Any good less expensive alternatives for Soloflex or Bowflex?

[Jugernot]

Anyone know of any good cheaper alternatives to Soloflex or Bowflex? I'd like to start a workout regiment, but don't have time to goto the gym everyday and don't have the cash for a full out Bowflex...

Any ideas?

Jugs

EDIT: Less expensive = less than $750.

EDIT2: Going to the gym is NOT an option. I am either at work or in class from 9-9pm everyday. I workout at home around 10-12 every night...

EDIT3: I think I need to make something clear as I think you all have misunderstood what I need... I'm NOT looking for something for strength training. I'm not looking to rip my chest or build myself up to be able to bench 400lbs or anything. I'm looking to get rid of fat.... I'm not on a mission to build up the muscle on my body. Though, that will be a by product of the weight loss no doubt.

I do realize that strength training and losing weight are linked, but at this point, I don't think free weights are my best option for the types of excercise that I'd like to do. I'm looking to do shoulder press, fly weights, power crunches, leg press, and a few others. I'm not looking to build up my arms or anything...

 

[Jugernot]

^^

 

[Schadenfroh]

my grandpa made his own from plastic pipes, strings, and a pully.

 

[Bignate603]

From what I've heard those are no good anyways.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Yea, it's called free weights and a bench. Cheaper and you can do more with it than you ever could with Bowflex. You really think you can look like the guy in the commercial in what, 6 weeks or something?

 

[ComputerMonkey]

Total Gym. It's awesome if you are just starting out or have no space at home for equipment.

I bought the cheap one from Costco a few years ago. I didn't really start to use it regularly until last year. It helped me gain 20 pounds of solid mass and get into shape. I do agree that a bench and free weights are really the best option though. I've outgrown the Total Gym and will be getting a gym membership soon. I'd buy a bench, but my apartment is the size of a closet.

If you are confined for space, are just starting out, or just want to get some sort of exercise into your life, by all means check it out.

 

[MichaelD]

Two large rubber bands and a bigass C-hook in the wall. $3.95 for parts and labor.

 

[Deeko]

yea, going to a real gym

 

[Chrishuff1]

I got a bowflex and like it a lot, but thats just me

 

[mrCide]

i dont understand, you wanna pay 750 but yo udont have time to goto a gym?

i go 3 times a week, i pay $25 a month... whats the big deal here? go for a year, atleast if you get into working out you'll be set, unlike if you enjoy your bench at home you'll want a lot more if youget into it.. and end up going to hte gym.

 

[BoberFett]

Gyms - a place where you can pass the time waiting for machines to open up by watching all the guys flex in front of mirrors trying to impress the whore wearing practically nothing.

And having free weights at home isn't a good idea unless you have a spotter.

Resistance systems aren't ideal for weight training, but for some people they may be an option.

 

[MisterPresident]

I don't know about the quality, but you should check out Crossbow.

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: mrCide
i dont understand, you wanna pay 750 but yo udont have time to goto a gym?

i go 3 times a week, i pay $25 a month... whats the big deal here? go for a year, atleast if you get into working out you'll be set, unlike if you enjoy your bench at home you'll want a lot more if youget into it.. and end up going to hte gym.

The only time I can goto the gym is before 8am... that means I have to get there by 6am (get up at 5am) if I want to get in a workout and get showered for work. I can't get my ass out of bed that early...

I get off work at around 5:30pm and am in class from 6-9pm most nights. That eliminates the ability to goto the gym.... I do my workouts in the hours of 10pm - 12am. Right now I'm walking on a treadmill for 1.5hrs, 5 times a week. Last year I was going to gym and was working on the Nautilus machines regularly. But, as I said with my schedule now, I can't do that anymore...

Jugs

 

[Looney]

I would just get a free weight bench if you have room for one... it really is better than the bow/soloflex. But that's not saying the bowflex sucks, it's pretty good actually.

For a home bench, get a good padded bench, and go for olympic weights if you have the room. If not, dumb-bells are good (i prefer dumb-bells actually, i don't need a spotter if i want to go heavy).

 

[VBboy]

TotalGym Pro $150-200

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Gyms - a place where you can pass the time waiting for machines to open up by watching all the guys flex in front of mirrors trying to impress the whore wearing practically nothing.

And having free weights at home isn't a good idea unless you have a spotter.

Resistance systems aren't ideal for weight training, but for some people they may be an option.

Uh...no. Having free weights is fine unless you're an idiot and try to do too heavy of weight, or try for too many reps. You should know when that last rep may be questionable, if you don't have a spotter you stop. Simple as that. Hell, I go to a gym with a ton of people and I don't go around asking people for spots. I will if I try to max but that is once in a blue moon.

Seriously though. Get a bench/power rack/free weights. Under $750 EASY and by far the best way to go.

