Bowflex or CrossBow + Weight gain?

[bjc112]

Ok, currently weight 165 up from about 140 about a year ago..

Was going to the gym daily and actually getting quite strong.. (215Lb bench )

Now we have moved... Gym's are few and far between and was considering a Bowflex, or even better yet.. Crossbow.

Now before everyone gets all over me about it it... Avg. gym is 35 a month... 400 a yr.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS MASS AND WEIGHT GAIN. I know i could look into getting a flat bech with all the trimmings, however that makes space a concern..

I guess my question is, can i GAIN mass with a bowflex or crossbow.

I dont care about looking tone, as i am already cut out pretty well..

MASS MASS MASS

Is it possbile?

 

[bjc112]

Not to mention the price jump...

 

[bjc112]

No one???

 

[KokomoGST]

Yes, but why? Some free weights are same/cheaper and do the job better.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST
Yes, but why? Some free weights are same/cheaper and do the job better.

I know i could look into getting a flat bech with all the trimmings, however that makes space a concern..

 

[bjc112]

So have you personally used one ?

 

[Staples]

Yes, but pushups will work just fine too. You may be able to issolate more muscles with the Bowflex but those things are huge and few people would actually want one in their house.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Staples
Yes, but pushups will work just fine too. You may be able to issolate more muscles with the Bowflex but those things are huge and few people would actually want one in their house.

Pushups are the workout staple.. However, i can't gain mass with those..

Huge? Doesn't seem to be... about 7X7

 

[Gurck]

You'd be better off getting nothing then, if you can't make space for freeweights. I've used both freeweights and a bowflex extensively, and the bowflex is good at what it's intended for - providing some minor resistance training for women and the elderly. It's not good for building muscle mass, at all. The only thing that can hold a candle to freeweights are some of the cable weight machines at gyms, and only for certain movements at that. And they're even bigger & more expensive. Speaking of expense, a bowflex costs 2-3x what a freeweight set costs. Get a bigger place with that money

 

[Balt]

I think Gurck has pretty much nailed it. I just don't think you will be able to gain mass effectively with resistance training after you've been hitting the free weights at the gym for a year.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I'd say no.

I've had a Bowflex for almost 5 years now, and just recently started back at the gym (3 months) using free weights. With a bench of 215 lbs, you've pretty much already maxed on the BF unless you get extra rods.

The BF was great when I wanted to lose weight, but I just don't get the same "feel" like free weights when I am at the end of the workout.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Gurck
You'd be better off getting nothing then, if you can't make space for freeweights. I've used both freeweights and a bowflex extensively, and the bowflex is good at what it's intended for - providing some minor resistance training for women and the elderly. It's not good for building muscle mass, at all. The only thing that can hold a candle to freeweights are some of the cable weight machines at gyms, and only for certain movements at that. And they're even bigger & more expensive. Speaking of expense, a bowflex costs 2-3x what a freeweight set costs. Get a bigger place with that money

Thanks for the input Gurck,

So you couldn't gain anymass with the bowflex at all?

Looks like i gotta drive a bit further to the gym..

Unless of course someone has a success story..

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
I'd say no.

I've had a Bowflex for almost 5 years now, and just recently started back at the gym (3 months) using free weights. With a bench of 215 lbs, you've pretty much already maxed on the BF unless you get extra rods.

The BF was great when I wanted to lose weight, but I just don't get the same "feel" like free weights when I am at the end of the workout.

I hear you, it's tough to hit muscle failure with a machine...

So no mass was gained on the BF, just weightat loss... What about the Cross Bow?

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Well, you could gain mass with the BF, but you'd need at least the extra power rods (the default total resistance is about 220 lbs).

I've actually got the XLT model which includes the basic model plus the pulldown, leg extension, and squat attachments). I never used the pulldown attachment, but the leg extension and squat attachments work well.

As Gurck mentioned, the BF is good for particular exercises, but is lacking in others. Before I started back fully at the gym, I got an adjustable dumbell set and used it in place of the some of Bowflex exercises.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Well, you could gain mass with the BF, but you'd need at least the extra power rods (the default total resistance is about 220 lbs).

I've actually got the XLT model which includes the basic model plus the pulldown, leg extension, and squat attachments). I never used the pulldown attachment, but the leg extension and squat attachments work well.

As Gurck mentioned, the BF is good for particular exercises, but is lacking in others. Before I started back fully at the gym, I got an adjustable dumbell set and used it in place of the some of Bowflex exercises.

With the extra power rods..

WOuld that allow for more mass.. Like BULLLLK!
I guess im just looking for reasons to get one, even though i know the gym is better..

