Dr. Mercola currently runs the #1 natural health website in the world. He researches and does his own studies on all aspects of health and fitness. We love showing his posts because they are so well done and very informative. To read this great article on the need to reach muscle failure through high intensity cardio and muscular workouts please click here.
We have received the funnest email from a long time customer recently and I feel like sharing it with you. He is a delight to talk to and has also sent us some great photos, that his wife took, that I would also like to share. He looks great for any age.
Here are the emails……
You have any promotional use, quite aside from mere and exceedingly mild curiosity, in a pix of a naked-to-the-waist, firm and muscled (but not a body builder) 76-year-old male who credits 20 years of Soloflex usage three times a week for his appearance and, at last report, good health? That is I (me). If not, NO NEED TO REPLY. If yes, I will require my wife’s technological skills to take the pix on her irritating I-phone and transmit it on this infernal computer, so there would be some delay. I am David N. Mitchell, and I live in Santa Fe, N.M., and am very old. The question arose in my increasingly demented mind when I took off my t-shirt upon arising this morning, looked in the bathroom mirror and said to my 5-foot-9, 156-pound self, “self, that’s pretty good for a codger.” I then began my (your) machine workout, which took 90 minutes and still needs three sets of tricep effort to be complete.
all of which is far more than anybody making a living at Soloflex should have to read. So don’t, Oops, too late. Sorry. As the cliche has it, have a good day. I (we) must go to a neighborhood party this evening, a fate not to be wished, at least by me, and which precludes a nice day.
dm
Courtesy of my amused but tolerant and skilled spouse, here are a couple of photos, taken today, Monday, of me at age 76. Looking at these, I realize that I am not remotely as lovely as I thought I was, and I will not be emotionally damaged if you and your fellow employees of Soloflex have a good laugh before destroying them and sending me a nice, thoughtful, courteous, well-meaning but in-the-end untrue thank- you note. I fear the dog, who was at my feet during this absurd posturing, did not show up in full fur, but he still looked a lot better than I do.
dave mitchell
I noted to him in my email that we were most interested in his photos and so glad I did. I want to publicly thank Mr. Mitchell for taking the time to use the Soloflex and to share it with us. He is proof that if you use it you will not loose it. Exercising is the best medicine we can offer ourselves. Keep up the great work and enjoy your many years to come. Thank you wife too for her amazing photography skills. 
A couple of very important dates were not mentioned in Part I of the Soloflex history. Let’s begin there.
The Super Bowl ads began running in 1985 and were run again in 1987 and 1995. These were the most expensive forms of advertising for any business and absolutely the most expensive advertising Soloflex had ever done. These ads on the Super Bowls were huge for Soloflex. Just like any company would dream of, these launched the Soloflex world into more homes than any other type of advertising could do. One of the ads was just mentioned in US Today’s “Sexy” Super Bowl ads. These were fantastic ads. Soloflex has been a leader in putting sexy in advertising and that is one aspect about the company that will never change. Soloflex took the body beautiful exposed out of the motorcycle world and put it in over 10 million house holds.
By late 1991 Soloflex was running two shifts just to keep up with the demand. Their advertising agency, 53rd Street Advertising, was putting out some of the most popular ads of the day. Sexy, Sexy, Sexy. These ads were in major magazines, television and newspapers. By the end of the 90′s television was soon to end however. Ad costs along with DVR and TIVO just made the television ads not a good investment any longer.
Two buildings were added in the late 80′s and early 90′s. Production demanded it. A total of 125,000 square feet was now available for ordering, making and shipping all Soloflex products.
A peak of 400 employees were running Soloflex by the mid early to mid 90′s. Selling the number one home weight lifting equipment took a lot of people.
Soloflex introduced the Rockit in 1993. This lower body exercise machine has been Soloflex’s 2nd best seller. It is the perfect equipment for legs. All of the strain put on the back when doing lower body exercises is eliminated. Over half a million have been sold to date.
The rubber coated hand weights plates were introduced in 1995. These are very special and unique in that they have a rubber coating around the iron plate to help with the clanking of noisy plates as well as adding some protection if dropped on a foot. Their sales have been climbing ever since.
The Armchair Quarterback was introduced in 1985 but I forgot to mention that in Part I. Sorry. The Armchair was made famous by Gold Medalist, Mitch Gaylord. It was a full body exercise machine. The use of your own body weight was how this machine worked. That is very hard for the average person. The Armchair Quarterback is no longer in production for that very reason. A very well made machine just too hard for all of us.
In 1994 Soloflex was forced to into battle with NordicTrack. A lawsuit was filed. NordicTrack was in violation of copy right infringement and trademark. This was settled between the two companies and an undisclosed amount was paid to Soloflex by NordicTrack. Both companies said the settlement was fair.
In 1999 a second lawsuit was filed against Direct Food, Inc. or Nautilus, Inc. This is the company that manufactures Bowflex and Nautilus Fitness equipment. The suit was also won by Soloflex. The same reason for the lawsuit, copyright and trademark infringement. Nautilus tried to copy the Soloflex way too closely. When you make the best home weight lifting equipment you are bound to be copied. Others want to be like you, the best.
Soloflex is still a family owned business. Marilyn and Jerry Wilson are still involved in the company along with their daughter Connie.
P.S. The picture at the top of the story will is from a book Mr. Wilson wrote. It covers Soloflex from day one to now.
Aging is not age alone. It’s also a person’s lifestyle, and that is true for the mind as well as the body.
Studies show that exercise maintains your thinking agility and cuts your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes.
The American College of Sports Medicine urges older people to do strength training. Walking is simply not enough.
Soloflex has, for years, urged customers and future customers to “use if or lose it”. If you sit around and do nothing , you will become weak, no matter what your age.
Strength training is good medicine for depression and improving your life. Yes, exercise can help you feel and look better, no matter what your age.
What are you waiting for?
For more great information on this please read Colin Hoobler’s article from The Oregonian here.
US Today has posted some of the “SEXY” ads from past Super Bowls and Soloflex is right there. Check out these fun films here.
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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