It is good for what it is
Written: May 26 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Simple, elegantly designed machine that fits in a small footprint.
Cons: An expensive, less effective replacement for freeweights.
The Bottom Line: It's an excellent machine if you fall in its target market. If you're looking to be the next Arnold, bite the bullet and go with free weights instead.
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| slantyyz's Full Review: Soloflex |
I picked up a used Soloflex off eBay for a more than reasonable price. I like it and doubt that I will ever part with it, but I would have been less likely to buy it at full price.
Soloflex and all other "alternative resistance" machines get a lot of flack from freeweight purists. Here's the bottom line - Soloflex will never be quite as effective as free weights, but if used regularly and properly, Soloflex can help you get fit.
First off, a concession: yes, free weights are cheaper and more effective. Soloflex isn't a replacement for free weights. Soloflex is ideal for the following types of people:
1 - Limited space
2 - Don't want to deal with free weights
3 - Have modest "growth" plans, i.e. you don't expect to look like Arnold
4 - Don't like going to a gym for whatever reason - time, self-esteem, etc.
5 - Don't mind spending extra money to satisfy the above criteria.
You can get fit with a Soloflex, and you can make some modest muscle gains. I'm sure the Soloflex spokesmodels look the way they do thanks to freeweights. The same would apply to the spokesmodels for other alternative resistance products like the Bowflex and the Crossbow. I'm not going to really spend time comparing it with Bowflex and Crossbow, since each machine has its own tradeoffs. The Bowflex and Crossbow target the same market as the Soloflex, although I have heard they have a larger footprint.
For those keeping track, the main difference between Soloflex and the Bowflex/Crossbow is that the Bowflex/Crossbow are cable and pulley oriented. You can get better range of motion with the Bowflex/Crossbow. The resistance is likely to feel the same across all three machines. One of the best things about the Soloflex is that it is also a "power tower" in that you can do chins and dips with it. Bowflex and Crossbow don't offer that. Soloflex also has the much touted floating barbell arm. The Soloflex also has a nice esthetic appeal, if that matters to you.
I look at the Soloflex this way - it's easy to use, it's only seconds away, and it works. As long as you're committed to staying fit, the Soloflex can help. If I had free weights, I'd probably stop using them fairly quickly. I just don't _enjoy_ using them. And that's the lynchpin. If my only choice was free weights, I probably wouldn't work out.
A Soloflex and a set of dumbbells (I use Powerblocks - they're great) would probably provide you with a more than adequate workout if your goal is to stay fit.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
slantyyz
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Reviews written: 1
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