| Bowflex | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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]
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.
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 Ultimat 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#
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.
In 2010, a 16 year old high school football player from California, USA died after getting tangled in a Bowflex machine. [5]
Further investigations have revealed that the accident may have been a suicide attempt or another example of the choking game leading to a fatality. Investigations are still continuing into his death as of September 22, 2010. [6]
Essentially there are two main designs, the Bowflex Power Rod Home Gym and the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym. Additionally, there is a Bowflex Tread Climber Stepper Machine also available in the market.[7] The Bowflex home gym models are classified into value series, premium series and platinum series. There are only 6 models that are still manufactured at this moment and these are the Bowflex Classic Home Gym and Bowflex Xtreme SE Home Gym, Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym and Bowflex Revolution XP Home Gym, Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym and Bowflex Revolution Home. Following are their main features:
The Bowflex TreadClimber models that are currently being manufactured include the TC1000, TC3000, TC5000 and TC5500. The TC5500 is the latest model produced and which includes the most features. All the Bowflex TreadClimber models provide 3 types of workouts.
The TC1000 model is the first TreadClimber model ever manufactured. It comes with 1 year warranty and it has the maximum capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg). It is not longer than 46 inches (1,200 mm), wider than 28.5 inches (720 mm) and higher than 55.25 inches (1,403 mm). It is also the cheapest TreadClimber available given the fact that it comes with only 3 functions. It might be used for 3 types of workouts: treadmill, stair climber and elliptical.[8]
The TC3000 model has the same weight maximum capacity and it comes with 3 years warranty for the motor, 2 for the electronic parts and 1 for the hydraulics. It weighs 185 lb (84 kg) when assembled (84 kg). This model comes with additional features when comparing to the earliest version. Thus, it is equipped with a calories burner indicator which slows the user to see the amount of calories burned per minutes and per exercise. It also has an ergonomic console which provides accessibility to water bottles. The TC3000 comes with 6 electronic functions and it has the same dimensions as the previous model.
The TC5000 model comes with 8 functions, in three different types of workouts. The motor of this model has a warranty of 5 years, the electronic parts of 3 years and the hydraulics of 2 years. It weighs the same as the other models when assembled, and it has the same maximum capacity. What is different is the increased number of functions, more than double when comparing with the first model. Moreover, this model comes with a wireless heart rate monitor which is an integrated display that allows the user to see the heart rate and a wireless transmitter chest strap. Also, it has a quick start feature which makes it possible to record the last weight and resistance settings. The TC5000 is also equipped with the calories burned indicator and with a climb indicator which tracks the elevation gain in feet.
The newest TreadClimber model that is still being manufactured is the TC5500. This is the one with most features and with the highest price. The motor of this machine comes with 5 years warranty, the parts and electronics with 3 years and hydraulics with 2. Although it has the same dimensions as the previous models, the TC5500 weighs 217 lbs (98 kg) when assembled and is capable of sustaining a maximum weight of 300 lbs (136 kg). It is equipped with the calories burned indicator, the wireless heart rate monitor, climb indicator, ergonomic console and moreover, personalized profiles. This feature allows the machine to keep track of the workouts and results of a particular user, for three different users. It may also compare the progress of the users. Even more, this model is equipped with the G.O. Coach Console which interacts with the user to establish goals, monitor progress and compare results with previous weeks as well as other users.[9]
This is a summary with the information on Blowflex reaClimber models.