At the start of every new year, gym memberships suddenly become full as more people make resolutions to stay fit and lose weight. However, with the SoloFlex muscle machine, you won’t need to pay exuberant fees or make those hectic commutes to the gym.SoloFlex is an adjustable home piece of equipment specially curated for working out different muscle group sets.
You can easily keep fit with its range of 30 basic exercises for your chest, back, legs, abdominals, shoulders, traps, and arms. Here is an in-depth SoloFlex review, as well as its features and where to buy it.
- FULL BODY WORKOUT: 60+ exercises for a full body workout.
- POWER ROD RESISTANCE: 210 lbs of Power Rod resistance, upgradable to 310 lbs or 410 lbs.
- WORKOUTS INCLUDED: Bowflex provides 7 free trainer-built workout regimens.
- AEROBIC ROWING: Sliding seat rail allows you to perform aerobic rowing and leg presses.
- PULLEY SYSTEM: Multiple cable/pulley positions enable custom workouts.
TL;DR: SoloFlex Muscle Machine
If you want a machine that works out your core and limbs and can fit inside your apartment, then the SoloFlex Muscle Machine is a good place to start.
It’s got excellent reviews from tons of users and has been endorsed by revered athletes such as Frank Zane, Gale Sayers, Mitch Gaylord, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It may not be as affordable as most home gym equipment but definitely a good value for your money.
Moreover, not all gym equipment can give you an intense body workout as much as the SoloFlex does.
It screams of good quality with an ergonomic design that is definitely worth trying out.
- Delivers a range of exercises to give you an intense full-body workout experiences
- It comes with a wide range of free weights from 2.5lbs to 405 lbs.
- Its solid build quality lasts a lifetime
- One of a kind floating barbell
- The price tag is a bit high
- Seats are set too high and therefore not suited to shorter people
- Only three models exist in the market.
- It is quite heavy, which limits portability.
Other Special Features
Unlike other home gym equipment, the SoloFlex comes with a wide variety of add-ons and attachment options. Burn those calories with additional free weights, leg extensions, butterfly, or whole-body vibration attachments. Here is a full list of accessories you can add to intensify your training.
On the other hand, you can also get better power fitness routines through the floating barbell. Most users have recommended SoloFlex as the perfect squatting exercise machine. Lastly, the issue of flexibility will never be an issue since it comes with a full-size adjustable bench. This is a neat feature for those intense incline bench presses and core training exercises.
Is it Worth it?
The SoloFlex machine offers a great set of features not found in other competing brands. It is easy to assemble, and the stable build allows for vigorous exercises such as dips and chin-ups. Similarly, for what it is packing, it is quite compact and can easily fit at a corner of your apartment without taking too much storage space.
Most users often complain about the availability of spares and replacement parts. Well, owing to the brand’s popularity, a quick search on Google should get you those replacement bands you so desperately need – and at a fair price. Therefore, the SoloFlex is worth every penny you’ve got.
In-Depth SoloFlex Review
SoloFlex company was founded back in 1978 by Jerry Wilson and has provided quality exercise machines for home and commercial use. After barely brushing the surface of the device, it’s time you get acquainted with what this baby can do.
Where to Buy
The SoloFlex muscle machine may be bought directly from the manufacturer.
You may incur extra shipping costs, depending on your current location. You can place your order by contacting the manufacturer on 1-800-547-8802 or email on info@soloflex.com.
There aren’t a lot of online stores that come with the machine’s full set. However, you can get tons of spare parts and leg extension attachments on Amazon.
On the other hand, most users opt for buying an already used machine on eBay or other platforms.
Prices are usually more than halved, and in most instances, the seller deals with the shipping costs.
Size and Dimensions
As already mentioned, the SoloFlex machine is compact and can fit in most spaces. It does, however, come in a box of dimensions 73 x 36 x 6 inches. This can be ideal for your bedroom or even living space. According to the manufacturer, all SoloFlex variations stand at 6 feet tall, 4 feet wide and 4 feet deep.
Some exercises may, however, require extra legroom for a successful fitness routine. The package weighs 176 lbs which is heavy by most standards. It comes with weight straps, dip bar, roman chair pin, a pair of urethane foam pads, assembly pins, and a User/Workout Guide also available on DVD. What you won’t get out of the box are the WBV attachments.
