Bowflex vs. Crossbow
 

I am contemplating the purchase of a Bowflex machine or the new Joe Wieder Crossbow. I was just curious if anyone has had any experience with the products and can give a comparison of any kind.

Here are the details and my line of thinking.

Crossbow is priced at $599 includes 240lbs of resistance, weight belt, and Lat Bar. Also, includes row attachment and leg attachment. This is the "Advantage Model." Also, the cross bow can be purchased at most sporting goods stores and Sears, which is nice.

Bowflex has a comparable model called the Power Pro XTL, it comes with 210lbs of resistance and costs more than double at $1399. Bowflex can only be purchased through their website, via phone, or at some very select specialty (mom and pop) fitness equipment stores.

After inspecting both machines, I have come to realise (At least IMO), the craftsmanship of both machines are pretty comparable.

The bows themselves seem to be similar. Although the bows on the Bowflex seem to be more durable and made out of better material. The bows on the Crossbow seem to be of a more plastic base, so over time I think that the Crossbow's bows will probably lose it's resistance or maybe even break.

The seat on the Cross bow is more comfortable (IMO). It is made of a soft vinyl covered cushion. The Bowflex has a hard foam filled seat that seems to be very uncomfortable and I think working out on it may cause a pain in the ass (pun intended :D ).

Bowflex comes with a "No-time limit" warrenty on the bows and a 5-year warrenty on the machine. The Crossbow comes with a "lifetime" warrenty on the bows and a 5-year warrenty on the machine. So, both warrenties are comparable....

So, my questions is....is the bowflex worth the extra almost $800???

What do you guys think? Is there something I am not considering?

Here are the websites...

Bowflex
Crossbow

Hey,
Just curious if you made a decision yet?

Sears has the Crossbow with +100 lbs of weight (from the Sears Website) and the Lat bar ($39 extra normaly) right now for $599.

I think I am going to buy one this weekend.

I have seen both good and bad reviews. Everything from its great, to missing parts and broken bows while working out. The one's out now are a new model. They have a aluminum (sp?) bar that the seat slides on now.

If you haven't got one yet, I'll let you know how mine works. Or if you have and it sucks, please let me know.

Thanks!

Dragonhawk

never tried the crossbow, but I'm a fan of the bowflex...although it is way overpriced...if the Crossbow is half as good, it's probably the better deal.

I bought one yesterday, and start putting it together today...
I'll let you know what happens.

Dragonhawk

Took me about 2 hours to put it together, missing a set of screws to put the ends of the bows on, so I will have to get those today. So far, I'm still impressed by it. Feels sturdy. The instructions are a little hard to follow. And the fool that decided you need 20 different sizes of bolts to put the thing together should be shot. Like a 114 mm bolt vs a 95 mm bolt vs a 95 mm Hexhead bolt. Real annoying.

Oh, Sears is back up to $649 on thiers, but it did come with the lat bar in the box. Sports authority still has them without the lat bar for $599, and so does www.thecrossbow.com

More to come.

I did finally make a decision, and bought the Crossbow. I put it together in about 2 hours and was missing nothing out of the box. Maybe I am just lucky..??

I spent $499 at Sears...I haggled with them...yeah, haggled at Sears...:-)

I got 200+ lbs of resistance plus the lat bar, ankle cuffs and wieght belt, which were all included. Not a bad deal...:-)

I bought it about a month ago and have been using it for over a month now, and I just LOVE it. I have a friend who has a Bowflex, and he really seems to like mine as well. They both DO have there pros and Cons, but him and I just don't think that the Pros that the Bowflex has is worth over $1000 in deifference in price. Not to mention the convenience of just returning the product to Sears if I have any problems...:-)

Well, the Cross bow is a solid machine and so far I am VERY satisfied with my purchase.

If you guys have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Anyone have any experiences?

Man, I should have gone to your Sears store :)

I have been using mine for two weeks now, and I still like it. I bought it while my wife was on vacation, so she was a little shocked when she got home.

She wants to use it too now!