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Bowflex Power Pro XL, XTL and XTLU systems with the "Lat Tower" attachment

CPSC Recall #04-073 — January 28, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-073
Recall DateJanuary 28, 2004
Remedy TypeDispose, No Remedy Available
Units AffectedAbout 420,000

Where It Was Sold

Infomercials and specialized retail stores nationwide sold the fitness machines from January 1995 through December 2003 for between $1
200 and $1
600.

Product

Bowflex Power Pro XL, XTL and XTLU systems with the "Lat Tower" attachment

Description

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.The firm is no longer in business and the recall remedy is no longer available. Discard this product. Do not donate or resell.

Hazard

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.

Incidents & Injuries

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. 

Remedy Instructions

The firm is no longer in business and the recall remedy is no longer available. Discard this product. Do not donate or resell.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, No Remedy Available at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Dispose, No Remedy Available) at no cost to you.

Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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