are great - one of the best $300 that I've ever spent (that was the list price/pair at the time).

[@ashtoncaldwell8276]

Three years later and this dude is still fucking delivering god teir info. The business might be going out and unable to help but you fixed it in 5 min.

[@toddscott3821]

thanks for the video, dumbelss were stuck and watching this have now been unstuck, cheers champion

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@CalvinWilliamsJr1]

Dude! Thanks so much! I haven't been able to use my dumbbells for 8 months and now I can!

[@spencerbackx4607]

Thank you!! I was beyond frustrated with a stuck plate and was able to fix it in about 5 min with your instructions.

[@dttumo]

Excellent video. Thank you for clearly and comprehensively explaining. I was able to easily correct my issue after watching.

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@teamspanglish]

Way more helpful than the repair video from the actual bowflex channel lol thanks man

[@bentziongood]

Big help, your last idea fixed my issue with the weights being stuck in base. Thank you

[@maddielovemacs]

Thanks so much for this! I got our bowflex dumbbell stuck just awhile ago and because of your video, I was able to fix it! Thanks again!!!

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@bethobie3631]

Thanks Chris! I couldn't shake it but stuck my foot on the base, removed the dumbbell, put it back in, repeated and then was able to adjust it. I just told my husband that I am THE woman! (thanks to you :) )

[@Fgbwavy]

Top comment 🙌🏿

[@armyboistud]

Your comment helped me much faster than watching this whole video. Read this and had it out immediately.

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@bethobie3631]

@khalidqureshi3168 yes!

[@AaronMan-sf6zz]

Love your choice of soundtrack! 🤘🏼

[@ericschmidt6129]

Great "how to" video. Explains everything clearly. Thanks for putting this together.

[@howaniquehowell3616]

I've been doing 1 dumbbell workouts for a month now. Thank you kindly sir. !!!😁

[@brentlionakaboldchamp]

Helped a lot, thanks man. Mines got stuck yesterday, because my nephew was playing with it, and set it in improperly, and it got stuck.

[@linanilsen4235]

Thanks you! I was struggling for 10minutes, but fixed it in 2 sec after your video!

[@aaronvanderwaal5264]

This was extremely helpful and with it I managed to fix my dumbbell. Thank you!!

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@s33bah]

Super helpful. Clear explanation. Was tryna get this fixed for like an hour.

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@srikanthbnarayan]

Thank you so very much for a detailed no nonsense video. Thank you again

[@robmacdonald6877]

Thx mate, fabulous vid. Diagnosed the issue with my adjustable bells within 2 mins.

[@samandy24]

Ohmygodddd. THANK YOU SO MUCHHHH! You have no idea how this has helped me! Now I can use my dumbbells again!!

[@lindsey4903]

Thanks for this video! The Bowflex dumbbells that we have are about 9 years old, and they have these problems but this video helped me get it unstuck. It's surprising that they haven't fixed these manufacturing issues in this many years.

[@chrissatterlee4287]

Glad the video helped you! I think this is an engineering issue, not a manufacturing issue. A perfect design wouldn't allow the user to make the "mistakes" that cause the two problems discussed in the video. But they need to be even more careful that there's no way for the plates to fall off. They had to recall the adjustable barbell (www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls/nautilus-recalls-bowflex-selecttech-barbells-021621.html ). Personally, I think the dumbbell design is great, and once I understood the mechanics of the safety locking, I've had no problems. I hope the same is true for you!

[@yanz_77]

@@chrissatterlee4287 so can the dumbell plate fall when we workout?

[@chrissatterlee4287]

@@yanz_77 Not unless they are damaged. If anything, the safety mechanisms work too well, which is why people think they are stuck when they are really just keeping you from doing anything that would allow the plates to fall out when they are out of the cradle. I don't know how the barbells worked, but they aparently had some flaw that made them less safe than the dumbbells.

[@yanz_77]

@@chrissatterlee4287 thanks

[@057Ludo]

@@chrissatterlee4287 Hello, have you already weighed the dumbbells to check that they are the indicated weight because some models do not ..

