March 12, 2008

Home Gym Fitness Equipment Comparison - Soloflex Vs Bowflex

Soloflex WBV Whole Body Vibration plate platform LK new
Soloflex WBV Whole Body Vibration plate platform LK new
Paypal   US $345.89
Complete soloflex solo flex
Complete soloflex solo flex
Paypal   US $99.99

While the Bowflex and Soloflex have something common, they are both home gym fitness equipment, this is where the similarity ends. If you want to find out who wins in the battle of the soloflex vs bowflex, read on.

Each piece of home gym equipment has its advantages and disadvantages. First, let's start off with the...

Soloflex Vs BowflexSoloflex's Advantages

1. It's easy to assemble. While this point may seem pretty much moot in the long run, you don't want to be banging your head on the wall trying to assemble it when you get it, either. The beauty of the Soloflex is that it has only two basic parts to worry about and it's assembled with only one single bolt.

2. The Soloflex is also easy to use and operate. You won't have to bother with cables or anything like that.

3. This piece of home gym equipment can also easily adapt to use freeweights. This is something you cannot do with the Bowflex - the Soloflex is more like classic weight lifting machines than the Bowflex is. The Soloflex is similar to using freeweights, only you aren't going to need a spotter.

4. Plenty of resistance to play with. The Soloflex comes with 425 pounds of weight straps. You can even add another whopping 500 pounds of weight to bring the total to 900 pounds. With this kind of resistance, serious weight lifters are going to have no qualms with the Soloflex.

5. The Soloflex is a quality home fitness machine made of heavy steel. It's one of the most rugged home gyms I have come across.

Soloflex's Disadvantages

1. With only two models available, the Classic Soloflex ($1,600) and the Soloflex with Attachments ($1,950) you'll have no choice but to spend well over a grand to get this machine.

2. The weightstraps are problematic in the long run. The rubber bands are going to stretch as you use them, and the resistance will lessen. The smaller straps can even break. While they do have a gaurantee to replace broken straps, it's still a pain in the butt. Also, many people complain that they just don't like the rubber band feel of the Soloflex.

3. Limited pull-down weight. It's impossible to put more weight onto pull down exercises for more resistance. This is one of the areas the Bowflex takes the advantage over the Soloflex.

Now that you have seen everything the Soloflex has to offer, it's time to check out what the Bowflex can do.

Bowflex's Advantages

1. Ease of use and operation. Changing exercises and resistance with the Bowflex is very simple and uncomplicated.

2. A wide variety of exercises in one compact machine. With over 60+ exercises to choose from with many Bowflex models, you will have a great time varying up your exercise routine so you can give yourself a highly balanced workout. This has always been important to me, since I don't want to focus on one area of my body too much over another.

3. Different models to suit different tastes. Whether you're a beginner or experienced exercise enthusiast, Bowflex has a model that fits you. Bowflex also has models to fit your budget, and you don't have to break the bank if you don't want to. For example, both the Bowflex Sport and Bowflex Motivator 2 can be had brand new for around $700.

4. Space saving design. Home gym fitness equipment from Bowflex is great for someone who has limited space, like an apartment dweller. It can be folded up and placed right into a closet.

Bowflex's Disadvantages

1. Price. Some Bowflex models like the Bowflex Revolution fetch a high price tag at over $2,000+. While this is a disadvantage if you're looking to buy those models, there are cheaper ones you can go for instead.

2. Not for professional weight lifters. For people who are looking to bench press 500 plus pounds, the Bowflex is probably going to seem like a toy to you. Home gyms like these are mainly oriented towards the average person who just wants to stay fit and in shape.

Bowflex Vs Soloflex - In Conclusion...

As you can see in this detailed comparison, both home gym machines have their advantages and disadvantages over each other. Depending on your specific lifestyle and tastes, you're probably going to want to choose one of the other. Whatever home gym fitness equipment you decide to go with, remember that you can save a significant amount of cash if you opt for used home gym equipment.

Filed under Home Gym Fitness Equipment, Soloflex Vs Bowflex by admin

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Comments on Home Gym Fitness Equipment Comparison - Soloflex Vs Bowflex »

August 24, 2008

Jim @ 12:49 pm

Excellent review; very helpfull in my choosing a machine!
thank you

September 17, 2008

Jeff @ 10:19 pm

I bought a used soloflex classic for $150. The system is built so solid, it really cannot wear out. The frame is just very rigid and strong. The bands are in good condition as the previouse owner did not use them much and kept them out of sunlight and elements. Another nice thing about the soloflex, it is very quite. For folks like me who started with free weight which clang and are noisy, the soloflex is a sightlent solution.

December 27, 2008

Mike @ 2:38 pm

I purchased my soloflex over twenty years ago and never regretted it. Two additional advantages not mentioned in the above is the fact that you can do chin-ups on the soloflex. Also, the position of the bench can be changed to an incline for abdominal workouts as well. All in all it’s a very well made machine that will last a lifetime!

February 14, 2009

Jeff @ 6:34 am

I wanted to second the ruggedness of the soloflex. I have had mine 20 years now and it is still in use and in great shape. Granted I have varied my workout choices through the years as such I am now on the P90X kick but I still use the soloflex for all my pull ups and chin ups and dips while doing P90X and then I use the soloflex itself to do other exercises not part of the P90X that give you great tone and definition and size. It all depends on how you wish to use it. I have tried both the bowflex and a similar unit like the bowflex and they are nice to use but you still have to deal with moving cables and pullies around at times to adjust for different workouts. So that said no workout “MACHINE” will even match free weights and a gym environment for not having to make adjustments throughout your workout. I would go with your budget as a first deciding factor. As mentioned by the other Jeff above he was able to get a used unit way below retail and the fact that the soloflex company still has a presenced today online with products to purchase you can still buy new replacement weight straps if needed.