Understanding and testing the locking mechanism function
The Bowflex® SelectTech™ Dumbbell features a patent pending locking mechanism designed to assure proper and complete selection of the weight plates as well as to ensure weight plate retention during the workout. It is important that you fully understand the function of this mechanism and periodically test it to ensure it is properly functioning.
Function
The locking mechanism provides two key functions:
1.The mechanism will only allow the adjustment knobs to be rotated when the dumbbell handle is complete- ly inserted and engaging the dumbbell base.
2.The mechanism is designed to lock the dumbbell handle to the base if either adjustment knob is not fully engaging the selected weight plates.
Purpose
The locking mechanism serves two important purposes:
1.The mechanism will prevent deselecting (dropping) weight plates from the dumbbell when it is NOT in the dumbbell base.
2.The mechanism will prevent partial selection of the weight plates in which the plates are not fully supported and the locking pin is not fully engaged.
Given the importance of this locking mechanism, it is critical that you understand how it operates and how to periodically test it to make sure it is functioning correctly.
Testing proper locking mechanism function
1. With the dumbbell handle set |
in the dumbbell base, turn |
both adjustment knobs to |
the number 5. You will know |
you have fully and correctly |
selected the number when |
you feel the adjustment knob |
settle into a notch (known as |
3.With the handle removed from the base, grab one adjustment knob with your other hand and gently attempt to turn the knob, the knob should not rotate. A locking pin in the mechanism will have engaged the rotational assembly when the unit was withdrawn from the base. Perform this test with all adjustment knobs.
WARNING
Do not use a great deal of force in an attempt to turn the locked adjustment knob. Excessive force may damage the locking mechanism.
4. | After confirming the proper function of the lock- | |
| ing mechanism as described above, return and | |
| fully insert the dumbbell handle back into the base | |
| assembly. | |
5. | With the handle back in the base, turn the adjustment | |
| knob on one side to a position that is | |
| 5 and 7.5 number. This represents an incomplete | |
| weight selection where the adjustment knob has not | |
| fully selected a weight and the knob is | |
| selection detents (clicks). | |
6. | With the selection knob in |
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| this improper position, gently |
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| attempt to lift up on the handle |
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| to remove it from the base. You |
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| should find that the handle is |
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| locked to the base and cannot |
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| be removed with light pressure |
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| as it can normally. |
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7. | Return the improperly selected |
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| adjustment knob to a full and |
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| proper weight selection and assure that the dumbbell | |
| handle can once again be removed. | |
8. | Repeat this test for all adjustment knobs. | |
9. | Assure the entire dumbbell handle assembly is | |
| properly tightened. Do this by setting the adjust- | |
| ment knobs to five pounds and removing the handle | |
| assembly from the base. Grab both adjustment knobs | |
WARNING
Do not intentionally engage the locking mechanism and attempt to lift the entire dumbbell via the grip. The dumbbell should only be lifted by using the lift handles molded into the base assembly.
DANGER
If the dumbbell locking mechanism fails to perform
in accordance with the test procedure above,
do the following things:
1.Discontinue use of the product immediately until proper service can be provided.
2.Contact your Bowflex retailer or contact Bowflex directly by phone
at
Offset weight selection
As indicated above, proper selection for a given weight is accomplished by selecting that weight number on both ends of the dumbbell. For example: to select 20 lbs, one must dial both adjustment knobs on the dumbbell to the number 20. By selecting the same number on both sides of the dumbbell, you will replicate a common dumbbell, this is to say, a balanced dumbbell with equal weight on both sides. While this is the most common form of weight selec- tion and will be used in the vast majority of workouts, the Bowflex SelectTech™ Dumbbell offers a useful and unique workout alternative known as offset weight selection. Offset weight selection involves using a different weight setting on one side of the dumbbell relative to the other. Doing so can be a powerful muscle development tool during certain workouts, such as the biceps curl. The SelectTech Dumbbell
functions exactly the same way whether you have selected balanced or offset weights. The only exception is that when you are using offset weights, you must return the dumbbell to the base in the same orientation that you removed it. When you have offset weight selection the combination of weight plates selected will not be the same on both sides of the dumbbell. You must therefore make certain to return the dumbbell to the base in the same orientation in which it was removed, in order for the weight plates to settle back into the corresponding vacant slots in the dumbbell base.
Example of offset weight selection workout
Performed traditionally, dumbbell curls strengthen the biceps, but do little for the forearm muscles that assist in supination and pronation of the wrist. Supination and pronation are terms describing a rotating motion of the wrist. For example, turning a doorknob and turning your key in your car’s ignition are examples of supination and pronation. Turning a doorknob clockwise would be the supination direction, while
These dumbbells allow you to train differently than traditional dumbbells. By using different weight settings on either side of the dumbbells, you can use those supination/ pronation muscles during your curls. Using more weight on the thumb side of the dumbbell will improve pronation strength, while more weight on the little finger side will improve supination strength. Not only will you be strength- ening your biceps, but also you can become stronger in activities involving rotation of the wrist!
The following example of a Biceps Curl using offset weight is a good demonstration of the superior muscle development provided by the SelectTech Dumbbell.
a detent). You will also hear |
a slight, but audible, clicking |
noise that corresponds with the detent locations for |
each number. |
2. You should be able to withdraw the handle from the |
base leaving all the weight plates behind. |
and very slightly push and pull the knobs toward and |
away from the handle grip. The knobs should not |
exhibit free play and all of the selection discs should |
feel tightly connected. |
10. You have now tested the function of the locking |
mechanism. We suggest you repeat this test periodi- |
cally (once a month) to confirm the proper function |
of the locking mechanism. |
| Side 1 | Side 2 | Total dumbbell weight |
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Weight settings selected | 20lbs | 30 lbs | 25 lbs | |
Weight Difference |
| Δ 10 lbs |
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Weight Distribution | 10 lbs | 15 lbs | 25 lbs | |
Weight offset |
| + 5 lbs |
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