Any Bowflex users?

[RaskyR1]

So I've been thinking about canceling my gym membership and getting one. There never seems to be enough time in a day and not having to drive the gym would be nice....especially on -24 degree days like tonight will be.

Just curious if any of you guys have one, and what your opinions on it are. I'm not looking to get real big, maybe add a little mass, but mainly to just stay tone and in shape.

Thanks,
Rasky

[ColonelCash]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

Check Craigslist. You can find a month or 2 old machine for really cheap. Especially once March rolls around and the New Years resolutions pass by.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

Check Craigslist. You can find a month or 2 old machine for really cheap. Especially once March rolls around and the New Years resolutions pass by.

Yeah, already checked that out. Only problem there is that you have to pay for the whole thing up front...not sure I can swing that.


I'm looking at the Bowflex Revolution sytem.

[ColonelCash]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

You'd be better off going to the gym or YMCA for a couple months and seeing if you are going to stick with it. Most gyms have a trial period where you can go for a month or 2 without signing any contracts.

The home workout machines can easily become a $1500 clothes rack after a month or 2. Just talking from experience.

[imacarnut]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

I'm looking at the Bowflex Revolution sytem.

if i had the funds, i would purchase one of those (been wanting one for a while). i also have a gym membership and sometimes it can be a pain because you have to drive there, then you may have to wait to use a specific piece of gym equipment if someone else is on it, and i'm not a big fan of working out with tons of people around me. the main reason i got mine is because of the pool, spa, and steam/sauna rooms...

[RaskyR1]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

You'd be better off going to the gym or YMCA for a couple months and seeing if you are going to stick with it. Most gyms have a trial period where you can go for a month or 2 without signing any contracts.

The home workout machines can easily become a $1500 clothes rack after a month or 2. Just talking from experience.

Hahaha! True true. Well I've had a gym membership since 2000, and I've actaully have a founders membership at my local Gold's gym for 3+ years now ($29/month). I just think I'd be more likely to work out at home vs. going to the gym, especially in the winter months. Plus I always end up getting sick when I work out at the gym's.

[dragonballz]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

You wont see much gains from it once you pass the initial "noobie gain" stage. Ask any bodybuilding forum and they will tell you it's a rip off and a waste of time. Get free weights or any other machine..... not the bowflex.

You want weights to be your resistance, not elasticity or spring tension.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

You wont see much gains from it once you pass the initial "noobie gain" stage. Ask any bodybuilding forum and they will tell you it's a rip off and a waste of time. Get free weights or any other machine..... not the bowflex.

You want weights to be your resistance, not elasticity or spring tension.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Murr1525]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

What sort of exercises would you really be doing? Basic squat, lunge, shoulder press/raise, curls/extensions, chest/back, abs/lower back? You really don't need a Bow-flex to do that...

I am not a big workout guy, so I don't curl/bench etc any big numbers.. just staying in shape a bit. I got into using a double handled medicine ball at home instead of the gym at work a year and a half or so ago, (since have bought a heavier one...). But I'm down a good 15 lbs since I started with it, can lift a little more with regular free weight exercises, and its really the only change I made.

And it is just a heavy ball.... I even took it on vacation in the car, did a little something each day. Cant get much simpler or smaller...

Depending on how heavy you left at the moment, it might be a good option. The balls dont go up to super heavy sizes (mine currently is 20lbs), so if you already do big weights, it might not be as usefull.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

My wife and I have had a Bowflex for about 5 years. We still use it. When we first got it it was used regularly. We reached or goals and would just use it occasionally. Then when we need it its always there for us. We like it a lot. You can add more bands to increase resistance.

One of the other features i like about it is this. Because it is not free weights you do not need a spotter. You can literally work out whenever you want.

One last thing, the few times I had a problem. Thier customer service was about the same quality as we are accustomed tohere. Very good people to work with.

I highly recommend the machine.

Good luck.

[BlueZero]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

I wanted one a few years back. Went to the local fitness store to check them out. The sales guy told me they don't really recommend them. They just use the Bowflex name to get people in the door and show them other equipment.

If you haven't worked out much it would probably be a good place to start. If you already work out I would go for a different machine or free weights. Check out Hoist. I don't have one of their systems but have used them and they are really nice.

I just got my fitness room set up last week. Treadmill, bike and weight bench. Setting it up was the easy part. Now to get in there and use it. lol

Machines are good for helping you do stuff the right way. I like free weights since you have to keep them steady on your own. It's more of a work out and helps strengthen the joints and you get better balance.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

Thanks guys. I'm really on the fence here....those who own one seem to like them, yet a lot of non owners don't like them.

Currently (when I actaully go to the gym) I split my work outs as follows

Day 1 back/bic 3 exercises per muscle group
Day 2 legs 4-5 exercises
Day 3 chest/tri exercises per muscle group
Day 4 abs/cardio
Day 5 Shoulders 4-5 exercises
Off day or cardio
Off day or cardio

Rasky

[BlueZero]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

yet a lot of non owners don't like them

Exactly!

It's hard to say. I didn't like them so I didn't buy one. If I had one would I like it? Maybe. It's hard to get advice on stuff like this.

You must have some fitness stores around that sell them. I say go to one and talk with the sales people. Most of the time the sales people at those places are trainers or have some type of training. It's not just a job like the department store sales force. Get on one and give it a go.

Good luck! Working out with anything is better than not working out at all.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

Exactly!

It's hard to say. I didn't like them so I didn't buy one. If I had one would I like it? Maybe. It's hard to get advice on stuff like this.

You must have some fitness stores around that sell them. I say go to one and talk with the sales people. Most of the time the sales people at those places are trainers or have some type of training. It's not just a job like the department store sales force. Get on one and give it a go.

Good luck! Working out with anything is better than not working out at all.

very true!

I figure I will work out more often if I can do it at home. My problem has always just been getting to the gym, once I'm there I'm pumped up and ready to go.

[BlueZero]

Re: Any Bowflex users?

My problem has always just been getting to the gym, once I'm there I'm pumped up and ready to go.

I was the same way but now that I have my 'gym' here, I always have other things that I feel I should be doing. At least when I went to the gym I wasn't distracted. Just trying to help!

Like right now. I could be working out but... I needed to check and reply to some emails, type of a proposal, pay some bills, balance my check book...