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?
May 30, 2009 at 10:13 am
I found it very appealing as I have a bad vcr copy which cannot be view anymore. Thanks for the memories.
As for making the Soloflex machine again, you would have to make it in China with cheaper steel to make it cost efficient. However with the abundant number of used machines on ebay and Craigslist I don’t think it would sell. I recently bought a second Soloflex machine with the butterfly for $115. Some people are giving them away for free. A better idea would be to come up with attachments for existing owners. Some kind of pulley system to use weight plates for pull downs or seated rows.
Longer dumbbell handles would be nice as would 25lb plates. I’m tempted to buy Ivanko 25lb rubber plates to keep plate changing to a minimum. Also, change the configuration of the plates in your 70lb set. 4-10, 4-5, and 4-2.5lb would be a better set.
It’s hard to make improvements on an almost perfect exercise machine machine. Keep trying.
May 30, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I hope you can continue the classic soloflex. It was a brilliantly designed, simple gym. To compete with bowflex, I hope you can lower the price if possible, especially for the weight straps and weights. I know they cost a lot to make and you have to make a profit, but people may frown on paying $50 for a pair of rubber straps.
Keep the Classic Soloflex! (and see if you can get Scott Madsen to do some new ads..it would be interesting to see if he’s still in shape all these years)
May 30, 2009 at 12:33 pm
The only way to validate, in my opinion, the reproduction of the original soloflex is to either add more attachments to it as John has pointed out or modify the original soloflex frame to improve on the current machine with the additional attachments that will make it distinct from the competition. I think you should go for it. Look at the criticism that are made about the original soloflex on the web and see if it can be either modified. You can call it Soloflex 2.
May 30, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Make the machine again. In my opinion there are several ways to put it over the top as the best machine ever made. Keep everything the same but make the weightstraps better. Technology has come a long way, there has to be a better way. Smoother and more durable. They have self healing rubber maybe it could be applied somehow. I don’t like pulley systems and see no reason for the machine to have one. One could be made to easily attach to the barbell arm if people really want it.
I have had an idea for an attachment for this machine for a long time. I think it would set you apart form the pack and be a winner. Make an attachment kind sort of the way the fly attaches but with multi jointed arms that have dumbells on the end. Imagine the rotational handles of the Compound Barbell attached to dumbells that are attached to these multi jointed arms. You set the height like the floating barbell and the arms are free to move in all directions from there. You could even attach pins on the arms like the fly to do pulling exercises with the weight straps. Basically you have a set of dumbells you could go extremely heavy with but with the built in spotter that the Soloflex is famous for. I can sketch it out if I haven’t described it good enough. There isn’t a machine on the market that does this. Hoist comes close but they use cables. Heavy dumbells are hard to get into position but this coud be the way to bring Soloflex into the future.
Oh please keep it MADE IN USA. You guys have done it this way for a long time and there has to be a way to keep it that way.
Chris
May 30, 2009 at 7:12 pm
John Took the words right out of my mouth. I’ve said it a few times on the Soloflex forums, longer dumbbell handles that can take more plates. I even called Soloflex once to inquire if a set could be made up for me. I think that there would be takers on the larger Soloflex branded weight plates too. It would also be nice to have a set of kettlebell handles from Soloflex that work with the Soloflex weights. The ones I have are too wide to use with the Soloflex dumbbell handles and collars.
The basic Soloflex doesn’t need a significant overhaul. The basic design is good. One thing that some have found though is that the base height of the seat is too high for them. There are Soloflex users that place the bench flat on the ground and use it from that position to do bench presses. I use that position for leg presses.
It would be nice if the bench was more secure and didn’t shake so much though. I too frequently am re adjusting and tightening the bench ears to keep it to a minimum. This should be unnecessary. I had thought of getting a welding shop to take the leg extension and shorten it to the height of the bench legs for a more secure bench.
I think that a secure bench leg could be made that was adjustable in height. The holes in the spine of the mainframe could be increased to add at least a couple more lower to accommodate those that prefer a lower bench. It should be noted that a couple of times when buying Soloflex Muscle Machines, I asked the owner why they decided to part with it, a few said they found the bench too high, and looked for alternatives. One of the reasons I have not bought a WBV to put on my unit, is because in the recommended position it would be in the way. I hope it would fit if I put it in the back.
