Owners report<\/a> their expensive smart weights have lost nearly all functionality, a costly reminder of what happens when your fitness hardware relies on an app that simply stops working.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t an isolated case. Just days ago, Johnson Health Tech issued a massive (voluntary) recall<\/a> of 3.84 million Bowflex adjustable dumbbells<\/a>, citing a serious risk of injury. Over 100 users have already reported<\/a> being hurt, some with broken bones and concussions.<\/p>\n The recall spans nearly two decades of products sold under Bowflex\u2019s former owner, Nautilus Inc., which itself filed for bankruptcy<\/a> in 2024 and sold off the brand. Now under new ownership, Bowflex is trying to win back consumer trust, but the damage, much like the dumbbells<\/a>, might already be done.<\/p>\n So, what\u2019s going on? Why are so many smart fitness brands falling apart just a few years after their pandemic-era peak?<\/p>\n The great connected fitness unravelling<\/p>\n The pandemic created the perfect storm for connected fitness. Gyms were closed, people were stuck at home, and suddenly that pricey piece of smart equipment seemed not just justifiable, but essential. Peloton soared to a $50 billion valuation. Tonal raised hundreds of millions. JaxJox, Hydrow, and others raced to keep up.<\/p>\n Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has shifted dramatically. Gyms are open, supply chains are back to normal, and consumers are no longer willing to commit to expensive hardware plus subscription combos.<\/p>\n Even Peloton, once the poster child of the movement, is shedding staff<\/a>, outsourcing manufacturing, and repositioning itself<\/a> as a content company, not a bike brand.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Tonal)<\/p>\n Tonal nearly ran out of cash<\/a> in 2023 before a last-minute funding round saved it, but only after multiple layoffs and store closures. Hydrow, one of the best rowing machine<\/a> brands, is still afloat and doing well, but increasingly squeezed by more affordable, more entertaining competitors like Aviron.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the elephant in the weight room is trust. JaxJox users have learned the hard way that if a company goes under, their \u201cconnected\u201d gear quickly becomes disconnected for good.<\/p>\n Not all doom and dumbbells<\/p>\n Still, it\u2019s not all bad news. Some companies are adapting \u2013 even thriving.<\/p>\n Apple<\/a> and Garmin<\/a> are perfect examples. Fitness is just one part of their larger ecosystems, and their devices work with or without a subscription.<\/p>\n The Apple Watch<\/a> remains one of the most popular smartwatches<\/a> globally (although trends aren’t rosy<\/a>), bolstered by regular feature updates<\/a> and Fitness+ content.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Garmin)<\/p>\n Garmin watches<\/a>, meanwhile, cater to endurance athletes and outdoor users with long battery life, offline maps, and metrics that don\u2019t vanish if you cancel your membership. Again, the company did burn itself with the Connect+ launch<\/a>, but it might turn out to be useful<\/a> for upcoming wearables.<\/p>\n Lululemon, after a rocky stint with the Mirror smart gym<\/a>, is now teaming up with Peloton to offer content across platforms, a sign that the future might lie in partnerships and portability, not proprietary gear.<\/p>\n Even WHOOP, known for its wearable health band and performance coaching, has pivoted wisely<\/a>. Its app and coaching tools remain its main draw, and the company has made progress in offline use, health integrations, and even insurance partnerships.<\/p>\n Not to mention, the latest Whoop MG<\/a> and Whoop 5.0, as well as the new features announced<\/a> at the same time as the latest hardware, have been generally well-received.<\/p>\n What happens next?<\/p>\n![\"Tonal](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/K7EmwpuTkAKYdNygpWuPvR.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Garmin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Fw3sxDdi4Mk9V5r5wvTby6.jpg\")
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