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The Weider Platinum Crossbow Info
What can I say? I sometimes get sucked into those late-night/early-morning
fitness
infomercials that catch my eye with some new fitness
gadget or workout wonder. The
Weider Platinum
Crossbow ad caught my eye. Of course, everything looks good in an infomercial so
the first thing to do, of course, is to hit the web and do some research.
Hey...don't laugh...it's probably how you ended up here!
This page is specifically about the top-of-the-line model
from Sears: The 800
Platinum Crossbow. Info on the Crossbow Advantage models is available
HERE. There is also a Model 600 Platinum
Crossbow which is the same as the 800 except no Squat Station and lesser
electronics. I'll only focus on the 800 Model.
Here's what my research from dozens of sites and resources (including the
manufacturer Icon Fitness) on the unit has found:
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WHY GET A CROSSBOW? |
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I can almost hear the discussion and controversy
now..."Why would you want to mess with a machine like this?...Free
weights are the ONLY way to go if you are a serious bodybuilder!".
First, I'll say that I mostly agree and that my Home Gym contains
both free dumbbells and the Crossbow. I look at this piece of
exercise equipment as a home cable machine. It is ideally suited
to deliver:
- Smooth, consistent resistance
- A complete range of motion capability for:
- Great fly and crossover and pulldown and
extension exercises!
- Allows better "form" than Bowflex
- Weight increases in 1 pound increments
- A decent Squat station.
- No need for a spotter...a bit safer than heavy dumbbells.
- The resistance is digital...no weights.
- Folds up...sort of.
- It's MUCH less expensive (and does more) than the
Bowflex.
- I needed an Incline Bench anyway (for my free weight workouts)!
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CONS |
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I'm not going to even suggest that the
models in the infomercial and on the website look the way they look
BECAUSE of using the Crossbow. Here's a consensus of the feedback I
seen:
- Long delivery times and reported problems with delivery
companies when purchased directly from ICON Fitness
- Difficult (for some) assembly...I had no problems with it...just
takes several hours
- Computer console and electric motors possible failure points.
But...has a 10 year warranty.
- Preacher Curl station ONLY available on model from
ICON...not Sears
- 6 Roller Leg Station ONLY available on model from
ICON...not Sears
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MODELS |
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There are two models of the
Platinum Crossbow...one from the manufacturer (ICON Fitness - Model WESY7873) and
one from Sears - Model XP800. I was fairly pissed to find out that The
ONLY way to buy the most complete, full
featured model is directly from ICON. With higher shipping costs, user
feedback of long delivery delays (even delivering OLD models!),
and...well...being FORCED to buy from one source...I am inclined to tell
ICON to shove their more expensive model which boasts the Preacher Curl
Station and two additional Leg Rollers. Not enough functionality for the
added cost...see the
Comparison
Basically, I lose the ability to
do Preacher Curls and Hamstring Curls with the system pulleys. No big
deal! I use free weights and a cheap Preacher bench...and do Legs Curl
in the gym...
You cannot buy the attachment separately and
upgrade the machine from Sears!
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| USER REVIEWS and DISCUSSIONS |
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More Platinum
Crossbow Information:
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I Chose to buy from Sears...
Buy it online...pick it up locally and save the
shipping charges! Plus...Sears Service...in
my home...anytime!
What are the
advantages of doing such a thing?
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Buy online, pick up locally
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No Hassle Return Policy
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Try before you buy
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No shipping charges
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Sears Financing and Service available
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Installation/assembly available
Being able to sit and TRY before you BUY
the unit is key to deciding if it is right for you. Since I do
not live close to the factory, my local Sears store provided
this ability. Stores vary, especially when it comes to finding
someone familiar with the unit to demo it for you. You might
even call around to several stores and ask if they
have a departmental expert on the Platinum Crossbow.
Caution: The thing weighs 245 lbs so
you may need help picking it up and transporting it to it's
final location!
 ...Buying
Platinum Crossbow from Sears |
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Accessories and Gear ...
Here are some additional pieces of exercise equipment and accessories that I've found really help out in making
the most of almost any home gym...or a health club gym for that
matter! If you're going to workout, you're going to need some
gear. A good pair of shoes if nothing else!
...Check
out Exercise Equipment recommendations
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Other Crossbow Models
The Weider Crossbow also comes in smaller, less expensive model.
The Advantage Crossbow ™
WESY5983
around
$499.00
For good, general cable crossovers, etc. it
offers a good workout and compares favorable to the Bowflex.
Less expensive than the Bowflex with comparable attachments.
Compare at:
...Sears
...Wal-Mart
...The
Sports Authority
...HSN.COM |
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"And it folds up easily for convenient storage... so you never have to look
at it again."
Platinum Crossbow Models
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Compare Platinum Crossbow Models
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| ICON Fitness |
Sears |
| (800) 999-3756 |
(800) 349-4358 |
www.iconfitness.com
www.platinumcrossbow.com |
www.sears.com |
| Model: WESY7873 |
Model: 153971 or XP800
Sears item #00615397000 |
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NOTE: The unit from Sears does NOT include the Preacher
Curl Attachment which also eliminates 2 of the 6 Leg Rollers. |
| Price: $999 |
Price: $799 |
| Shipping: $95.00 (or free shipping if paid in full, i.e.
no financing) |
Shipping: None if picked up at a local store |
| Warranty: 10 years |
Warranty: 10 years |
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 Building upon
Body for Life!
Home Page
Be more successful with your Body for Life Challenge, check out our free Tips
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Exercise Equipment
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body parts, and nutritional needs (just to name a few!) but one thing is for
sure... You're gonna need SOME workout gear!
Weider
Platinum Crossbow
The Platinum Crossbow is a nice complement to a set of free weights for those
who want to HIIT all the muscle groups...I wanted a flexible piece of fitness
equipment to exercise at home on.
Nutrition
By far the biggest "challenge" in the Body for Life Challenge is eating
properly. Fat loss, energy levels, muscle gains all depend on it. Here you will
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