November 23, 2004
Fitness Quest is recalling the Ab Lounge, Ab Lounge 2 and Ab Lounge Ultimate Exercisers following 15 reports of lacerations, crushing and amputation of finger tips.
When opening or folding up these exercise machines, consumers can catch their fingers in the hinges. This can result in injuries to the finger. This does not occur while users are exercising.
The machines have the name Ab Lounge or Ab Lounge 2 printed on the upper front fabric of the seat. The recall involves machines with the following serial numbers:
The serial number is located on a label on the bottom of the front frame. Ab Lounge exercise products with straight brackets that do not fold are not part of this recall.
The machines were sold through infomercials, the Internet, catalogs and at discount department and sporting goods stores, including Wal-Mart and Dicks Sporting Goods, nationwide since October 2003 for between $100 and $210.
Consumers should stop using these exercisers and contact the firm for a free repair kit. The firm is contacting all consumers who purchased the Ab Lounge directly from Fitness Quest via infomercial or website. Due to the large number of repair kits required to meet demand, these consumers may experience a delay of a few weeks before they receive their kits. Any consumer who owns an Ab Lounge purchased at a retail store should stop using the equipment and contact Fitness Quest immediately to receive the repair kit.
Consumer Contact: Contact Fitness Quest at (800) 321-9236 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or log on to www.fitnessquest.com.
The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
