This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan-based ICON Health & Fitness Inc. has agreed to pay a $3 million fine to settle federal regulators' allegations it was deceptive in claiming that use of one of its exercise machines for only three minutes a day would lead to substantial weight loss.
The Federal Trade Commission claimed that ICON, a manufacturer and seller of a range of exercise equipment, violated a 1997 agreement not to make unsubstantiated claims about its products and required that those endorsing the products reflect the experience of a typically user.
But, according to the FTC complaint filed this week in federal court in Washington, D.C., ICON in June of last year ran advertisements for its Pro-Form ab Glider, some featuring TV personality Elisabeth Hasselbeck and other endorsers, that said weight loss would result from using the exerciser on its own or for only three minutes a day.
One endorser identified as Tim M. says he lost "30 inches off my body," according to the settlement filed in conjunction with a civil complaint.
But the FTC said weight loss actually was achieved by a combination of users controlling their diet, using the ab Glider for more than three minutes a day and engaging in other exercise.
"None of the consumers providing testimonials achieved their results using the ab Glider for only three minutes a day or by using only the ab Glider without engaging in other exercise or dieting," the complaint says.
Icon Health & Fitness spokeswoman Colleen Logan said the FTC pursued ICON as a result of its investigation into Ab Circle Pro promoted by a Texas company that was fined $25 million with a $10 million reserve for consumer refunds.
"The company is proud of its array of products and has a long history of fair and accurate advertising with its customers," Logan said in statement. "The company regrets the misunderstanding and confusion that caused the FTC concern."
ICON must pay the fine within 45 days and also agreed, along with related entities, to a new 20-year period of compliance supervised by the FTC.