Using the bench as a platform to stand on can be awkward, especially when ducking under the bar for squats, even with experience. I have the idea to make a platform that can be added to existing Soloflex machines. Leave the holes for the bench legs to be used with the unit for bench exercises.
Then in addition to this platform, have a rack with pins to be able to hold barbells that attaches to the mainframe. Make the width adjustable, so it is compatible with barbells of different widths, as well as the compound barbell. Also have a set of safety catches so that the user will be safe on bench presses if he can’t press the barbell. A similar setup could be rigged up to allow the dumbbells to be used at different heights off the mainframe.
Why does the leg attachment not have a part that extends downward to the ground so that it is unnecessary to lean backwards when using? Many would like to use freeweights with the leg extension, can’t put significant poundage’s on it because when it lifts the whole machine falls over. I would have preferred that it was wider to accommodate my size. This is another complaint people have had when I have asked why they were selling their units.
I always wondered why different attachments like a preacher curling pad and punching bag stand were not made available? A preacher attachment is a popular accessory. I thought that it would have been nice to have a setup which used either freeweights, weightstraps, or both would be really cool. It could be rigged up so that it could also function as a triceps exerciser too.
I use my Soloflex as a punching bag stand. I use 4 of the 100 pound weightstraps with the angle just right to hold it in place. Then I put sandbags on the mainframe and stabilizer bar to keep it upright. With the platform I mentioned above, this might not be necessary. It would have been nice to have a part designed specifically for this.
I have a Soloflex knee lift attachment. I’ve never seen one of those anywhere else. It’s a little too narrow for me. Why hasn’t this been more available?
With the above things I have mentioned, I think a lot more people would be interested in the Soloflex if it could be used as mentioned with a freeweight bar safely on a platform. I think the punching bag setup would also draw more customers as well. I have very limited space, and would really like it if the Soloflex could be rigged up to replace my power rack.
Another thing on the platform setup, it could be rigged up to use the freeweight bench, just lock it into place. Then the user has a utility bench to use when not using it on the Soloflex. Rig up the utility bench to be able to take the leg extension? How about rigging up the underside of the utility bench to store freeweights, dumbbell handles, and the Compound Barbell?
Another idea mentioned on the Soloflex forums would be a pullover attachment that connects to the mainframe, utilizing weightstraps. Wasn’t my idea, but it could be a good one if the specifics were figured out.
On the weightstraps, there must be a way to rig up a steel spring on each side. Similar to the Ivanko super gripper that can quickly and easily be adjusted as a superior replacement to the straps?
Please bring back the Freeweight Organizer, only change the underside to hold additional weights including those that are larger than the 10 pounders there. The Organizers legs could go on the outside like the new freeweight bench, with pins pointed inside to hold more weights.
Hope that the Equipment Organizer will be back in action sometime.
So when can we order the Compound barbell again? Will it be updated with adjustable width on the handles?
May 30, 2009 at 11:47 pm
This is a pleasant surprise. I must say I was heart broken when I first heard that they discontinued the Rockit and the Classic Soloflex machines. I swear by the Soloflex name because I love the product. I currently have two Classic Machines, which I use for different set ups to save time. The Rockit aerobic and muscle building machine. The freeweight system including the compound barbell system and even the Whole Body Vibration board. The only piece of equipment that I don’t have is an equipment organizer. I am looking forward to the new machine. I will submit photos of my Soloflex equipment room if you would like.
June 1, 2009 at 9:00 am
I think bringing back the Soloflex is an excellent idea. The reason the Soloflex has been so popular is the principles it has adhered to from the beginning, The most functional machine available with the least moving parts, an engineering dream, and made in the USA. Leave the pullies and cables to the inferior, made in China, Bowflex. The only upgrades I think that may withstand additional thought is incorporating a stabilizer bar at the rear of the machine to add stability, and a bit longer of a bench, to accomodate us taller user’s when performing exercises like the Leg Curl. The Soloflex was, and still is, a work of art.
