Bowflex

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Bowflex
Bowflex logo.svg
Place of origin  United States
Production history
Designer Tessema Dosho Shifferaw
Designed 1986
Manufacturer Bowflex
Produced 1986–present

Bowflex is the brand name for a series of exercise machines used for strength training and cardio training, marketed and sold by Nautilus, Inc.. They are primarily sold through the use of infomercials.

Contents

Design and history [edit]

The Bowflex grew out of a now-expired patent first conceived by an Ethiopian engineering student in San Francisco, Tessema Dosho Shifferaw. Bowflex of America, Inc. began marketing the first product, The Bowflex 2000X in 1986. Bowflex of America changed its name to Bowflex, Inc, and became a public company on the Toronto Stock Exchange. In 1999 the company changed its name to Direct Focus, Inc. and initiated an IPO on Nasdaq. With the success of Bowflex, the company bought the Nautilus Corporation, Schwinn Fitness, and Stairmaster Fitness. In 2002 the company moved to the NYSE and renamed itself The Nautilus Group and is now Nautilus, Inc. which owns and markets the Bowflex along with Nautilus, Schwinn Exercise, Stairmaster and Pearl Izumi lines among other brands.[1]

Instead of conventional weights or pulley machines, the original Bowflex machine used a combination of polymer rods to create constant resistance or tension. The machines are marketed as taking up much less space than a complete set of weights and machines. The company held a patent (U.S. Patent 4,620,704) on this "power rod" design which expired in April 2004.[2][3]

2003 TreadClimber line introduced [edit]

In 2003 Bowflex released the TreadClimber, a cardio machine similar to a treadmill but with two independent walking surfaces, called "treadles". Bowflex claims the unique design of the TreadClimber allows for twice the calories burned compared to a flat treadmill used at the same speed.

Recalls [edit]

In January 2004, about 420,000 Bowflex machines were recalled due to mechanical problems. In November 2004, there was a recall of nearly 800,000 (680,000 Power Pro units and 102,000 Ultimate units) Bowflex machines after reports that several models had broken unexpectedly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said that the seats could unexpectedly break, and that the backboard bench could collapse when in the incline position on the Power Pro model. This recall was voluntary and the company offered every purchaser a free safety repair kit.[4] In March, 2006, about 17,000 Bowflex Ultimate 2's were recalled due to problems. (see, http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml06/06541.html) In December, 2007 about 68,000 home gyms were recalled In March, 2009, about 78,000 Bowflex Ultimate 2's were recalled due to problems with the horizontal seat rail. A list of the recall letters can be found on the Bowflex website by clicking on the link 'Safety Notices' under home gyms. http://www.bowflexhomegyms.com/bowflex_home_gyms_us/customersupport/safetynotices.jsp?adID=deggbhg&goto=bhgnotices#

2006 Revolution line introduced [edit]

In 2006, Nautilus released the Bowflex Revolution with a completely new design and new resistance technology. The new model uses circular plates containing coiled straps around a cam which can interlock in place of the polymer rods. Nautilus claims that the new system makes the machine easier to use than its predecessor. It has more adjustments to accommodate different sized users and provides a larger variety of exercise variations.

2010 Bowflex death in California [edit]

In 2010, a 16 year old high school football player from California, USA suffocated in a Bowflex machine, apparently as a result of losing consciousness in the "choking game" while unsupervised. The teen's parents did not believe it was suicide, although the evidence is not clear if the young man intended for a friend to revive him after he intentionally cut off oxygen to his brain.[5]

During the initial investigation, at least one website attempted to connect the death with previous recalls of Bowflex products, before the parents began to speak out about the fact that the teen and his friends had a history of intentional choking.[6]

Bowflex Home Gyms [edit]

Most Bowflex home gyms use the Power Rod resistance system, while the higher-end Revolution models use the Spiraflex plate resistance system. Home gym models are further divided into the Value Series, Premium Series and Platinum Series.

In the complete list below, six models are currently (2012) manufactured: the Classic, Xtreme SE, Xtreme 2SE, Revolution XP, Ultimate 2 and Revolution Home.

