21 Mar 2004 - Gene of Illinois, USA writes:
When I finally received the platinum crossbow, I did not realize that the resistance was motorized and dependent on a properly functioning mech frame. I assembled the crossbow according to the manual, however the motor did not slide the upper cable to increase the resistance as selected. To make matters worse, the mech frame needed cannot be replaced because it is out of stock. After three days I am still trying to get through to customer service for a resolution.
12 Mar 2004 - Michael of New York, USA writes:
Ordered Feb 2004 and received 4 weeks later. I had previously read all the complaints and problems, associated with the Platinum and was apprehensive about what to expect. Nothing could have been further from the truth, with one exception. A 314 lb box is a 314 lb and not for the faint of heart. Luckily the delivery driver felt bad for me and the two of us manhandled it up 5 steps into my LR. From that point on, it was doable. I took my time, carried the pieces up to my BR/Gym and proceeded to assemble it. I followed the directions point by point and it took me about three and a half hours. Still following directions, I plugged it in and viola, all was as it should be. Everything worked. It was well packaged and seems well constructed. I am not an experienced user of this kind of equipment so I can't comment on its total suitability, but for my purposes (weight loss and toning) it fits the bill. I have started slowly, learning as I go and feel this was the right choice and recommend it to anyone with a similar purpose. As I progress, I will update these comments. Please note: Machine model # WESY7873-2 and was purchased directly from [].
9 Mar 2004 - Perry of Texas, USA writes:
I just received my crossbow last night and assembly was pretty easy overall. About 2 hours after I laid out all the parts, keyed the bolts and nuts/etc to their part #'s. I also did this alone, not too difficult really. The instructions did have a nice parts chart that lets you measure each bolt to insure you use the right one, this is important! There were a couple error, like in one spot they have you tighten the upper bolt on the back where the power rod goes through too support braces, then never mention tightening the top one! I lve the fit and finish, this looks better than many machines I've seen in gyms. They did not make it clear in their infomercials that YOU change the accessories via D-clips....a few more of these would make the process easier, I'm sure the local Home Depot will have them. I played around on it a bit and it seems nice, more to follow on the actual results. The wall chart is nice, could have been bigger. I freaked when I saw the size of the box! It was badly damaged but the system was packed so well nothing got hurt, not a scratch! The protective plastic film on the aluminum parts is a nice finish. All in all, for $50 a month, this is a great bargain!
4 Mar 2004 - Jorge of California, USA writes:
When I first saw the Platinum Crossbow I was impressed. It took about 10 days for delivery, and about 4 to 5 hours to assemble it. My experience with the Platinum Crossbow so far have been great. Very good machine.
3 Mar 2004 - Derrick of Georgia, USA writes:
Like most I ordered my crossbow platinum back in November and didn't receive it until the third week in January 2004. When it arrived the box was cut open, some of the screws fell out of the box and certain parts were damaged. The freight company [] use handle the boxes with absolutely no care. The truck driver just dropped it off the truck before bringing it to me. The system is completely unassembled, they say it takes two people to put the platinum crossbow together. I did it by myself in one full day. And believe me it took all day. Am very impress with the machine. The complains are valid as stated in most of the reviews about this machine. The personnel trainer doesn't work very well because the system will double even triple count your reps. Overall I like the machine, I count my own reps and do my own custom workouts. You do get results fast and it want take long to see a different in your body. I recommend this machine if you're tired of the crowded gyms and you want the convenience of working out anytime you want. To [], also recommend a MUTE button on your future models. The beep beep beep, gets annoying.
21 Feb 2004 - Kevin of Illinois, USA writes:
Nice machine. The one I got was a bit damaged on a few parts in shipping since it is so heavy. they said they will replace them. The cable I got for my leg curl exercise is too short. Starts from two from the machine to fork into one for the leg attachment. Two cables roll over the pulley and gets caught. They must have made the cable wrong. Other than that it works pretty good so far.
21 Feb 2004 - Darron of Indiana, USA writes:
Well my experience with the Platinum Cross Bow was terrible. First, I ordered it in early November and received it in late Jan. The company blamed high demand on the delay. Secondly, when I got the item, the cable system was too short. I had to hire some on to assemble it and even he was unable to complete the assembly. I paid $180 to Icon Fitness who manufactures the product on behalf of Weider. I had to return the cable portion of the machine and wait another six weeks as the product was on back order. Finally, in Feb, I got the part and completed assembly myself. The machine is sturdy as mentioned. Resistance, however is a different game than free weights and it takes some getting used to. If you have problems with customer service and I know you will unless you enjoy waiting on hold 20 minutes, then simply ask for a sales manager. As well, don't hesitate to send letters to Scott Watterson or Daniel Watterson who are the presidents of the company. Ask for Deb in the president's office if you don't get satisfaction. Over all the product appears to be ok but service is first rate poor. No exuse.
