People have a certain level of faith in a $100 Walmart dumbbell. It’s not the confidence you place in a high-end device. The idea that something this commonplace and well-known has already been proven safe by the sheer number of purchasers is more subdued. It turns out that the FitRx SmartBell Quick-Select defied that presumption.
The New York-based importer of the FitRx line, Tzumi Electronics, announced late last week that it was recalling about 50,000 of its SmartBell Quick-Select 5–52.5 lb. adjustable dumbbells. The weight plates may come loose from the handle while in use, which is the straightforward—and somewhat terrifying—reason. It has been reported by over 115 people. At least six of them suffered cuts, deep bruises, and broken toes. The kind of injuries that require an ER visit after a peaceful morning workout.
| Recall Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | FitRx SmartBell Quick-Select 5–52.5lbs Adjustable Dumbbells |
| Manufacturer / Importer | Tzumi Electronics Inc., New York, NY |
| Manufactured In | China |
| Model Number | 8361 |
| Serial Numbers | KK23288361 through KK23388361; KK207608361 through KK21347836 |
| Units Affected | Approximately 50,000 |
| Sold At | Walmart stores nationwide and online, January–November 2024 |
| Retail Price | About $100 |
| Hazard | Weight plates can dislodge from the handle during use (impact hazard) |
| Reported Incidents | 115+ reports of plates dislodging |
| Reported Injuries | At least 6, including broken toes, bruises, contusions, and lacerations |
| Recall Date | April 23, 2026 |
| Recall Number | 26-431 / Fast Track |
| Remedy | Free replacement of the dumbbell and tray |
| Consumer Contact | Tzumi Electronics: 866-363-2237; smartbellrecall@tzumi.com |
| Registration / More Info | Available through the Consumer Product Safety Commission |
It’s difficult to ignore how commonplace the circumstances surrounding these injuries were. In their living room, someone is curling up. On a garage floor, someone is reaching for the rack. Sitting in their molded plastic tray are the dumbbells, which are black with red accents. After a few weeks, you stop noticing them because they blend in with everything else.
Tzumi has been on this specific ride before. About 12,400 of the company’s heavier 10–90 lb. FitRx SmartBell XL Quick-Select dumbbells were recalled in March 2025 due to the same issue—plates coming loose during repetitions. It received less attention and had a smaller recall. The current one is about four times larger, and it is situated in the midst of a larger story about adjustable dumbbells that the fitness industry has been trying to keep quiet about.
Tzumi is not alone. Last summer, 55,000 of ProForm’s 50-pound adjustable sets were pulled. Early in 2024, iFIT NordicTrack recalled roughly 15,400 of its own dumbbells. The most well-known brand in the category, Bowflex, has experienced recall issues of its own. Observing the accumulation of these notices gives the impression that the quick-select adjustable dumbbell’s overall concept—a clever engineering trick that allows one handle to replace an entire rack—has surpassed its own quality control. On paper, the mechanism appears elegant. In reality, it relies on a locking system that must function flawlessly, consistently, under load, and after years of being dropped, swung, and stacked.
Walmart, on the other hand, moved quickly. As soon as the recall was announced, the retailer removed the product from the shelves and stopped sales at registers, a representative told Fox Business. That is the corporate narrative. The consumer version is more complicated; individuals who purchased these in early 2024 might have been using them for almost two years before learning of any of this. Some people won’t learn about it for several months.
If you have one, the solution is simple but strangely hands-on. You must register at myfitrx.com/recall-52-lbs, write “Recalled” in permanent marker or spray paint across the storage tray, and discard the device after your registration is verified. Tzumi will provide a free replacement.
For the time being, it’s unclear if the replacement will outlast the original. Customers should cease using the recalled units right away, but the company hasn’t disclosed what was altered in the design. Consumer trust tends to quietly erode in that gap between knowing something is wrong and understanding why. Fitness equipment is meant to be the uninteresting and unthinking part of the house. People remember when it’s no longer dull.
