Nautilus recalls 78,000 Bowflex home gyms

For the second time in as many years, Nautilus has issued a recall on its Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym, this time due to reports of a faulty seat fastener.

The seat is designed to be latched in a vertical position for storage, but the fasteners that hold it in place don't always work, and there have been almost 20 injuries -- often some sort of laceration -- reported when the seats have unexpectedly come unfastened.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, it is still safe to use the $2,300 machines, just not safe to store the seats in their intended fashion -- so don't think you have an excuse to take a day off your fitness program now! Nautilus is shipping repair kits to all registered Bowflex owners to fix the issues with the seat.

I'd be pretty annoyed if I shelled out thousands for a fancy home gym only to have it recalled, and then have to fix the problem myself, even. This recall certainly is a turnoff for anyone considering an investment in home gym equipment. But you don't need expensive machines to stay fit -- remember that pushups, squats, and crunches are three of the most efficient and effective exercises you can do, and all you need to do them is a little bit of floor space.