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.
July 16, 2009 at 12:18 pm
This is awesome! Do you think you could also invent a machine that can feed me bacon while I’m doing arm curls?
But really, good job Molly.
July 16, 2009 at 2:28 pm
That is the coolest thing, I want one!!
July 16, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Another example of why Soloflex is the best in the business. I look forward to having the Soloflex Lift as part of my home gym.
July 17, 2009 at 6:40 am
Congratulations Molly…you did it! It looks simply amazing. I am so happy for you and your family. Feels like the veteran rock star coming out with another new hit song for a new generation. Very exciting. To celebrate and congratulate you, this morning I purchased in your name Molly Wilson: http://www.soloflexlift.com. Although you may not use this domain name, it should be in your possession. You created this machineonline right before our very eyes. You’ll be getting an email this morning from Web.com to confirm that you own it. I look forward to purchasing your new machine when it hits the market. Maybe when the activities of the new launch settle down, I would love to share some new ideas that I think will compliment the direction you’re taking Soloflex. Awesome Job…and yes, I am Soloflex’s biggest fan. Congratulations Molly and the entire Wilson Family!
July 19, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I just don’t agree with the other posters, I don’t see the innovation or the simplicity of the new machine. It has nothing that made the original Soloflex original. With the lift; I don’t see anything new. I see bunch of parts and bolts that have to put together just to perform a few exercise. This machine does not fit in the corner of my room like my Soloflex. I don’t see the overall safety of lifting a barbell over my head and doing lunges to failure.
July 19, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I second the bacon feature! But seriously, this nails it, Molly and the team have quite literally raised the bar. Form follows function, and this machine drives you to maintain proper form, the foundation of injury prevention for any exercise regimen. And even if you couldn’t tuck it in a closet, who cares? The goal is to make this an integral part of your life’s routine, something as regular as reading your paper or having a coffee. As I’ve come to expect, Soloflex is the game changer yet again.
July 20, 2009 at 1:30 am
I love it! I hope my gym at the Ardea get’s one soon. I would like to try using this with the Soloflex WBV and I would also use it as a stretching station which is an becoming an increasingly big part of my workout.
The greatest innovation here is the inclusion of the on-line fitness community in the R&D process. Your on-line collaboration model will likely be the future of product development. Keep up the great work and congratulations on yet another great Soloflex product!
July 20, 2009 at 7:43 am
I hope it is a commercial success.
July 21, 2009 at 6:58 am
Thank you for all the kind words. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
Rob- You have out done yourself again. I appreciate the website, we may need it.
Dan & Brennan- No eating while working out. You’ll get cramps ;)
Ignacio- The machine has 8 bolts and we timed the assembly at 4 minutes. Many people prefer to use free weights. Now Soloflex offers both, nothing wrong with covering all the bases.
Ezra- You are the coolest thing!
July 21, 2009 at 11:59 am
Only 8 bolts and only minutes to assemble; sounds good. I’m confident that it will be a solid machine since it comes from you, but I’m not sure who is the audience. For Gym use? People with a garage? Spare room? It does not look like the classic Soloflex that one can fit in the corner of the room next to your bed. I personally use free weights with the classic Soloflex or in combination for extra pounds. I really think you guys should take advantage of the new generation and re-launch the classic Soloflex. Refurbished models are a great first step.
Is Jerry planning any book tour or talk shows?
July 21, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Beauty in simplicity is what I would say about this machine and the spots.
July 21, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Molly,
I guess my comments were too strong and painfully correct, seeing you pulled them from July 17th. Hopefully I saved you before you begin shipping and marketing the Lift across all platforms. You have got to be open more to real constructive criticism than embracing all the praise from those that just want to kiss your ring finger. What you’re going to find out is that the Lift is not the game-changer you think it is. It is going to go the way of all the others before it that do the same thing your model does. Yours is not the Soloflex I envisoned as a revolutionary idea back in 1978. You’re not even close to 1998.
