bowflex, how much & does it work?

[dbzwukan]

anyone use it? and is it tedious to use? like a couple minutes to set up different functions?

 

[SpecialEd]

I've never actually used one. but it looks like a decent home gym. I'd like to know too. anyone?

 

[Viper GTS]

Seems like people like it

Viper GTS

 

[Fiveohhh]

My friend got one and I've used it a few times, but I see no reason that its much different than lifting weights, except it may be a bit easier, since you don't have the resistance at the beginning of the stroke, so you may be able to get some more reps in. As far as price goes, I'm not sure, think it was on the spendy side though(in comparison). I'll just stick with my weights for now

 

[Kanalua]

Just a word to the wise, the guys on the Bowflex commercials are fake! THey don't use the bow flex. One of my friends (he black guy on most of their commercials) he wa asked to be in those commercials because he's so big, and he never uses the bowflex. He got paid nicely to say all this BS about the bowflex, and they even gave him one as part of his compensation, and he still doesn't use it. My opinion, it sucks, just save your money and join a health club/gym.

 

[dbzwukan]

%$%^& that's fv<king expensive!!!

i think i'll check out the price club home gym kit for slightly cheaper price .. only drawback is the space... i guess i'll put it in the library.

 

[Electric Amish]

$1000 or so, from what I've seen.

amish

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Just go to the gym.

 

[Kenazo]

no idea. but there's a guy with a new Porsche Boxster who lives near me and his licence plate says "BOWFLEX". hehe does that count as on-topic?

 

[Carbo]

How much? Too much! Does it work? Not if you're going to use it as an expensive clothes rack while you sit on your ass, belch, fart, and eat deep fried gravy sandwiches.

 

[Saltin]

Mmmmmmm.......deep fried gravy sandwiches.......

 

[dbzwukan]

there's no way i'm going to the gym...

the time it takes to get dress, drive, and pay ~$45/month just... sucks...

compare to a

one time fee of 300~500 for free weights... and i can fart, sweat, on the bench while watching tv

 

[Saltin]

Also, if you go to the gym, the people there will laugh at you.

 

[SpecialEd]

<< Just a word to the wise, the guys on the Bowflex commercials are fake! THey don't use the bow flex. One of my friends (he black guy on most of their commercials) he wa asked to be in those commercials because he's so big, and he never uses the bowflex. He got paid nicely to say all this BS about the bowflex, and they even gave him one as part of his compensation, and he still doesn't use it. My opinion, it sucks, just save your money and join a health club/gym. >>





I wouldn't expect to get as big as those people in the commericals anyway. Currently I do go to the gym, but its a hassle to drive all the way out there. especially in the dead of winter when there's tons of snow (I live in Syracuse, NY). It would be nice to have an alternative gym right at home.

 

[Huz]

If you're serious about getting in shape, I don't really recommend a Bowflex unless you can get one really cheap. A Bowflex is like a Spork - it's a crappy spoon that serves as a crappy fork. Actually, that analogy isn't working too well.... It's a very large expensive piece of home gym equipment that poorly simulates low-end nautilus style exercises. My roommate had one last year. I watched her order her boyfriend to put it together - that was the only time I ever saw either of them sweat while on/near it for the duration of our lease. It sat in the living room collecting dust, taking up an ungodly amount of space until she put it in storage.

It really depends on what your goals are. Weight loss? Muscle gain? IMHO, it's very hard to be able to weight train *only* at home and achieve results...unless you can buy thousands and thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

Just join a gym.

 

[Huz]

<< Currently I do go to the gym, but its a hassle to drive all the way out there. especially in the dead of winter when there's tons of snow (I live in Syracuse, NY). It would be nice to have an alternative gym right at home >>



In that case, get a used one if you have the space. They're just really big. It still basically falls in the Spork, Futon, AMC Eagle category IMO - 2nd best to a gym.

 

[yakko]

I have used one and as soon as I get a place that has room I will buy my own. They are not something you use if you want to become big but it you want to be toned and just be in better shape all over they are great.

 

[NakaNaka]

I have a gym in my building and it's only $9 a month for the entire household. I go with my mom about 3-4 times a week, for about 45 mins. Granted, it's not a full gym so you don't have a pool or tons of treadmills, but theres 3 bikes, 2 stairmasters, 2 treadmills, about 12 weight machines and a lot of free weights. It's not extensive but you can work every muscle and the fact that it takes a whole 15 seconds to get there has its perks. Plus, it's not really crowded at night (I usually go from like 6-6:45 or 6:30-7:15) and theres abotu 4 people there. People are nice, they wait patiently if they want a machine or do another one then come back to it. Not that this is an option for you but I'm just saying.

 

[pdo]

I paid $1000+shipping for mine but the if you really wanna get it call in and get the CSR to throw in leg attachement or lat attachment which is like $240+shipping.

 

[Dee67]

I have one, kinda like it, kinda don't.. and wouldn't recommend buying it for several reasons:

It's quite expensive - and just look in your local classifieds and you'll see all KINDS of exercise equpiment, including the bowflex. Why? People who get the bug to workout buy the stuff and then end up not using it after a fairly short while. I'd recommend working out at home for free first, make sure you're going to stick with it - you know, pushups, crunches, walk/run, chinups (if you get/have a bar), do yardwork, shovel snow, whatever and notice how long you're staying with it and decide how willing you are to go even further. Decide from there, not just due to new years resolution or whatever, test your desire before spending money.

The setting up isn't horrible by any means, but it does become quite a pain in the butt. If you vary bodyparts during a workout, you'll have to change the stuff virtually every time. Most of the changes are quick and easy - but if you're fired up to work out, you really don't want to kill that intensity of mind by doing little, mundane tasks in between stations. A minute or two is pretty much the average of changing time I think. So like I said, not the worst, but not near ideal either.

It does work and provides a nice workout but consider joining a gym if you need more than a home type, your own body weight type workouts. Firstly, a few years membership at a good gym would be cheaper and better. You'll have greater access to more variety and quality and weight of equipment, be greater motivated by having people in better shape around, and save the money and space bowflex (or any other home gym) would take in your home.

Just my opinion

 

[azazyel]

I would first see if you can stand actually working out at home. Go buy a pull up bar or a curl bar and see if you can use both consistanly for a month. If you can then great but if not you just saved a lot of money.

 

[StandardCell]

Repeat after me: THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR FREE WEIGHTS! Seriously, a good set of dumbbells and barbells with good benches and weight stands is indispensible. There is not one part of the body that you cannot exercise with them, although some machines are useful IMO, such as lat pull downs and leg machines. Free weights are also difficult to use, but therein lies the problem - weight training is by its very nature difficult, and gets more so as time goes on in a sense due to diminishing returns. You also have other concerns, such as having a diet rich in protein and nutrients to build your muscles as you are growing. I had worked out for over a year strictly on machines, and I have had more progress in the last four months working out on free weights than I ever had on the machines (except for tricep pulldown, lat pull down, and leg press/extension/curl/calf). You will be much happier with free weights, although I do not advise buying them because they're a real pain to deal with if you move and quite expensive when it comes down to it.

I will echo the same sentiments as others have - go get a membership at a local gym, preferrably one with free weights. And for God's sake, NEVER give out your social security number to them, NEVER get into a commitment longer than one year, and NEVER join Bally Total Fitness (they sell loans with no customer service...trust me, I've been to Bally and will never step in one again).

 

[azazyel]

Free weights are king but to get the full effect you need a spotter. Overloading is key to building bulk.