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: Gurck
You'd be better off getting nothing then, if you can't make space for freeweights. I've used both freeweights and a bowflex extensively, and the bowflex is good at what it's intended for - providing some minor resistance training for women and the elderly. It's not good for building muscle mass, at all. The only thing that can hold a candle to freeweights are some of the cable weight machines at gyms, and only for certain movements at that. And they're even bigger & more expensive. Speaking of expense, a bowflex costs 2-3x what a freeweight set costs. Get a bigger place with that money

Thanks for the input Gurck,

So you couldn't gain anymass with the bowflex at all?

Looks like i gotta drive a bit further to the gym..

Unless of course someone has a success story..

No offense to the ATOT community but I would do some research on epinions and other sites before making a call.. I'm not accusing anyone but people here often claim that they've owned a product in order to see like the have more credentials than they do ("I own a P4 3.0 but my Athlon 1.4 whips it in every benchmark!")...

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Well, you could gain mass with the BF, but you'd need at least the extra power rods (the default total resistance is about 220 lbs).

I've actually got the XLT model which includes the basic model plus the pulldown, leg extension, and squat attachments). I never used the pulldown attachment, but the leg extension and squat attachments work well.

As Gurck mentioned, the BF is good for particular exercises, but is lacking in others. Before I started back fully at the gym, I got an adjustable dumbell set and used it in place of the some of Bowflex exercises.

With the extra power rods..

WOuld that allow for more mass.. Like BULLLLK!
I guess im just looking for reasons to get one, even though i know the gym is better..

Well, I think you can go all the way up to 440 lbs of resistance. As long as you are working out to gain mass and strength (lower reps with max weight), then I don't see how you couldn't gain mass by using it. Add in a little free weights with dumbells and it may provide just what you want.

I do know there is no comparision between the BF resistance and free weight. If you can max out at 300 lbs on the BF bench press, there is no way you can walk into a gym and do that same weight with a free set of weights.

I can take some pics of mine this weekend (with one of the attachments) if you want.

 

[slackerinabox]

Also remember that you can get most exercise equipment for like 1/4th of their price if you check out the classifieds...

 

[Gurck]

No offense to the ATOT community but I would do some research on epinions and other sites before making a call.. I'm not accusing anyone but people here often claim that they've owned a product in order to see like the have more credentials than they do ("I own a P4 3.0 but my Athlon 1.4 whips it in every benchmark!")...

*rude gesture*

Anyway, on top of the bows not giving the right type of resistance (that's as close as I can come, sorry - ask someone into physics if they could give a better explanation) to build mass, it also misrepresents itself. 200 lbs on the bowflex mysteriously turned into 130 for freeweight benching; 160 for triceps pushdowns turned into 70. But don't take my word for it, if you have to put me down and accuse me of lying - check out the forums at superiormuscle.com, see what they think - don't ask, do a search, there's a few of the "bowflex or freeweights???" threads floating around there at any given time. The AT equivalent is "Dell or DIY?", the difference being that a Dell will at least allow you to do things (ie. build muscle), while the blowflex really doesn't even do that. The price difference is also less pronounced with computers.

Edit: thought I'd mention that after 6 months of consistent freeweight use, I'm working out benching 230 now (that admission of 130 was embarassing). Also thought I'd point out that when actually using a bowflex, the footprint is much bigger than most flat benches. It's only when in storage, with the bench part folded up, that you're saving space.

 

[bjc112]

If you can max out at 300 lbs on the BF bench press, there is no way you can walk into a gym and do that same weight with a free set of weights.

Oh absolutely not, and same goes with any machine...

Please do take a few pics..

 

[Crazymofo]

Never used a bowflex and to form this opinion I dont need to.. there is no machine that beats free weights, period.

 

[bjc112]

Your under the impression i dont know that...

But if i must use a machine, i want to try something that is remotely good.. Or second nature to some free weights..

 

[EmperorIQ]

sorry, i didn't read the whole thread. . . .
I was researching on a bowflex or a crossbow. Crossbow doens't compare to a bowflex, the way it is designed the weight isn't distributed evenly, Also, you said that you went to the gym before, when i was reading the reviews it seemed like those who do have experience in working out didnt appreciate a bowflex or crossbow as much, but they (people who have worked out) agrees that its good for KEEPING IN SHAPE.

That's the general idea that I got from the bowflex and crossbow.

 

[bjc112]

Ya, i guess it's best not to get one, i want to keep in shape.. But gaining mass is way more important...

Guess i just need to go to the gym.

Get ready to drive...

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Crazymofo
Never used a bowflex and to form this opinion I dont need to.. there is no machine that beats free weights, period.

bingo

Plus i call shenanigans ons 165/ 215bench and 15lb muscular gain in a year...