Bowflex

[The Guard]

Well, my Netflix thread turned out so well (35 movies last month for $16.99) I thought I'd make another one.

My wife and I are looking to start working out again after, oh, five years of not doing so. I lifted regularly in high school and the first few years of college, but we're both fairly out of shape, even though we're very healthy overall.

I was shopping for exercise machines the other day, and the worker suggested Bowflex for what we're trying to do, which is to slim down and tone up more than getting bigger right now. Has anyone used one or does anyone have one? What are your thoughts on them?

 

[Bnightwing]

I hate the commercials but that is just me.

 

[JStorm]

I'm sure the Fitness guys will pop in here, and I hope the Mods keep this open, as this is a seperate from said thread; however, re-post this in the Fitness thread, for some of their - our - opinions, just in case they do not 'pop' in.


I digress.

Most of what the Bowflex does, at leas to me, and for the price, is way over priced for what you can do with your own body weight and a few side products.

The highest price one is 3000, and the lowest is 1500 - I'll meet in the middle and say 2000 dollars. Why? Well for that amount of money, the wife and yourself could get a membership, at a gym, and do much more for the price of $50, or less, a month. That's 3.3 years of gym time, not including the charges if you don't buy it out-right.

If your idea is to stay at home, then that $2000 is perfect, if you wish to spend that much, or you could spend less.

This is where my opinion on the machine is null, and I speak of basic pragmatics. To better asist you, if you wish to learn more on how you and your wife can save money and get in shape, again, head over to the Fitness thread and ask some opinions.

For a person that advocates saving money and has his own home gym, PM Mrvlknight21.

I hope that helps.

 

[Paradoxium]

Call me old fashioned, but less moving parts - less mechanical problems. Kind of like revolvers to automatics. I think free weights are the way to go. The question is if you have the space in your house to do this. Like JStorm stated, I spent about $2000 - free weights, bench, power rack and a bunch other stuff... if you use it enough times for a few years, it's cheaper than gym membership. Hygienic too, since you can clean and maintain the equipment.

 

[JStorm]

Call me old fashioned, but less moving parts - less mechanical problems. Kind of like revolvers to automatics. I think free weights are the way to go. The question is if you have the space in your house to do this. Like JStorm stated, I spent about $2000 - free weights, bench, power rack and a bunch other stuff... if you use it enough times for a few years, it's cheaper than gym membership. Hygienic too, since you can clean and maintain the equipment.

You had to say hygienic.

Now I will take a bottle of sanitizer to the gym. Damn it!!!

 

[thedarks0ldier]

Call me old fashioned, but less moving parts - less mechanical problems. Kind of like revolvers to automatics. I think free weights are the way to go. The question is if you have the space in your house to do this. Like JStorm stated, I spent about $2000 - free weights, bench, power rack and a bunch other stuff... if you use it enough times for a few years, it's cheaper than gym membership. Hygienic too, since you can clean and maintain the equipment.

Hygiene rules

 

[The Guard]

I'm all for free weights, and I'll add that into our regimen inside the next year or so. Thing is...I found one of the midrange starter ones locally for $500 new, down from something like $1200. Space is a bit of an issue, as is finding the time to go to a gym. We actually had a dual Bally's membership for two years and wasted nearly $1,000 over two years as we only went like once a month because we moved and it became such a pain in the ass to do so. That gym closed down recently, as well, so there's nothing remotely close to my home that I feel like going to. I very much want to set up at home, but start simply.

I guess the question is...does the thing work?

 

[JStorm]

I'm all for free weights, and I'll add that into our regimen inside the next year or so. Thing is...I found one of the midrange starter ones locally for $500 new, down from something like $1200. Space is a bit of an issue, as is finding the time to go to a gym. We actually had a dual Bally's membership for two years and wasted nearly $1,000 over two years as we only went like once a month because we moved and it became such a pain in the ass to do so. That gym closed down recently, as well, so there's nothing remotely close to my home that I feel like going to. I very much want to set up at home, but start simply.

I guess the question is...does the thing work?

I'm not an advocate; but the idea of doing something is better than nothing.

Never have I used one; but I'm sure, couple with, running - cardio - and a good diet, you and Mrs. Guard will see results.

The idea is simple, obviously. If you wish to workout your chest and tri's then the machine can handle said workout, and so on.

I guess, in my opinion, it would be the same as getting a bench, a few free weights, and a door-pullup-bar.

One could do most, if not each and every, workout, with the same set-up.



Point: Just hit it hard, stay the course, and I'm sure the machine, regiment, and diet will pay off, in the end.

 

[mrvlknight21]

You can get set up w/ a much better home gym for a fraction of the price that will offer much better results imo. Get on craigslist and find some adjustable dumbells (NOT the Bowflex selecttech ones) , but ironmaster or powerblocks are good and take up a 2ft x 2ft footprint. While you are on CL, find a cheap FID bench as well. Then, go get a pullup bar that fits in the doorway, like the irongym ($30).

