Bowflex Recalls Due to Injuries
Bowflex Defects Go Unreported
Between 1995 and December 2003, Nautilus made and sold approximately 420,000 Bowflex Power Pro fitness machines with a "Lat Tower" and a backboard bench. The CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) alleges that between December 1998 and July 2002, Nautilus knew of 27 incidents and 25 injuries to consumers when the backboard bench broke apart and collapsed unexpectedly during use.
The company allegedly knew, but did not report to CPSC, that consumers suffered back, disc and neck injuries and falls resulting in chipped teeth. In addition, CPSC alleges that the company failed to report a June 2000 design change, intended to reinforce the bench by adding a steel plate. In January 2004, after the company had finally reported in full, CPSC and Nautilus announced the recall of Power Pro machines.
2004 Bowflex Ultimate and Power Pro Recall
The injuries included a blood clot, a laceration requiring stitches, pulled ligaments and back, disc and neck injuries. In November 2004, after the company had finally reported in full, CPSC and Nautilus announced a new recall of Power Pro and Ultimate fitness machines. Between August 2002 and April 2004, Nautilus received 32 reports of consumers suffering injuries when the seat pin on the Bowflex Power Pro (with a "Lat Tower") and Ultimate fitness machines unexpectedly broke or became disengaged during use. Nautilus, it is alleged, failed to tell CPSC that users unexpectedly fell back on the adjustable seat and suffered injuries.
CPSC, Nautilus Direct Announce Recall of Bowflex Power Pro Fitness Machines
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Nautilus Direct (doing business as Bowflex), of Vancouver, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 420,000 Bowflex fitness machines to address two safety issues. First, while being used in the incline position, the machine's backboard bench can unexpectedly collapse and break, posing a risk of injury to the user. Second, the "Lat Tower," can rotate forward and fall during use, posing a risk of injury to the user.
Nautilus Direct and CPSC have received at least 70 reports of the backboard benches breaking, resulting in at least 59 back, neck and shoulder injuries. Nautilus Direct has received at least 18 reports of the "Lat Tower" rotating forward and falling, resulting in at least 14 back, neck, shoulder, teeth, nose and head injuries, some of which required stitches.
The recalled fitness machines are the Bowflex Power Pro XL, XTL and XTLU systems with the "Lat Tower" attachment. 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 machine. The machine has 10 to 14 resistance rods that extend about 48-inches high and a backboard bench that is about 36-inches long. The recalled fitness machines were made in China, Taiwan and the U.S.A.
Infomercials and specialized retail stores nationwide sold the fitness machines from January 1995 through December 2003 for between $1,200 and $1,600.
Consumers should stop using the backboard bench in the incline position and "Lat Tower" on the fitness machines immediately and contact Nautilus Direct toll-free at (888) 424-3020 anytime to receive a free repair kit that will address both issues. Nautilus is contacting owners of affected machines by direct mail where the name is known to the firm. For more information, consumers can log on to the company's Web site at www.bowflex.com.
