I just watched this again, love it every time! I was thinking how great it would be to re-purpose this footage for new ads. It’s so retro that it works! For a flashback to 1983……
We’re finally looking into making Soloflex machines again! It may take a few months to begin offering them but now is the time for you to weigh in. What do you think about that idea? Would you change anything about the machine? Do you think we should always offer the classic Soloflex?
We set off last Friday to experiment with the connection points of the new Soloflex machine prototype. We needed to weld ears onto the base for the vertical main frame and front safety legs so we could see how the bolt looked and worked…perfect! On the back brace we decided to use a heavy hinge for easier assembly, it works great too. We also changed the front vertical safety bar to 1 3/4” tubing which makes the safety more rigid, it has a better aesthetic, more symmetrical since it matches the main frame tubing.
After hours of measuring, fine tuning, welding and drilling, it was time for the moment of truth… just how difficult was it going to be to take it apart and put back together and exactly how compact would it be broken down? As luck would have it, break down took us about 5 minutes and putting it back together took even less time, about 3 1/2 minutes. You may think I’m exaggerating but it’s true. We had the unfair advantage of knowing where all the pieces belonged, so to be fair, the average person might spend 15 minutes assembling, including tightening all the bolts!
I was super excited about how compact the machine was disassembled. Laid down flat with all the pieces inside, it measured 42”x46”x 7.5” (round up to a box 4′x4′x 8” thick, not bad!). Unfortunately it came in at a whopping 103lbs! On Wednesday we’re going to experiment with the strength of the steel and connections as it is. We may be able to use thinner walled tubing somewhere? Of course, we’ll never sacrifice quality, strength or safety!
Next step is to have more drawings made once we get it exactly right, then off to the real manufacturing shop to get built and powder coated. It’s going to make it look a heck of a lot prettier!
I’m sorry there are no photos yet. I didn’t have a back up battery for my camera on Friday. Bad planning on my part but I will definitely get some up by Tuesday.
Today we modified the safety to make it adjustable and changed it to round tubing. The adjustments are easy to make, it needs a little more bracing but happy with the way it’s come together so far. We may also change the front vertical safety bar to square tubing for more stability. It’s pretty solid but not good enough yet.
We also changed the back brace to round tubing as it makes a more comfortable step and also allows you to use it for elevated push ups (if there were no plates on the back) and convenient as a hamstring/glute developer. Adding some round tubing generally make the machine better looking, softens it up a bit.
We just drilled out 2 holes for the squat cradle but intend to add more adjustments there, at least 2 or 3 additional locations.
Our next step is to get the connections points correct. This is vital for the feel of the machine and easy assembly. We are thinking that welded ears for the main frame, connected with a heavy bolt through the bottom would be the best. Not unlike the way most heavy duty squat racks are connected. We’ll probably connect the front safety legs the same way.
We’ve gotten some great feed back! Here are the pictures I took this Saturday after we made some changes to the machine.
Tomorrow I’ve got two CrossFit certified trainers coming out to use it and give me their input. I am really interested to hear what they have to say.
I am very grateful for all the comments and good advice so far. I look forward to more ideas flowing in from all of you. If you have an idea, if you know exactly what you want out of a home gym….leave a comment! ;)
After more than 10 years we’re back at it. We’ve come up with a simplified whole body workout machine that’s more functional and easier to use than any machine on the market! Which means it’s easier to get that beautiful, healthy body you’ve always wanted. This machine focuses on the most important weight lifting techniques… free body exercises and squats. It looks basic because it is! This is the piece of equipment you need to get into the best shape of your life – in the least amount of time. Soloflex understands you’re busy and we know after 30 years in the fitness business how to get you toned and feeling great with the fewest amount of exercises in the least amount of time.
With this history in mind, we are proud to introduce the Soloflex Functional Gym. This machine focuses on the best weight lifting exercises ever invented…the squat and the pull up. Just those 2 exercises alone work every muscle in your body, but that’s just the beginning because there’s an almost unlimited number of exercises you can do with this machine. The barbell is tried and true, a classic weight lifting standard because of it’s versatility! Designed to blend into your living room, with this elegant machine you can get a full body workout efficiently, and safely, right at home. You have the pull up bar with a variety of hand grips, squats and limitless barbell exercises too.