I challenge you to embrace the view of those that do not agree with you and consider the strength of differing opinions, not just those who agree with you and make you look good. Jerry I hope is coaching you through this. Have the guts to publish differing opinions; if your ideas can make the grade, your unit will sell like hotcakes. If it is flawed, like the Lift is, then you will thank me before you invest serious capital only to watch it burn (or melt) before your eyes.
I would LOVE to get behind your product and rave about it. You’re not there yet with this one. I don’t want to see you fail Molly. I just think you’re moving ahead too hastily without doing our homework. The Rockit was a strong “other-worldly” follow-up effort, after the Soloflex set the gold standard during its debut. The dumbell concept was taken to the next level, and I was quoted in Jerry’s literature raving about it. A rotating barbell concept? Superb and unthought of at the time. The Soloflex Lift? A caged metallic re-wrap of left over steel perhaps from Hillsboro?
It’s your money Molly. I’ll stick with exercise machine innovation and true genius instead. I’m saving my money.
Dave
July 21, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Dave
Besides the total crack pots, of which there have only been a couple, I have never deleted a comment. Good or bad. I understand the importance of showing all sides. I like the debate. If everyone thought the same thing, life would be pretty damn boring.
I decided not to include your comment because it wasn’t just constructive criticism. When you make unnecessary comments about the talent, which has nothing to do with this conversation, it goes too far.
You are totally entitled to your opinion. As long as you want to keep it civil, I appreciate all your comments.
July 23, 2009 at 11:45 am
I have to agree with Dave on this one. I really don’t think people need another lifting station. While the new LIFT might be easier to set up it doesn’t fulfill the same niche as the original Soloflex. Remember, folk will have to buy the LIFT and then purchase all of their own weights and bars which will add to the price of the LIFT.
It really is time to reintroduce the original Soloflex to a new generation. Perhaps even adding better free weight support to the device.
I cannot any way of adding the new LIFT to my home. My Soloflex fits perfect in my small office. With the LIFT it seems an entire room would need to be dedicated to it.
I had hoped Soloflex would reclaim its original fame and quality, but with the dropping of the Soloflex Muscle Machine and reducing the warranty to 1 year from 5 years doesn’t inspire much confidence.
It would be nice if the compound barbell was sold again. I gave mine to a family member and regret it every day. That barbell was wonderful.
July 23, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Apple Computer makes equipment for communications and information.
Each product category addresses end-user needs and wants:
-Apple I-Mac (Desktop Computer)
-Apple MacBook Pro (Portable Computer)
-Apple I-Pod (Portable Music Device)
-Apple I-Phone (Portable-All Purpose Device)
Each of these serves a unique need based on end-user preference.
Soloflex makes workout equipment for lifting weights at home.
Each product category addresses end-user needs and wants:
-Soloflex Classic (Unique Resistance Band-Multi-Purpose Gym)
-Soloflex Handweights (Portable-Free Weights-Gym in Your Hands)
-Soloflex WBV (Device to Enhance Workouts)
-Soloflex Lift (Multi-Purpose Free Weight/Free Body Gym)
Each of these serves a unique need based on end-user preference.
I work at a college. Last night, I met with 25 student athletes, who are training for their fall sports programs. I asked them to provide me with the exercise program they are working on for summer conditioning provided by their college coaches. They listed the following 9:
1. Squats (3 Sets)
2. Lunges (3 Sets)
3. Chin-Ups (3 Sets)
4. Pull-Ups (3 Sets)
5. Dips (3 Sets)
6. Bench Press (3 Sets)
7. Military Press (3 Sets)
8. Bicep Curls (3 Sets)
9. Run (3 miles)
When I showed them a picture of the new Soloflex Machine 22 out of 25 all wanted this machine. They said they would want this for 3 primary reasons:
1. Functionality of the device…free weights and body exercises.
2. Minimal Set-Up Time
3. They thought it looked cool…they loved the simple black color
and the lines of the machine.
The other 2 student athletes said they really do not like working out at home…rather go to a gym.
I than showed them a picture of the Bowflex Machine. Only 1 out of 25 said they would want this machine.