June 1, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Molly, have you ever thought modifying soloflex so it has moment arms to provide resistance? It would be like hammer strength plate loaders or nautlius plate loaders where a weight is attached to the end of the arm a machine. The option allows variable resistance and as you already know, you can apply the moment arms to hit maximum load at strongest range of a motion. To add to Garret comment, one of the things people did talk about the original soloflex is that when doing pull downs, you could only use weight straps. If you could add moment arms to the movement, soloflex users would not be limited to only using weight straps in this movement.
Also, since you are asking for ideas to for the soloflex machine you are designing, have you ever thought having an upload file setting on your blog? If viewers wanted to give you a better description on what they thought, they could either write it or PDF the picture and upload it to send it to you so you can get a better idea of what the viewers ideas of improving the design of the machine. Just a thought.
June 2, 2009 at 10:41 am
Molly, I’ve been working out on a SOLOFLEX Muscle Machine since I was 15 years old. I’m Forty-two now, and each year I grow more convinced that there is simply nothing else that compares to it.
I too have thought this thing into the ground over the years as far as what improvemenets I’d make if it were up to me. But I have grown to accept its simplicity as perfection. I know that “you can’t have it all”. But for me the SOLOFLEX Classic comes as close as you can get.
Three roman-chair pin holes in the stabilizer bar is one simple revision.
Someone mentioned resistance from spring steel clips. This has been done before – Precor’s KONG machine. They copied as close as they could in 1984, and had just that kind of resistance… but if you had seen what it took to mmake that happen you’d realize the straps are superior.
I’d like to see the Machine painted in Flat-Black again… like the early days. For me, it grips better with sweaty hands… and touch-up is easier.
The Laminated Wood Bench I would welcome back as well… but include the Rubber pad as an option for comfort. I prefer the wood bench simply because it works better. No flexing on Leg Presses. And standing exercises are more stable too. Durability also is a factor.
Watch Scott in this video, he tweaks this machine on almost every exercise. Compare his adjustments to the manual’s Hole recommendation and such. Interesting. Scott inclines the bench on Bench Presses just one hole up. It feels better and takes the strain off my lower back. He inclines the bench as well on Bicep curls, leg presses, and Donkey press. He even puts a small white towel under his upper back for comfort on Body Curls. And notice that he doesn’t use light poundages… he’s using some serious straps.
Yes Molly. Please bring back the Classic. and please make this Video “The promise” available for purchase. Please!!!
June 2, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Soloflex should start making the MM again. Not everyone will want a used Soloflex, and from a viability standpoint it will certainly bode well for Soloflex as a company to offer a brand new MM as an option for those who are in the market…
I’d personally like to see the bench a little longer. When using dumbbells, I continually bang my head on the support post. A barbell attachment would be nice, as well. Would definitely increase the MM’s appeal to those who want to use barbell free weights in combination with the MM workout…
I would suggest making as many improvements as possible, and then going for it…
Dan
June 2, 2009 at 6:51 pm
WOW! Thank you for all the thoughtful response. We have all read through the comments and love all the great input. We will consider every suggestion. Keep them coming. Jerry says hello and thank you! I’m going to get him blogging any day now ;)
June 3, 2009 at 8:17 am
As far as improvements go. The dip bar attachment has always been notorious for leaving wear marks in the cross bar. This after time leaves groves that make it uncomfortable to grip, unless you are using the curl tubes with every exercise.
June 3, 2009 at 10:08 pm
One other thing.
I can do most exercises on the Soloflex, except for a good direct low back strengthening exercise. I tried Zercher good mornings but it just isn’t the same as a freeweight barbell good morning. You can do stiff legged deadlifts, but I have a strong preference to be able to do the Good Morning’s properly.
How about creating a back hyperextension attachment that can also be used for sides and abs like a free standing Roman Chair? Think of the now out of business Hammer home gym.
An alternative idea would be something that could be used with either freeweights or weightstraps as a crunch machine, and back extension. Sit on it sideways to hit those areas.
How about a leg press squat attachment like the Rockit, which can be attached to the MM. The Rockit is great, but takes up too much space for an apartment dweller.
I’d also like to see somethings high quality to strengthen the neck and hands.
