The Soloflex Story
Soloflex revolutioned the home fitness industry with the introduction of the Soloflex Muscle Machine in 1978.
Read more about Soloflex’s values, history, and plans for the future.
Archive for July, 2009
The Classic Soloflex Is Back!
We will be offering the original Soloflex next month with the launch of our new website. We have been energized by all of your comments. We know we can bring the classic Soloflex to a new generation of users. Perhaps with a greater emphasis on the free weight options. I think that producing a few commercials in the same style as the hybrid videos, would be a huge success. There really is no better, safer alternative to barbell exercises than the original Soloflex. We are launching a few ads on cable for our WBV platform and the Lift, but also look forward to relaunching what is the best and most versatile home gym ever created. Thank you for all the support and encouragement!
Another great review!
Some days, getting the mail here at the Soloflex office is a lot of fun. We’ve gotten so many great letters over the years and I’d like to share one of the latest. This man is an inspiration, he’s been exercising and eating right for decades!
To all the Good People at Soloflex:
I want to thank all of you for the profoundly positive impact you’ve had on my life. I bought my Soloflex exercise machine in 1984, and I’ve used it everyday for the last 25 years. It is one of the main reasons I’m in excellent health as I approach my 69th birthday.
My body is in perfect shape! I have the muscle-tone of a strong, healthy 25 year-old. My Soloflex, which has become a dear, dear friend, has repaid the money I paid for it thousandfold. I bless the day so long ago that I saw your advertisement and decide to respond to it. It was truly a Wise Choice Day.
I’ve made similar Wise Choices. I’ve been a non-drinking vegetarian for 32 years. I eat mostly organic living foods, and drink about a gallon of home-distilled water each day. I meditate, walk on the nearby beach, exercise regularly, and am in bed every night by 10 p.m. God has blessed me abundantly.
And the Soloflex you made for me has been one of the memorable blessings of my long and contented life. Thank you for this life-enhancing product which you made available to me and others. I am in your collective debt, and consider you kindred spirits.
I wish all of the people at Soloflex the very best of all the good things Life has to give!
Blessings & Deep Gratitude,
Owen M. Delray Beach, Florida
Thank you for the great letter, Owen! Keep up the good work.
Introducing the Soloflex Lift
Check out Jerome. http://gallery.me.com/phoenixfilmz/100497
Check out Jen. http://gallery.me.com/phoenixfilmz#100485
These commercials are still in progress. We plan on adding text at the beginning and end with a brief description of the machine and the name. I was just so anxious to share them that I couldn’t wait ;-)
Thank you so much for all the input about the name! We got over 50 comments on that post and SOLOFLEX LIFT won hands down.
We are very, very close to launching this machine but we want it to be just right. We’re working diligently with our fabricators and suppliers to make sure that when you receive it, it’s perfect! It should be available on our new website, which is scheduled to be launched at the beginning of August.
Let us know what you’re thinking. Your input is extremely valuable to us.
All the best,
Molly
Special thanks to Gerding Edlen Development for allowing us to film at the beautiful Cyan apartment building, downtown Portland, Or.
7 Great Tips For Healthful Weight Loss
The latest reports show that 2/3 of American adults are overweight or obese. As a result, we suffer health problems like diabetes and heart disease. The most common reasons we struggle with our weight:
1. Not doing the right kind of exercising. Exercises that build muscle are critical. Strength training keeps your metabolism going strong.
2. Not doing enough exercise. The body is designed to move, to work. Take the stairs, bend over and pick up trash, pull weeds, climb trees, play tag, make love; whatever you can do to activate your body. Becoming more physically active not only burns calories, it improves energy levels, sleep and mood.
3. Don’t drink soda pop. Eliminate it entirely from you life. In one study, researchers removed only one food item from the subject’s diets. Soda pop was the only removed item that caused weight loss. Avoid anything containing HFCS, High Fructose Corn Syrup. It’s in many prepackaged foods, even some breads.
4. Eating the wrong foods. Avoid sugar and anything made with refined flour. When you want something sweet, eat fruit. Eat a LOT of vegetables but avoid creamy dressings. Eat meat sparingly. Eat whole grain breads and cereals. Eat slowly. Eat with family or friends when possible. Don’t fight at the dinner table; a habit in too many families. Don’t eat in front of the TV, although that’s better than stabbing each other with forks should the conversation heat up.
5. Eating too much. That’s so obvious but everyone needs to know how much is too much. It’s a lot less than most people think. One thing that helps is to use smaller plates and bowls. Here’s a rule of thumb (not the rule that you can’t beat your wife with a stick bigger around than your thumb): Half your meal should be vegetables, a quarter protein and a quarter whole grains or starch (potatoes/pasta/bread).
6. Get enough sleep. The connection between sleeping more and weighing less is well established.
7. Do not go on rigid diets. Very low calorie diets lower one’s metabolism by causing the body to lose muscle, thus gain fat on fewer calories. Low calorie diets don’t work. Diets that eliminate entire categories of foods can lead to vitamin deficiencies. Fast food dining should be avoided. Take pleasure in preparing fresh locally grown foods and eating with friends and family.
Why Would Anyone Buy A Bowflex?
We have been in business since 1978. In that time we have never had a major safety issue with our machines…sure an occasional stubbed toe. A tripping hazard, maybe? Major and repeated recalls, never!
For the last 30 years there have only been 2 major players in the home weight lifting industry, Soloflex and Bowflex. They couldn’t be more different. The Bowflex record speaks for itself. When I got the idea to write this post, I googled the term, ‘Bowflex recalls’, and holy crap, there were pages of information! I literally saw dozens of articles on their recalls, injury hotlines, and attorneys soliciting business from injured Bowflex owners. In 2004 alone, there were 800,000 Bowflex machines recalled. It’s amazing to me that with all this damaging information about how poorly constructed and dangerous they are, people still buy them! Unbelievable.
We have never considered Bowflex to be anywhere near the same quality as a Soloflex. We feel sorry for people who have gotten duped into buying one, only to realize how cheaply made they are, BUT cheap they are not! The Bowflex costs nearly $3000 bucks! The Bowflex is made in China, I’m guessing that’s a seriously healthy mark up.
The bigger point folks, is that a Bowflex is not real weight lifting equipment! Soloflex products are made from 100% steel, always made in the USA and have a awesome reputation for being durable and ageless in design. There are 25 year old Soloflex’s bought and sold on Ebay, that speaks volumes about the quality! I think it’s a safe bet that all Bowflex machines will be in a landfill 25 years from now.
At Soloflex we get regular calls from disgruntled Bowflex customers. The problem they have is this, Bowflex likes to come up with a new fancy design every few years. The problem is that they discontinue making the parts for retired models. In some cases, if you own a Bowflex that’s only a few years old, there’s no way to buy replacement parts if something breaks. Soloflex on the other hand, is still in the business of providing excellent customer service to people who bought their Soloflex machines in 1978. We still sell all the parts for the Soloflex and every other machine we’ve ever made. We don’t believe in planned obsolescence.
All good (and bad) things must come to an end eventually. Speaking of the end, I’ve noticed that Nautilus stock is plummeting month after month. I think Bowflex’s time is just about up. Maybe they need one more recall to finally call it quits. It shouldn’t take long.
And that’s how I see it, how about you?
New Soloflex Models Chosen for CrossFit Games 2009
We had a video shoot with Jen and Jerome this last Friday for the new Soloflex machine. The footage looks awesome! They’re off the Aromas, CA next weekend for the CrossFit Games, the only 2 qualifiers from Oregon.
Link to Video of Jen and Jerome training http://gallery.me.com/phoenixfilmz#100481