[@anonemoose6121]

Thank you! Clearly explained, and helped me quickly solve my issue with a stuck dial. Much love!

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@garfieldnate]

Super helpful! Thank you. When I opened the box, I thought they were trash because they wouldn't move. Watching this helped me get it right somehow and they move freely now.

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@garfieldnate]

@@khalidqureshi3168 Yeah they work great! I can't even understand now how I ever had a problem with them. There's something very powerful about adopting the right mental model when approaching a complex object like this.

[@garfieldnate]

@@khalidqureshi3168 Yes they work perfectly! I can't even understand now how I ever had trouble with them. I guess adopting the right mental model made a huge difference.

[@Vega583]

Thank you for making this. Helped me fix my weights!

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@Vega583]

@@khalidqureshi3168 yes, still working well.

[@mattheckel8243]

Thank you! Stepping on the base plate worked!

[@stevewintner3466]

Thank you big time. Your tip on the button cradle was my problem. The metal piece was bent too far forward. I use a flathead screwdriver to bent it back.

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@kumo860]

This was incredibly helpful; thank you.

[@graym7803]

Thank you! I was just able to fix my dumbbells, thanks to your video!!

[@paulgee5998]

Awesome video, I have a pair of similar ones by fitness master and one of them was stuck in cradle and knobs were jammed. I followed your video and its all fixed now :)

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@skybird63]

Got my new dumbbell stuck. Video helped. I put my foot over cradle and lifted it. I put dumbell in cradle but changed it to other side. Dial worked. Problem solved. Thanks.

[@robertovitale6719]

AWESOME VID...MA MAN... LOOKED AT OTHERS WHICH WERE NOT SO ACCURATE AND GOT ME OUT OF A JAM!! MANY THX 💪💪

[@EIonMusk1]

What worked immediately is picking up the part that’s stuck and dropping it into the platform, this makes it work again 👍🏻

[@BlueBerryDM]

Didnt full answer my question BUT it caused me to look at like you were and I reseated the 30lbs they seemed to be off, ty!

[@GFHDJG]

After I followed these suggestions, my dumbbell was still sticking. I sprayed the locking parts with silicone lubricant and wiped them down. After that I gradually went through all the weight increments and the lubricant worked it’s way through. It’s worked smoothly ever since.

[@NessaR1979]

This is what i am thinking as last resort

[@SystemAdministrator1]

Thank you ! This video is very helpful

[@gamerwrestlingfanatic8191]

Video was a lifesaver, thank you

[@chrissatterlee4287]

Since posting this video, I figured out one more thing. Especially when I had the dials set to the max, I was reaching my fingers too far around the handle and unknowingly rotating the handle toward my thumb while lifting. This causes it to catch on the hook. Now I'm more careful to lift straight up. And if it does catch, I turn my hand away from my thumb, and it releases. I don't need to do the shaking that I show in the video at 2:23.

[@chrissatterlee4287]

As Peter Ruiz pointed out, the stands that are available from Bowflex help with this problem. For space and aesthetic reasons (my gym is our bedroom), the stand wouldn't work for me. But I have fastened the cradles to a piece of plywood, and it accomplishes the same thing. Obviously, there are other benefits to the stands, such as not having to bend over and risk back injury. So I'm not saying that this is a substitute for the stands, but it's been a nice improvement for me. I posted a video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaW2oXyNgZd-oNE And the instructions are here: www.instructables.com/Wood-Base-v2-for-Bowflex-552-Dumbbells/

[@laurelieduchesneau8589]

OH. MYGOD. IVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH MY DB FOR THE PAST 45 MINUTES AND THAT COMMENT SAVED ME. THANK YOU

[@insixiengmb2]

Thank you so much! After 10 years or so , I finally know how to fix them 😂

[@rsingh5887]

You deserve the noble prize. Thank you

[@MrsBritney25]

Thank you so much for this video!!! It solved our issue with setting them at the highest setting!! My husband tried for a week to fix them - after this video I stuck my foot on it and yanked it out and I effectively became More powerful than he. Best day ever. He’s more than twice my size - so he was very impressed.

