By LawInspectsiFIT Class Action Lawsuit concerns allegations regarding the software update of the company’s NordicTrack and ProForm workout equipment that caused the devices to become unusable, thereby leaving customers with non-functional machines. iFIT Health and Fitness Inc. owns and operates a fitness platform which provides live access to workout coaching sessions right through compatible fitness equipment or devices like phones, tablets or televisions, and also sells fitness equipment under various brand names, including NordicTrack and ProForm.
The class action lawsuit against iFIT was filed by customers who experienced several issues with their iFIT fitness devices after downloading and installing a mandatory software update provided by the company. The lawsuit reached a settlement after iFIT agreed to pay compensation to the affected customers, without accepting fault.
Reasons behind the Class Action Lawsuit
The iFIT Class Action Lawsuit was a result of numerous complaints from customers using NordicTrack and ProForm fitness equipment sold by the company. The complaints concerned a mandatory software update which caused the fitness equipment to become unusable. As a result of software update, machines like treadmills of the NordicTrack and ProForm brands failed to respond or froze altogether. Key functions of these machines like live streaming workouts or tracking progress, stopped working.
Since the software update was mandatory, there was no way for the customers to opt out of the same. Moreover, the problem with the software update was not rectified by iFIT.
Allegations against iFIT
iFIT Class Action Lawsuit was filed in January 2023 by a group of plaintiffs led by Scott Balfour. Hence, the lawsuit is officially called Balfour et al. vs iFIT Health and Fitness Inc. The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Delaware.
The class action lawsuit alleged breach of warranty by iFIT. To be specific, the company was accused of selling defective fitness equipment which failed to function after a software update. Consequently, the customers who had paid higher costs for advanced touchscreen features were left with equipment devoid of the said features due to a software update.
As per the lawsuit, iFIT not only failed to disclose the potential fallouts of the mandatory software update but also did not provide an effective and timely solution to the affected customers. Thus, the company violated both state and federal consumer protection laws.
The plaintiffs also accused iFIT of enriching itself by selling expensive fitness equipment in the name of advanced features, but shrugged off its responsibility to provide repair and other support services when those features became non-functional.
iFIT’s Defence
In response to the class action lawsuit, iFIT consistently denied any wrongdoing. The company maintained that the purpose of the software update was to improve the performance of the machines and user experience of the customers. Specifically, the update was designed to improve the touchscreen consoles and enhance various functions like workout streaming, fitness tracking and interactive sessions.
The company claimed that the technical glitches that the software update caused in the machines were not foreseen. Thus, the issues were not a result of negligence. Furthermore, iFIT vouched for the quality of its NordicTrack and ProForm machines, and claimed that the issues did not affect all the customers.
Settlement of the Lawsuit
iFIT decided to opt for settlement, instead of fighting a potentially long legal battle. However, the company did not accept the accusations contained in the class action lawsuit. On November 7, 2024, the court held a fairness hearing to review the terms of the settlement. The court approved the settlement on December 2, 2024.
There are multiple ways in which iFIT is going to compensate its affected customers. Customers in possession of a NordicTrack or ProForm device which failed after November 1, 2021, are eligible for free repair and replacement services by iFIT, including replacement of the whole console or tablet, if required. iFIT will also refund the repair costs to those customers who paid iFIT to get their machines repaired before May 6, 2024. The refund also covers any amount paid to replace parts or for conducting a diagnosis.
As a part of the settlement, iFIT will also provide 20% discount on future equipment purchases to those customers who did not receive repair/replacement services despite contacting the company, and have disposed off their machines.
Eligibility for Compensation and Deadline
Customers who purchased a NordicTrack or ProForm fitness equipment before Jan 23, 2023, are eligible to file a claim for compensation. Claimants are required to submit the model number and serial number of the product as a proof of purchase.
The deadline to file a valid claim is May 6, 2025.