  • Power Pro (1990s)
    • 35 exercises
    • 210 lb (95 kg) weight resistance, upgradeable to 310 or 410 lb (190 kg)
    • Base model can be upgraded with Lat Tower and Leg Extension (XTL Model includes these)
  • Motivator 2 (2005)
    • 55 exercises
    • Never sold directly from Bowflex; marketed through other vendors
    • Non-adjustable pulleys
    • 210 lb (95 kg) weight resistance; not upgradeable
    • 7' x 3'3.5" x 6'11.5" x 3'2"
  • Sport (2006)
    • 60 exercises
    • 210 lb (95 kg) weight resistance, upgradeable to 310 or 410 lb (190 kg)
    • 83" H x 84" L x 40" W
  • Xtreme (2006) and Xtreme SE (2007)
    • No bench (seat only)
    • 65 exercises
    • 4-position adjustable pulleys (built-in)
    • 210 lb (95 kg) weight resistance – upgradeable to 310 or 410 lb (190 kg)
    • 6'10" (208 cm) H x 4'5" (135 cm) L x 4'1" (125 cm) W
  • Revolution (2006)
    • 90 exercises
    • Spiraflex plate resistance (no Power Rods)
    • 170-degree adjustable arms
    • 220 lb (100 kg) weight resistance; upgradeable to 300 pounds
  • Xtreme 2 SE (2007)
    • 70 exercises
    • 4-position adjustable pulleys
    • 210 lb (95 kg) weight resistance, upgradeable to 310 or 410 lb (190 kg)
    • 6'10" (208 cm) H x 4'5" (135 cm) L x 4'1" (125 cm) W
  • Ultimate 2 (2007)
    • 95 exercises
    • 5-position adjustable pulleys
    • 310 lb (140 kg) weight resistance, upgradeable to 410 lb (190 kg)
    • 6'10" (208 cm) H x 7'8" (234 cm) L x 3'10" (117 cm) W
  • Ultimate XTLU (2007)
    • 90 exercises
    • 2-position adjustable pulleys
    • 310 lb (140 kg) weight resistance, upgradeable to 410 lb (190 kg)
    • 6' 11" (211 cm) H x 8'2" (249 cm) L x 4'2" (127 cm) W
  • Blaze (2007)
    • 60 exercises
    • Non-adjustable pulleys
    • 210 lb (95 kg) weight resistance, upgradeable to 310 or 410 lb (190 kg)
    • 7'0.5" (215 cm) H x 6'10.5" (210 cm) L x 3'2" (97 cm) W
  • Revolution XP (2007, sold by Nautilus) and Revolution FT (2007, sold by other retailers)
    • 90 exercises
    • Spiraflex plate resistance (no Power Rods)
    • 170-degree adjustable arms
    • 220 lb (100 kg) weight resistance, upgradeable to 300 pounds
    • Includes Leg Press Plate and 5-position foot harness
  • Xceed (2008)
    • No bench (seat only)
    • 65 exercises
    • 310 lb (140 kg) weight resistance, upgradeable to 310 or 410 lb (190 kg)
    • Dimensions: 82.7" H x 55.1" L x 51.2" W
  • PR1000 (2008)
    • 35 exercises
    • 210 lb (95 kg) weight resistance, not upgradeable
    • 81” H x 84” L x 38” W
  • PR3000 (2008)
    • No bench (seat only)
    • 35 exercises
    • 210 lb (95 kg) weight resistance, upgradeable to 310 lb (140 kg)
    • 81” H x 64” L x 41” W

Bowflex TreadClimbers [edit]

Bowflex currently manufactures TreadClimber models TC1000, TC3000, TC5000 and TC5500. All TreadClimbers provide three types of workouts: treadmill, stair climber and elliptical.[7] All models have a maximum user-weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg).

The TC1000 is the original and least expensive TreadClimber model. It has a 1-year warranty. Its dimensions are 46 inches (1,200 mm) L x 28.5 inches (720 mm) W x 55.25 inches (1,403 mm) H. It weighs 185 pounds (84 kg).

The TC3000 is warrantied for 3 years (motor), 2 years (electronics) and 1 year (hydraulics). It has an ergonomic console with water-bottle holder, as well as more electronic features, including a calorie indicator showing the number of calories burned per minute and per exercise. It has the same weight and dimensions as the TC1000.

The TC5000 is warrantied for 5 years (motor), 3 years (electronics) and 2 years (hydraulics). It includes a heart-rate monitor with integrated display and wireless chest-strap transmitter. It weighs 217 pounds (98 kg). It has a large number of extra functions, including those of the TC3000 and more than double those of the TC1000, including:

  • Quick Start – restores previous weight and resistance settings
  • Climb Indicator – tracks elevation gain in feet
  • Personalized Profiles and G.O. Coach Console – enable up to three users to set goals, keep track of their results and progress, and compare their progress with that of other users[8]

Complete list of Bowflex TreadClimber models:

  • TC1000 (2003-current)
    • 0.5 - 3.8 mph (0 - 6.1 km/h)
    • 3 Functions: Speed, Distance, Time
  • TC3000 (2003-current)
    • 0.7 - 4.0 mph (1.1 - 6.4 km/h)
    • 6 Functions: Speed, Distance, Time, Calories Per Minute, Total Calories, Total Steps
  • TC5000 (2003-current)
    • 0.7 - 4.0 mph (1.1 - 6.4 km/h)
    • 8 Functions: Speed, Distance, Total Steps, Time, Calories Per Minute, Total Calories, Climb Indicator, Heart Rate
  • TC5500 (2009-current)
    • .5 - 4.5 mph (.8 - 7.2 km/h)
    • 15 Functions: Time / Distance / Custom / Calorie Count / HR workout / 9 Landmark Challenges
  • TC5300 (2005–2008) (discontinued)
  • TC6000 (2008) (discontinued)

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Nautilus Corporate Website http://www.nautilusinc.com/nautilus_incorporated/ourbrands.jsp?lid=Our+Brands
  2. ^ http://www.secinfo.com/dRqWm.5e4j.htm
  3. ^ http://news.backchannelmedia.com/newsletter/articles/146/Bowflex-Recoils-After-Patent-Expires-Washington-Based-Nautilus-Fights-Back
  4. ^ MSNBC "Nearly 800,000 Bowflex machines recalled"
  5. ^ http://www.theunion.com/article/20100922/MISC/100929938/1066&ParentProfile=1053
  6. ^ PassionateFitness.com *16 Year Old Tangled In Bowflex Machine*
  7. ^ "Bowflex TreadClimber TC1000". Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
  8. ^ "Bowflex TreadClimber TC5500". Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
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