The JaxJox DumbbellConnect is a quality adjustable dumbbell with a sleek design, app connectivity and smart features. But is this a classic case of tech for the sake of it?
Looking to add some of the best adjustable dumbbells to your home gym? Here’s how the smart and sleek JaxJox DumbbellConnect performed on test.
Men’s Fitness verdict
Is there a need for smart dumbbells? We’re still not sure. Though they’re undoubtedly well made and the smart features are useful, it’s not quite the seamless interface we’d hoped for.- Quick and easy to change weight
- Smart features with app connectivity
- Good build quality
- Space-saving design
- Dumbbells have to be charged before use
- Dock’s screen can be difficult to see clearly
- Switching between weight sizes feels clunky
- Charging can be fiddly
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If you’re a fan of tech-fuelled workouts, you’ll probably have JaxJox on your radar. The US fitness technology company has become known not just for its quirky name, but for its rise as a standout player in the fit-tech space following the launch of its smart kettlebell, the KettlebellConnect, a few years back.
The brand has been making impressive strides in the fitness world ever since. Take the release of the JaxJox DumbbellConnect – the company’s first dumbbell set – which offers something a little different to other adjustable dumbbells on the market: Bluetooth connectivity. Using Bluetooth, each dumbbell can be digitally adjusted via an app or at the tap of a button to offer 16 different weights, ranging from 8lb to 50lb (3.6kg to 22.7kg). A pair provides a total of 100lb (45.4kg), for some people enough to replace an entire weight rack.
But do this dumbbell’s high-tech additions really add value for fitness enthusiasts, or improve how it performs in practice?
JaxJox DumbbellConnect design and build
When it comes to design, the JaxJox DumbbellConnect is a pretty sleek and minimal dumbbell, sporting a clean, neutral grey color with a striking lime green accent along the bottom.
Unlike most other adjustable weights – which sometimes sport bulky or ugly designs – the DumbbellConnect looks like a classic gym dumbbell. It isn’t overly flashy and has a pro feel, with no garish branding, just a subtle JaxJox imprint on both sides. It’ll definitely look the part in any home gym. Users will also appreciate the almost-circular design of the dumbbell’s weight plates, which are levelled off at one end to stop it from rolling around during workouts when it’s not in the charging dock.
The build quality is top-notch, too. The weights feel solid and robust, with a well-designed grip pattern. The only minor issue, I found, is the plastic housing inside the dumbbell closest to the handle, which slightly cheapens the overall feel.
Size-wise, the DumbbellConnect set is pretty compact, measuring 30.7 x 9.6 x 21.2in / 78 x 24.5 x 54cm, so shouldn’t take up much more space than just one regular heavy dumbbell.
JaxJox DumbbellConnect performance and app
The JaxJox DumbbellConnect works just like any quality dumbbell. However, its built-in digital adjustment tech means its weight can be switched between sets without having to make that much effort. By pressing a button on either side of the display, you can adjust the weight in eight 6lb increments between 14lb, 20lb, 26lb, 32lb, 38lb, 44lb and 50lb (3.6kg, 6.4kg, 9.1kg, 11.8kg, 14.5kg, 17.2kg, 19.9kg and 22.7kg). A slightly irritating high-pitched beep signals successful docking and weight adjustment (and unfortunately you can’t switch the weight display to kg if you’re a metric kinda guy).
It takes about six seconds to switch between weights, which is probably about the same as using a regular adjustable dumbbell. But it feels longer on the DumbbellConnect, somehow – perhaps because you’re waiting around while it does its thing. Adjustments can be made via the physical buttons on the dock or the JaxJox app (the latter being more time-consuming, for obvious reasons). One smart feature here is that, if you have a pair, the dumbbells sync, so changing the weight on one will update both.
JaxJox dock
One issue I found is that the docks turning off during inactivity, requiring an extra 10 seconds to reconnect to Bluetooth. I found that to be quite annoying during fast-paced, HIIT-style workouts, where I would come back to the weights to adjust for my next set, and need to turn them on again. Another niggle is that the dumbbell needs careful handling when docking to ensure proper seating and alignment, which can be tricky mid-workout. I had an incident with a misaligned plate causing uneven weight distribution, disrupting the whole dock.
Additionally, if the base unit’s battery is low, the dumbbell might not switch weight size, and the screen may freeze. If this happens, you’ll need to charge it. A low-charge warning would be helpful here, but instead it just refuses to turn back on, leaving you to deduce that it’s the battery at fault.
App features
As well as allowing you to adjust the weight between sets, the app also includes a range of trainer-led video workouts. However, this feature requires a subscription costing $24.99 / £23.99 a month. It’s not cheap, especially after splurging on the dumbbell itself. However, the dumbbell works without an app subscription, so this fee is entirely optional.
One nifty feature in the app is FitnessIQ. JaxJox uses a proprietary machine-learning algorithm to calculate a score (your ‘FitnessIQ’) and motivates you through gamification by tracking your progress. It monitors your reps, sets and – if you have a JaxJox heart rate monitor – your heart rate, to calculate the calories you’ve burned. The app has a Peloton-like vibe, but with a focus on weight lifting, though it doesn’t feel quite as polished. It also doesn’t seem to count reps as accurately as I’d hoped. In my opinion, it’s probably worth skipping the app and just using the weights on their own to avoid frustration and save on costs. Though future updates could well make it a better experience.
How does it compare?
The JaxJox DumbbellConnect stands out with its sleek design and digital adjustment tech, offering something unique over manually adjustable dumbbells. However, its ability to switch weight via Bluetooth, while novel, isn’t all that convenient. The time it takes to move between weight sizes isn’t quite as swift as on some manual dumbbell sets, in my opinion. So, while some might appreciate the technological smarts of JaxJox’s DumbbellConnect, others might be deterred by its reliance on digital features and prefer the simplicity of a bog-standard manually adjustable dumbbell, such as those made by Bowflex or Musclesquad.
While the JaxJox DumbbellConnect impresses with its innovative features, there’s still some room for improvement. The short USB type-C charging cables and lack of a power-saving mode aren’t ideal. The need for careful handling during docking and the absence of a low battery warning don’t work so well for some workout types, especially HIIT. The app could also do with an update to ensure it works more seamlessly with the dumbbell.
Verdict
Overall, JaxJox’s DumbbellConnect is a quality set of adjustable weights. While the careful docking required for weight changes might annoy those who prefer fast-paced workouts, it’s well-made, smart, stylish and functions generally well for those who prefer a more steady workout flow.
At £179.99 (or $499 / £360 for a pair at the time of writing), JaxJox’s smart dumbbell does represent good value for money when compared to what else is on the market – and especially considering the £900 RRP for a pair at launch.
So as a high-quality, smart adjustable dumbbell offering a broad weight range, I believe the DumbbellConnect is worth the investment – and at the moment is almost better off without that clunky companion app.
JaxJox DumbbellConnect technical specs
| Weight range | 3.6kg – 22.6kg (8lb – 50lb) |
| Increments | 8 |
| Dimensions | 30.7 x 9.6 x 21.2in / 78 x 24.5 x 54cm |
How we test adjustable dumbbells
Every product you read about on mensfitnesstoday.com has been rigorously tested by our experts – whether freelance reviewers or the core MF team. Over a few months, consumer tech expert Lee Bell put the JaxJox DumbbellConnect to the test, incorporating the dumbbell into his fitness routine to find out if it lives up to the brand’s claims. He assessed its performance, features and design, testing it throughout its weight range and through a range of exercises at high rep ranges to see how it handles, assessing it in terms of grip, comfort and weight range. He then provided an overall score, taking build quality, performance and price into consideration.