There aren’t any pulleys, cables, flexy bars or extensions on this machine because it’s built for real functional training. Designed to be rigid enough for a 250 lb man do do his pull ups without any flex in the machine. The barbell is thick steel tubing for heavy duty squats that you can do in the convenience of your own home. Soloflex has always considered safety the first priority so we fully intend to have a durable and dependable safety strap so you don’t need a spotter. We have several good ideas for how to incorporate a safety strap for your heavy squats and bench presses and are still developing and testing ideas. Let us know if you have any.
This home gym is not going to cost you a small fortune either, unlike our competition, we want to offer the functional gym with barbell and starter weight plates for as little investment as possible! Hopefully less than half of what most home gyms cost today!
This machine is the height and width of your standard door frame (3′ wide x 6’8” tall) and the depth of a typical book shelf or cabinet (18” deep). Constructed out of tough steel, because that’s how we’ve always done it! It’s a sturdy, high quality machine made right here in the US, because that’s how we’ve always done it!
This is the real deal. This machine is for the serious lifter, perfect for doing your CrossFit exercises at home or P90x. It’s also perfect for the novice lifter too. There are numerous ways to modify a pull up, and did we mention that pull ups are the best upper body exercise you can do, and easy to modify! Use just the barbell if you are starting out, you don’t need to add any weight. If you’ve been lifting for years, go ahead, load it up! It’s sturdy enough to use with TRX Straps, resistance bands, rings and a barbell that’s fits standard plates …you name it. You can use all kinds of accessories with this gym.
The Soloflex Functional Gym is easy to assemble unlike those other home gyms that have 16,000 parts ( ok, that’s a slight exaggeration ;) The original Soloflex machine had 3 main pieces. It’s our belief that if a machine is well designed, it’s simple!
We would love to get your feedback as we go. We just built the first macine this week and we love it! Stayed tuned for more photos and updates.
Have you ever noticed the women at the gym in the cardio section, sweating through the agony of a 45 minute run on the treadmill while their untoned arms, legs and bellies strain to keep up? Oh, the pain! It’s a sight all too familiar for those who workout at a gym. If those women spent half that time lifting weights they would be stronger, leaner and prevent injury from high impact exercise, like running. Weight lifting can increase your metabolic rate for as long as 24 hours and cardio exercise only 5-6 hours. I’ll take that extra 15-20 hours of additional calorie burn at no extra charge ;) Yet many women have still not gotten the message. According to the National Center of Health Statistics only about 20 % of women are incorporating resistance training to their workouts. The simple fact is….IF YOU WANT A BEAUTIFUL BODY, YOU MUST LIFT WEIGHTS!
I have complied several articles from very reputable sources. Here are but a few: WomenHealth.com, About.com, WebMD.com, FitnessMagazine.com and Ezinearticles.com.
Send this to your mom, your sister, your aunt, your cousin, neighbor….. help spread the word!
We have been touting the benefits of weight lifting for women since the beginning…….
Damin: The magic happens when the movie captures the imagination and evokes real emotion. Molly may be well intentioned but there is an art to selection. Her intent is pure but her judgment is questionable. I am therefore challenging her to an duel. I know that my top notch capacity for choice shall, through an open and transparent vote, validate the spirit of competition with sweet and lasting bragging rights. I’m sure this could turn into a man vs woman competition but I’d hope to provoke an honest vote. If we are all true to the original challenge…the most inspirational movies of all time…I am going to kick her cute butt!
Molly: It’s been quite the pissing match. I stand by my choices. Tell us which list you think is a better list ;)
Molly’s List……
To Kill a Mocking Bird
In today’s world, the film still offers immense meaning. It’s beautifully haunting and having been made at the height of the Civil Rights movement, it makes us stop and take the time to truly ‘see’ what the human race is and what it can and should be. A touching story of sincere honesty and purpose. The goodness that sits in the hearts and minds of humankind.
Shawshank Redemption
Considered one of the best movies ever made. ..it’s about overcoming all odds, a testament to the human spirit.
Goodwill Hunting
Despite its coarse exterior, Good Will Hunting proves to be a rather positive and motivational movie. Gus Van Sant’s direction… and his excellent style make it a hugely entertaining and effective film.
Romancing the Stone
This was a childhood fav! A high-spirited mix of action, comedy and romance. It one of those rare movies with something for everyone.