June 9, 2009 at 6:18 am
I think it would be an incredible idea to bring back the Classic Soloflex. I started using one while a senior in high school and college almost 20 years ago. It was incredible and even my friends started using mine just for the convenience of all the exercises. Then I stopped working out and exercising for a good 15 years and gained almost 100 pounds. I knew that I had to get back to weight training to build back the muscle I had lost over the years and regain my metabolism. I was disappointed to find they stopped making the Classic Soloflex, so I went and bought a used one. I will tell you this, in the few weeks I have been using it I have felt great. There really is nothing better. The engineering is genius! It is so simple. Even the equipment organizer is awesome! You cannot compare it to anything else on the market. However, price is probably the issue. It needs to be at least half price to compete with all the used ones on the market. I would recommend the best way to go is to expand what Soloflex (the company) can do and offer SERVICES for people who are registered owners that will add Value to their purchase. Such as the ability to speak with registered dietitians, speaking with trainers who can monitor your progress, and better web based tools, videos etc. There are so many ways to reposition the company so people who buy a Soloflex at full price will continue to spend money to make up for the lower equipment cost. In my opinion, Soloflex is like the Apple Computer of all exercise equipment, and they just need to make the rest of the company as cool as the product. Just my two cents, I have more if you need, now please help me off my soapbox.
June 9, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I must say I was completely and pleasantly surprised to find Soloflex still alive and kicking after all these years. A website, a blog, and even the weight straps are still available! Wow!
After keeping my Classic Soloflex machine in mothballs for 15 years, due to limited space in ym old apartment, I finally got it reassembled since we’ve moved. I was all set to pass it down to my 17 year old son, who was not quite 2 when I bought it. Of course, not to my entire surprise, some of the weight straps began to fail when used to vigorously. I will look forward to buying some new straps, and hope to get years of workout pleasure from them!
Improvements? Cant think of any right now. It’s practically the best all-in-one excercise machine ever offered for the home.
Thanks so much! And, yes, bring it back!
Terrince
June 13, 2009 at 1:35 am
I used to stay up at night, late, to watch the Soloflex infomerciaals, get wound up about it, and then head for a workout first thing the next morning. I don’t think there is anything much better than the original 3 times a week workouts that were presented in the infomercials. They not only built muscle, but I was able to build an overall fitness for intramural sports to going on occassional jogs with my wife’s uncle.
The Soloflex, I believe, is truly the most versatile, and effective “muscle machine” ever developed.
June 14, 2009 at 1:05 pm
FYI: I have a very pro Soloflex review on Epinions.com under tennis teacher and the heading: Soloflex: A Simple Machine That Works. To me that is the key no matter if you revise the Classic Soloflex. I didn’t want a machine with pulleys, cables, or weight plates that if dropped could put a hole in my foot or floor.(It’s amazing to me how many naysayers criticize the Soloflex because the weight straps do not feel exactly like freeweights. I tell them to buy freeweights.) Also, the name SOLOFLEX, means that you can work out Alone without a spotter. That was a major appeal to me.(and many others)
Soloflex originally succeeded because of the function of the machine but in part also because you had GREAT informericals and the machine sold at a more affordable price. My thoughts about whether to bring back the Classic Soloflex:
1.Out of the nearly One Million sold, how many are/will be listed on Craigslist, Ebay and classifieds to be sold for next to nothing. If only 5% that’s 50,000 units. I would make sure the used market is pretty depleted before trying to put out the “Same” soloflex machine UNLESS you can afford to put it out at a lower cost and go back and run the great Infomercials you used to run on cable. Yours were the best! “OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND” applies here I feel.
2.More competition today with Bowflex, Total Gym, Weider, Hoist, and many others and with many selling for much less that the $1950 that Soloflex last sold for. I think because of Soloflex’s simplicity, many people don’t think it is worth the money. I think that after SOLOFLEX quit doing informercials, it LOST it luster and mystique and appeal to many.(hence so many for sale at such low prices)
3. I’ve had a Soloflex for 25 years. The weight straps had originally a 10 year warranty(I believe) and then went to a 5 year warranty and now is only 1 year. As much as I love my SOLOFLEX I doubt if I would/could spend $1950 on a new one today and knowing the price of the replacement straps would also deter me greatly. Can you come up with better straps or lower replacement costs especially for 2.5-10 lb. straps?(ones that stretch and wear out the quickest)
4. FINAL THOUGHTS: Can you market the Classic Soloflex without the attachments(leg, butterfly and wbv)for under $1,000? Have those attachments as options.