20 Feb 2004 - Tony of British Columbia, Canada writes:
Bought the Crossbow platinum in January 2004, the rep told me 4 to 6 weeks since the demand was so high. I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived 2 weeks later. Assembly took several hours with 2 people. It is about the same size as my friend's bowflex ultimate. Plugged the sucker in and the motor came to life, then all of a sudden, nothing. Apparently the power transformer blew. I called customer service and was told that there had been wiring mistake at the factory. They told me that they would send me a new transformer, but that it would take a while since it was on backorder. Again, arrived 2 weeks later. I plugged it in and now it seems to be working fine. Now the real review. I paid about $1400 cdn for my setup, while my friend paid about $4000 for his bowflex ultimate. Quality wise, there's no comparison, while the fit and finish on the bowflex ultimate is a thing of beauty, my crossbow platinum looks like it has been welded by some high school dropout. The crossbow is supposed to go up to 340lbs, but it really does not feel like real weight. I can bench press about 220lbs of real weight, 260lbs on the bowflex, but I can press 280lbs on the crossbow. As for the squat function, I can already do the whole thing. I hope they will rectify this with additional weights in the future. Of course this machine is not for the serious weight trainer. I guess it's good enough for the average joe. Plus, if in a year, it's collecting dust in the corner, I won't feel as bad as my friend with the bowflex.
20 Feb 2004 - Trey of Texas, USA writes:
I received my crossbow platinum 2 weeks ago and love it. The instructions were simple and it took my wife and I about 4.5 hours to assemble. The poster that describes the exercises is easy to understand, but the video is not that great. The machine has a smooth feel to it, and the range of motion is more that enough. The only things that I have a problem with is that the motor will not calibrate, so I do not know how accurate the weight really is. Also after two weeks of use the machine is very noisy with squeaks and screeches. I have just e-mailed the company and am waiting to see how long the response takes. Overall though I would recommend the Crossbow Platinum to anyone.
13 Feb 2004 - Jim of California, USA writes:
I just purchased the platinum cross bow from [] and picked it up the same day. I paided $799 for it as it was on sale. The bad part was it did not include the curl station or the 6 roller leg work out as mine only has 4. I still got stuck with the one 315 lb box but was able to get it in my garage and unpack it and haul the parts to my fitness center (spare bedroom). The assembly instructions were great and I assembled it in about 5.5 hrs. I just started working out with it and really like it but too soon to see any results. The viedo that came with it is very poor quality with blurry viedo and distorted sound but other then that it is great. It does have a great wall chart and changing from one exercise to another is a snap.
12 Feb 2004 - James of Georgia, USA writes:
Okay guys. This machine is simply unbelievable. I don't have any negative comments to speak of. The unit weighs a lot, but that's because of it's rock solid sturdiness. So please assemble it in the room where it will reside. I have never seen a company with Weider's reputation sell a product with awesome workmanship at such a low price ($875.00). It's insane. My workouts are off the chart. This from a guy who swore by free weights. And to top it all off, it comes fully loaded. Squats, lats, rows, curls. This baby is just beautiful. I suggest you get one before they realize what they done and jack the price.
10 Feb 2004 - Thomas of Idaho, USA writes:
I ordered our platinum crossbow on January 6, 2004 and it took exactly three weeks to deliver. It came very well packaged in a single 315lb (according to the shipping papers) box which was challenging to get into the house. Unwrapping and assembly took me (alone) just under five hours and the instructions were great. The platinum crossbow is my third home gym-first two were free weights. The overall craftsmanship of the platinum crossbow is exceptional! The machine gives you a great workout but has two points you might want to consider: 1) low weight settings feel higher 2) return resistance is minimal. The first point is more a factor for my wife. For example, reverse fly for shoulder exercise she can do with 2x10lb (i.e., 20lb) free weights no problem, but nothing moves with 10lb on the crossbow. The second point is more a fact you learn to live with. Regarding the personal trainer: I don't care for it too much, thus always use the manual mode that lets you! change the weight in a few seconds. But my wife likes it and yes you have to adjust the weight you would like to lift at the beginning of each new exercise. What the personal trainer gives you is optimizations of break times (e.g., less for weight loss), number of sets, number of repetitions, and it adjusts the weight going from set to set according to what you want to do (weight loss, circuit training, or strength training). To me pluses of the platinum crossbow are: you don't need any additional accessories, gives you awesome workout, price, and craftsmanship. Negatives: 315lb box (why not ship in parts you can actually drag into your home) other than that I haven't found any yet that would compare to the mentioned positives. Go for it!