As I drove home, I couldn’t help but think that the new Soloflex would not only meet the needs of these young student athletes, but would also get the job done with very minimal reconfigurations. I also feel like their 9 exercise conditioning program sounds like a winner. I want to start doing it!
Bottom line…the product offerings of a company in 2009 has to come from LISTENING to end-user needs. Here is some proof that the Soloflex Team did their homework.
July 25, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I am a longtime owner and usser of various Soloflex products. All my equipment has served me very well and aged most gracefully. I’m glad to see Soloflex is introducing a new product. If it’s Soloflex you can be sure it’s the very best!
July 26, 2009 at 6:42 am
I watched the two videos and noticed that when your model/actors were doing the free-body exercises such as dips and chin ups the LIFT wiggled quite a bit. Is this expected in the final product or will the structural integrity be greater than that shown in the videos? The wiggle/wobble concerns me.
July 26, 2009 at 7:59 am
The Sololfex Lift in the videos was the first prototype made, there are a few kinks in that machine. I’ve had the machine at the fabricators for a couple of weeks now to address some issues. We walked through the concerns I had, one being the slight wobble during pull ups and dips. After several meetings and minor modifications, we’re ready to roll. We only had a couple of 10lb and 5lb plates racked in that shot, a lot less than you would typically have on a squat rack. It works great without plates but once you rack some weight on the machine, it’s not going anywhere. Specifically, we placed one extra bolt through the main frame where the top and bottom section connect, going the opposite direction. It cured the extra play I didn’t want in the machine.
Like the classic Soloflex, if you swing all your body weight on the machine, it will move slightly. It’s impossible to eliminate this movement completely unless we made the machines extremely heavy. The Lift feels stable and strong because it’s made with thick steel tubing, but getting the movement out 100% is impossible and was never the goal.
July 27, 2009 at 6:01 am
Bob has it right. Different strokes for different folks. I look at my Soloflex machine and think of different ways to use it ala Dinjin1963 (Mr. Soloflex Hybrid). I would consider buying the Lift just for a different type of workout using a barbell for squats and bench press’. Or maybe it’s like buying a new pair of shoes or in my case another guitar or amplifier.
However, the price has to be VERY REASONABLE and competitive. There are a lot of companies out there selling good products and others such as Power Blocks and Ironman that sell dumbbells for ridiculously high prices. Their logic is if you bought seperate dumbbells it would cost and arm and a leg. These guys are charging a leg. Profit is good, it keeps the economy going but let’s be realistic. You can price yourself out of business.
I once bought a Nautilus smith machine from Costco for $300 that originally sold for $999. I sold it for what I paid after I realized it wasn’t for me. How much did Costco pay for this machine? My only regret is at the same time they had a set of dumbbells from 5-50 or 65 lbs with a rack for the same price. That would have been a score. Sometimes bigger is not better.
I wish you luck Molly and don’t hype the Lift too much. You have a captive audience here and we are pulling for you. Keep it relevent.
There’s a whole other world out there that may not be as friendly as we are.
July 28, 2009 at 11:58 am
I’ve looked everywhere on this site, where is the video of the Soloflex Lift?? I can’t find it anywhere, all I see are the two photos in this thread, but want to see more.
July 28, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Molly,
Does Soloflex have any intention of constructing more of the Soloflex compound barbell as well as the taller free-weight bench? All I see are the short benches that have the vibration device attached. Thanks.
August 2, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Um, so this new product is a half rack, right? Okay, that’s great, but from the looks of it, it’s pretty shakey just from the pullups and lightweight squats being done on it!
Not good, Soloflex. If you want to get back in the game, look at Ironmind.com, then do their products at half the cost.
August 6, 2009 at 11:03 am
Looks good and I can’t wait to see and hear more about this product. Seems you have created a rack that is of better quality than what is available at the “big box” stores. Yet it isn’t overly big as some of the commercial racks can be. This should do well with the targeted consumers that it is aimed for, those that want quality exercise equipment and that aren’t looking to be bodybuilders.
August 27, 2009 at 2:25 am
What is the weight capacity on the lift?