Bowflex machines are exercise equipment marketed and sold by the Nautilis corporation. Over the years bowflex has issued a number of recalls due to faulty equipment. The faulty equipment has caused numerous shoulder, back and neck injuries. Besides the faulty equipment shoulder injury is still possible with bowflex if proper safety precautions are not taken.
Rotator Cuff
Rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that stabilize and work the shoulder. Rotator cuff injuries can occur while using a fully functioning bowflex. These injuries are due to over exertion of the shoulder during a workout. Rotator cuff injuries are also possible if your shoulder muscles and tendons have degenerated.
Bowflex Home Gym
In March 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled Bowflex Home Gym because of faulty equipment. This is the second recall of the Bowflex Home Gym; the first one was in December 2007. The seat rail was designed to be manually latched in a vertical position for storage and if not done properly can fall unexpectedly, causing injury. Eighteeen reported head and shoulder lacerations were caused by the Bowflex home gym.
Bowflex Power Pro Fitness Machine Backboard Defect
In January 2004, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ordered a recall of another bowflex product the Bowflex Power Pro Fitness Machines. The backboard of this machine had defective backboards that have led to shoulder injuries. The back board had a tendency to break. Seventy instances of broken back boards have been reported, 59 of which have resulted in back, neck or shoulder injuries.
Bowflex Power Pro Fitness Machine Lat Tower Defect
There was another defect that was a reason for the recall of the Bowflex Power Pro Fitness Machine. The other defect is with the Lat tower of the Pro Fitness Machines, which has fallen and broken a reported 18 times. Fourteen back, neck, shoulder, teeth, nose and head injuries have results from a faulty Lat tower.
Safety Advice
To avoid shoulder injuries using bowflex or other equipment, it is best to check if the machinery is in working order. Consult with your physician before starting any workout regiment. Make sure you stretch your body properly and are using proper form while exercising. Stop exercising and consult with your physician if you have any pain in your shoulder.
References
- Consumer Product Safety Commission: Bowflex Power Pro Fitness Machines
- Consumer Product Safety Commission: Bowflex® Home Gyms
- ABC News: Bowflex Recall
- "Exercise and Health"; Prof. T. A. Asmangulyan; 1997
- The Stretching Institute: Rotator Cuff Injury
