Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The Max by Weider aims to provide a lower-cost alternative to the market leading Bowflex. It must be enough of a threat for Bowflex to force a name change from the Crossbow to the Crossbar, and now Max. My background: I am an out-of-shape almost-40yr old exec. I used to lift weights in high school, like most guys back then (vinyl weight set, pre-GNC era). I played sports in high school and college. Afterwards, I've had membership in 3 different health clubs on and off. They always make money off my membership. I haven't done much in the past few years and decided that this must change. I narrowed down the obstacles to exercise down to the #1 reason for procrastination: proximity and convenience of exercising. It's just a 3 minute drive to the health club, and parking is easy, hours are OK, facilities are passable, etc. But nothing beats a gym in the house, where there is zero commute, 24/7 hours, zero competition for equipment, your choice of TV station to distract you while the muscles burn, easy shower/change of clothing. So, I bought this Max and I think it is the best purchase I've made in a while. Here's why: Plusses: 1. Cheap - it does most of what every other exercise system does, at a huge discount in price. 2. Construction - well-made enough 3. Nifty resistance system - the bows work better than I thought. They give a good, if unusual, resistance that can give you a workout. 4. Flexible - Pulleys work very well for giving you all sorts of exercises 5. (YMMV) Slightly Compact - This is a little shorter than the Bowflex, which made THE difference in bringing it into my basement...by one inch! Minuses 1. Resistance system - I'm still not sure if this resistance system, which begins easy but gets tough by the end of the motion, is better or not. This is a similar minus suffered by Bowflex. I am comparing it to free weights or Universal types of machines. 2. Construction - I wonder if those bars will snap some day...they do bow over time, surely affecting how resistance is given. 3. Not for serious bodybuilders, pro athletes, etc. This is clearly something not for hardcore-anybody. So, why do I give it a full 5 stars? I am rating this machine based on what I think is "comparable" competition. I don't think it's fair to compare it to everything on precor's website. In fact, even against the Bowflex, I would have to ask myself whether I would pay the difference. I am comparing it against every $300 piece of exercise equipment I can think of. So, who should buy this Weider? People who identify with the following: 1. I need to get off the couch and start doing something to work out. 2. I need to watch the finances, so cheaper is better. 3. Before I upgrade to a massive exercise system, let me just start. 4. I am not working out for any specific sport or activity, so I am not obssessed with the nature of the resistance motion, I just need to start moving my arms and legs for non-eating related activity. 5. I would like to avoid hauling in real weights, because they really weigh a lot. 6. I get irritated switching weight stacks and it deters me. 7. I know myself - I'm never going to be going to the health club regularly. Hope this info helps someone kick off their workouts!