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Bowflex Home Gyms Recalled Due to Injury Risk
Nov. 17, 2004 -- Nearly 800,000 Bowflex home gyms are being recalled after reports that the machines may injure the user during certain exercises.
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Nautilus Group of Vancouver, Wash., has announced a voluntary recall of 680,000 Bowflex Power Pro and 102,000 Ultimate Fitness units.
Owners of the home gyms are advised to stop using them immediately.
The fitness machines were sold in fitness stores, on television infomercials, and in direct sales from January 1995 through April 2004 for between $1,200 and $1,600.
Officials say the seat pin on the Power Pro with "Lat Tower" and Ultimate models can break or become disengaged, allowing the seat to move suddenly. In addition, the incline support bracket on the Power Pro without a "Lat Tower" can break, allowing the incline bench to move suddenly. Both hazards may cause the user to fall or become injured.
The manufacturer has received 46 reports of the seat pin failure, including two serious injuries requiring stitches to the head. Additionally, Nautilus received 42 reports of the incline support bracket failure, including injuries to the back, neck, and head.
The recall applies to the Bowflex Power Pro with and without a "Lat Tower," and Ultimate models built before Sept. 1, 2002. The "Lat Tower" attaches to the back of the bench, and has pull-down pulleys attached. The name "Bowflex" and the model name are printed on the front of the machines.
People who own these models should stop using the incline support mechanism and contact Bowflex to receive a free repair kit. Contact Bowflex at (800) 820-8604 between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. PT Monday through Saturday, or visit their web site at www.bowflex.com.
The company also says it is contacting owners of affected machines by direct mail.
A similar recall was issued in January 2004 for the Bowflex Power Pro home gyms. Bowflex owners who responded to that recall do not need to call the manufacturer for a repair kit. Nautilus says they will receive one automatically.
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