BowFlex
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| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 |
| Legal Structure | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Fitness |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | https://www.bowflex.com/ |
BowFlex, Inc. (formerly Nautilus Inc.) is a fitness-equipment manufacturer headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. In March 2024, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and a federal bankruptcy court approved the sale of its assets to Johnson Health Tech for $37.5 million.[1]
Consumer-impact summary
[edit | edit source]User privacy
[edit | edit source]- The BowFlex privacy policy includes a post-purchase EULA modification where the user must opt out of the sale of their data.[2]
- BowFlex collects biometric information and will disclose it to "third parties who may acquire your information as a result of a merger, acquisition or other ownership transition".[3]
User freedom
[edit | edit source]- The Android-equipped touchscreen machines sold with the JRNY service run a locked-down build of Android: the Google Play Store is present but not user-accessible, and users cannot install their own apps.[4]
- Streaming on JRNY machines is limited to the preinstalled Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max applications, and access to the user's own streaming services requires an active JRNY membership.[5]
- BowFlex includes forced arbitration in its end-user license agreement.[6]
Incidents
[edit | edit source]JRNY service
[edit | edit source]JRNY is an "adaptive fitness membership" provided by BowFlex that is facilitated by their Android-equipped fitness hardware.[7]
Chapter 11 bankruptcy and sale (2024)
[edit | edit source]In March 2024, BowFlex executives filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to facilitate a sale of the company's assets.[8] In April 2024, a federal bankruptcy court approved the sale to Johnson Health Tech Retail for $37.5 million.[9][10]
Adjustable dumbbell recalls (2025)
[edit | edit source]On June 5, 2025, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Johnson Health Tech Trading was recalling about 3,844,200 BowFlex adjustable dumbbells (models 552, 52.5 lb, and 1090, 90 lb), because the weight plates can dislodge from the handle during use, posing an impact hazard.[10] Nautilus had received 337 reports of plates dislodging during use, including 111 injuries such as concussions, abrasions, broken toes and contusions; Johnson Health Tech Trading received 12 further reports with no injuries.[10] Consumers could request a refund in the form of a voucher or a replacement for units sold by Johnson Health Tech Trading; for units sold by BowFlex prior to May 2024, the remedy was a prorated voucher together with a one-year JRNY membership.[10]
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Vancouver-based BowFlex sold for $37.5 million". The Columbian. 2024-04-15. Archived from the original on 13 Oct 2026. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
- ↑ "Privacy Policy". BowFlex. 2024-12-01. Archived from the original on 15 Apr 2026.
- ↑ "Privacy Policy". BowFlex. 2024-12-01. Archived from the original on 15 Apr 2026.
- ↑ "Bowflex Max Total 16 review: Your home gym can run Android, too". Android Police. 2022-06-05. Archived from the original on 13 Oct 2026. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
- ↑ "Bowflex Max Total 16 review: Your home gym can run Android, too". Android Police. 2022-06-05. Archived from the original on 13 Oct 2026. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
- ↑ "Terms of Use". BowFlex. 2024-12-03. Archived from the original on 15 Apr 2026.
- ↑ "JRNY". BowFlex. Archived from the original on 15 Apr 2026. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ↑ "Vancouver-based BowFlex sold for $37.5 million". The Columbian. 2024-04-15. Archived from the original on 13 Oct 2026. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
- ↑ "Vancouver-based BowFlex sold for $37.5 million". The Columbian. 2024-04-15. Archived from the original on 13 Oct 2026. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Johnson Health Tech Trading Recalls BowFlex Adjustable Dumbbells Due to Impact Hazard, Including 3.7 Million Sold by Nautilus Inc". United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Archived from the original on 13 Oct 2026. Retrieved 2026-10-12.