Customer Ratings & Reviews

Really amazing dumbells and wonderful design. Best adjustable dumbells I've used thus far. The fact that it's electric is something to consider when buying. If the lights go out, you won't be able to change the weight. But that's not a concern of mine. The weights change pretty quickly, about 5 seconds max to go from 12lbs to 50lbs. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is the fact that all the cool aspects like rep monitoring and stats require a $12/mo subscription to their app service. I guess I overlooked that when reading about this, but it was a bummer to see. I would understand a subscription to see their workouts, but to pay additionally for something that was the main selling point for an already expensive 'smartbell' (these ain't dumb) was very, very disappointing.

It’s a good dumbbell. The knurling is okay, not too passive or aggressive. It does change weight much slower than a lot of similar products like the nuobell and doesn’t go as heavy as something like loadable dumbbells. But it does do the middle of the road very well. It’s fast enough and heavy enough for me. I think PowerBlocks are a better value for just weight and ease, especially because you can upgrade them and add more weight but they don’t feel like a traditional dumbbell like these do. This does however offer other cool features that other non-digital products don’t.

Great Product ! All your weights in one. Easy to load and un load weight.

Great concept it’s just not practical if you’re actually using it to do durable workouts. It’s made of plastic so you’ll see the scratches and dents not to mention it’s hard to slide in when you’re using the 50 pounds limit. That been said I love the concept

Of course this would stop working a month after I’m able to return them. Worked fine but now the handle won’t charge despite the base being at full charge. It’s not the connection because the base recognizes when the weights and handle are placed on it. I now have 2 50lb paperweights since there’s no manual release for the plates.

My son loves these weights, and they take up much less space than a set of weights!

Excellent product lighting fast delivery and great price.

Nice dumbbells. Works great, which I bought them earlier.

Buying pairs of dumbbells can be expensive and take up a lot of space. As someone who is limited on space, these dumbbells are an admirable size for limited space. I am collecting gym equipment to hopefully one day have my home gym and the JAXJOX dumbbells have so far been an amazing addition to my gym equipment. But I will be addressing a few flaws with these in my review. In this review, I will go into depth with my experience while using these JAXJOX dumbbells. ================================= IN THE BOX/SETUP/APPEARANCE: The box is heavy, the box weighed around 100lbs, but JAXJOX did an amazing job at packing the equipment so it won’t get damaged. In the box, you get a pair of JAXJOX dumbbells that can be adjusted from 8lbs to 50lbs. There is a USB-A to USB-C cable but no charging brick. And finally, a detailed instruction manual that comes in a myriad of languages. I’ve used JAXJOX equipment before, so I was familiar with the setup and how to adjust the weights on the dumbbells. I do recommend you read the manual before doing anything for safety reasons as well as to avoid damaging the equipment. Setup is straightforward, set the base on a sturdy floor, place the weights on the base, and finally place the 8lb dumbbell in the middle. Make sure all the weights are properly aligned. Aligning the weights is tedious but I will have more on this later. Both bases do require to be charged so you will need to fork out another USB-C cable to charge the other base unless you want to use the included one interchangeably when one base runs out of battery. Appearance-wise, the dumbbells are on the larger side which is understandable. I’ve used 50lb dumbbells before and they are a lot smaller than these but for space-saving reasons, I am okay with having bulkier dumbbells rather than 10 pairs of dumbbells. The base is still plastic and unfortunately, I do not think this base will take the beating it will get overtime. I’ve read a few reviews on here where these JAXJOX dumbbells have stopped working after a couple of months which is concerning. On the other hand, the dumbbells themselves feel sturdy. But I wouldn’t drop these on the ground as the sensors could be roughed and damaged making the entire product useless. ================================= TESTING/JAXJOX APP: Testing went well for the most part. The dumbbells do change weight quickly and since I have been testing these I have yet to experience any problems changing weights. The dumbbells are on the bulkier side so conducting certain exercises can be awkward but so far, I have been enjoying my workouts. Placing the weights back on the scale can be a bit tedious when the weights aren’t properly aligned. I did find this a burden but I just used it as an excuse to get an extra forearm workout in. A simple detail that I dislike about these is how often the weights move around when performing reps. The movement is minuscule but a bit annoying. I do want to address the negative reviews here. A lot of the bad reviews have expressed that the dumbbells break after a couple of months. A lot of these do mention that the dumbbells have simply stopped changing weight which is one of my concerns with using these for the long term. The sensors on the dumbbells will get roughed up over time and unfortunately will cause some problems with changing the weight in the future. The base sends a signal to the dumbbells to change the weights and when the base stops working, that’s a whole problem in itself. I have been careful while using these dumbbells, but I could only be so careful considering these are meant to be slammed and roughed up. These dumbbells are amazing when they work but the question is are they durable? Time will tell… There is also the JAXJOX App. I’ve used the JAXJOX app before and I did not find the app to be too helpful in my workouts besides the videos that teach you how to conduct a variety of exercises using the dumbbells. The app does a lot from tracking all your performance data with the dumbbell such as reps, duration of workout, and more. I don’t need such data since I track this myself, but I could see people using this for themselves. ================================= CONCLUSION: If I could use a few words to describe these dumbbells, it would be the following. “These dumbbells are incredible when they work but once they stop working, you got a big problem.” I did enjoy my workout sessions with these dumbbells. I especially loved how much space I save compared to buying a set of dumbbells. But unfortunately, I cannot recommend these due to the uncertainty of how durable these can be over the long term. I have been careful while using these dumbbells, but I shouldn’t have to “baby” these every time I am using them. Dumbbells are meant to be roughed up and beaten, I do not think these will take a good beating over time. Hopefully, JAXJOX can address some of these issues and release the second generation of adjustable dumbbells because I do seriously enjoy the innovation they are doing in the fitness space.

