CPSC, Nautilus Direct Announce Recall of Bowflex Power Pro Fitness Machines
Home product recall 04-073. Announced by CPSC on Jan 29, 2004.
- CPSC: stop using it
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.
The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Jan 29, 2004. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
- Stop using it what CPSC tells owners to do now (needs attention)
- About 420,000 units, as CPSC gives them
- Reported injuries, in the notice (needs attention)
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
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.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
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.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: The company is out of business. Consumers should call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
Which ones are recalled?
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.
About 420,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Bowflex Power Pro XL, XTL and XTLU systems with the “Lat Tower” attachment.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Distributed by Nautilus Direct (doing business as Bowflex), Vancouver, Wash.
- Infomercials and specialized retail stores nationwide sold the fitness machines, from January 1995 through December 2003, for between $1,200 and $1,600.
- Made in China, Taiwan and United States, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
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.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.