[@chrissatterlee4287]

I love this story!

[@mattmorris7667]

Fantastic video! So helpful!!!

[@mishabouvion7100]

This was exactly what I needed, thanks!

[@williamgafford5494]

Fixed my problem in 30 seconds! Thank you

[@brendanhill1868]

Thanks. Got some info that helped even though it wasn't the same brand. Bonus points for Orion.

[@Downtheroadaways]

Thanks man. My dial got stuck right in the middle of workout and one of the weights was out of line. Thanks for showing how it works

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@jarbor7898]

Video helped me tremendously! Thank you very much for the video!!!

[@MisterDogg]

Thanks this save me a ton of time. One of my weights broken and I couldn't turn the dial after ordering a new weight.

[@xeckamil94]

Very helpful video that helped me fix my rotating problem - thanks!

[@cam1newton162]

But what did u do?

[@Farah-uo4jb]

@@cam1newton162 you gotta lift the dummbell off and look for the white button near the handle and press that to be able to release and turn it

[@DavidTaylor-ki2ir]

Exactly what I needed. Thanks!

[@klzo4785]

thanks for your lovely instruction!

[@muhammadyuriboyka7471]

Tq buddy, due to ur video i manage to save from buying new set and remedy my old one

[@joshuawood8785]

Great video. Thank you for this.

[@chiragchandarana3727]

You are a life saver my friend! Thanks for this

[@antiguacapilla]

Thank you! Your video solved our problem!! 🙌🎉

[@thesounds3956]

Bro.. thanks a lot man. Had this happen to me in the middle of a workout and couldn’t find away to fix it

[@klynnco]

thank you! very helpful now that I understand how they work and how to fix them. :)

[@kimberleytodd1]

Thank you!!!! I just got mine and tried to use them for the first time yesterday and one was stuck. Thanks to your video, it's unstuck and I know what to do if it ever happens again.

[@khalidqureshi3168]

Do the dumbbells still work properly?

[@nicholashockings9584]

Thanks mate. Great video and a huge help

[@misshoegal67]

Thanks for this so informative and it works! Brilliant

[@313keiko1]

Thanks chris they work like a charm cheers

[@RishiSareen]

Thank you. It was very useful.

[@captainali7620]

Thank you for this helpful video

[@barebowhunter1850]

Thank you, Doctor! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@erikjohnson1649]

Thanks! I thought I had to buy a new one but got it unstuck thanks to this video!

[@mayssm]

Thanks for the video. Mine got stuck after setting them down. First time in like 10 years. After getting them unstuck, I used some spray lube up inside of them and now seem to be fine.

[@crpone1]

Thanks brother. I had to step on mine to release it.

[@eewing1972]

Thank you. Super helpful.

[@jessicawhitcraft5215]

Very helpful! Thanks!! 🙏

[@bickybong8992]

Thanks fam! Managed to fix my dumbellsss

[@Ramonet3000]

Thanks for this video.

[@iambrowntown]

Thank you! Fix Ed my issue right up

[@SameerAjmani]

I tracked my issue down: one of the black rubber feet on the cradle had come off and somehow ended up inside the cradle. Very hard to spot, and prevented the weights from sitting properly.

[@74flygirl]

Thank you for posting this! You definitely helped this mechanically challenged lady in getting them unstuck!

[@RonLowtower]

Huge help you rock!

[@RodneyHydonSr]

Thank you had mine freed up and back to new in under 5 minutes

[@drash4489]

Great video thank you

[@chloer3444]

You saved me from just wanting to chuck my stuck dumbells out the window. Your info helped me fix the problem, thank you so much!

[@johndorian4164]

Helpful video!

[@heroedeleyenda05]

Thank you! You saved me from returning them!

[@ScheiGuy24]

This video just saved my life

[@ToanLe-qw3qc]

Thx you so much mine was stuck your video just help me 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@davidhughson189]

Great video!