Looks like a really cool product, but upon unboxing over half of the plates were cracked deeper than the surface level. Son is hesitant to use them as we both question the durability - as they had seemed to be packed very tight and securely. Hopefully others fair better, but this was a definite black mark that ruined our experience.

JAXJOX DumbbellConnect™ - Adjustable Dumbbell Pair Included- 1 pair of JAXJOX adjustable dumbbells, 2 USB-C cords, 2 stands Especially with the pandemic happening, and our gyms closed and reopening multiple times, this set of JAXJOX Dumbbells are great for in home use when you can't hit your gym. They're small and compact for the range of weights which is great when you're tight on space. The dumbbells range in weight from 8-50 pounds. All you need to do is make sure they're set in the base, push the up or down arrow which adjusts the weight in increments of 6 pounds. Then the system will shorten or extend the bar and add or subtract the amount of weights set. Pair it with the JAXJOX app for the ultimate experience. It's very easy to use. You can build a personalized profile and then provides very helpful information- can make your own schedule, track your workouts, see your results, take coached classes to learn form and technique. There is also a Premium version that offers customized workouts - $13/mo. There is a 30 day free trial available. I like how they are convenient. You can work out right when you feel like it right where you are. The JAXJOX don't take up much space at all at about 30.5" x 9.5" x 21". The design is very simple and is very easy to use. I like the adjustability and variety of the weights. It's really good for someone that is a beginner or lifting weight is low or up to someone who is more serious about their workouts and lifts daily with a higher amount. My one complaint is that some of the individual plates feel slightly loose when the weight moves around, which makes heavier reps more difficult. So if the plates were completely secure, it would be a little better. But overall, they are great to have at home when you can't hit the gym.

