Matrix ClimbMill Malfunction Prompts Recall

November 30th, 2016. By LucyC

A recall of an indoor hill climbing machine called Matrix ClimbMill has been issued, prompted by reports of injuries suffered by people using the device. Ok, so the first thing that comes to mind is why not just go outside? You can suffer the same injuries for a fraction of the cost and inconvenience in the great outdoors—or even the nearest shopping mall. And hey—fall in the shopping mall—you might even be able to sue. No, really.

These Matrix ClimbMill machines are a good deal more expensive that a gym membership or new pair of hiking boots, or possibly filing a lawsuit. Sold by Johnson Health Tech North America and its commercial fitness equipment dealers nationwide, the Matrix ClimbMill retailed for—are you sitting down—between $8,000 and $13,000. I may be wrong, but I think you could actually get primo accommodations in Tahiti for that kind of dough, Joe. The obvious question then becomes, why wouldn’t you? Take that trip to Tahiti, I mean.

Oh, but you wanted to get in shape. Without leaving home. So ClimbMill was a seemingly good, though pricey, option…until…

Apparently, the defect lies in the stop/pause controls on the right hand grip. They can malfunction, posing a fall hazard to the user. Yes, stopping is always a problem—not just for hill climbers. In fact not being able to stop could be the reason a person starts using these machines. Can’t stop eating, drinking, sitting on the sofa watching TV… you know. May as well start exercising.

There’s certainly a fair number of folks out there who bought a Matrix ClimbMill stair-step exercise machine—some 10,500 of them were sold from December 2011 through September 2015. Not sure what happened after September 2015. Might be worth finding out.

In any event, the company has received 19 reports of incidents involving the stop/pause hand grip malfunctioning, including eight reports of injuries such as scrapes, bumps and a shoulder dislocation. Ouch! That’s enough to send you back to the fridge.

According to the recall, only ClimbMills that have a right hand grip with the words “STOP” and “Pause” printed on them are included in this recall. The frame serial numbers are located on the bottom front of the base near the power switch. The ClimbMills are black and gray with Matrix printed on the side of the machine. These four-step exercise machines are used in commercial fitness facilities such as health clubs, hotels, apartment complexes, rehabilitation centers, schools, and municipal facilities.

Just in case you own a Matrix ClimbMill stair-step exercise machine, the following frame serial numbers are included in the recall:

Serial Numbers

CS17111100102   – CS17120901766

CS21130800080   – CS21130500062

CS22130602881   – CS22130602863

CS23130800001   – CS23140703749

CS23B131100001 – CS23B140701050

CS24140700001   – CS24150702803

CS24C140800001 – CS24C150200900

CS24H150100001 – CS24H150500049

Now, for the sake of clarity, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning all consumer who own a recalled ClimbMill to stop using them immediately and contact Johnson Health Tech North America to schedule a free repair. Johnson is contacting purchasers of the recalled ClimbMills directly.

I still say going on a trip would be better. Heck—just hauling your luggage round the airport could be enough of workout.

This was posted on Wednesday, November 30th, 2016 at 4:13 pm and is filed under Defective Products . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.