Bowflex Dumbbell Understanding and testing the locking mechanism function, Function, Purpose

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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 A locking pin in the mechanism will have engaged the rotational assembly when the unit was withdrawn from the base.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 in-between the

 

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 in-between the

 

selection detents (clicks).

6.

With the selection knob in

 

 

this improper position, gently

 

 

attempt to lift up on the handle

 

 

to remove it from the base. You

 

 

should find that the handle is

 

 

locked to the base and cannot

 

 

be removed with light pressure

 

 

as it can normally.

 

7.

Return the improperly selected

 

 

adjustment knob to a full and

 

 

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 1-800-605-3369 for service.

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 counter-clockwise would be the pronation direction. Whether you are training for a specific sport, or just training to become stronger and improve activ- ities of daily living, training your forearm muscles that are involved in supination and pronation can be beneficial.

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

 

Weight settings selected

20lbs

30 lbs

25 lbs

Weight Difference

 

Δ 10 lbs

 

 

Weight Distribution

10 lbs

15 lbs

25 lbs

Weight offset

 

+ 5 lbs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

5

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Contents Dumbbells Preface Important symbols PAY ATTENTION! be ALERT! Your Safety is InvolvedGetting to know your Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells Product Specifications and Terms12.5 17.5 22.5 52.5 Understanding and testing the locking mechanism function Offset weight selectionFunction PurposeBowflex SelectTech Dumbbell maintenance OffsetTroubleshooting guide Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbell Stand optionalSelectTech 6 Week Challenge Page Stationary Lunges Wide SquatsCalf Raises Stiff-leg Dead Lift Flat Chest Press Reverse LungeIncline Chest Press Decline Chest Press Flat Chest FlyIncline Chest Fly Standing Curls Incline Bench CurlsLying Triceps Extension Overhead Triceps ExtensionTriceps Kickback Hammer Curls Dead Lifts Single Arm Row Alternating RowsWide Rows Lying Trunk Rotation Ab CrunchReverse Crunch Twisting Side Crunch Standing Shoulder Press Lying Leg RaiseLateral Raise Rear Delt Row Seated Overhead PressFront Raise Shrugs Select Tech Menu Plan Bowflex SelectTechTM Dumbbells Warranty Registration Card What is Covered Please fold over and tape before mailingBowflex