The adjustable dumbbells themselves are great. Very simple to use by themselves or with the phone integration. The dumbbells come as pairs, with two independent bases. Each base can be charged via USB-C (Cables included, but charger is not included). The bases have batteries on them, as well as the dumbbells that connect and charge from the base when resting. Each dumbbell has 6 sets of weights (So 12 weights total per dumbbell, 6 on each side). The dumbbells themselves weight 8 lb each. Each weight is 3 lb, but have to be set as pairs, so 6 lb increments So weight combinations as follows: 8 lb 14 lb 20 lb 26 lb 32 lb 38 lb 44 lb 50 lb The way it works is that once the dumbbells are resting on their bases, there are left and right buttons from the center screen of the base to adjust the weights. The dumbbells have a mechanized rod that connects the weights. Each weight has strong magnets and interlock themselves, so they do not come off once the center rod is in place. There is no power button, they're ready to go as soon as the weight is changed or they're lifted. iPhone App: The JAXLOX app works with all connected fitness equipment from this brand and also connects to Apple Health. It can be used to adjust the dumbbell, manually keep track during exercising or to be used with a subscription. The subscription is currently $ 12.99 / month, with the 1st month free, and gives access to several trainer-led classes. The subscription is not required unless taking the classes. Classes: There is a short selection of trainers, both male and female, and pre-recorded exercise videos can be filtered by type of exercise (Strength, cardio (sweat), etc.) length, equipment used, muscle groups, etc. Videos classes range from 15 to 45 minutes. The classes can be pre-loaded on the phone and supports Airplay to a compatible large screen. Real-time vitals are shown on the video. It also integrates with Apple Health, so if one is wearing an Apple Watch, it will also show BPMs and other stats. Without it, it will still show how many sets, lifts done, and overall weight, which is an excellent motivation. Customer Service: I initially had an issue pairing the dumbbells, and tech support via email was helpful and responsive. Overall, the dumbbells are excellent on their own. Bear in mind that these are not starter sets. If you're looking to start with smaller weights, options are either 8 lb or 14 lb. Nothing else in between. I think the iPhone app needs a bit of work but once we get to know its kinks, it works as expected. The monthly subscription might be a bit steep although videos provide great motivation to make exercises more appealing and so that's worth it. I like that subscription is completely optional and there is no need to use the app unless you want to track the exercise.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *****Review***** --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Covid-19 has impacted the gyms and us fitness enthusiasts heavily; especially if you’re in California. Many of us “fitness freaks” are left without a gym, without equipment, increased depression and weight gain. The ones that are still capable or are able to do something with a “home gym” have been hunting for weights for quite some time. As some of us are aware, adjustable dumbbells are not something new to the fitness industry. But what is new is the shape/form and the ability to change the weight “digitally”; that is what the DumbbellConnect provided by JAXJOX is all about. Typically adjustable dumbbells are really oddly shaped which makes it difficult for some of the exercises you do; but not with the JAXJOX DumbbellConnects! I want to quickly explain in my opinion the “build quality” of the DumbbellConnect by JAXJOX. When you compare these dumbbells to something like Bowflex SelectTech adjustable dumbbells; the build quality is about the same. I personally think the build quality from JAXJOX is actually better. The grip/handle itself is made very well but the plates are still not going to be your traditional iron/steel; nonetheless the plates aren’t by any means “cheap”. But let’s look at the reality of things; you’re working out at home with these. So when you are working out at home you aren’t looking to throw weights around… Even if you’re in the gym you shouldn’t be throwing weights around, period. I don’t have issues with the build quality of the DumbbellConnect by JAXJOX because I know the reality of what these dumbbells were made for and how to handle them properly. It’s also in my opinion really beneficial that JAXJOX was able to make these dumbbells not so oddly shaped so that I can complete all my different exercises (compared to other ones I’ve seen and used). Now I’d like to discuss the functionality and daily use of these dumbbells. Lets just say all you really need at home to get a pretty decent workout is YOU, some adjustable dumbbells like the JAXJOX DumbbellConnect and an adjustable bench. With these dumbbells you’re able to save space because in reality you have 16 dumbbells condensed into 2; to me that is a straight up win win situation. Not only are you able to save space but if you are in any way, shape or form a “tech geek” fused with a “bodybuilder”; the JAXJOX DumbbellConnects are an amazing home gym equipment to add to your lineup. I didn’t encounter any issues with docking and selecting the different weight of 8, 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 or 50lbs. I was able to quickly cycle to the correct weight that I needed and complete my 2 hour sessions. Switching between the dumbbells with the LCD display with the “+” or “-” button is all you need. JAXJOX also provides you an app so if you’re interested in subscribing to their premium service for some training classes if that is your cup of tea. But if not, the app does provide you (without subscription) tracking such as reps and sets in addition to syncing with Apple Healthkit. So whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced fitness enthusiast; JAXJOX has you covered. In conclusion the reality is this… You want to give these adjustable dumbbells a go. Just know that the build quality isn’t made like gym equipment (cold hard iron steel). You are adding the DumbbellConnect by JAXJOX to your home gym equipment lineup. Prior to these I made my own “Frankenstein” dumbbells by finding different plates and slapping it onto an existing dumbbell handle I already had. My workouts were getting pretty stagnant... Until I met the JAXJOX DumbbellConnects. Condensing 16 dumbbells into 2, having the luxury of using different weights and having the cherry on-top of it being something “tech” related is AWESOME. With the current global pandemic and having to workout at home, the DumbbellConnect by JAXJOX is something I definitely recommend. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *****Quick Features & Specs***** --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less Wasted Space More Room to Move: The DumbbellConnect replaces an entire rack of weights and packs 100 pounds into two dumbbells. Its space saving design allows you to store it anywhere in your home and makes it easy for you to transport it in the garage, the backyard, or the park Data You Can Track: See performance during a live and on demand workout with JAXJOX’s AI powered performance tracking. Real time metrics include reps, weight, sets, time, avg power, and total volume 8-50lbs in under 3.0 Seconds: DumbellConnect offers digitally adjustable weights ranging from 8-50Ibs. Within seconds, you can increase or drop weight in 6Ib increments. Weight variations of 8-14-20-26-32-38-44-50Ibs Interactive Personal Training, Live and On-Demand: Feel the energy of a studio class and let the JAXJOX trainers coach you through a routine. See how you are performing in real-time, and make improvements throughout No two workouts are alike: JAXJOX workouts offer the most variety by combining strength, cardio and recovery in one fun, motivational experience. Subscribe to the JAXJOX content and gain access to daily live and on demand workouts. Personalization: JAXJOX uses a proprietary machine-learning algorithm to calculate your FitnessIQ score. JAXJOX FitnessIQ keeps you informed on your overall progress. JAXJOX® uses peak and avg. power, heart rate, workout consistency, steps, body weight, and your chosen fitness level Stay Motivated with Personalized Workout Plans: JAXJOX delivers personalized workout recommendations via machine learning to help you attain your fitness goals and keep you motivated to work out --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *****What's in the box***** --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pair of JAXJOX Dumbbells Pair of Docking Stations Pair of USB to USB C Cables

