Can You Use the Bowflex Selecttech 840 For Crossfit Training
Latest Update: November 01, 2026
Yes, the Bowflex SelectTech 840 can suit CrossFit sessions when a listed setting matches the workout and the movements allow controlled handling. Its six settings and dial are useful for planned home training, but fast load changes, frequent drops, or ballistic work that feels awkward in the hand are better served by fixed-weight kettlebells.
Key Takeaways
- The Bowflex SelectTech 840 has six weight settings from 8 to 40 pounds, so match the workout load to an available setting.
- Assess the load for each movement, because the right weight for swings may not suit presses or Turkish get ups.
- Controlled movements are a useful starting point. Test the handle shape and balance before using the bell for faster movements.
- Plan dial adjustments before timed rounds, since transitions may take time.
- For sessions with frequent load changes or drops, fixed weight kettlebells may better match the workout pace.
- Choose equipment by its movement fit and adjustment style, not by storage space alone.
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What the Bowflex 840 offers
The Bowflex SelectTech 840 uses a dial to select one of six settings across a range of 8 to 40 pounds. The available settings are 8, 12, 20, 25, 35 and 40 pounds, so compare the workout’s prescribed load with those options instead of judging suitability by the maximum alone.
The Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell costs $150 and changes weight by turning its dial. That adjustment system gives one kettlebell several load options, but it means you should plan weight changes around the workout rather than expect every transition to happen seamlessly.
At $150, judge value against the fixed bells you would otherwise buy: compare the combined cost of the loads you actually use, rather than comparing the adjustable bell with just one fixed bell.
The 840 is more compelling when its settings cover several regular workouts and storage matters; fixed bells may be better value if you mainly train at one load or need quick changes without pausing.
Read our Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell review. For CrossFit training, the key question remains whether the selected load and the adjustment routine suit the session you plan to do.
Match the weight to the movement
Judge the load separately for swings, squats, presses and Turkish get ups. A kettlebell that feels manageable during a squat may be too heavy for a press, while a load that works for a press may be too light for swings.
Choose a weight that lets you keep the intended repetitions consistent and controlled. Increase the load only when you can complete the full set with the same control from the first repetition to the last.
If a workout calls for a load between the 840’s settings, do not force the prescribed movement with an unsuitable weight.
Choose a suitable workout modification or use another kettlebell that matches the intended load; our guide to choosing a kettlebell can help you think through the weight range you need.
The 40 pound maximum is a ceiling, not proof that the available range covers every athlete and every movement. Decide based on the workout load and the exercise, not on the heaviest setting in isolation.
Which CrossFit movements can suit an adjustable kettlebell
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Goblet squats and controlled presses are useful starting points when the handle provides a secure grip and the selected weight allows steady repetitions. Their slower pace gives you time to focus on the bell’s position and your movement path.
Swings, cleans and snatches need closer attention to handle clearance, balance and how the bell travels around the hand.
These ballistic movements involve faster changes in direction, so a shape that feels manageable during a squat can feel awkward during a swing or catch.
Try a lighter load for controlled repetitions before using an adjustable bell for faster work. Stop the set if the bell’s shape or balance changes your movement path or makes your repetitions inconsistent.
A Turkish get up moves through several deliberate positions and finishes with an overhead hold. Select a load you can control through each stage, not just the part that feels easiest.
The removable weight plates and locking mechanism described here belong to the adjustable kettlebell for CrossFit, not the Bowflex 840, which uses a dial.
That approach suits readers comparing adjustable designs for varied exercises, while the movement list in our CrossFit exercise guide offers further context for planning a session.
During swings, cleans and snatches, stop if the bell catches against your hand, twists your wrist or forces you to change its path; that is a sign the shape or balance is not working for that movement.
Plan around weight changes in timed workouts
For a workout that uses one kettlebell load throughout, set the weight before the timer starts. This keeps a dial adjustment from interrupting a round built around steady work.
For workouts that alternate loads, account for the setting change between rounds and avoid rushing the dial or the transition while fatigued.
A dial selects one of six settings, so compare every planned load with those settings before building the session around the bell.
For example, if a session pairs swings at 35 pounds with presses at 20 pounds, confirm each load suits that movement, then rehearse the dial change while fresh.