10 Feb 2004 - Antonio of Maryland, USA writes:
I ordered my Weider Platinum Crossbow on Jan 12,2004 and received it about 3 weeks later. I came in a 350 lb box so you will need help carrying it inside. Assembly took me about 8 hours by myself, but I took alot of breaks. I sampled most of the exercises and this machine is very smooth and consistent, in my opinion. The digital resistance is great, no power rods to change. I have only had this for a day so I will see how it goes and post another review in the future.
29 Jan 2004 - DJ of Kansas, USA writes:
I Bought the Crossbow Platinum Nov 1st. 2003. It took 11 weeks to ship. Came in a 314 pound box. Took 8 dedicated hours with two people to assemble with advanced mechanics tools. Was not as smooth as my bowflex I sold to buy this thing. But gave me a nice workout. The electronic personal trainer is bogus. Yes it sends you through a set of workouts but the weight is arbitrary and needs to be manually changed to meet your paticular needs. The count down is not accurate because if you are using both arms or legs it double counts if not done perfectly. Workout for one week and then the main mechanism broke. I expect another 4 week delay for parts to arrive and two more hours of assembly time to get it back and running. The weight mechanism is totally motor driving and electronic dependant so breakdown is more likely. It does not have power rods like the original crossbow, but a rigid fiberglass 1"x3" board that creates the resistance. Because the board bends minimally it does not give you a consistent weight for flex and return. I think that it is a good machine when it works and can give you a good workout. Do not be dazzled by the electronics. Consider shipping and assembly time with help. Not as smooth and consistent as the bowflex. Not any easier to use than the bowflex.
22 Jan 2004 - Matt of Michigan, USA writes:
I'm an engineering type who had only considered the BOWFLEX prior to the recent introduction of the Weider Platinum Crossbow. Boy am I glad I waited. Quality and ease of use is more important to me than price. I was going to purchase the BF Ultimate for $2200.00 (delivered). The material and workmanship on the PCB is simply exceptional..Frankly, I bought mine for $800 and wonder how Weider can even make money considering that the components weigh over 325 pounds I believe. As far as the use, I have invested about 10 grand over the last 15 years and think this machine has more flexibility and is more fun and easy to use than any of my other workout pieces. A total value, period. If you have money to burn, or are the type of person that has to own a BMW and drink only top shelf, your ego may need the bowflex, but don't delude yourself in th inking you are paying for any degree of quality not found in a Platinum Crossbow. Being in marketing, it's plain to see that Bowflex wants you to believe your getting something that you are frankly, but respectfully not. Save the $1400.00 you would have spent, and take your new skinny self on vacation with the money you saved. The Weider Platinum Crossbow will exceed your expectations in both quality and value. A truly fine machine who's only problem is that it's price TOO low. Honest to God!
7 Nov 2003 - Porfie of Colorado, USA writes:
We just purchased the NEW crossbow platinum as well and like the other poster had mentioned I also wish they would have had this out in January when i ordered the original crossbow. Me and spouse use the original crossbow and have really enjoyed it but when we saw the crossbow platinum we got shocked at the new feautures like the digital personal trainer, the digital control resistance (which adjusts the weight automatically for you), the new preacher bicep bar attatchment and more than anything the new squat system. Now I just have to find a buyer for my old crossbow. I just hope they dont come out with a new crossbow titanium anytime soon cause we cant afford to be buy another one lol. Gym rats complain that the dcr on the platinum crossbow is just another reason for people to be lazy since all they have to do is push a button to change the weight on this system, but I don't live my life in a gym and for people like myself that have a busy lifestyle, yet still want to stay in great shape this is a perfect machine. Truly an amazing system that is way ahead of the competition. Bowflex was cool back in the 90s along with Soloflex but this is a new day of age and Platinum Crossbow is style now.