I already own Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells, and was curious how these JAXJOX DumbbellConnect compared. I liked how the dumbbells’ weight selection was controlled by an app and these weights included programs to help get fit, so I wanted to give them a try. Setup Setup was easy enough, as one of the dumbbells was easily added within the app, but the other one took some tinkering to get to add. Use I liked how I had the option to change the weight of the dumbbell from either the app or the dumbbell base. It made my workout easy to be able to transition from one exercise to another without needing to be near the base to change the weight. I really liked how the app keeps track of your workout schedule. I also liked how this weight system changed weights to a lower one without keeping an awkwardly lengthened bar where the heavier weights would go. This allows for a compact dumbbell, especially compared to the competition (see photo of both dumbbells at 20lbs). The only issue I ran into with these dumbbells was when I changed from 20lb to a heaver weight. The additional weights in the base were leaning outward, and when I placed the handle back on the base, the tracks did not align properly and there was a gap (see photo). I did not attempt to see if the weight could be changed, but would worry that if it could, the next weight in the series would not be properly tied into the handle and could cause it to fall off and cause an injury. I hope JAXJOX has a failsafe to prevent this, but I was afraid of testing this. Pros Motiving app Training videos within the app Can upgrade to a personal trainer Unlike other quick changing weights, the length is not awkward Cons Weights don’t always align correctly Unsure how longevity of battery impacts useability Overall, I would recommend these weights for someone trying to avoid the gym and needing extra motivation to stay on track.

With an 8 to 50 pound weight range these offer a lot of room to grow for beginners and save space. The weights are well built and the work out tracking works well. The app and training are a good place to start, but not perfect. Pros - Saves space compared to a traditional dumbbell set - Tracks reps, sets and total weight lifted during each session and tracks your overall progress - Build quality is excellent. Weights feel solid, have good grips and the sides and base are covered with a soft touch material - Adjusting the amount of weight is easy from the base using add/subtract buttons with clear indication of the amount of weight on an LED screen. Once you set them, the weights are secure. Things to Consider - The phone app does help you get started as a beginner. There are a variety of classes that target different work out styles (sweat, strong, restore and skill) and help you isolate different muscle groups. The app lets you filter classes by your device, but some classes used multiple devices and it was not clear which were only for the dumbbells. The trainer led classes at times felt canned and you had to keep up - the app counts reps, but does not provide any feedback to adjust the pace of the class. You also have to adjust the weighs yourself between reps (the trainer does this during short rest), but it is clunky and adjusting the weight from the phones touch screen via the app is slower/harder than using the base. There seem to be some misses with how integrated the weights are in the training session. - While changing weight settings is not particularly hard or slow, it is noticeable during super sets and can throw off your tempo. - No USB charger is included and the charging cables are short (3ft). I have been using them daily for a week without having to recharge them, but it is still inconvenient when they need to be charged and seems like an oversight on a premium set.

