Bowflex... SNAP!

[FredFredrickson]

Okay, I have never even seen a bowflex in person, not to mention ever used one...
And lets let it be known right now that if I did use one, I would in no way be able to break the damn thing in my first use, but...
Has anyone ever seen those commercials and wondered if someday when you were working out with it, you pull real hard, and then all of a sudden...SNAP! The bow broke, or the metal string to the bow broke, or the handle snapped off or something? Anyone ever have this happen to them, a friend, etc.? I am not planning on getting one, I am just curious!

 

[NokiaDude]

I heard the cables and everything should be able to withstand at least 1000lbs.

 

[Ameesh]

you are not that strong. dont worry about it.

 

[FredFredrickson]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
you are not that strong. dont worry about it.

I already noted that... You don't have to rub it in!
Heh heh...
j/k

 

[BatmanNate]

That always bothered me too, I would see the commercials and just imagine the dude being impaled by a renegade bowflex bar that had not taken to the climate or something. Just doesn't seem like a natural way to work out.

 

[Phuz]

My friend in Physio said that they're crap.

I really don't understand exactly why, but he was talking about how you can't really hone in on the specific areas of muscles because the weights aren't on controlled/restricted paths, so its always changing slightly.. depending on the strength of the user as well...

They just aren't as effective as a universal alternative.

 

[FredFredrickson]

Originally posted by: Phuz
My friend in Physio said that they're crap. I really don't understand exactly why, but he was talking about how you can't really hone in on the specific areas of muscles because the weights aren't on controlled/restricted paths, so its always changing slightly.. depending on the strength of the user as well... They just aren't as effective as a universal alternative.

Good point, i would have never though about that... I was too busy imagining one of the bow's crakcing in half and the guy pulling on the cord suddenly jerking his arm that was pulling it forward really fast... kinda funny, and kinda scary!

 

[silent tone]

I bet you could fashion a bitchin 3 man sling shot with those rods. Except don't use 3 people, mount the sticks to something sturdy. And it's not really a sling shot, since the supports would provide the energy. Well, it would be cool regardless of what you called it.

 

[RegaPlanet]

a controlled/restricted path for lifting weights will limit growth potential. It's free movment aka freeweights that have and will always produce the greatest gains with a proper program. Bowflex will work... it wont work better than anything else tho. Nothing magical about it... Any kinda training is good and healthy(most often), but if anyone thinks they're gonna look like that main dude that works on the thing in the commercials just by workout on the thing a few times a week is in for a big surprise. Except for the very very few individuals born with perfect genetics it takes alot of training time and very strict diet to get your body to that phase. He isn't really all that big but has a symmetrical and balanced physique with very low bodyfat... probalby around 8%. Anyway, yea the thing is gimimicky and yea it would keep me away at nigth and make me walk far around it always wondering when the bows are gonna SNAP!

 

[Pepsei]

I've only heard of Soloflex rubber snapped... but only becuase it's 5 years old.. and it's the thin 5 lb one.

 

[FredFredrickson]

Originally posted by: Pepsei
I've only heard of Soloflex rubber snapped... but only becuase it's 5 years old.. and it's the thin 5 lb one.

So what happened to the... er, snapee?

 

[TekViper]

i think the bows have a lifetime warrenty. if they do happen to break they will send you a new one. not 100% sure tho

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

Man oh man, would you ever have to be strong to break one of those suckers!

Maybe with a little of my Skoorb-Fu...snicker....nah, not even!

 

[Tominator]

Originally posted by: RegaPlanet
a controlled/restricted path for lifting weights will limit growth potential. It's free movment aka freeweights that have and will always produce the greatest gains with a proper program. Bowflex will work... it wont work better than anything else tho. Nothing magical about it... Any kinda training is good and healthy(most often), but if anyone thinks they're gonna look like that main dude that works on the thing in the commercials just by workout on the thing a few times a week is in for a big surprise. Except for the very very few individuals born with perfect genetics it takes alot of training time and very strict diet to get your body to that phase. He isn't really all that big but has a symmetrical and balanced physique with very low bodyfat... probalby around 8%. Anyway, yea the thing is gimimicky and yea it would keep me away at nigth and make me walk far around it always wondering when the bows are gonna SNAP!

LOL! I've always stayed away from the bozos making unsubstantiated claims myself.

a controlled/restricted path for lifting weights will limit growth potential.

Bull crap! It's got more to do with genetics than any type of exercise. You've never used a bowfelx if you think the path is restricted.

 

[Darein]

Some working out is always better than none. At least I would think so. I would guess if you buy a bow flex you aren't trying to become hardcore into weight lifting.

 

[KokomoGST]

My dad uses his Bowflex a lot... I personally train with free weights, machines, pulleys, etc at a gym for resistance training. He's gotten good results combined with aerobic exercise and diet. He went from "fat@ss" to "not-so-much," (190 to 160)... still got the gut.

I tried the Bowflex just to compare to real health club stuff... not comparison... it sucks. Resistance is not smooth or constant. It "feels" less heavy for sure... and momentum? Yeah... momentum is pretty easy with Bowflex even though they say it isn't. Full resistance isn't there for the majority of the motion. I piled on the weight for my heaviest exercises and it took the abuse... though not terribly well. The rods would be fine but the build quality feels flimsy at best. Range of motion sucks with some exercises due to the placement of the Bowflex pulleys. What else... oh, there are quite a few exercises that Bowflex can't properly duplicate at all. Shoulder shrugs is a big one for me... mebbe there is an attachement or something my father doesn't have but he's got most of the attachments, if not all afaik. I'd be more worried about the handgrips breaking after extended use (since you also put your feet into them too).

An adjustable bench and set of free weights would give better results and pretty much last forever. Only thing I'd be concerned about is getting a spot... just in case. You _should_ have someone there even on the Bowflex... but then again, I self-spot (use my other leg/arm) a lot of my exercises and don't train to failure.

 

[FredFredrickson]

I think the thing is with the bowflex is that the whole thing looks like it rides on tension to create the workout... Whereas any other piece of equipment I have seen is just like, you life, or pull up, but not put stress on a single part of the mechanism...pulleys excluded.