hey. i was wondering if anyone here has used a crossbar platinum by weider. i am thinking of buying the machine, and im wondering if you liked it. thanx.

free weights are the only way

crossbows/bowflex are shit

hey. i was wondering if anyone here has used a crossbar platinum by weider. i am thinking of buying the machine, and im wondering if you liked it. thanx.

I haven't tried the Wieder Crossbow myself, but a friend of mine used to have one. He liked it overall, but did complain about Wieder's quality control. He found it really difficult to put the machine together and the materials and workmanship rather sketchy. He also wasn't impressed by Wieder's customer service. If you do buy a Crossbow, I think you should examine what you get carefully as soon as it arrives, and send it back immediately if you detect any quality control problems.

Then there's the separate issue of a Crossbow versus free weights. The consensus -- certainly among the denizens of websites like this one -- is that free weights are superior. While I think that's true, I also think that the differences are not all that great, at least not with respect to the goals most people have, and can be outweighed by other considerations (e.g., space limitations, safety concerns, inexperience with weights). If free weights do work for you, then terrific, but if not, a Crossbow is not a bad way to go. In making the decision, you really should just evaluate your own personal circumstances and wants, and not pay too much heed to blanket statements like that of the previous posting.

machine weights are like protien shakes, a supliment to diet while machines are a supliment to free weights

Then there's the separate issue of a Crossbow versus free weights. The consensus -- certainly among the denizens of websites like this one -- is that free weights are superior. While I think that's true, I also think that the differences are not all that great, at least not with respect to the goals most people have, and can be outweighed by other considerations (e.g., space limitations, safety concerns, inexperience with weights). If free weights do work for you, then terrific, but if not, a Crossbow is not a bad way to go. In making the decision, you really should just evaluate your own personal circumstances and wants, and not pay too much heed to blanket statements like that of the previous posting.

Agree, Weights are good. The crossbow and bowflex have some redeeming features for the home. Compact, lightweight, versitile. Go down to a local store and try one out, you might get it cheaper, if you decide for it.

the problem is a cross bow is because the bars are bent the resistance changes throughout the movement and peaks but is not constant. With free weights you have the full amount of weight through the full repetition

the problem is a cross bow is because the bars are bent the resistance changes throughout the movement and peaks but is not constant. With free weights you have the full amount of weight through the full repetition

The problem you talk about is fixed by the platinum which eliminates the rods, according to owners.

What you say about weights is not always true, depending on leverage, example curls - tension weakens towards end of movement. The rod technology provides increasing resistance with no accompanying high weights, no need for spotter or ruining floors. It has its advantages.

http://www.platinumcrossbar.com/platinum/index_frm.html

What you say about weights is not always true, depending on leverage, example curls - tension weakens towards end of movement.

A hi/lo pulley cable system does the same job.

A crossbow works, but if you're looking for the physique the crossbow showcases on it's ads, remember it came from barbells not a crossbow.

If it's a crossbow/bowflex/soloflex or nothing, it'll be better, but if it's power rack, bench, & a 300lb set or a crossbow, there's no contest.

:mad: Report Fitness Fraud at:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/fitnessfraud/

Consumer Reports did a review (last year I believe) and all the infomercial gyms fared rather poorly. Quality pieces from companies like Body-Solid and Parabody did rather well. If you cannot afford a home gym with a weight stack, you best learn to use free weights, dumbbells are safer for beginners, since you can't choke to death with them. Master the movements and you will never need a machine to do it for you.

Don't get out your credit card until you have all the facts and details, especially the ones they 'conveniently' left out of the infomercial. Join here to find out what they didn't tell you about products like Bowflex, cableflex, soloflex, nordicflex, crossbow, that thingy that electrocutes your stomache, and whatever else might seem too good to be true. Share your stories if you feel your fitness equipment didn't live up to the advertiser's promises. This group is not to be used for promotional purposes of any companies products.

:mad: Report Fitness Fraud at:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/fitnessfraud/

Consumer Reports did a review (last year I believe) and all the infomercial gyms fared rather poorly. Quality pieces from companies like Body-Solid and Parabody did rather well. If you cannot afford a home gym with a weight stack, you best learn to use free weights, dumbbells are safer for beginners, since you can't choke to death with them. Master the movements and you will never need a machine to do it for you.

Don't get out your credit card until you have all the facts and details, especially the ones they 'conveniently' left out of the infomercial. Join here to find out what they didn't tell you about products like Bowflex, cableflex, soloflex, nordicflex, crossbow, that thingy that electrocutes your stomache, and whatever else might seem too good to be true. Share your stories if you feel your fitness equipment didn't live up to the advertiser's promises. This group is not to be used for promotional purposes of any companies products.

It's hard to get overly excited over a moderated forum, where all post must be approved by the moderator before being posted. IE: The only posts that actually get posted, are the ones that agree with the moderators line of thought.

dumbbells are safer for beginners, since you can't choke to death with them. Master the movements and you will never need a machine to do it for you.

Yeah, and if you get a power rack, or even a half-cage, you can use barbells very safely.

The crossbow isn't going to be incredible, and I guarantee you'll find a lot of things you don't like. Almost every exercise the crossbow does can be easily replicated, and replicated better, with a:

Flat Bench=$60-100 or F/I/D Bench=$150-250
100-200lb set of adjustable standard dumbbells= $60-100
OR: Hollow/Solid Olympic DB handles + 100-200lb=$70-150

COST: $120-400

even less if you lift less

and this way, you won't have a piece of junk you have to sell when
you realize you want real results.

If you can't bear free weight, buy a POWERTEC Leverage home gym, or a cable & pulley gym from BODYSOLID, BODYCRAFT, NAUTILUS or LIFEFITNESS/PARABODY.

TDS makes cheap power racks that'll outlive your house.

www.newyorkbarbells.tv FREE SHIPPING on power racks

or JE Fitness also sells them (see Kino's post: TDS Equipment)

a complete Power Rack home gym w/o flooring will cost you around $1000, or less

TDS Power rack: $260
TDS F/I/D Bench: $220
300lb Olympic set: $150
Standard 100lb adjustable dumbbell set: $60
TDS Olympic Plate Tree: $40

=$730 + tax, some s/h = under $800

cheap foam flooring would cost about $60
A mirror of good size: $50
you're done!