These save a ton of space (see pics). Overall easy to setup and use. They are a little bit bigger than traditional weights (see pic comparing a 32lb JaxJox to 35lb traditional metal), but still comfortable to use. Love that they auto track your reps into the app instead of having to stop and write them down. Same for the follow along video workouts (note paid monthly subscription for most of the workouts). - I was happy to see that I was also able to push the workouts from my phone to my TV - Note this requires a smart tv, AppleTV, etc.to push your phone to your TV – I have an iPhone and an AppleTV and worked perfectly if you want a “bigger” screen than a phone or ipad to follow their workouts. It doesn’t have every weight of a conventional set, but gets close enough to find your equivalent – example you need to use either 32 for 35 or 38 for 40. But once you get used to using these, you just progress like you normally would. These can be set to 8, 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44, 50. They have one flat side on the weight discs for setting into the platform/charger or on the ground. If you don’t set these down on the flat side on your floor than can roll a bit, but same goes for any round dumbbell. Hopefully the unit rechargeable batteries last a long time as they are needed to set the weight. Charging units are slim and overall these take up very little room. Note they don't come with a plug, just the 2 usb cables, so you'll need a dual usb plug for charging. Going to get rid of a bunch of our older traditional weights!

Pros Sleek Saves space Tracks reps automatically Doesn’t rattle during workout Display makes weight changes straightforward App and subscription available but not required Changes weights quickly when awake Base uses standard USB-C Cons Batteries reduce the overall lifespan Needs to boot up every time to change weight Weigh increments not standard Rep counter often double or triple counts Extension that holds add on weights are small App doesn’t use Apple Watch heart rate tracker App doesn’t incorporate workouts into Apple Health Filter on app for workouts based on equipment doesn’t work Design and Setup The JaxJox DumbellConnect has an understated sleek design. While most adjustable weights have bright colors and aggressive shapes to them, the DumbellConnect’s simple charcoal color is understated. If you have your exercise equipment in a space where appearance matters, such as your bedroom, the DumbellConnect could easily blend in. Included in the set are two USB-C cables so no worries about proprietary chargers. That said, it would have been a nice touch if JaxJox either included cables with a 90-degree end or change the orientation of the port to allow the set to be up against the wall without risking damaging the cords. The add on weights slot into each other slightly for more stability. To make alignment more consistent, each weight has a corresponding slot in the base as well. The handle portion of the dumbbell has a shaft, split in two, that drives half of the shaft out in each direction to lock into the programmed amount of weight. While it does the job, they do seem thin and the instructions do warn you not to slam them. Realistically, if you are the type who prefers to drop the weights between sets you are probably best served by non-adjustable weights for safety and longevity. Setup is very straightforward. Just take the bases out of the box and plug them in. Next, slot the extra weights into their slots. Finally, place in the main dumbbell. From there you could begin a workout almost immediately if the batteries have enough of a charge. For tracking reps and sets and trying out their subscription to coaches workouts you are going to need to install the app and create a JaxJox account. While the subscription is not required to track workouts, it might be worth trying the 1 month trial to see if the workouts suit you. Usage and Performance If you have your own predefined workout, you can start straight from the dumbells. Just tap the screen on each base to wake them up. Set the desired weight and once you hear the beep you are ready to start. A slight annoyance is that the bases go to sleep after 20 seconds. This means that each time you want to change weights you first must wake the bases back up. It would be nice if JaxJox could either make the sleep function adjustable or at least keep them on for 30-60 minutes. This would make weight changes smoother. For guided workouts, you can choose either a single workout or a full scheduled exercise regimen where you set the days you can work out. In the single workouts, a filter option lets you choose which JaxJox equipment you have and how much time you have to work out, but the setup still needs work. For example, if you choose to filter only for DumbellConnect workouts it still shows kettlebell workouts or other workouts requiring equipment you don’t have. Also, the filtered workout set gives you very little information as to what the workout contains. For example, there are names like Tabata Sweat, Sweat Circuit, and Strong. None of the names gives any description of what muscle groups are focused on and even opening the workout tells you nothing. This could lead to you choosing the same muscle group two days in a row and there doesn’t seem to be a way to filter further. Essentially, you must start the workout to figure out which equipment is required and if you have it and then in some cases fast forward through to see what the workout focuses on. Beyond that, the individual workouts seem to be comprised of compound moves. It’s possible there are workouts with more muscle isolation in longer sessions but without running through each one manually it’s hard to be certain. Overall the program seems to be decent but offers a lot of room for refinement and expansion in the future. During guided workouts with a coach, the screen will display the total reps and total weight measured by the dumbells. The rep counter still needs some refinement as it regularly reads a single rep as two or three. Missing is a progress indicator for the workout. It’s nice to have one so you can stay motivated when you start to tank, but then you see the progress shows that you are almost done so you push harder to finish strong. Heart rate is displayed on the screen, but unfortunately it doesn’t use the one built into the Apple Watch. While Jaxjox has their own chest strap heart rate monitor, which is likely more accurate, it will be nice if they opened up to other options. Hopefully this will be added in the future. It would also be great if they could update the current ones or add to the next version to have the app track your previous weights and as you change sets you could just dock the dumbells and it would load the weights automatically based on your history. That would be amazing. Currently, switching weights is a manual process where you must wake up each base, wait for it to boot, and set the weight. Not a dealbreaker, just not as smart. Inside the app after a workout, it will break it down into sets and reps but only for guided workouts. If you decide to have the app track your workout without going through a guided course, you are only going to get stats on the total reps. In either case, the app will ask for permission to access to Apple Health. While it is helpful to have the Jaxjox app have access to your other information it would be great if your workouts could be recorded back to the Apple Fitness app. This way you could see a combined view of your exercises. Hopefully Jaxjox will add this in the future. As for stats in the Jaxjox app, it seems they are trying to simplify the data by summarizing it into a Fitness IQ. It shows you the number of the days of the week you have worked as well as some other stats such as heart rate, peak power, average power, and steps taken. Under the class stats it will show you how many times you have been in each class type such as sweat, strong, restore, and skills. This can be good for a hands-off person, but it would be great if in the future they allow more advanced users to be able to track performance for specific exercises. More exercise enthusiasts are interested in using technology to track stats versus a paper journal and the Jaxjox line-up seems prime to have the solution. It’s possible they already have such functionality in their roadmap, but as it stands now the system is intended to be targeted at people who want a guided workout and a simple basic score to summarize how they are doing. Final Thoughts If you are an exercise enthusiast looking for smart connected free weights, the main question is what information you want to track. If you are an enthusiast that wants to track workout data granularly and automatically to ditch paper journals or other apps, the Dumbellconnect isn’t there at the time of writing this review. If you want sleek, adjustable dumbbells that switch electronically then the Dumbellconnect can easily suit the task. If you like the idea of working out with free weights to better challenge stabilizer muscles, want a more guided workout routine, don’t care about the specifics of each workout, and just want a simple dashboard that shows your progress in basic terms then the Jaxjox Dumbellconnect seems like it could be a perfect fit.

