Anyone here remember the Soloflex from the 80s/90s?

[Guestx]

Got a real blast from the past here. Who remembers the Soloflex from the 80s/90s? I remember seeing the commercials on TV . . . very iconic. For anyone who doesn't know, the Soloflex is something akin to the grandfather of later exercise machines like the Bowflex. I remember there was the Soloflex, then the NordicFlex and finally the Bowflex.

Last night I ran across these old school Soloflex commercials and was hit by the nostalgia. I haven't seen the machine in years but after looking at it again I was struck by how absolutely elegant it was. I can appreciate its simplicity over something like the Bowflex, and I have a feeling that it may provide a better (more freeweight-like) workout as well.

I'm a traditional gym-goer and have always stayed away from gimmicky contraptions, but I'd actually like to try one of these out one day just to see what the experience is like.

Anyway, all you kids of the 80s should enjoy this walk down memory lane. ". . . which may explain why it looks less like a machine, and more like a work of art."

 

[John Stockton]

They transitioned to Bowflex in my childhood. Those commercials are nearly as cheesy as yours.

 

[Double Leg]

I remember that shit. Groundbreaking stuff back in the day.

 

[RumDiaries]

I Wonder what the fatality rate is/was for the soloflex?

 

[lts5025]

I think I jerked it a billion times to that chick in the pink leotard.

 

[antithetic]

i remember this guys products more.

 

[RumDiaries]

I think I jerked it a billion times to that chick in the pink leotard.

I was always partial to the one in green half way through the one vid. Little known fact:she was one of the first "cam girls", in North America.

 

[Guestx]

I Wonder what the fatality rate is/was for the soloflex?

The company is actually still around today (and still essentially selling the same product). I was bored and did a bit of research and found a lot of people who actually speak quite highly of it. In fact, a lot of people seem to have started using it in the 80s and like the machine so much that they still use it today.

It seems to be good for people who are just interested in general fitness.

 

[IndyCovaHart]

They weren't nearly as bad as people made them out to be.

 

[RumDiaries]

The company is actually still around today (and still essentially selling the same product). I was bored and did a bit of research and found a lot of people who actually speak quite highly of it. In fact, a lot of people seem to have started using it in the 80s and like the machine so much that they still use it today.

It seems to be good for people who are just interested in general fitness.

No reviews about an increase in domestic violence amongst results?

 

[Guestx]

i remember this guys products more.

One of the infomercial GOATs right there for sure.

 

[Guestx]

They weren't nearly as bad as people made them out to be.

I don't remember them having a bad reputation. Did they?

 

[Guestx]

No reviews about an increase in domestic violence amongst results?

You lost me.

 

[RumDiaries]

You lost me.

Just doing some comparison shopping.

 

[Doughbelly]

I think I jerked it a billion times to that chick in the pink leotard.

Came in here to say this.

 

[ThatBJJGuy]

soloflex > crossfit

 

[Cajun]

Ask Captain Davis... he used to pose for them.

 

[Pittie Petey]

Just doing some comparison shopping.

Soloflex-0
Bowflex-1

 

[IndyCovaHart]

I don't remember them having a bad reputation. Did they?

Let's just say it was definitely the joke of the town among the "carry around a gallon of water at all times" gym crowd.

 

[feltburner]

If nuclear war breaks out, the only survivors will be cockroaches and soloflexes. These things were built better than most houses are today. I have a bowflex now which is far superior, but the soloflex was a beast.