Crossbow vs. Bowflex vs. Bandflex
Written: Oct 12 '03 (Updated Apr 17 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great workout, all accessories, price and smooth control.
Cons: welds!!! form on some exercises, no squat station like the BOWFLEX SPORT
The Bottom Line: Crossbow - good machine at reasonable price. Bowflex - go bowflex if you want a great machine and now price is less of a concern.
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| czkid76's Full Review: Weider Crossbow Platinum Home Gym |
So far I have tried all three products over the course of many months/years. Initially, I made first contact with the Bowflex Power Pro through a friend. I can not tell you how impressed I was with the quality of the workout and gym. After buying my new house I decided to go out and get myself a gym like the Bowflex. Instead of buying the Bowflex I opted for a Bandflex machine because I store the gym outside. Another great machine, but certainly not a Bowflex. I kept this machine for a total of two months before I started seeing wear on the resistance bands. The second factor was that in several exercises I actually was at the maximum resistance afforded by a bandflex machine. Since the machine can not be upgraded I moved on to the Crossbow. Why not the Bowflex? Price! I could not stomache paying $1,500 for a machine that would sit outside in Humid Florida weather. Two months with the Bandflex and some small rust spots already started to form. The Crossbow is Great! No doubt it is a very close runner up to the Bowflex machine. The biggest advantages the bowflex has over the crossbow are quality construction and more familiar workout positions (i.e. a leg curl is somewhat hard to do at full resistance with the crossbow and bandflex. Squats are easier to perform on the bowflex, and so on). However, this limitation is only on a few positions and with some creative spirit you might find you can get the right work out using a different form than manufactor suggestions. (UPDATE) A buddy on my suggestion purchased the Bowflex Extreme ( I feel bad because here it is a few months after and now they have an Extreme2) and we hooked the machine up. I have nothing to say but AWESOME. I think BOWFLEX realized people were bringing into their market and is now fighting back with some great packages. So here is my break down:
Crossbow: Good home gym, would recommend to those not looking to spend a lot of money or just beginning the home workout craze. Lots of Fun! (UPDATE) BOWFLEX has changed their line up of home gyms. The Crossbow is almost an exact replica of the original Bowflex machines (type in Schwinn bowflex classic on google and you will find pictures of the original machine). Now bowflex has gone back to their basics and enhanced the total package for a basic home gym. The new line consolidated the Power Pro and Motivator models into the Bowflex Sport. Included is everything you would get on the Crossbow, plus a squat station. No more extra for lat tower, etc.. etc. The website is showing a price of $800.00! At this point I have to say it is worth the extra 3 bills for a bowflex. It is simply a matter of quality of assembly and parts used to build the machine.
Size: largest of the bow machine... still stores easily, but you may need an extra foot of play room.
Resistance: Good, just like the other Bow machines. Suggest the upgraded weight right off the bat. I went with just a 100lbs upgrade and still can run wild on the leg press. (UPDATE) Testing the BOWFLEX EXTREME you notice a big difference in resistance. the EXTREME seems to give you a more realistic feeling of lifting 100lbs.
Ease of use: Great, I have the newer model and it is smooth in all respects.
Construction: I used to weld metal and I think the welds are adequate but lacking some integrity. The seatback also could use some extra support.
Putting it together: takes about 4 hours give or take. I put mine together in the evenings after work and just did it a little at a time. Follow the advice of others and familiarize yourself with the parts/instructions. The sizes are not all to scale in the instructions, but common sense will help you determine the difference between a 10m x 104mm carriage bolt and 10m x 114mm carriage bolt.
Bowflex: I suggest this machine for those people serious about working out from home. It is expensive, but the bowflex guys put a lot of time and thought into how you perform each exercise on this machine. It is still my favorite, but only looses due to price! (UPDATE) The machines now start with a better than good model at $800. I believe price should be less of an issue now when you take into perspective the quality of the machines. Bowflex puts a lot more thought into solid construction.
Size: same footprint as the bandlfex, about 2' x 2' stored roughly.
Resistance: Good, some argue the bows do not give good resistance like free weights. I argue they need to work on form! Again, don't wait to upgrade the weight.
Ease of use: Good, I obviously prefer this to the crossbow. It just seems like they played around more with how to get you into the proper form for each exercise. However, I will again state that it is only on a few exercises that you give up the best proper form. Is it worth the extra money for you to have better form on 4 or 5 exercises?
Construction: No real after thoughts here. I still think the back rest could have a better frame for more support. Other than that each exercise really seems to allow for you to use the proper form.
Putting it together: Can not offer advice here. It was my friends machine and I never helped him put it together. He mentioned it came together quick and was suprised it took me four hours to get my machine together.
Bandflex: I would only recommend to people looking to tone the body. Someone who is not sure about how serious they are regarding follow through. Someone who is still far from needing very heavy resistance.
Size: easily could fit in any home!
Resistance: Caps out at 260lbs resistance =( You could cheat and buy only the heavier resistance bands. However, this would limit your range and the machine may not be built to handle the extra stress. extra bands are something like $10.00 a piece online, cheap=)
Ease of use: My wife always had me switch the bands for her! She felt afraid to switch the bands. Second, the machine is not as sturdy as the others in this review. The pulleys are cheap plastic, handles were cheap, Seat was cheap. Good maybe for young adults and others just starting out. Moving from exercise to exercise was pretty easy!
Construction: Welds were better than on the crossbow (shame, shame). All other parts work well, but the quality is cheap. Hence the $310 price tag for the machine with shipping costs.
putting it together: Came together very easily, still took 3 hours do to the number of parts. The instructions for the screws, bolts, etc.. are all to scale so figurig out what screw goes where was easier than with the crossbow (shame, shame, shame).
Final thoughts: if you have the money and will use the machine go with a Bowflex. I imagine some people have bad things to say about the bowflex. My experience says this is the best machine overall. Crossbow is the second best, being a loyal bowflex fan I have no regrets for getting the Crossbow, price for me then was more of an issue. Bandflex is really a good starter machine, but if you are past that stage come up and play on a Bowflex or Crossbow. (UPDATE) Again with the new pricing on the BOWFLEX Sport machine. If the model was available when I bought I would easily have gone with the BOWFLEX SPORT over the CROSSBOW.
Also, do not believe the hype!!! If you are over weight and trying to loose pounds it will not all shed overnight. Unless you are out there working hard and staying on a strict diet of high protein and low carbs don't expect to burn more than 20 lbs in 6 weeks. 20 lbs is about right if you are following a good plan! If you have a bad diet and work out regularly it will help, but only in small amounts. I am tired of hearing people complain about not getting anything out of these machines. Practice form and monitor your diet. Everything else will fall into place, I promise! If you are dropping 2 - 3 pounds a week you are doing a terrific job! In some cases you may not see a huge difference because you are building muscle that offsets the fat loss! Second, you could develop the ripped body on these machine. But it takes more than 6 weeks. Keep working on it and set a realistic goal!! you can get there!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
czkid76
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 1 member
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