Jaxjox is one of the first, if not the first to implement smart tech into a dumbbell. While bowflex selectech has dominated this segment in years past, Jaxjox attempts to “one up” the home gym giant. Pros: • Replaces 16 dumbbells for space saving • Modern flair • Enough weight to challenge most Cons: • Even though its expensive it’s still cheaper than main rival • App is horrendous • Not the fastest to change weights There is so much to unpack here that I think it’s best to break this review down to a few categories and my review score for each category. (1 for worst and 10 being best) Dumbbells: 8.5 out of 10 In the box are 2 sets of 50lb max dumbbells, dumbbell docks, a manual and 2 USB-C charge cables. You will need to provide your own USB power outlet. Make sure to initially charge the dock/base with the dumbbell handle to “unlock” the shipping mode. Without both the base and handle charged, you will not be able to pair your smart dumbbells to the Jaxjox phone app (Bluetooth). You don’t need the phone app to function the dumbbells but there are benefits that I’ll describe in more detail in the App section. After setup and charging, the dumbbells can only be changed via the 2 buttons on the base. Battery life appears to be good for what it needs to do. I haven’t fully depleted the batteries yet after a few workouts so I can’t comment on the longevity. The left/right buttons cycles the weight options from 8lbs to 50lbs in 6lb increments. Why 6lb increments? Who knows… It takes roughly 10-12seconds for the weights to change. This speed is ok for some workouts but not all. More on this later. The aesthetics of the dumbbells is great. I never thought I would judge a dumbbell by it’s look but it does look great. The dumbbells do feel substantial with very little play for an adjustable dumbbell. The knurled grip is perfectly sized. Why 8.5 score? A few things that kept the actual dumbbells from a perfect score are the following: • Display is hard to see at certain angles. I have these sitting on the floor and it’s hard to see the display while I’m standing. The screen also turns off in a few seconds. Why can’t the display stay on during my entire workout? • No plate numbers so I have no idea what the total weight of each dumbbell is without waking the base to show me • Changing weights is easy but you can easily overshoot your selection since the left and right buttons keeps cycling from 8-50 and 50-8. An easy solve would be to have the left and right buttons stop at the lowest or highest weight option without cycling through the whole list again. With this suggestion, I would then be able to select the highest or lowest weight without looking. During a workout session with heavy breathing, setting the next weight can be daunting as my trembling fingers always over or under shoots the desired weight setting. Maybe a 3rd button to confirm my choice without accidental weight selections. • No handle or a place to carry on the actual base so very cumbersome to move your weights for storage. I work out in my living room so I tuck these dumbbells into the corner of the room when I’m not working out. Without a handle or hand slot, I find it best to keep the weights at 50lbs and move the base and dumbbell separately to where you need it. • And lastly, every time I need to do a weight change, the base shows me the “Jaxjox” logo for a second or two and that takes me out of the rhythm of the workout. Why bother showing me a logo every time I need to change weight? App: 5 out of 10 While you don’t need the app to function, the app does allow the dumbbells to be a bit smarter than the competition. The dumbbells pair to your phone with the app and the app allows you to change the weight via the app. While gimmicky as the weights can be changed on the base, the app does track sets and reps with the accelerometer in each handle. After a workout, the summary screen shows your total weight lifted, how much calories estimated you burned and total reps/sets you completed. All sounds great but why 5 score out of 10? Here is why: • Not intuitive app to use • The app is free to download, but the workouts are not (more on this later) • Need to remember to pair the dumbbells to your phone before your workout. They will not automatically pair with your phone. • Did I mention that the app is hard to use? Workouts: 3 out of 10 Jaxjox has their own workout classes in an already heavily saturated streaming workout platform. Copying the likes of Peloton, Apple Fitness+, Beachbody, etc, it falls a bit short. It sounds like it makes sense they should have their own workout classes since each equipment they sell is smartly connected to the app but it falls short to my expectations and here is why: • The workouts are paid monthly with no contract. I’m on the free trial period and I will not renew (more on this below) • The workouts can be casted to my smart TV which is the only silver lining. • Sorting and filtering through the different workouts is a bit daunting. They have zero descriptions on what each workout does and limits it to the vague title of the video of what the workout attempts to do. • Having experience with Apple Fitness+, these trainers on Jaxjox is highschool production compared to the others. • The workouts are extremely fast pace and some of the 30m workouts barely gives you time to switch weights before going to the next muscle group. I was hoping that the app would be smart enough to change weights for me based on the workout im streaming through their app. A big swing and miss here. The 45m program I tried did give me a 20sec rest period between sets so I can change weights. But why can’t I preset weights I want for each muscle and have the app do it for me based on the fitness video? • The workouts are not only fast pace but not geared for the aspiring couch-to-fitness user. I’m doing burpees for a strength program? What is this…crossfit training? In summary, the weights are great but could be better with a firmware update to fix the issues I mentioned above. The app and workout programs are downright awful. The bright side is that it can only get better from here and future updates can easily make this better. Did I need the weights to be digital vs a knob to change the weights? The verdict is still out on that one.