You will spend a fraction of the cost (probably $500 total cost or less), give yourself more options, still have plenty of space and get better results.

If you absolutely, positively MUST have a Bowflex and are sold on it being THE best option-then check craigslist for that as well-I see them on there all the time for about half of retail price.

You can also just do bodyweight work and not spend a dime or worry about taking up space at all. Just do circuits for the results that you mentioned. PM me if you want some more ideas or options.

 

[The Spawn]

The world is your gym.

 

[Warhammer]

I'm all about free weights, too. Bowflex is overpriced. All you need is some dumbbells, barbell (optional), a bench, and good form. Get some whey protein powder supplements and establish a healthy diet. Find out/discover workouts that will utilize your muscles via magazine, online articles, websites, other people/friends, or even on YouTube.

It's not like a bowflex won't get the job done, but personally, I'd either stick to free weights or invest that money in a gym membership. With that kind of money, you can go to a fantastic gym and lift. But, your money, your choice. Either way, it'll all work out in the end.

 

[WompuM]

Didn't Chris Benoit kill himself with one of these?

 

[Warhammer]

I think so.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I'm sure the Fitness guys will pop in here, and I hope the Mods keep this open, as this is a seperate from said thread; however, re-post this in the Fitness thread, for some of their - our - opinions, just in case they do not 'pop' in.

I swear, it's like the thread is invisible sometimes.

 

[Silicon Surfer]

My brother has one and it is a great machine. You need the space for it though and you need to have it in a convenient place. I have used it and it does a lot of things that you cannot do with free weights. The real issue is cost. As others here have stated though you can keep yourself fit with a barbell set for a fraction of the cost. I did it from the age of 12 until my late 20's.

 

[Lantern Venom]

Well, my Netflix thread turned out so well (35 movies last month for $16.99) I thought I'd make another one.

My wife and I are looking to start working out again after, oh, five years of not doing so. I lifted regularly in high school and the first few years of college, but we're both fairly out of shape, even though we're very healthy overall.

I was shopping for exercise machines the other day, and the worker suggested Bowflex for what we're trying to do, which is to slim down and tone up more than getting bigger right now. Has anyone used one or does anyone have one? What are your thoughts on them?

I think a Bowflex is geared more towards the heavy/experienced lifters. You can get a decent circuit training sweat going with a BF but it seems like too much money to invest if you are just looking for cardio & tone. Right now, it seems like you should be looking to re-assimilating your body to physical activity. You might just want to get a few free weights, some yoga & aerobic videos, or find a place to walk/jog.
On the flip side, I agree with Silicon Surfer when he said that a Bowflex allows a person to do exercises that can't be replicated with free weights. I got a BF a few years ago and I use it regularly but I still rely on my gym for the majority of my cardio needs.

 

[mrvlknight21]

I think a Bowflex is geared more towards the heavy/experienced lifters. You can get a decent circuit training sweat going with a BF but it seems like too much money to invest if you are just looking for cardio & tone. Right now, it seems like you should be looking to re-assimilating your body to physical activity. You might just want to get a few free weights, some yoga & aerobic videos, or find a place to walk/jog.
On the flip side, I agree with Silicon Surfer when he said that a Bowflex allows a person to do exercises that can't be replicated with free weights. I got a BF a few years ago and I use it regularly but I still rely on my gym for the majority of my cardio needs.

Venom, you are my buddy, but what exercises can a Bowflex allow that free weights cant replicate??
If anything, free weights allow for MANY more movements.

 

[mrvlknight21]

Another reason not to buy it:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/sa...ecall-of-the-bowflex-ultimate-2-home-gym.html

 

[Spider-Who?]

i've had a bowflex for a couple of years. When I DID use it (trying to fix that now) I greatly enjoyed it. Its convient, easy to use, and I saw results very quickly. And in the 5+ years of owning one, I've never had any technical issues with the machine, aside from the occasional tightening of a screw securing the seat down (other parts kept the seat in place, so there was no worry of the thing falling off).

 

[Metamorpho1977]

Well, my Netflix thread turned out so well (35 movies last month for $16.99) I thought I'd make another one.

My wife and I are looking to start working out again after, oh, five years of not doing so. I lifted regularly in high school and the first few years of college, but we're both fairly out of shape, even though we're very healthy overall.

I was shopping for exercise machines the other day, and the worker suggested Bowflex for what we're trying to do, which is to slim down and tone up more than getting bigger right now. Has anyone used one or does anyone have one? What are your thoughts on them?

I've had one for about 3 years. I've lost about 90 pounds since I got it. I was 280 now I'm at 190. I've never felt better.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

I don't like that creepy looking guy with the big head on the commercial though.