 

[Jugernot]

I think I need to make something clear as I think you all have misunderstood what I need... I'm NOT looking for something for strength training. I'm not looking to rip my chest or build myself up to be able to bench 400lbs or anything. I'm looking to get rid of fat.... I'm not on a mission to build up the muscle on my body. Though, that will be a by product of the weight loss no doubt.

I do realize that strength training and losing weight are linked, but at this point, I don't think free weights are my best option for the types of excercise that I'd like to do. I'm looking to do shoulder press, fly weights, power crunches, leg press, and a few others. I'm not looking to build up my arms or anything...

 

[BennyD]

i'd just go for a run or sth, ground = free

if your looking for a machine, i second a totalgym

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Yea, it's called free weights and a bench. Cheaper and you can do more with it than you ever could with Bowflex. You really think you can look like the guy in the commercial in what, 6 weeks or something?

Right on Free weights baby

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: BennyD
i'd just go for a run or sth, ground = free

if your looking for a machine, i second a totalgym

I walk about 4 miles a night. Haven't gotten to the point, I can run just yet, but soon I hope.

 

[calpha]

We paid about $700 for our Bowflex on sale last Xmas, and it's great. I'd take the bowflex over the soloflex any day. And for doing exercise at home, the bowflex works great. It's not going to bulk you up like you said, but it does WORK.

After we bought it, Gold's Gym I think, but I don't remember, came out with a Band-Driven machine just like the BowFlex, and it was about $200 cheper then the sale price. I did a search, but I can't remeber the name of it. I think I remember seeing it at Sears.

 

[billandopus]

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Yea, it's called free weights and a bench. Cheaper and you can do more with it than you ever could with Bowflex. You really think you can look like the guy in the commercial in what, 6 weeks or something?

A decent bench is around 100-125 bucks or so including incline/decline and possibly with attachments. You can get PowerBlocks for a couple of hundred and change. Add an Olympic bar and maybe some additional weights and you're laughing. You can do pretty much any kind of exercise that way.

One thing you have to understand that free weights is an excellent way to tone and lose weight/fat. Resistance is resistance is resistance. It's the methodology that you do that makes the difference. You don't have to go heavy - you can do more reps and muscle pump and tone and gradually change your body composition.

I'm going to use an example here: I know quite a few fitness models. Within that group I know a few gay men who look absolutely awesome but aren't bulky. Amazing physiques. They work out with free weights exclusively because, to them, it works the best for them. It's the way you train that allows you to reach your goal. I'm only using this example because the gay men that I know aren't really interested in atrophied muscles but are more interested in shape, condition and tone - read - good lookin' bods and low bodyfat levels. In addition to their conditioning program you also have to know that they are very strict with their diet and they take care of themselves with good amounts of sleep and low stress whenever possible. It's the total package.

In reality though you don't need to even buy any equipment. My buddy who is a manager for Fitness Depot always asks his customers "Are you ready to get fit? Or are you just buying this equipment to make yourself feel better but you aren't serious about it?" It's this challenge approach that seems to work for him and his clients in the long run. We both agree that you can get in great shape, relatively, by just doing pushups and situps and sissy squats and doing dumbell raises with 4l jugs of milk coupled with good diet and sleep and you'll look great eventually without any supplements, going to the gym or buying gym equipment. I've seen a guy who did this exclusively for 8 months and he looked amazing. Maybe try that for awhile and see if you can get results and that way you don't have to spend any money.

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: bill_n_opus

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Yea, it's called free weights and a bench. Cheaper and you can do more with it than you ever could with Bowflex. You really think you can look like the guy in the commercial in what, 6 weeks or something?

A decent bench is around 100-125 bucks or so including incline/decline and possibly with attachments. You can get PowerBlocks for a couple of hundred and change. Add an Olympic bar and maybe some additional weights and you're laughing. You can do pretty much any kind of exercise that way.

One thing you have to understand that free weights is an excellent way to tone and lose weight/fat. Resistance is resistance is resistance. It's the methodology that you do that makes the difference. You don't have to go heavy - you can do more reps and muscle pump and tone and gradually change your body composition.

I'm going to use an example here: I know quite a few fitness models. Within that group I know a few gay men who look absolutely awesome but aren't bulky. Amazing physiques. They work out with free weights exclusively because, to them, it works the best for them. It's the way you train that allows you to reach your goal. I'm only using this example because the gay men that I know aren't really interested in atrophied muscles but are more interested in shape, condition and tone - read - good lookin' bods and low bodyfat levels. In addition to their conditioning program you also have to know that they are very strict with their diet and they take care of themselves with good amounts of sleep and low stress whenever possible. It's the total package.

