http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=165041&nid=104 Bowflex Machines Recalled Over Safety WASHINGTON (AP) - Hundreds of thousands of popular Bowflex fitness machines are being recalled because of safety problems that have resulted in more than 70 injuries, the government said Thursday. The voluntary recall affects about 420,000 Bowflex Power Pro XL, XTL, and XTLU systems distributed by Nautilus Direct of Vancouver, Wash. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the machine's backboard bench can unexpectedly collapse when being used in the incline position. There also are problems with the "Lat Tower," which attaches to the back of the bench and has a metal bar that the user can pull down to strengthen the upper body. Nautilus Direct says the frame of the tower can weaken over time, twist forward and fall _ hitting the user in the back, head or shoulder. Of the reports received, 59 people suffered injuries when the backboard collapsed. Another 14 were injured by the "Lat Tower." The machines in question were sold nationwide from 1995 to 2003 for about $1,200 to 1,600, depending on the model. Consumers are advised to stop using the backboard bench in the incline position, and immediately cease use of the "Lat Tower." "Most consumers are familiar with the Bowflex exercise machine," CPSC chairman Hal Stratton said in a statement. "If you have purchased a Bowflex, check to see whether it has been recalled. No one should take a chance and suffer a serious back or head injury while using a recalled product." The head of Nautilus, Gregg Hammann, says free repair kits will be sent to consumers with the recalled home gyms. The kits consist of a steel bar that will reinforce the bench and a steel bracket that will give more support to the "Lat Tower." Consumers can call Nautilus Direct at 1-888-424-3020 to receive the repair kit. Nautilus is also contacting owners of the machines by mail.
I may be the only one here with one. Funny how I had a completely different accident with mine which busted my head open pretty good. The recall does apply to me, however.
Yee who presumes to speak for the masses. I wouldn't even call it a waste of money...not even by a long shot. As established in previous threads, it's not for serious weightlifters who want to be huge but it accomplishes everything else. I put on a lot of muscle with it when I use it and it gets you in shape quickly. So, I'm not disappointed in it at all and everyone I know who has one never had a problem with it. The only people who have problems with it are the ones who buy it thinking it will do the work for them and end up selling it or not using it at all. So, bite your tongue.
When did Nautilus buy Bowflex? I remember watching commercials for it and this guy who used to work for Nautilus came on and they said that he had never endorsed a non-nautilus product before....
Correction...they have three lines to choose from and it looks like prices start at $599 on up. The prices I referred to in my previous post were for the "Ultimate" line. I think that's their best line of product. The other two don't look as good.
It can do a lot more than what you can do with that equipment. The whole point of the thing is it does a variety of exercises and it does them well. It's extremely easy and fast to switch between exercises. It doesn't take up much room...i.e. it folds up and is easy to get out of the way when not in use. It's a good workout tool and really does work well as it was designed to do. It's obviously not for everyone but even if you go to a gym it's good to have one of these puppies at home. I did away with the gym membership. You lose the hassle of that and enjoy the convenience of working out at home(which some people would rather be in a gym which is fine). It's easier just to jump into a workout at a moment's notice. I don't think, in the long run, that $1500 is that much at all. This thing will last a lifetime. Even the military uses it in Iraq and elsewhere. But, I don't care if you get one or not so more power to you if you think it's better to get by without one .
Haha, right. I'm sure the bowflex can do more than free weights. And I'm sure the rest of the world uses free weights including the army, but I'm not going to argue on this since you don't know what you're talking about.
I meant it can do more than you can do with a bench and squat rack. I didn't claim it was better than free weights. I don't know what I'm talking about and you've never used one while I've used both. Okay. All I was trying to do was tell you the benefits of it and I get back attitude. So, whatever.
Okay...but when you tell someone "you don't know what your talking about"...that does not come across well. I'm presenting a point of view that you do not have. I think you misunderstood my comments. I agree you can get all the workout you need from a bench, squat rack, and free weights. But, because BowFlex is set up on a pulley system with power rods, it will offer you a little more variety in exercises I do believe. The other thing I really like is working out alone you can max yourself out without a spotter. I think the best way to see it's benefits is to put one through it's paces. However, you can't do that by watching a TV commercial. I had to use mine a few times to "learn" how to properly do the exercises and try them all out. There is a period of adjustment. I've seen first time users wobble and look out of sorts using it for the first time. I actually bought one in a leap of faith before ever using it. That was difficult. It did work out well as I can do some serious workouts on it and I believe it was everything they said it was. The cost is always going to be an issue. The question I asked myself was how much is your health worth? I felt it would be more beneficial to be with one than without. I also felt I would be more inclined to work out with the added convenience(and I was right). I also had to look obviously at my financial situation. I would say if your the type of person that would ever buy a treadmill...then you would buy one of these. If not, then I think the chances are slim you would buy one. But, I really have no more to add. At the very least, your hearing from an actual owner and not a television commercial. So, that's partly why I'm even commenting...in case people are curious. Surf
