added the lat attachment
Written: Mar 19 '02 (Updated Mar 19 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: versatility, overall design
Cons: bench press needs more support
The Bottom Line: The Bowflex is a fantastic machine, with only one flaw. I would highly recommend any model to anybody who is interested in one.
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| rocco13's Full Review: Bowflex Power Pro XTL |
I recently ordered the lat attachment for my Bowflex XT. (I wrote my review of the Bowflex XT in December '01, so I won't rehash everything here, just to say it was very positive. The title is 'former iron pumper', and you can read that review if you desire.) Anyway, I got the lat attachment, and the assembly was a piece of cake. It helped that I was able to review the assembly instructions on the website beforehand, so I was very familiar with the procedure. I'd read other reviews saying the tower was wobbly and unsecure, but I totally disagree. It does move slightly, but that's just because of the low point of attachment to the main machine. I certainly feel safe when doing pulldowns.
The location of the straps are different from what many of us are used to. Instead of being connected by one hook in the middle of the bar, it has two hooks spaced evenly across the bar. This way the bar doesn't tilt or sway very much. There are foam pads spaced evenly all across the bar that makes it comfortable when doing pulldowns of any grip width. All types of pulldowns (wide grip, close-grip, reverse-grip) felt great, with it being very difficult to squeeze those last few inches to touch the bar on my neck. Triceps pushdowns are also satisfying, with several different methods possible(overhand grip, underhand grip, or disconnecting the bar and using the two regular handles). I will admit I find the 'rubber-band effect' more pronounced with the lat attachment than on the regular Bowflex. This does take some getting used to.
My only complaint about the lat attachment is the one we've read before: the lack of support for the bench press with the tower in place. This is about the only design flaw I've found with this machine, but it is a serious one. The bench is supported only at the very top when the lat attachment is present, and this doesn't sit well with me. I've rendered that situation by constructing my own brace out of 2x4s, in a shape like Stonehenge (TT). I simply attach my brace underneath the (now unused) bench support bracket with a bungee cord, and rest the brace against the higher horizontal bar below the Power Rod box. I realize that Bowflex should have redesigned for this problem, and I fully expect them to rectify this in the future, but in the meantime, it works fine for me. I feel safer using my brace anyway, since my original bench support bracket cracked during a set of bench presses soon after I first got my Bowflex. The replacement part has lasted almost three years though, but still I'd like to see that part improved upon.
I'd recommend getting the lat attachment because it more than doubles the amount of exercises you can do for your back. It also adds biceps and triceps exercises, and has really rejuvenated my workouts with the additional exercises I can now do.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
rocco13
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Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 2 members
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