Offer a NEW product for Squats,etc. at much lower price than Rockit and smaller imprint.
Good Luck,
June 28, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Make the classic again, and keep it simple. A change in marketing would be a good idea, you have to let people know nothing else does the job so well. The Classic Soloflex was built tough, and so simple to use. I’ve tried other home gyms in your price range and most of them are a joke. I just got mine back from my brother whose had it for years, and it still gives you a great workout. Good luck, and I truly hope you make it again.
July 5, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Great news about producing the Classic again.
I second [third?] the recommendation that you return to your roots and simplify, simplify, simplify.
The basic setup [w/ dip bar, curl tubes and roman chair] priced between $500-1000 would be a huge winner, I think.
Leg extension attachment and butterfly attachment are, well, useless, really. If you can do bench, incline bench and dips, the butterfly isn’t going to do anything for your physical conditioning, really. Same thing for leg xtensions/curls. If you can do squats and leg press, that’s all you need. No Rockit, vibration boards, dumbbells, etc.
I get that a lot of selling/marketing is “more, more, more” – adding devices and gadgets and options and whatnot – but one of the huge advantages of Soloflex was it’s simplicity of design. Clean, effective, efficient. I think if you return to your core competency – The Classic – it’d do your business a world of good. I know the model in the past few years has been to the whole WBV and dumbells stuff, but honestly, no one really thinks of those things when they think of Soloflex.
Though I have to say I do like the look of your new freeweight Functional Gym. I think for those who do like freeweights it’d be a great system. [Though you'll have to make it competitive with, show its advantage over the standard power rack.]
Strip your product line down to those two products – The Classic and the Functional Gym – whip up a 30m infomercial and dominate the market again.
I have to say that I’m really happy that I came across the Soloflex Blog. I was too young during the era of the infomercials to buy one, and after HS, time in college, the military and then living now in Japan has conspired to prevent me from owning one, but I was always ridiculously inspired and motivated by the Soloflex infomercial. I will own one yet, I swear to you :)
July 10, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Lower the price, update the infomercial, use “real life” testimonials, improve or find a “free weight” replacement for the crappy breakable weight straps, and make it a bit more stable.
You may want to capitalize on the popularity of sports like MMA or programs like Crossfit, which emphasize very intense exercise paces involving bodyweight movements such as dips, chins, pushups, situps, etc.
July 12, 2009 at 10:14 am
Molly,
I think re-working these ads, will certainly boost sales. When I tell people I workout on a Soloflex, usually their first comment is, “Oh, those are still around?” Or the usual internet banter which normally involves Soloflex having “gone out of business”. I’m not a business guy, but I think some well run ads, giving exposure, would certainly be excellent. I have alos noticed on eBay that people aren’t selling Solofex’s at the rate they were a couple of years ago. And, I always think the emerging markets in Asia would be unbleievable. Getting them there is the problem.
July 18, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Hey Molly, You people really should get back into the game and reclaim was is rightfully yours. There is a new generation that thinks that Bowflex is the original best home gym and we need to fix that. Bring back the classic with minor adjustments like the hybrid video. New marketing should show free weights done safe on Soloflex. Many have no idea that you can use free weights on Soloflex.
July 28, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I’ve used Soloflex since my dad bought us one back in the mid 1980’s with the original Oak bench! He still uses that machine and I have a newer version of my own. Soloflex still does all the exercises you’ll ever need, that will never chance. Perceptions can change, attitudes can be swayed, but all of the basic weightlifting exercises will always be right there in the Soloflex. Market it to a new generation and you’ll see it still holds the same appeal as always. Go back to basics though. Simple is better, and Less is more.
The pricing and attachments got out of hand. Don’t need a standard WBV and the other attachments could only be extras. Emphasize simplicity, everything you need right there in the corner of a room. No hype, no bells and whistles, just determination and actually using the machine will bring results! That is the beauty of the original Soloflex. Also emphasize that you can use plates too, and offer a 25lb. Soloflex plate option. I have the full 170lb. Soloflex dumbbell set and have always wanted larger matching plates beyond the 10lb. size.
