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Bowflex?

A

alexjohnson16

Platinum Member
I'm interested in possibly purchasing a Bowflex...

Has anyone on here bought one in the past or know anyone that has bought one?

Do they really work the way they are advertised? I know most things don't but... They aren't cheap and I don't want to buy one and have it be junk.

Anyone have input?
 
The brother of a friend of mine has one. This guy used to go to the gym 3-4x/week, but stopped because it became inconvenient after switching jobs. It's not as good a workout as free weights, but my brother's friend says it seems to work pretty well. If nothing else, I'd get one for the days when I didn't feel like driving 30 minutes to my gym.
 
Originally posted by: jmoe782
nothing beats free weights. buy free weights. your results will be much better.
Click to expand...

I really agree with this. With free weights you work all the synergist muscles because the motion of your body isn't confined to the range of motion of the machine. At least, that's what I think.
 
If you have a "Play it again Sports" shop in town, I'd highly recommend buying it there.
They are filled with the high end "TV" stuff like Bowflex's and Nordic Track's etc... MUCH cheaper than buying them new.
 
my dad bought a bowflex and i use it. i've been working out for 2 weeks and have noticed improvements in my body. my main area of concern is my chest (i play defense in lacrosse) and have seen more definition. eating well is also a big part in building muscle. the workout i do is a 3 day rotation (chest/shoulders, arms, legs/back) then a day off. this leads to a total of 6 workout days/week. my bench press (on the bowflex) has gone up 10lb every new day for chest. ive gone from 140 to 180 (im trying to reach the highest, 210, and then build reps). i think it's done a pretty good job so far, but would advise getting the 310 or 410 version. bowflex resistance isnt the same as freeweights--- i probably wouldnt be able to bench a real 180 pounds.
other than that, i like it.
 
Free weights man. I looked into this weight bench. Its well built and sturdy. They have a model below it, this one but when I looked at that one is seemed pretty cheap. A bit wobbly, and just not of good construction. That first one though, thats a keeper in my opinion if its the model I'm thinking of. It was solid, well built and had spotter bars on it. There a hell of a lot cheaper then the machines, and I prefer free weights anyways. You'd still need the weights which could set you back another 100 to 150, but I think that would be a better deal then the machine.
 
That's a really nice looking bench. I'd love to have one like that. Only thing is it takes up so much space -- 10' by 12'!
 
Obviously, any workout method will work if you follow through and keep using it.

Other than that, the main benefit of a Bowflex or similar is that you get several different workouts in one place. Free weights would require a whole room of equipment for the same workouts.

But the Bowflex won't be as good as free weights. Mostly because any machine locks your motions into specific directions. Free weights require you to control your motions with muscles that the Bowflex can't touch. So you get a much more balanced workout. If you have a choice, use the free weights. If not, you'll still get good results from a Bowflex.

I don't have room for a Bowflex in my apartment, so I have some free weights that I use. But I'd love a Bowflex to help add to my lifting routine.
 
I've had a Bowflex for over 6 years. If I had only used it at least 3 times a week, I would look like the guys on the commercials. well, probably not, but I would be in better shape.

I recommend Bowflex. They are pricey, so if its going to become a clothes rack, don't buy one! If you use it.. they are worth it.
 
Originally posted by: Ikonomi
Originally posted by: jmoe782
nothing beats free weights. buy free weights. your results will be much better.
Click to expand...

I really agree with this. With free weights you work all the synergist muscles because the motion of your body isn't confined to the range of motion of the machine. At least, that's what I think.
Click to expand...

I dont care for the bowflex but you are sort of floating with it so not locked into any particular motion.

Problem with a home gym is almost no one is setup to do anything for their legs. With free wieghts not many have the space...hence the advantage of bowflex.

Working out at home is definitely better than nothing though.
 
Free weights > Bowflex

Bowflex doesn't offer resistance constantly. I find it easier at the peak and base of the motions to move the 'weight.' With freeweights I'm feeling the resistance constantly.
 
Bowflex offers the same exercises as free weights and then some.
Notice how their benchpress motion is the same as benchpressing a bar, same use of stabilizer muscles since the handles do wobble if you can't do it perfectly. Free weights are also dangerous.
I've seen toes taken off from 45lb disks when the clips failed to hold them back..... and if you ever can't do another rep., you can't drop a barbell to the ground without damage to your floor or lift a bar to the stand.

Also, how are you going to work out your legs with free weights unless you get a stand and a long bar for squats and deadlifts? That is a lot of space taken up.

I've used a Bowflex a few months ago and in the time my friend finished his circuit, I did mine and figured out how to switch between configurations. Obviously the day after I did mine in a faster time now that I've familiarized myself with the machine.

If you can afford the Bowflex, do try it out for a week or so.
 
Originally posted by: jmoe782
nothing beats free weights. buy free weights. your results will be much better.
Click to expand...

Agree wholeheartedly, and I've used both. The bowflex might be nice for those not too serious about being beefy - except for the cost. ~$1500 is a LOT more serious than ~$200 for a bench, ~$50 for a barbell & dumbbells, and ~$100 for some iron. You can do your legs with freeweights, and much better than on a bowflex. Squats. Look for a bench with a squat rack. Mine was $175, an Impex/Marcy (good name).
 
Range of motion should be the same on a Bowflex because it uses cables, so you still have to balance. Pully system would be somewhat of a cheat, but you can always add more restsitence. Bowflex is expensive, so perhaps the Crossbow would be better for trying this kind of equiptment out.
 
I wouldn't buy without trying it first. Maybe you could try a Crossbow at Sears. Every time someone asks a question about exercise with weights, 50 guys will come to say machines suck, and everyone should just get a bench and some dumbbells. If someone is experienced with free weights, I'd agree, but for someone with no experience, or someone older, machines are safer.

OTOH, a person with no experience should try a gym for a year, instead of buying anything at all. Worth the money.

I'm always curious to see if people who actually bought one of these machines would come forward and be honest about it.
 
I saw a Gold's Gym machine being advertised on TV. The machine (not to mention the commercial) looked pretty similar to Bowflex. Are they the same thing or did they get bought out?

Edit: N.M. - I found out that they are different machines: linky
 
Originally posted by: GreenGhost
I wouldn't buy without trying it first. Maybe you could try a Crossbow at Sears. Every time someone asks a question about exercise with weights, 50 guys will come to say machines suck, and everyone should just get a bench and some dumbbells. If someone is experienced with free weights, I'd agree, but for someone with no experience, or someone older, machines are safer.

OTOH, a person with no experience should try a gym for a year, instead of buying anything at all. Worth the money.

I'm always curious to see if people who actually bought one of these machines would come forward and be honest about it.
Click to expand...

Problem with trying a bowflex first is it feels fine. You don't realize till a few months into it that it doesn't do much in the way of building muscles. Yes, a machine is safer for someone older, for women (who won't put on much muscle without steroids anyway), etc. - but most of ATOT is young males. Again, I've used both extensively - free weights are much better for building muscle.
 
There are several in the market now. Of course, they shouldn't cost $1000. Even Walmart online has some cheaper models. Even if they are of lower-quality, the price diff is huge.
 
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