Bowflex Power Pros were one of the first in a long line of Bowflex models sold, and were sold for quite a few years. The Bowflex Power Pro was sold as a base model with optional attachments. Options included a lateral pull-down attachment, leg attachment and squat plate. The squat plate was simply a metal plate designed to fit under the machine legs to perform squats and other exercises with Power Rod resistance.
What Is Included
The squat plate itself is a metal plate with a rigged surface for stability and metal lips on either side with holes. The plate has has two holes on the bottom for the machine legs to fit inside. A padded bar with strap for exercise purposes is included, two each of cables with balls, expansion chains, pulleys and snap hooks.
Installation
The squat plate attachment is easy to install and remove, and should be removed when the machine is folded. To use, first insert the small loop ending of the cables (the side with no ball) through the pulleys and pull all the way, until the cable stop ball is reached. Place the squat plate under the rear legs of the Power Pro so the legs line up with the plate openings. The rear legs are on the opposite side from the Power Rods. The long side of the squat plate should be under the bench.
The included snap hooks are hooked through the small holes of the pulleys, and the pulley is attached to the squat plate by hooking the snap hook into the holes on either side of the squat plate. The padded bar is attached to chains, on one side of the cable ends. The other side of the cable ends attach to the Power Rods, which give off the desired amount of resistance.
Exercises
The Bowflex Power Pro squat plate attachment offers a surprising number of popular exercises to a workout. Besides the obvious squat, you can perform bent-over rows, deadlifts, single-arm bicep curls, barbell bicep curls, military presses, shoulder shrugs, lying triceps presses and stiff-leg deadlifts by using the squat attachment. For a visual of each exercise, see the Bowflex Power Pro Assembly Manual, pages 23 and 24. The manual is available on the Bowflex website for free.
Availability
Bowflex has phased out the sale of Power Pros and all Power Pro attachments. You might find a used squat plate attachment at a garage sale or on Craigslist or eBay. If a person is selling the squat plate, it will probably be listed under its proper name, Bowflex Power Pro Squat Attachment. A person buying used fitness equipment should inquire the seller if all parts are included, and if it is in good condition.
Warnings
Always check with a doctor before beginning any new workout regiment. If you have back problems, some of the exercises that can be performed with the squat plate may not be safe. Be careful of purchasing anything from a stranger off Craigslist or through classified ads. Bring a friend.
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