How To Spot Fake Bowflex Dumbbells

Buying used or discounted fitness gear is a smart way to save money, but you need to be careful to avoid fakes. Knowing how to spot fake Bowflex dumbbells is essential to protect your investment and your safety. Counterfeit equipment is poorly made and can break, causing serious injury. This guide will walk you through the clear signs that separate real Bowflex adjustables from dangerous knockoffs.

Real Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells are a premium product with tight quality control. Fakes cut corners everywhere. By checking a few key areas, you can confidently identify a counterfeit before you hand over any money.

1. Examine the Packaging and Labels

Start with the box. Authentic Bowflex dumbbells come in high-quality, sturdy packaging with clear, professional printing. Look for these red flags:

Blurry Logos or Text: The “Bowflex” and “SelectTech” logos should be sharp. Fake boxes often have pixelated or smudged printing.
Misspelled Words: Counterfeiters often make spelling errors on the box or manual. Check for words like “dumbbell,” “adjustable,” and “instructions.”
Flimsy Cardboard: The box should feel substantial. A thin, easily crushed box is a bad sign.
Missing Labels: Authentic products have a model number sticker (like 552 or 1090) and a serial number. If these are missing or look tampered with, be wary.

2. Inspect the Build Quality and Materials

This is where fakes fail most obviously. Pick up the dumbbell and feel its weight and finish.

Plastic Quality: The main housing on real Bowflex dumbbells is made of a very dense, high-grade plastic. Fakes use a lighter, cheaper plastic that may feel hollow, have visible seams, or have a shiny, “toy-like” finish.
Weight Plate Material: The actual weight plates inside should be solid steel. On some fakes, the plates are a cheaper, lighter metal or even coated plastic. Gently tap a plate with your finger; it should feel and sound solid.
Overall Weight: If you can, compare the total weight to the advertised amount. A fake dumbbell set to 50 pounds may feel significantly lighter.

3. Check the Dial and Adjustment Mechanism

The dial system is the heart of Bowflex technology. It needs to be precise and durable.

Dial Action: Turn the dial on a real Bowflex. It should click firmly into each position with a solid, mechanical feel. Fake dials often turn loosely, feel mushy, or don’t click distinctly at each number.
Dial Numbers: The numbers on the dial should be deeply molded into the plastic or cleanly printed. On counterfeits, they might be painted on poorly and will wear off quickly.
Mechanism Sound: When you lift the dumbbell out of the cradle after selecting a weight, you should hear a clean clunk as the pins engage the plates. A fake might make a grinding sound, a weak click, or no sound at all.

Spotting Fakes in Online Listings

You can’t physically inspect items sold online, so you have to be a detective. Scrutinize the seller’s photos. Zoom in on the details we’ve discussed: the dial, the logo on the side, the texture of the plastic. Be suspicious of stock photos only. A real seller will show actual pictures of the product. Check the seller’s history and reviews. If the price seems to good to be true compared to everyone else, it almost always is.

4. Look for Official Branding and Logos

Branding is hard for counterfeiters to copy perfectly.

The Bowflex Logo: The font and spacing of the “Bowflex” word on the side of the dumbbell should be perfect. Compare it to an image on the official website. Often, fakes have a slightly different font or the logo is placed crooked.
SelectTech Badge: The “SelectTech” badge is usually a separate, well-attached plate. On fakes, it might be a cheap sticker or look poorly aligned.
Missing Copyright Info: Look for small copyright symbols or patent information molded into the plastic. Counterfeits frequently omit these details.

5. Consider the Price and Seller

This is a simple but effective filter. Brand new Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells have a standard retail price. If you see a “new” pair being sold for 50% off retail by a non-authorized seller, they are almost certainly counterfeit. Only buy from authorized retailers like the Bowflex website, major sporting goods stores, or well-known online marketplaces where the seller is the company itself. Be extra cautious on auction sites and social media marketplaces.

Step-by-Step Checklist Before You Buy

Run through this list when you’re looking at a pair of dumbbells.

Research the Seller: Are they authorized? What are their reviews like?
Analyze Photos: Are they real photos? Zoom in on the dial, logo, and seams.
Ask Specific Questions: Ask the seller for a photo of the serial number label or a video of the dial turning and clicking.
Compare the Price: Is it drastically lower than everywhere else?
Inspect Physically (if possible): Check the dial action, plastic quality, and weight. Listen to the mechanism.

Why It Matters: The Risks of Fake Equipment

This isn’t just about getting a good deal. Using fake fitness equipment is dangerous. The plastic housing on a counterfeit can crack during use, causing the weight plates to fall out unexpectedly. The weak adjustment mechanism can fail, changing the weight mid-lift or dropping it entirely. This can lead to muscle strains, dropped weights on your feet or floor, and serious accidents, especially during overhead presses or bench presses. You’re also getting an inferior product that won’t last, wasting your money anyway.

What to Do If You Already Bought a Fake

If you suspect you’ve purchased counterfeit Bowflex dumbbells, stop using them immediately. Contact the seller and request a refund, stating the product is counterfeit. If you bought them from an online platform like eBay or Amazon, use their buyer protection program to report the item as fake. You can also report the seller to Bowflex’s customer support team. They are interested in stopping counterfeit sales, though they can’t guarantee you a refund.

FAQ: Spotting Counterfeit Bowflex Dumbbells

Q: Are there fake Bowflex 552 and 1090 models?
A: Yes, the most popular models like the 552 and 1090 are the most commonly counterfeited. The tips in this article apply to all Bowflex adjustable dumbbells.

Q: Can I trust dumbbells sold on Amazon or eBay?
A: You can, but you must be vigilant. Prefer items sold “by Amazon” as the seller or from highly-rated, established eBay sellers with real photos. Avoid third-party sellers with no history offering prices that are to low.

Q: Do fake Bowflex dumbbells come with a warranty?
A: No. Counterfeit products are not covered by any official Bowflex warranty. Only products purchased from authorized retailers qualify for the manufacturer’s warranty.

Q: Is the weight accuracy a sign of a fake?
A: It can be. While slight variances happen, a significant difference (e.g., a 25 lb setting feeling like 15 lbs) is a major red flag for counterfeit plates.

Q: What’s the biggest visual giveaway?
A: Often, it’s the overall finish. The cheap, shiny plastic and poorly printed logos are usually the first visual clues that something is off before you even touch them.

Protecting yourself from counterfeit fitness equipment takes a little extra time, but it’s worth it. By focusing on the details—the packaging, the materials, the dial mechanism, and the seller—you can make a safe and smart purchase. Your safety and your results depend on using reliable gear. Now you have the knowledge to choose wisely and invest in equipment that will support your fitness goals for years to come.