Author Topic: Bowflex (Read 711 times)

Sixpence · « **on:** February 19, 2006, 09:25:18 AM »

Was looking into getting one of these machines. I really don't want to join a gym and would like to get something for home use. I have seen some cheaper alternatives, but I like what I see. Anyone have one of these?

BlueJ1 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2006, 09:26:26 AM »

Chuck Norris will roundhouse kick you to the face if you dont get one.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2006, 09:39:36 AM »

Here is a thread of opinions on Bowflex:
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-16218

Sixpence · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2006, 09:52:18 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ripsnort
Here is a thread of opinions on Bowflex:
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-16218

Thnx for the link, I have read a few of these, I was hoping someone here might have one. It seems compact where you can get alot out of a small amount of space.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2006, 09:57:54 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sixpence
Thnx for the link, I have read a few of these, I was hoping someone here might have one. It seems compact where you can get alot out of a small amount of space.

I used to have my own home equipment in our first house, in one of the garage bays. I found I wasn't discipline enough to "push" myself. I needed a gym environment, where I could call on another gym rat to come over and spot me when I needed it. In my home gym, my body weight went from 155 lbs. to 170lb. in 2 years.(I was 32) I joined a gym and within 2 years, I went from 170lb to 215lb. body weight. (I'm hovering around 205 right now, a comfortable body weight for me at 45 years old) I think the gym pushes you mentally.

It all depends what your goals are....if you just want to tone, without losing or gaining weight, the Bowflex should be good for you. Those guys on TV did NOT get to look like they do by Bowflex.

lazs2 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2006, 10:44:48 AM »

I did notice that a lot of the "guys" on that board have no car and.... never had one... when asked about dating they seem to not really understand... they talk about women like they have never seen one.... "never came up" when asked about how they date without a car... you get the impression their "dates" all come from the gym.

lazs

eagl · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2006, 10:44:55 AM »

The only big problem with bowflex in my opinion is that the resistance increases the farther you pull on the cables. Pre-loading the pull helps but it's still not at all linear.

You may be better off getting a nice adjustable bench, some free weights, and a good book on how to use them.

I tend to injure myself lifting weights due to instability in my joints caused by a decade of competitive swimming, so I usually workout in the pool... A good swim workout offers infinately variable resistance and level of difficulty for every single muscle group without having to change weights or reconfigure any equipment

Krusher · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2006, 11:07:41 AM »

I use both the bowflex and free weights. Some things are much better suited for the bowflex, some are better with free weights. If you are limited in space the boxflex is the way to go. Eagl pointed out a flaw in the bowflex that can be a pain. It really is not as much weight as it list. For instance Mine has 400 lbs of resistance" and I can bench press every bit of it. That being said I can't come anywhere near 400lbs on free weights.

Hoarach · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2006, 11:45:54 AM »

There are many different lifts you can with just a barbell and free weights. You can work lower body and upper body with just a barbell and bench. Work your chest with benching. Then use the barbell for deadlifts, shoulder press, working your biceps with bicep curls or bent over rows, and you can do RDLs which are romanian deadlifts that work hamstrings. Most of these are about form so you can isolate the muscle and able to work the muscle. And if you can get a cage to rest a barbell on you can do the squad lifts.

But in general if you have a barbell you can work out many parts of you body.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2006, 12:47:42 PM »

I have a home gym in my garage; it's a big coat hanger. I also have a rowboat and a kayak; much better choice for me and I use them all the time.

Sixpence · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2006, 01:10:36 PM »

Well, I thought the resistance method might make a difference, maybe not I guess.

I am slowly getting back into a work out routine. What my workouts would be when I was young was done on the cheap. I would stretch alot, mainly legs, hamstrings, quads, the works, I felt that stretching the legs in itself was a great workout(actually, I learned it from karate when I was young), then I would walk for about 2 hours, sometimes 4(I hated running, sprints were ok, but distance, I hated it and couldn't make myself do it). For upper body that was done on the cheap too, I had a chin up bar and would do push ups and sit ups. I would ride my bike alot too. Shoot, at one point I could do 21 chin ups and 75 push ups was a breeze. That was @ 200 lbs, I used to be in great shape.

I have a treadmill now for walking, I have the nordictrack 1900. That combined with the bowflex I thought would cram alot of what I used to do right in my own home. I don't have the time to do what I did when I had less responsibilty.

My health is the issue, it's kind of funny reading Rip's post, I envy him. My problem is keeping weight off. If I do not exercise, I put weight on, it's just the way i'm made, and sometimes it feels like such a burden. I am 40, and I don't want my health to become an issue. Diabetes runs in the family, and although my cholesterol and blood pressure are fine, weight is a problem, so I want to nip it in the bud before it's too late.

So it's not about building muscle, it's more about weight and health. Maybe i'll skip the bowflex for now and see where the push ups and sit ups take me.

To be honest, I don't enjoy working out anymore, but the fear of my health failing is what makes me do it.

Thnx for the info guys.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2006, 01:30:35 PM »

You’ve got to find something fun then. I’m 40 as well and also have lost a bit of leanness. I hate “working out” but enjoy doing stuff outdoors. Get a: bicycle, rowboat, roller blades, cross country skies, kayak, dog, or even join a soccer team, etc. If you’ve never done some of these things, rent or borrow equipment to try it out. I take my daughters out in the rowboat several times a week in the spring, summer and fall. When its nasty or dangerous or they can’t go I take the kayak.

SuperDud · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2006, 05:00:50 PM »

I can bench 308 with it

Ripsnort · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2006, 07:19:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eskimo2
You’ve got to find something fun then. I’m 40 as well and also have lost a bit of leanness. I hate “working out” but enjoy doing stuff outdoors. Get a: bicycle, rowboat, roller blades, cross country skies, kayak, dog, or even join a soccer team, etc. If you’ve never done some of these things, rent or borrow equipment to try it out. I take my daughters out in the rowboat several times a week in the spring, summer and fall. When its nasty or dangerous or they can’t go I take the kayak.

Personally I like all the above. The "working out" allows me to do the outdoor stuff with the kids without being sore the next day.

B@tfinkV · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2006, 07:39:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by lazs2
I did notice that a lot of the "guys" on that board have no car and.... never had one... when asked about dating they seem to not really understand... they talk about women like they have never seen one.... "never came up" when asked about how they date without a car... you get the impression their "dates" all come from the gym.

lazs

come out of the closet lazs, we'll except you.