Like someone else said, reclaim your rightful place in the home gym market with the original Soloflex. Advertise it again and so it won’t just be forgotten amid all the hype of other machines. Use the old retro ads even. It is time to come full circle back to more traditional lifting vs. rods and pulleys. There really is no excuse for no longer offering this awesome, classic, and simple machine. I’ve tried all the others, and always come back to the Soloflex, it is the best.
Used machines aren’t what everyone wants, many will only want brand new, and with full warranty. Offer the longer warranty again to show you’re serious about the quality and make the price more within reach. If you can make the original Soloflex hot again those used machines will start going for more and therefore you’ll be able to sell new ones more easily since the used won’t be such a bargain.
No new attachments or gimmicks are needed, but minor tweaks could make it better if you’re serious about making changes, but the same fundamental design needs to remain. Lower bench height option has always been an issue, since many can’t lie on the bench with feet flat on floor. Also, the leg extension did not come out until after the Soloflex was already in production, so the attachment was retrofitted to work with the machine. That causes problems since you have to raise the bench even higher just to use it, therefore you can’t leave it attached and still do the standard bench exercises. I’ve always found it cumbersome to have to attach, and then remove the entire leg extension just to do a couple exercises. It would be nice if it was integrated better into the design of the machine so it could be left on most of the time. A somewhat longer bench would be nice too, but not essential. Bring back the old-school Oak bench, that was better I believe for many exercises and still comfortable too, make it a retro option and emphasize the classic simplicity and appeal of the Soloflex! This is all based on many years of experience using this great machine. The original Soloflex should be always offered, just keep it simple, market it as the back-to-basics machine for all, and price it right to compete better. Long Live Soloflex!!
July 29, 2009 at 8:13 am
I have owned two Soloflex Muscle Machines. I sold the first when I went to Korea and the second when I left the Army (idiot). I would love to see a new machine sold (and the compound barbell too). Forget the requests for additional components as the leg and arm add-ons just complicated the machine and were not worth the money.
Changes? Very little in my opinion. DO NOT SKIMP on the quality of the steel in the machine and please don’t outsource to China! Maybe a bit longer bench (the original wooden ones were fantastic). Also make the bench legs a bit shorter. I prefered the using free weights with the Soloflex, but if you keep the straps, please make them to last. Finally, BRING BACK THE FIVE YEAR WARRANTY!!! The one year warranty makes the Soloflex items seem cheap.
September 19, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I have modified my Soloflex. I added a 4 foot 3X3 tube below the verticle arm. I also added an upright brace for the bench . . . no wobble at all. I also bought two more Soloflex units to make the Beast Hybrid. More modifications! I now own three. I’m pumped.
February 6, 2010 at 6:56 pm
My dad bought a Soloflex for my brother and I in the early eighties. We worked out on in religiously for years. It was the “old school” version with the 90 degree mainframe, wood bench, and shock rings. I bought another one in 91 after my wife and I got married. I have to say I always felt the original was more stable and had less wobble than the new version. I liked the pegs on the bench board that fit into the holes in the mainframe. I also liked the clips on the bench better than the rubber strips. The 90 degree frame was also more stable on the the dips and chins. I did enjoy the simplicity of the machine before the fly and leg extension.
February 19, 2010 at 9:57 am
I found one used on the bay,…but after setting it up,…it wobbled and was not nearly as stable as the classic woody version. There seemed to be too much free play at the beginning and end of the presses and that was a big turnoff. There has to be a better rubber material available now that is stronger, more durable and with better memory. If you brought back the woody, (which was by far more stable) improved on the straps,..kept it in the US.,….I would consider buying one.
February 19, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Lo and behold,…I see now where you DID bring back the original wood frame model!!! Are you kidding me?! I wonder if those resistance rings are better
than the others? I’ve got to get one! Does this one have the same quality steel and wood? This is exciting!
February 23, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Hi Togotooner,
Thank you for your comments and questions. Yes, the hard wood bench is beautiful and has been a big hit. The shock rings are great. Most of us here like them equally however, Mr. Wilson prefers the shock rings. We do still use structural steel and the bench is still hard wood oak.
Take care.
Connie
Soloflex,Inc.