Hoist exercise benches

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Hoist Fitness Systems/BodyGear have voluntarily recalled about 48,000 exercise benches.

The bench's 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 trapped between the front and back frame assemblies. This poses laceration and amputation hazards.

The benches are free-standing and typically used for free weight workouts.

The products recalled are: Hoist 5-position fold-up bench, models HF-140 and HF-142; BodyGear by Hoist 5-position fold-up bench, models BG-141 and BG-143; Hoist folding flat bench, model HF-4163; and Hoist folding ab-crunch bench, model HF-4262. Only benches with certain serial numbers (located on a sticker beneath the seat) are included in this recall. Consumers should contact Hoist Fitness to see if their bench's number is included in this recall.

Consumers should stop using them and arrange to receive a free repair kit. Consumers who own the Hoist Folding Flat Bench should contact Hoist to return the bench for a full refund.

Call Hoist at 866-849-4797 or go to www.hoistfitness.com or www.bodygearfitness.com. Consumers can also e-mail the firm at benchrecall@hoistfitness.com or benchrecall@bodygearfitness.com.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission