Cybex Arm Curl Exercise Machine Recall Issued After Multiple Injury Reports

Following more than 100 reports of problems with Cybex arm curl machines, including at least a dozen injuries, the manufacturer has issued a recall due to the risk that the handles may suddenly break while exercising.

The Cybex arm curl exercise machine recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on August 25, impacting more than 4,400 pieces of equipment sold to gyms throughout the country.

Reports suggest that the swivel handle may break off from the frame, posing a serious injury risk. At least 12 incidents have been reported where exercisers suffered an injury when the arm curl handle detached and hit the user in the face. One case involved the loss of vision in one eye as a result of the injury.

The recalled arm curl machines are designed to allow the consumer to sit down on an adjustable seat and select an amount of weight resistance. The user then grabs the swivel handles to perform a curl motion toward them to exercise their biceps and arm muscles.

If the swivel handle on the arm curl exercise machine detaches from the frame while the user is applying force to the resistance, it can result in a risk of serious and permanent injury. As a result of the defect, the swivel handle may be projected toward the users face, potentially resulting in bruising, laceration or fractures.

With the manufacturer receiving 108 incident reports from only 4,400 machines sold to customers, it is likely that these machines will eventually break over time and constant use, the CPSC warns. Due to the machines being a popular fitness club and gym machine that is used frequently, the CPSC is asking all consumers to stop using the machines immediately.

The recall includes the Cybex International arm curl machines with model names VR2, VR2TA, Eagle, and VR3. The model name can be located on the top of the machine and the serial number can be found on the frame tube of the weight stack by the base of the unit. For a full list of recalled model numbers and serial numbers please visit www.cybexintl.com.

The arm curl machines were manufactured in the United States under Cybex International Inc. of Medway, Massachusetts where they were sold at through Cybex or its distributors directly to gyms from November 1996 through October 2008 for between $3,700 and $4,200.

Consumers are being asked to stop using the fitness equipment immediately and contact Cybex International at 888-678-3846 or visit them at www.cybexintl.com and navigate to the “Support” link for a free repair kit. Cybex announced that they are contacting customers on file directly to warn of the potential dangers and repair process.