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Can you drop adjustable dumbbells?
Updated
No. Treat every adjustable dumbbell as something you set down, not something you drop. The plates are held on by a small lock, not welded to the handle. A drop can bend or crack that lock, and a damaged lock is how plates come off in the middle of a lift.
What PowerBlock says
PowerBlock's product FAQ answers the question directly. It does not recommend dropping its dumbbells from more than about 6 inches, and it adds that PowerBlock dumbbells are not warranted for any drops. That comes from the maker of the Elite EXP, a steel set with a simple pin. Sets with plastic dials and trays have more to break.
What loose plates do
The CPSC recall notices in this category all name the same hazard. In the June 2025 BowFlex recall, the CPSC said weight plates could dislodge from the handle during use. Nautilus, the earlier seller, had 337 reports of plates dislodging, including 111 injuries such as concussions, abrasions, broken toes and contusions. In the February 2024 recall of the NordicTrack 50 lb iSelect dumbbells, the CPSC listed 40 reports of plates dislodging and eight injuries. The recall notices do not say drops caused those failures. They do show what a failed lock does.
The current BowFlex Results Series 552 and NordicTrack Select-a-Weight are different models from the recalled ones. See the recalls page for the details.
How to finish a set without dropping
- Pick a weight you can control to the end. If you often fail a rep and have to let go, the weight is too heavy for an adjustable set.
- After presses, bring the dumbbells to your chest, sit up with them on your thighs, then lower them to the floor or tray.
- After rows and deadlift-style moves, bend your knees and place them down.
- Use a mat or stand. A stand at knee height means less bending with a heavy weight. Rubber flooring protects the floor, not the lock.
- Return them to the tray straight. Forcing a dumbbell into its tray at an angle is a common way to jam plates.
Check before every lift
- Seat the dumbbell fully in its tray before you change weight.
- Turn the dial, pin or handle until it clicks or seats.
- Lift it an inch and look at both ends. Every plate you chose should come up, and none should rattle.
- If a plate has ever fallen off, stop using the set and contact the maker.
If you want to drop weights
Buy fixed rubber hex dumbbells or a loadable handle with standard plates for that work. They take more space, which is the whole tradeoff. Many home gyms pair one adjustable set with a single heavy fixed pair.
Safety note. This page is general information, not medical or training advice. If you are new to lifting or have a health condition, talk with your doctor first. Check that every plate is locked before each lift.
Check your own lifts with the range and jump checker, or compare all seven picks on the roundup page.