In reality though you don't need to even buy any equipment. My buddy who is a manager for Fitness Depot always asks his customers "Are you ready to get fit? Or are you just buying this equipment to make yourself feel better but you aren't serious about it?" It's this challenge approach that seems to work for him and his clients in the long run. We both agree that you can get in great shape, relatively, by just doing pushups and situps and sissy squats and doing dumbell raises with 4l jugs of milk coupled with good diet and sleep and you'll look great eventually without any supplements, going to the gym or buying gym equipment. I've seen a guy who did this exclusively for 8 months and he looked amazing. Maybe try that for awhile and see if you can get results and that way you don't have to spend any money.

For me, this isn't a game. I'm serious about it. I've been dieting for the past 4 months and have progressed up to walking 4 miles a night, up from just .8 miles in early Dec. As I said in a previous post, I went to the gym last year and worked out on the various machines on a regular basis and could definitely "feel the burn" as they say. With my schedule now, I can't goto the gym, so I have to bring the gym home so I can do the excersices when I have the time (between 10-12pm at night).

Anyway, I'm gonna go around to a few of the stores in town and take a look at what they've got..

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: Jugernot

Originally posted by: bill_n_opus

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Yea, it's called free weights and a bench. Cheaper and you can do more with it than you ever could with Bowflex. You really think you can look like the guy in the commercial in what, 6 weeks or something?

A decent bench is around 100-125 bucks or so including incline/decline and possibly with attachments. You can get PowerBlocks for a couple of hundred and change. Add an Olympic bar and maybe some additional weights and you're laughing. You can do pretty much any kind of exercise that way.

One thing you have to understand that free weights is an excellent way to tone and lose weight/fat. Resistance is resistance is resistance. It's the methodology that you do that makes the difference. You don't have to go heavy - you can do more reps and muscle pump and tone and gradually change your body composition.

I'm going to use an example here: I know quite a few fitness models. Within that group I know a few gay men who look absolutely awesome but aren't bulky. Amazing physiques. They work out with free weights exclusively because, to them, it works the best for them. It's the way you train that allows you to reach your goal. I'm only using this example because the gay men that I know aren't really interested in atrophied muscles but are more interested in shape, condition and tone - read - good lookin' bods and low bodyfat levels. In addition to their conditioning program you also have to know that they are very strict with their diet and they take care of themselves with good amounts of sleep and low stress whenever possible. It's the total package.

In reality though you don't need to even buy any equipment. My buddy who is a manager for Fitness Depot always asks his customers "Are you ready to get fit? Or are you just buying this equipment to make yourself feel better but you aren't serious about it?" It's this challenge approach that seems to work for him and his clients in the long run. We both agree that you can get in great shape, relatively, by just doing pushups and situps and sissy squats and doing dumbell raises with 4l jugs of milk coupled with good diet and sleep and you'll look great eventually without any supplements, going to the gym or buying gym equipment. I've seen a guy who did this exclusively for 8 months and he looked amazing. Maybe try that for awhile and see if you can get results and that way you don't have to spend any money.

For me, this isn't a game. I'm serious about it. I've been dieting for the past 4 months and have progressed up to walking 4 miles a night, up from just .8 miles in early Dec. As I said in a previous post, I went to the gym last year and worked out on the various machines on a regular basis and could definitely "feel the burn" as they say. With my schedule now, I can't goto the gym, so I have to bring the gym home so I can do the excersices when I have the time (between 10-12pm at night).

Anyway, I'm gonna go around to a few of the stores in town and take a look at what they've got..

My first post was obviously sarcastic in nature but bill makes a great point, basically what I was trying to say. Your total investment in free weights and a bench would be under $200. Your goals are:

I think I need to make something clear as I think you all have misunderstood what I need... I'm NOT looking for something for strength training. I'm not looking to rip my chest or build myself up to be able to bench 400lbs or anything. I'm looking to get rid of fat.... I'm not on a mission to build up the muscle on my body. Though, that will be a by product of the weight loss no doubt.

I do realize that strength training and losing weight are linked, but at this point, I don't think free weights are my best option for the types of excercise that I'd like to do. I'm looking to do shoulder press, fly weights, power crunches, leg press, and a few others. I'm not looking to build up my arms or anything...

From what you're saying, you'd just like to tone up? Free weights can do that - it's not just for bulking up. A simple bench + 110lb weight set will do exactly what you're looking for, imho. You just have to find the right excercises that you want to do. Bowflex and those type of machines offer the same type of excercises, just resistance comes in the form of "bars" instead of traditional weights.

 

[Garet Jax]

Push ups (incline, decline and level) and situps look like they may be the best for you.

To work on the legs, I would get a workout video concentrating on the lower regions. Probably involve a lot of jumping, twisting and lunges.

Very cost effective and effective.

You know that Hershal (sp?) Walker never used weights for much of his life. He did some ungodly number of push-ups and sit-ups everyday though.