Soloflex and Bowflex are the two "flex" gym brands from the 1980s that popularized their unique, compact workout technology through well-known television advertising and infomercials. Both offer the majority of exercises that can be performed at a gym, and both can be augmented with attachments and accessories. Determining which one is better really comes down to a matter of preference in design and cost.
Background
Exercise was a big deal in the 1970s and 80s, enough so that gym chains and corporate gyms had sprung up around the country. Fitness had become something important for more than just athletes. Still, there were people who didn't have time to get to the gym or enough space at home to accommodate the equipment needed to work out. Answering this problem was Jerry Wilson of New Mexico, who, after beginning with aircraft shock rings, developed a rubber strap that could provide variable resistance comparable to weights when stretched. Bowflex, on the other hand, was developed by Tessema Dosho Shifferaw, an Ethiopian engineering student in San Francisco. Bowflex, which went into production in 1986, creates tension for the user by bending polymer rods, creating resistance.
Design
The basic Soloflex design is that of a traditional weight bench with a vertical pole that extends above the head of the bench. A press arm is fixed to the pole and can be adjusted at different heights. Rubber straps of variable resistance can be looped around posts on the press arm for upward or downward resistance. This design allows for dozens of gym-style exercises without the use of heavy weight plates.
The traditional Bowflex design is based on a weight bench with a lat tower at the head of the bench. The user pushes and pulls handles attached to cables that loop through pulleys and connect to the polymer rods, creating resistance. Multiple rods can be engaged to create more tension, and Bowflex can be used for dozens of exercises.
While both gyms can provide upwards of 400 lbs. of variable resistance, the main difference for the user is likely to be Soloflex's fixed bar design, which requires strict movements to operate, as opposed to Bowflex's separate handles, which allows for more free form in lifting.
Features
Since it's launch, Soloflex has introduced new attachments and advancements that allow for butterflies, leg extensions and more. The bench can also be removed from the Soloflex, making room for squats, deadlifts and calf raises. Weight plates can also be added to the press arm, adding a whole new element to every lift. The Bowflex has also introduced many advancements, particularly a leg extension attachment, a cardio rowing machine feature, a quick change system for easier adjustments of resistance, and a more upright design for a smaller footprint.
Investment
The Soloflex comes in two models, the Muscle Machine and the Retro Muscle Machine. Both are offered at $1,250. In testimonial's at the manufacture's website, users have raved of models lasting for over 20 years because of their solid construction. Bowflex offers six basic models, ranging from $649 to $2,999. The polymer rods have a lifetime warranty, and the gyms are backed by warranties of five to 12 years.
Recent Innovations
Both Soloflex and Bowflex as brands have recently introduced new workout technologies. Soloflex now promotes its Whole Body Vibration (WBV) platform that vibrates while the user lifts, which is believed to increase the effectiveness of leg workouts and promote muscle growth. The WBV can be used in conjunction with the Soloflex. Bowflex broke away from its polymer rod technology with the Bowflex Revolution, which uses spiraflex technology, or circular plates containing coiled straps to create tension. Bowflex promotes these as easier to use and quicker to change than other home gyms.
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