At-home fitness giant Peloton said it is "troubled" by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) decision to urge consumers to stop using the Peloton Tread+ equipment.
CPSC published a statement on 17 April "warning consumers about the danger" posed by the Peloton Tread+ exercise machine after "multiple incidents" of small children and a pet being injured beneath the machines.
The commission said the public health and safety "requires this notice to warn the public quickly of the hazard".
In the statement, CPSC said: "To date, CPSC is aware of 39 incidents including one death.
"We believe the Peloton Tread+ poses serious risks to children for abrasions, fractures, and death.
"In light of multiple reports of children becoming entrapped, pinned, and pulled under the rear roller of the product, CPSC urges consumers with children at home to stop using the product immediately."
The commission also published a video which "demonstrates the hazard to children posed by the Tread+". The video can be seen below (WARNING some viewers may find the video disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.)
In the statement, the CPSC urged consumers to stop using the Peloton Tread+ if there are small children or pets at home.
According to the organisation, Incidents suggest that children may be seriously injured while the Tread+ is being used by an adult, not just when a child has unsupervised access to the machine.
In response, Peloton disputed the claims, calling the CPSC's statement "inaccurate and misleading".
"There is no reason to stop using the Tread+, as long as all warnings and safety instructions are followed," Peloton said in a statement.
"Children under 16 should never use the Tread+, and Members should keep children, pets, and objects away from the Tread+ at all times.
"The importance of following Peloton's safety warnings and instructions is abundantly clear in the video that CPSC included in its unilateral press release.
"In particular, Peloton instructs members to remove the Safety Key when the Tread+ is not in use, precisely to avoid the kind of incident that this video depicts.
"When the Safety Key is detached as instructed, the Tread+ cannot be turned on.
"The Tread+ includes safety warnings and instructions in several places, including in the user manual, in a safety card left on top of the Tread+ tray on delivery, and on the product itself."
• To read the full CPSC statement,
• To read Peloton's response in full, click here.
