The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Hoist Exercise Benches have recalled about 48,000 exercise benches. In addition to Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc., the company also does business under the name Body Gear, of San Diego, Calif.
The benchs 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.
Hoist has received two reports of injury, one consisting of a hand laceration and the other consisting of a partially amputated finger.
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.
The benches were manufactured in China and sold in specialty dealer stores and large sporting goods retailers nationwide from February 2004 through January 2006 for between $100 and $300.
