The Nautilus Group Opens New Sales
Office in Italy; Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term International
Expansion

VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2002--The Nautilus Group, Inc. (NYSE:NLS), a leading marketer, developer, and manufacturer of branded health and fitness products, today announced the opening of its new sales office near Milan, Italy.

We are very pleased to announce the opening of our newest office in Europe, said Kevin Lamar, President of The Nautilus Group. In addition to being one of Europe's largest markets, Italy has some of the most fitness-minded people in the world, with a tremendous interest in sports, physical appearance and healthy-lifestyles. Furthermore, Italy's strong economic growth in recent years has translated into increased spending on fitness activities and equipment.

We have had early success in penetrating many of the over 4,500 health clubs in Italy with our cutting-edge Schwinn indoor cycling products. Our strategy is to expand our sales across the full range of our branded strength and cardiovascular fitness products. We are very excited about the long-term opportunity for growth in Italy and other European markets.

In addition to its new office in Italy, The Nautilus Group has sales offices in Germany, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as a sales presence in over 50 countries worldwide through its distribution partners.

About The Nautilus Group

The Nautilus Group, Inc. (formerly Direct Focus, Inc.) is a leading marketer, developer, and manufacturer of branded health and fitness products sold under such well-known names as Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn and StairMaster. The Company currently markets its Bowflex home fitness equipment and Nautilus Sleep Systems through its direct-marketing channel, using an effective combination of television commercials, infomercials, response mailings, the Internet, and inbound/outbound call centers. The Company sells its Nautilus, Schwinn and StairMaster commercial fitness equipment through its sales force and selected dealers to health clubs, government agencies, hotels, corporate fitness centers, colleges, universities, and assisted living facilities. The Nautilus Group also markets and sells a complete line of consumer fitness equipment, under its Nautilus, Schwinn and StairMaster brands, through a network of specialty dealers, distributors, and retailers worldwide. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. The Nautilus Group is located on the Web at www.nautilusgroup.com.

From time to time, The Nautilus Group may issue forward-looking statements relating to its products and services, including statements regarding its Bowflex, Nautilus, Schwinn Fitness, and StairMaster businesses. Factors that could affect The Nautilus Group's actual results include its reliance on a limited product line, fluctuations in advertising rates, market acceptance of its existing and future products, growth management challenges including the growth resulting from the acquisition of the assets of Schwinn Fitness in September 2001 and StairMaster in February 2002, a decline in consumer spending due to unfavorable economic conditions, government regulatory action, its ability to effectively identify and negotiate any future strategic acquisitions, its ability to integrate the StairMaster business and any other acquired businesses into its operations, unpredictable events and circumstances relating to international operations including its use of foreign manufacturers, and general economic conditions. Please refer to our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. We also caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.