A Beautiful Life
Even in the most unbearable circumstances people have an unbelievable capacity for compassion. Benigni’s message, made with sensitivity, is that a child’s innocence is worth protecting.
School of Rock
One of the best comedies for kids in years, I have a ten year old who has watched this at least 20 times. It’s funny and heartfelt and it never sells out. Jack’s exactly like the guy in school that you always wanted to hang out with.
Erin Brockovich
A movie about a seriously crazy woman who hits her stride by trying to make a difference in the world. Entertaining, instructive, emotional and funny.
Shirley Valentine
Shirley’s is not an unfamiliar story, but Shirley is an exceptional person! She’s melancholy, but never self-pitying. She doesn’t just grumble; she smartly observes, wonders, and hopes. She desperately for a change and can’t wait to get away from her abusive husband, but is without the courage to risk it — until a friend wins a trip to Greece, and Shirley flies away.
Schindler’s List
The film is hugely important. The acting is excellent. This is no sudden reversal of philosophy, but a matter of conscience that slowly dawns on the man. With a keen sense of Schindler’s character, Neeson depicts the tranformation from self-centered businessman to a messiah.
Damin’s List………
Rudy
This movie brings tears to Damin’s eyes every time he sees it. It really is a heart warming flick. The scrawny kid who never gets to play until the last down of the last game. The only player in Notre Dame history who got carried of the field by his team mates.
Braveheart
Braveheart’s a true epic, even if it is both bloody and bloody long. For pure, “guy flick” grandeur, few movies can touch this one.
Hoosiers
One of the greatest sports movies ever made! Basketball movies don’t get any better. The movie works the underdog formula so expertly that it’s no surprise the film still has the ability to make this list.
Gladiator
It’s just one of those movies, they don’t make anymore. Gladiator is a guts and glory epic with swords and sandals, spectacular action sequences, a seriously good hero.
Victory
An exciting World War II action film. It’s a rousing soccer game where a prisoner of war, once a member of the German national soccer team, decides to put together a soccer match between a team of Allied prisoners.
Rocky
It’s essentially a fairy tale about a down-and-out tough guy who gets a chance at the fight of a lifetime, and, at the same time, wins the girl. Rocky certainly didn’t invent all the sports movie clichés but it applied them in a way that captivated audiences and didn’t seem over-the-top. Just about every film featuring a big sports comeback has been inspired by and/or compared to Rocky.
Miracle
It’s a great sports movie that recreates an amazing moment in sports history with no frills. Thumbs up for this uplifting and inspirational movie about one of the great upsets in sports history.
Karate Kid
A great underdog story, and you gotta love the flying crane. The Karate Kid belongs so irredemiably to its time that you can’t feel anything other than affection toward it.
Silverado
An awesome western that never got the recognition it deserved. A sweeping, glorious-looking western that’s at least a full generation removed from the classic films it brings to mind.
The Natural
Well done with feeling and sincerity that really captures the mystique of old time baseball. Arguably the best baseball movie ever made.
Animal House
Obscene, absurd and hilarious. Animal House is a genre classic. This was the first of those crazy college movies and remains, in most ways, the best.
1) 46 Million American have NO health insurance.
2) 9.4 Million children have No health insurance.
3) Insurance costs are outpacing income by eight-fold.
4) Every year one Million Americans lose their coverage.
5) The cost of health care causes bankruptcy every 30 seconds.
6) By the end of 2009 1.5 Million people are going to lose their homes due to illness.
7) America spends twice as much per person on health care as other rich countries.
8) Americans spent $2.2 Trillion on health care in 2008.
9) 1/3 of the US population under age 65 has NO health insurance.
10) US Health care costs are twice the GDP of India.
11) Americans life expectancy is 2 years less than Europeans.
12) Projected health care costs by 2012 are $3.1 Trillion a year.
13) Health care cost are 4 times higher than our national defense.
14) America spent 17% of it’s GDP on health care in 2008.
15) By 2017 Americans will be spending 20% of GDP on health care.
17) Premiums for employer based health care went up by 5% in 2008, small employers premiums went up 5.5%, small business with less than 24 workers went up 6.8%.
18) Annual premiums for family coverage eclipsed the gross earnings for a full time, minimum wage worker ($10, 712) per year.
19) Health insurance is the fastest growing expense cost component for employers, health care costs will over take profits.
20) Health insurance premiums have grown four times faster than wages.
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.
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