The weights themselves are top notch and very well designed. They are flat on the bottom to allow using them as push up grips. You can use the buttons on the front of the base to adjust weight of the dumbbell in 6 lbs increments. The handle without weights is 8 pounds and there are 7 weights for each side maxing at 50 lbs per dumbell. Beyond using the buttons on the base there is an app to control the weight and track your exercise and progress. More on this later. Essentially you have 8 different weights you can use per dumbell, the units being separate this should allow you to adjust one weight to be lighter that the other. I have a injured elbow I am recovering from and need to use a lighter weight for it while I build my strength back up. The design is compact, similar to other adjustable weights you have seen. There is a USB type C port in the back of the unit for charging. Inside the app you have many options and classes you can take while also tracking progress. You have a schedule where you can add classes to it. There are also classes you can follow for Strong, Sweat and Restore workouts. They do push a premium membership to do any of the workout classes or schedules. The overall package looks pretty good initially. The app is where things completely fall apart. With the app, for whatever reason, both dumbells will adjust to the same weight. I have reconfigured them individually and they still sync to each other. As I mentioned, as I work my way up with my injured elbow, I am trying to use a lighter weight for that arm. The app prevents that from happening. Bypassing the app using the LCD controls will allow you to have two different weights at a cost. Beyond treating separate dumbells as one, the app is suppose to track your workouts. This is a fail in the tracking. If I set the weight at the base the app does not pick up on any of the activities I have done. The tracking shows no activity for the day, but when I look at the week it will show some data just not all the data. And the data is incorrect. For instance I did 60 reps on Tuesday that tracked incorrectly as 62. But I also did 60 reps on Wednesday that only recorded 20 and does not show in the Today stats. I can see the count in the Week stats, this is where the 20 is reported. Somehow it also has stats for Monday before I even configured the weights. Beyond that, the sets report as 0 for all days. Looking at the weight stats, they are incorrect also and not tracking even remotely accurately. Looking in the App Store for Apple or the Play store for Google and the app has some downright terrible reviews. In all honesty you need the app for nothing but incorrect tracking and them asking for more $$$ for premium membership. Adjusting the weight at the base is actually easier than using the app. The apps design is terrible, and that is being nice. It forces you to fill out your personal info to create and account before you can even use the app. The app takes anywhere from 1-5 minutes to open first thing in the morning before it times out and forces you to log in again. The Bluetooth connection is also very unstable. I am using an Android phone, but I do not believe it is my phone that is the issue. I have had to reconnect the dumbells 2 days in a row. After the initial connection they will connect to the app intermittently the rest of the day if you open the app to the foreground. I say intermittently because there have been quite a few times I have opened the app and the dumbells do not respond. The app supposedly runs in the background to collect any workout data, which it fails at collecting. The For You tab in the app should just be called Advertisements For You. I own the dumbells but they are not even listed in the main intro screen called For You. When I go to Devices tab, every possible device I could buy is listed. You would think My Devices I have synced would be at the top...nope. My devices are mixed in with all the other offerings. The good thing is that most of the software issues should be able to be resolved in future updates. The bad thing, getting to that stable release depends on how the developers of the app correct the issues. I think the thing that annoys me the most about the app is the listed workout classes all require you to sign up for premium access. It would make sense to have some introductory classes that anyone can access to see if premium is even worth the time of signing up for the free trial. Based on how the app is designed I fear signing up and not being able to cancel after the trial period. Overall the design of the weights themselves is top notch and compact. The software side is the downfall of these weights. If I were to rate the weights alone, they are a 5 star rating. BUT the app ruins the experience so much my overall rating is only a 3. A complete redesign of the app is needed and the Premium nag screens are downright annoying and need removed. I would rather have a lock on the sections that requires premium access than have the nag screen pop when I attempt to open a class.

