SOLOFLEX - 20 Years Later
Written: Feb 16 '07 (Updated Mar 30 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Basic exercises, no spotter, Progressive resistance, Free-Body Exercises, Floating Arm.
Cons: Leg Extension attachment non-adjustable. WeightStraps are VERY expensive to replace.
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended. Soloflex provides a safe, effective workout for years. Well worth the price tag.
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| smithshaven's Full Review: Soloflex |
I've been using a Soloflex Muscle Machine for twenty years.
The Soloflex machine has been around since 1978... and pretty much has stayed the same - give or take a few comfort related improvements - and the added Butterfly and Leg Extension attachments... which are not completely necessary to get a full workout, but I recommend them.
The Machine: The Frame and parts are either powder-coated Black or Stainless Steel and are very durable as well as elegant.
The self-skinned black rubber bench is very comfortable and easy to clean as well as expensive looking/feeling.
Most all edges on the entire machine are nice to the touch and very detail oriented.
The Machine itself really only has one bolt that puts it together. They even provide the two box-wrenches you need to tighten it. You then just position the Floating Barbell Arm, and the Bench.
This machine seems like it was designed to sit in a corner, and works great there as well. Soloflex's footprint is only 4 ft by 4 ft. But with the Leg Extension mounted, it's 4 ft by 6ft.
Using the Machine: I've always liked the way this machine feels and functions. Compared to gym machines, the Soloflex is much more simple to use. No cables to adjust or locking pull-knobs under every nook-and-cranny.
The SOLOFLEX really only has three very simple pins to reposition to perform most of the exercises... only moving them up or down the back of the Main-Frame.
All three Pins are large and easy to handle (even for my wife) - roughly the diameter of a roll of pennies.
The Floating Barbell Arm is VERY unique. It floats and rocks side-to-side forcing YOU to provide the support to keep it balanced and in control through the range of motion. So your weak side catches up with your strong side.
Your hand spacing is virtually unlimited along the bar which gives more options for comfort.
This very same Floating Barbell Arm also has the dual purpose of providing you with Free-Body exercises; Pull-ups, sit-ups, and dips... gymnastic type exercises.
Not many other home machines provide this option.
The SOLOFLEX difference: Soloflex provides Compound exercises -- Old-Fashioned Weight-lifting type exercises - the ones that really can change your physique in whole. Because most all of the exercises work large muscle groups together, which can make for a much more muscle-building/strengthening, fat-burning workout.
The Soloflex WeightStraps provide a unique resistance that feels great. The resistance matches your strength as you push, pull, or press through an exercise forcing you to keep working hard, and has a non-jarring feel to it as you work through the exerises.
With Free-weights, the starting point is the hardest point on most movements - which is why a spotter is a must for safety. With Soloflex there's no spotter required.
The change-overs are pretty fast once you're accustomed. I think of it as an active rest between exercises. Most change-overs take around 30 seconds.
The Butterfly and Leg Extension attachments are heavy. While not a problem for me, my wife had a hard time at first attaching the Butterfly. She doesn't anymore though.
The Leg Extension could greatly benefit from being adjustable to fit different users length. I've had friends who were over 6 ft. tell me this. I'm a hair under 6 ft and never noticed.
My machine still looks great after all these years of use. It has wear, and scratches, but it doesn't take away from its looks at all.
It really does provide an effective, safe workout and I'll keep using mine for years to come.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
smithshaven
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Reviews written: 1
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