Bowflex

[semillama]

My girlfriend just ordered one for us.

It looks pretty good to me, but I was wondering if any other folks here have used them. The big plus seems to be the variety of workouts, the lack of inertial force, and the fact that it would be right there in my home staring me in the face and I wouldn't have to drive to get to the gym anymore.

Thoughts?

[seemunkee]

1. Anything that you will use is better than nothing

Never tried one but if you use it and like it that counts for a lot more than buying something that sits in the corner.

Why did you choose that over other options?

[MemphisTiger]

2. Actually free weight are more versatile

and you use more stabilizer muscles when you use free weights. I'm not a big fan of these bowflex type machines, but it's better than nothing.

[LastKnight]

3. i use one.

i think its ok, like others have said, there are plenty of other things out there that work just as well, if not better, but its a large imposing machine that says 'use me' rather than a set of freeweights that sit in the corner collecting dust. its great for trimming some fat and building an average ammount of muscle. great confidence builder too... but theres only so much it can do for you. i was maxing out the power rods after 3 weeks of working out on em.

make sure you do some freeweight workouts too if your looking to build muscle, the flex does ok for trimming fat... but it isnt gonna make you Ah-nuld...

you may wish to buy the book that goes along with it, its about 35 bucks and reads like an infomercial but it really helps with giving you routines rather than just a list of possible exercises.

if you dont wanna go that route just drop me a line and ill share with you some of my custom routines, that or you can tell me what youre aming for and ill build one for you using the book. if youre interested lemme know.

[4_Legs_Good]

4. I think they're great to get you feeling fit

I bought one 3 years ago and started using it for real about a bit over 2 years ago.

It's a great machine for helping to build your confidence and making you feel (and look) fit. You can work on it, it doesn't hurt or feel like you're gonna rip your arms out of their sockets. For a guy like me, who is a very hard gainer, it was an absolutely necessary step towards gaining some muscle weight. Had I tried hitting the gym right off the bat again, I would certainly have wimped out within a couple months and then wasted hundreds of $ on membership fees for a year or two.

Because you can hit the Bowflex anytime you want and you can easily keep track of your progress, it really gets you into the routine of working out, and you can feel the improvement.

Now, however, I do almost all my exermacizing at the gym. If I can't make a day to the gym and somehow the family situation allows it, I will still use the Bowflex and some other stuff I've got, and it's great because it can pretty much simulate an entire gym.

So basically I'm glad I'm going to the gym now instead of using the Bowflex every day because I see more progress this way, but I know I would never be hitting the gym regularly if it weren't for my Bowflex experience.

I will also say in a probably sexist way that the Bowflex will probably be good enough for most women and the kind of muscle development they want to see.

If you have any questions, let me know. I have a Bowflex Ultimate, and I bought a squat set for another machine so I could use the squat bar and the chains. Using chains rather than those adjustable straps is essential or you'll be spending all your time adjusting instead of lifting. All told I think I spent $2,250 (which is a significant amount of $ for us) and I don't regret it one bit.

david

[personman]

5. I dig it.

Hello folks, just joined the group. :)

I've been using a bowflex semi-daily for a couple years. Previously I had a weight bench, one barbell and some dumbbells. Some things I like about the bowflex are the fact that you don't need a spotter to train to failure, and it's quick and easy to switch exercises.

I've probably put on about 60-80 pounds of muscle since I started working out on it (and drastically improving my diet), and just recently hit a personal weight gain (that's right gain :) ) goal.

So I really can't recommend it enough. When I move and have the space I do plan to get a weight bench as well, but I'm planning on keeping the bowflex.

-personman

[MissMillie]

6. welcome to the group... and to DU

:hi:

[personman]

7. Thanks you. :) nt