Hoist Exercise Benches
CPSC Recall #06-149 — April 25, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-149 |
| Recall Date | April 25, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 48,000 |
| Manufacturer | Hoist Fitness Systems Inc., also does business as Body Gear, of San Diego, Calif. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Specialty dealer stores and large sporting goods retailers nationwide from February 2004 through January 2006 for between $100 and $300. |
Product
Hoist Exercise Benches
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hoist Fitness Systems Inc. (also doing business as Body Gear), of San Diego, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 48,000 Hoist Exercise Benches. The bench's front frame assembly (with the foot rest) can fail to lock into place allowing users who grab the bench to position themselves to get their fingers entrapped between the front and back frame assemblies. This poses laceration and amputation hazards.Name of Product: Hoist Exercise BenchesUnits: About 48,000Manufacturer: Hoist Fitness Systems Inc., also does business as Body Gear, of San Diego, Calif.Hazard: The bench's front frame assembly (with the foot rest) can fail to lock into place allowing users who grab the bench to position themselves to get their fingers entrapped between the front and back frame assemblies. This poses laceration and amputation hazards.Incidents/Injuries: Hoist has received two reports of injury, one consisting of a hand laceration and the other consisting of a partially amputated finger.Description: The recalled exercise benches are free-standing and typically used for free weight workouts. They have white, gray, or black steel bases, with a black vinyl bench seat and backrest. The Hoist "5 Position Fold-Up Bench," "Folding Flat Bench," and "Folding Ab-Crunch Bench" are included in this recall. Although the bench names and model numbers do not appear on the benches, the serial number is located on a white sticker behind the seat of the bench. Only benches with certain serial numbers are included in this recall.Name of ProductModel NumberHoist "5 Position Fold-Up Bench"HF-140HF-142Body Gear by Hoist "5 Position Fold-Up Bench"BG-141BG-143Hoist "Folding Flat Bench"HF-4163Hoist "Folding Ab-Crunch Bench"HF-4262Sold at: Specialty dealer stores and large sporting goods retailers nationwide from February 2004 through January 2006 for between $100 and $300.Manufactured In: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should contact Hoist Fitness to see if their bench's serial number is included in this recall. If it is, stop using the recalled exercise bench and arrange to receive a free repair kit. Consumers who own the Hoist "Folding Flat Bench" should contact Hoist to return the bench for a full refund.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hoist toll-free at (866) 849-4797 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.hoistfitness.com or www.bodygearfitness.com -- consumers can also e-mail the firm at [email protected] or [email protected].
Hazard
The bench's front frame assembly (with the foot rest) can fail to lock into place allowing users who grab the bench to position themselves to get their fingers entrapped between the front and back frame assemblies. This poses laceration and amputation hazards.
Incidents & Injuries
Hoist has received two reports of injury, one consisting of a hand laceration and the other consisting of a partially amputated finger.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should contact Hoist Fitness to see if their bench's serial number is included in this recall. If it is, stop using the recalled exercise bench and arrange to receive a free repair kit. Consumers who own the Hoist "Folding Flat Bench" should contact Hoist to return the bench for a full refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
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 (Refund) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
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.