The JAXJOX Dumbbell Connect Adjustable Dumbbell set is a great combo of fitness equipment and technology. I am very impressed with the design and features of this set! Following are the pros and cons. PROS: - This is a great design! The dumbbells and weights all sit inside a tray and you can quickly choose the amount of weight to add electronically. They are very solid, well-made units. - The shape and design take up very little floor space, especially if you compare it to the space that would be needed for a traditional set of dumbbells and all the free weights that would be needed to provide all the weight options provided for with this set. This makes them very easy and convenient to move them around too. - You can electronically choose weights of 8, 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44 and 50 pounds for both dumbbells. - You can set the weight of both dumbbells independently on the LCD screen on each base, or you can choose the weight for both dumbbells on the JAXJOX App. - Both bases come with a USB-C charging cord so you can quickly charge up both the bases and the dumbbells at the same time. The LCD screens each show two battery symbols to show how much charge they have left and to show the status while they are charging. - The time needed to do a full workout with these dumbbells is significantly less than a traditional dumbbell set, as it only takes a few seconds to adjust the amount of weight for each exercise you want to do. This is a great feature! - The JAXJOX App is very useful. It allows you to connect to the dumbbells via Bluetooth. - The App allows you to integrate your workout information to the Apple Health data app. - The App allows you to track your workouts, set a schedule, and see your improvement over time - There are free videos on the App where the trainers teach you the skills and a lot of specific exercises to do with the dumbbells to get a full workout. - There are also a number of live and on demand classes available on the App. These come as part of an optional $12.99 monthly subscription, but there is a one month free trial available. They offer a number of different trainers and classes you can choose from for every type of workout you want to do. The trainers and classes are very good. You don’t have to do this subscription though, as you can also design and track your own workouts. CONS: There really aren’t many cons I can think of. - While it comes with the two charging cords, it does not come with the charging block to plug the cords into. This is not a huge deal as I have a number of iPhone charging blocks around, but I would have rather they came with their own charging blocks so I wouldn’t have to go grab one of my phone blocks whenever I want to charge it. - While the classes and trainers are very good, I haven’t decided if I want to pay for the ongoing monthly subscription when my free trial is up. I would have liked to see maybe a few free workouts included with the App that a person could use daily if you don’t mind the same routine daily. Overall, if you are looking for a dumbbell set, this is definitely the way to go, as opposed to buying a traditional set of free weight dumbbells. The JAXJOX set is so much more convenient and the technology works very well to improve your works outs and make them much more efficient! I would highly recommend this set!