Vancouver fitness company Nautilus Inc. reported net sales of $48.3 million in the first quarter of 2011, a 5.8 percent increase from $45.6 million in the first quarter of 2010.

During the first quarter of 2011, the company allocated a significantly greater portion of its television and online advertising budget toward the Bowflex® TreadClimber® product line. In addition, the company began implementing a lower cost, internet-based advertising strategy for its home gyms. The move is expected to capitalize on the extensive product awareness that currently exists for Bowflex® rod-based home gyms.

During the remainder of the year, anticipation remains strong that that the company will continue to direct the majority of expenditures to the Bowflex® TreadClimber® product line.

Three Months Ended	Mar 31, 2011	Mar 31, 2010	$ Change	% Change
Direct	$ 30,254	$ 28,503	$ 1,751	6.1 %
Retail	16,963	15,931	1,032	6.5 %
Unallocated Corporate Royalty Income	1,084	1,210	(126 )	10.4 %
Net Sales	$ 48,301	$ 45,644	$ 2,657	5.8 %

These are unaudited results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2011.

Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE:NLS) is a global fitness products company which markets Nautilus®, Bowflex®, Schwinn® Fitness, and Universal® products through direct and retail channels. According to the company, lower operating expenses enabled Nautilus’ to leverage fixed costs across higher sales volumes to achieve the increase. Reports also indicate more cost effective advertising expenditures contributed to the growth.

In March, as early reported by COUV.com, Norman H. Pessin invested about $3.2 million and his wife Sandra about $326,000 to purchase a 5.4 percent share in the Nautilus. Pessin, who is retired, formerly worked in asset management.