[@dssrs1902]

Thans Chris! God bless you 🙏🏻

[@darewin1300]

Fixed my issue thanks man

[@MGboy99]

Thanks man you saved my life

[@charlesa1234]

thank you this video help me a lot

[@BiggangLova]

thank you so much we thought ours were broken but we just needed to press on that button on the weight

[@ronanmurphy3887]

Thank you so much what you helped me fix it

[@LaidBackLens]

thank you! good thing I looked it up, i thought I was gonna have to buy a new one

[@leonidpravda]

thank you so much!

[@DanDarger]

Thank you!

[@mikimikemike1]

big help thanks

[@shinymcshires]

Thank you!!

[@scottmthw]

Nice acoustic cover of Orion 👍

[@AllanHolder]

my little hook thing in the base was bent town a bit and didn't fully depress the button

[@Ikkster]

Hi Chris, just got the new bowflex dumbells that are 90lb, it seems that the 20lb plate gets stuck while selecting other weight, the plate is still attached although it's a lower weight when it should still be attached to the base. Any fix on this or recco?

[@chrissatterlee4287]

Hi Syed. Is this happening with both dumbbells or just one? If it's both, then my first suggestion would be to weigh the dumbbells in each of the settings. Is the weight really wrong? It isn't obvious what combination of the plates is used for each setting (and since I have the 552s, I'm not sure exactly what you are describing with your 1090s.) If it is just one that does this, then something is definitely wrong and you may be able to figure it out by comparing the good one with the bad one. The rings that choose which plates to retain or release for each setting are pretty robust, but can be broken if you drop the dumbbells. I really doubt that you have broken your brand new dumbbells already, though. And when they do break, they would tend to fail to pick up the plate rather than the other way around as you describe.

[@bobby3013]

THANK YOU!!

[@davezito888]

Thank you 🙏

[@rashaddwhitfiled7942]

Greta video really helpful 💯

[@notorious_yip]

I found that my 552 sometimes get stuck if one of the plates are not seated into the cradle properly. Lifting the problematic plate out of the cradle, and making sure it's properly seated usually solves the problem (for me).

[@chrissatterlee4287]

Yes, this happens to me too. It's usually when I've got them set to 45 or 50, and the only ones left in the cradle are the small ones at the end. If you don't lift straight up, one of the small plates can get slightly lifted too and then drop back crooked. I've gotten used to always looking at the plates in the cradle before putting the dumbbell back down.

[@jdr22005]

Hey Chris - thanks for sharing this info! My dumbbell is stuck in the base and I haven't been able to turn the dial or pull it out by pressing my foot on the base and pulling the weight. I'm not able to squeeze my finger underneath the little black button underneath the dumbbell handle that releases the weights - any other suggestions for getting it unstuck?

[@chrissatterlee4287]

Hi Justin - If it is stuck in the cradle, it does mean that the notched ring on at least one end must be engaged with the metal tab (aka "button presser hook"). If that is the case, that dial should be able to turn (in theory). Are the dials on both ends not turning? Are both dials pointing perfectly at one of the weight markings? Does it look like both ends are equally seated in the cradle, or is one end a bit higher? It's really difficult for me to speculate on what your particular problem is without seeing it in person. And I have never had mine get really stuck, so I don't have first hand experience with these cases. Unfortunately, most commenters who have had the really stuck situation have not followed up to say if they ever solved it.

[@nikis3533]

I have the same problem. Three days in & I keep trying. I do a lot of KZbin troubleshooting for all kinds of things & this is the first one that has stumped me. It’s impossible to get out. I’ve tried everything. Is there a notch underneath that I can reach with slim tool? Either debris is under there or something is really wrong :/

[@nikis3533]

It’s fixed!! Hot damn! I just looked through thread for replies w/ similar problems and found the solution on when 1 side is hopelessly stuck. I put dial on 5lbs at the non-stick side & wiggled. It worked! Thanks.

[@TerriEnglish]

@@nikis3533 mine are still not turning. Very frustrated/

[@davedelaney511]

I have had mine for 4 years never had any issues!!