Quality and Durability
Most fitness enthusiasts opt for a used machine coming from a price standpoint. The second reason comes from the quality and durability of the SoloFlex machine. The in-house gym features a robust and stable build that can outlast an entire generation.
Most second-hand buyers have reported that they get them from sellers who bought the classic version decades ago. What’s surprising is that they are ever in mint condition, which reiterates on the build quality.
Weight and Weight Capacity
As versatile as it is, the SoloFlex machine can handle most people’s body weight. It also comes with a total of 405 lbs of weights straps distributed in a pair of 100’s, 50’s, 5’s and 2.5’s.
You, as a newbie, can also take part in the exercise with their generous offerings of 4-10 lbs weight straps.
Features and Components
The selling point of the machine is the floating barbell that provides a balance of free weights. It also secures the safety of the machine.
It’s not as cumbersome and dangerous as other competing in-house gym equipment. It’s got an adjustable bench and the option to include other add-ons to intensify your training.
Exercise to Perform
The included manual in DVD format doesn’t just feature instructions on the device’s assembly. It also has a variety of included exercise to give you a full-body fitness routine. You can opt to follow the gym plan or go your own way. The results will still remain the same, provided you make most of the machine.
For amateurs or beginners, you can start with an exercise tailored to muscles on your chest and back in no particular order. 
Remember to space out your exercise with rest days to let your muscles rejuvenate. Some of the exercises you can try out on day one include:
- Bench presses
- Bent-Over Row
- Dip
- Pull-Up
- The butterfly
- Incline bench press
- Dorsi bar pulldown
- Pull-up, bicep curl or lat pull
After resting on the second day, get back on the saddle and try out these exercises that ought to give your legs and abdominals some pain:
- Leg press
- Leg extension
- Leg Curls
- Calf raise or donkey press
- Frontal squats
- Deadlift
- Leg bend or body curls
- Inclined sit-ups
Take a break the following day and come back on the fifth day, ready to work out your shoulder, trap, and arm muscles by trying out the following:
- Military presses
- Standing bicep curls
- Tricep extension or pushdown
- Shoulder shrug
- Back of neck press
- Tricep press
- Upright row
As time goes by, you should notice a significant buildup of muscles in your pectorals, upper abdominals, quadriceps, forearms, trapezius, biceps, and more.
You can also progress to advanced exercise that involves working out for a longer house with fewer breaks. Be sure to include a proper diet for the best results.
Warranty
According to the manufacturer’s policy, all SoloFlex muscle machines are covered by a limited one year warranty on manufacturing defects. Moreover, in case of dissatisfaction, you can always get your money back within 30 days.
However, you will have to incur the shipping costs. For more details on their Warranty and returns policy, check out their website here.
SoloFlex Review: What Do People Say About It?
As good as it is, we’d be lying if we said it’s all praise with the SoloFlex muscle machine. Most users gave it a high rating terming it as ”the Greatest Soloflex attachment ever” and a “Fantastic purchase.”
However, others seemed to be complaining about how hard it is to change the weight straps between exercises and compared it to other alternatives such as the Bowflex.
One particular user commented on the machine’s limited motion during squats and arm exercises. He, therefore, recommended using dumbbells instead.
Review Roundup: So, Should You Buy the SoloFlex?
The SoloFlex is a great tool for beginners as well as expert gym enthusiasts who prefer having their sessions at home. Despite the few negative remarks by some users, most have admittedly reported seeing changes after using it for a week.
It is a solid investment that I personally recommend to anybody trying to keep fit while at home.If you enjoyed this article and want to know more about the best home gym equipment review, check out our other reviews here.
- FULL BODY WORKOUT: 60+ exercises for a full body workout.
- POWER ROD RESISTANCE: 210 lbs of Power Rod resistance, upgradable to 310 lbs or 410 lbs.
- WORKOUTS INCLUDED: Bowflex provides 7 free trainer-built workout regimens.
- AEROBIC ROWING: Sliding seat rail allows you to perform aerobic rowing and leg presses.
- PULLEY SYSTEM: Multiple cable/pulley positions enable custom workouts.
Article by:
Daniel DeMoss
I’m a personal trainer based in Denver (Matrix Gym) and a true fitness nerd. If I’m not training clients or working out at my home gym, I’m probably skiing, cycling or hiking with my dog Rufus.
Get in touch: daniel@dumbbellsreview.com