The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall alert for elliptical exercise equipment made by Nautilus of Vancouver, Wash. Approximately 10,000 Schwinn 460 models have faulty foot plates which can detach and cause the exerciser to fall off the machine.

The federal agency says Nautilus has received nine consumer complaints of foot plates breaking off during use of the elliptical exercise machines. One of those incident reports the user struck his knee from unexpectedly falling from the machine.

The machine is 73 inches tall and 54 inches long. It is made of gray anodized aluminum with two moving and two fixed handlebars, all with black rubberized padding. The fixed handlebars have heart rate sensors on both sides. The machine also features a touch-screen console, an adjustable fan, and an orange-colored, oversize water bottle holder. A medallion with the Schwinn logo is on the bottom right side of the base of the machine.

The recalled Schwinn 460 elliptical exercise equipment were sold at specialty fitness retailers and sporting goods stores nationwide such as Dick's Sporting Goods as well as online at Nautilus.com and Amazon for about $1,000 from July 2008 to May 2011.

Consumers are urged to stop using the defective pieces of exercise equipment and contact Nautilus (toll-free: 800-259-9019 website: www.schwinn.com) for a free repair kit, which includes an extended warranty.

Nautilus Recalls Schwinn Elliptical Exercise Equipment Due to Fall Hazard [CPSC]