Bowflex SelectTech BD1090 - Manual (Page 7)

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Do not engage the locking mechanism and use the handle
to try to lift the dumbbell and base together. To lift the
dumbbell and base together, engage the locking
mechanism and use the lift handles molded into the
base assembly.
If the dumbbell locking mechanism operates
unsatisfactorily in the test procedure above, do the
following:
1. Stop use of the product immediately until approved
service is available.
2. Contact Nautilus, Inc. directly by phone at
1-800-NAUTILUS (628-8458) 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 selection 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
Side 1 Side 2 Total dumbbell weight
Weight settings selected 20lbs 30 lbs 25 lbs
Weight Difference 10 lbs
Weight Distribution 10 lbs 15 lbs 25 lbs
Weight offset + 5 lbs
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 activities 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 strengthening 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.
The dumbbell weight has been set to 20 lbs on one side
and 30 lbs on the other. The total weight of the dumbbell
is therefore 25 lbs. This 25-lb dumbbell has the weight
distributed such that there are 10 lbs on one side and 15
lbs. on the other for a total of 25 lbs.