Account for the adjustment in the planned rest; if the change takes longer than the transition allows or tempts you to rush, use a single-load variation or fixed bells. This checks the workout flow without assuming a set adjustment time.
Workout formats vary, from repeated rounds to sessions that combine kettlebell movements with other exercises.
Use our CrossFit kettlebell workout guide and beginner CrossFit WOD ideas when considering how your equipment will fit a planned format.
According to CrossFit Overview: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, CrossFit boxes operate in 142 countries across seven continents with more than 10,000 affiliates.
CrossFit boxes operate in 142 countries across seven continents with more than 10,000 affiliates.
Source, CrossFit Overview, Systematic Review and Meta Analysis
Handle durability and use it with care
Treat an adjustable kettlebell as equipment for controlled handling. Do not drop it after swings, cleans or other dynamic repetitions.
Keep the bell on a stable surface while changing its setting, and make sure the selected weight is locked in place before lifting. This gives you a deliberate setup before the next movement begins.
For frequent training, favour movements and workout formats that let you handle the bell deliberately. A routine built around drops or rapid equipment changes asks more of an adjustable mechanism than a steady session with planned transitions.
When considering durability for regular use, focus on how the adjustment mechanism is handled and how the bell moves in the exercises you actually perform. A dial setting that works well for a controlled set still needs careful handling between sets.
Choose between adjustable and fixed weights
An adjustable kettlebell can suit a home setup when one implement with several settings covers the loads and movements you use most often.
It can reduce the number of separate weights needed for those sessions, while the dial gives you a way to select among its available loads.
Fixed weight kettlebells can be a better match for sessions that demand repeated fast changes, frequent drops or smooth handling through ballistic movements. A fixed bell also removes the need to pause and change a setting between exercises.
When comparing adjustable designs, consider how the weight changes and how the handle and balance feel during your movements. Space savings alone do not tell you whether a particular bell suits swings, cleans, snatches or controlled lifts.
The PowerBlock Adjustable Kettlebell ranges from 8 to 40 pounds and uses a pin system to change weight. A pin system and removable plates offer different adjustment approaches from the Bowflex dial, so choose the style that fits your workout pace and training setup.
For home training with planned weight changes, an adjustable design can cover several loads in one implement.
For a busier training space with rapid station changes, or a routine that includes repeated dynamic movements, fixed weights may fit the session better.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are people saying about the Bowflex 840 kettlebell?
Customer opinions are most useful when they describe specific use: dial changes between sets, handle comfort during swings or presses, and whether the available loads suit the owner’s training. A broad rating alone cannot tell you if the 840 fits your workout, so prioritize comments about movements and pace like yours.
Can you use one adjustable kettlebell for double kettlebell movements?
One Bowflex 840 is one kettlebell, so a movement that requires two bells needs a second kettlebell or a suitable alternative. Plan for two implements when the workout calls for a pair.
Yes, people can share one adjustable kettlebell when the workout format allows turns. Write down each person’s setting and arrange the order before the session so everyone knows which load to use.
What should you do if the adjustment dial becomes difficult to turn?
Stop turning the dial rather than forcing it. Set the kettlebell in its base, make sure it is seated and aligned with a setting, and follow the manufacturer’s service guidance if it remains difficult to adjust.
How does the Bowflex 840 handle feel compared with a traditional kettlebell?
If possible, try both with the same movement before choosing.
If possible, try the 840 and a traditional kettlebell with the same controlled movement and a comparable load. Check whether the handle leaves room for your fingers, whether the bell rotates without pulling your wrist off line, and whether its contact with your forearm feels predictable. Then repeat with a slow swing and a press: a comfortable static grip does not prove it will feel secure while moving. If the balance changes your path, choose a fixed bell for that exercise.
It can work where one person uses it at a time and sessions leave room for deliberate adjustments. A fixed weight setup is a more straightforward choice when several people need different loads in quick succession.
See also: B0b0BXDpU.
Conclusion
Can You Use the Bowflex Selecttech 840 For Crossfit Training? Yes, when its settings match the workout, its shape suits the chosen movements and the session allows time for planned adjustments.
It is most appropriate for controlled training that does not rely on dropping the bell or switching loads in a hurry.
Compare the prescribed loads with the 840’s six settings, then judge the handle and balance during the movements you plan to train.
If the workout needs rapid changes, frequent drops or a load outside its range, fixed weight kettlebells are the more suitable choice.
