anybody own a bowflex?

[gardenweasel]

i have a small universal machine on my lower level.....but even a small one takes up to much space......

and i want something lighter that allows me a more options....

maybe cutting back on the weights for something with more flexibility....something i can move without disassembling it....

i always thought those plastic "resistance bands" looked cheesy.....

are they worth the investment?

thanks

 

[3 Seconds]

I have always wondered the same thing. How good is a bowflex really?

 

[theGibber1]

http://www.beachbody.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE


Check out the Power 90 program. A personal trainer friend of mine got me on it...

cheap and no bulky machine..

i am on day 5 and i swear to God i have never been so sore in my entire life.

good program though... check out the message bored on the site. People post their before and after pics..

gl

gib

 

[gardenweasel]

3 seconds...i don`t think we`re the only ones that wondered about this contraption....

gib...thanks...i appreciate the response....it`s not a small investment(anywhere from $650 to around $1500 from what i`ve read)....and i`d hate to get rid of my bulky universal,which,btw,is still working just perfectly almost 10 years after the fact(a few cable changes and some lubing is about all i`ve had to do) ....it`s a Proform....

but,the bowflex seems like the type of thing i`m interested in trying...

that`s a pretty nifty site...

the info is much appreciated....THANKS

 

[dogface]

I have used several of the models (opted for a bench and dumbells), my only complaint was the lack of a range of motion in each of the exercises, and the shake or snapping involved iwht the range of mostion, not very smooth.

To be perfectly honest, as I was a Personal Trainer (ACE Certified) baqck in college days, and there is nothing you truly can't to with a set of dumbells and a bench that you can incline with and store easily. Eliminates a lot of room, and provides a workout that involves all the stabilizing muscles you do not use or can't use due to using an apparatus. Simple reasoning is when each arm is working independentally, the lifting requires many more muscles and less weight for better results. (A good example for most is lay down and do a bench press with 100lbs including the bar, then place two 50lbs dumbells in each hand and do the same exercise... you will find the dumbells much more difficult, and a better workout.)

Not too mention the types of positions and workouts you can do are more numerous iwth dumbells, than a stationary machine, and you could get away with quite a nice set of dumbells, for a much more affordable price.

For even more space savings and at a premium price you can get these:

Bowflex Select Tech Dumbells

or very nice and more affordable:

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p...kw=dumbells&parentPage=family&searchId=694000

TSI

 

[INtheBLUE]

4 bucks a pound? Some one has gotta be out of their mind!! Go buy a dive belt and add weights, a lot cheaper.

Ive got nephew that likes to be thrown around and he weighs about 50 lbs. Talk about stabilizing muscle use, he moves all over the place. He would probably pay you to throw him in the air everyday.

 

[dogface]

4 bucks a pound? Some one has gotta be out of their mind!! Go buy a dive belt and add weights, a lot cheaper.

Ive got nephew that likes to be thrown around and he weighs about 50 lbs. Talk about stabilizing muscle use, he moves all over the place. He would probably pay you to throw him in the air everyday.

SO does my son and his friends, especially with snow on the ground! I feel like a champion midget tosser, but boy do they get some air!!!


TSI

 

[gardenweasel]

well,i sprung for it....and i have to say.i`m very happy with it...so far...

actually,the range of motion is better than what i was getting with the universal machine.....much better....the pulley system allows a much more flexible range of motion...

and i can basically do every exercise i can think of...and the movements are really smooth...doesn`t take as much concentration to do movements correctly...

the directions were excellent...it came in 4 boxes...each box indicated the parts that it contained...every part was there...and tooled perfectly..

so many different ways to work shoulders,calves,arms triceps....i was even able to hook an old neck harness to one of the upper pulleys...

if i had one gripe,actually two,it would be that the seated leg press is quite a bit light for exercising the thighs...may have to rig some bands or something to get the appropriate resisitance...and the bands are labeled in poundage...and they don`t truly represent the amount indicated...

and get the model that allows you to add additional bands that increase the resisitance

still,i`m going to disassemble the old universal machine....

all in all,i was shockingly pleased..expensive...but,imo,well worth it...i was already in the mindset that i was going to be disappointed...i was not...

i used to laugh at these things...now,i`m sorry i didn`t do it sooner..

.i just hope it`s durable...

 

[TJBELL]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11074363&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

How much did you spend???

 

[gardenweasel]

damn,t.j.....i feel like i was ripped off...i got the lower end model and paid almost $700.....

i`ve seen that model for around $1150....

410 lbs of resistance?....that`s fantastic....

that`s a great deal,bro....

i really didn`t need that much resistance,to be truthful......i still use some free weights...

if you have a wife or kids that are intersted,it`s easy to use very little resistance...or the max...

it`s a very flexible machine... and the one i got folds up...

i got most of my club room back now...

if i have to purchase any big ticket items in the near future,i`m calling you out for some help... :mj14:

 

[TJBELL]

Actually the model they sell (In store) in $899

Not sure what the resistance is. Saw it today.

Keep us posted on the workouts!!! GL!!!!

 

[3 Seconds]

Man, I should just spring for one & get it. I did just win $1100 this weekend alone so I guess it would be like a free gift for myself.

Is this a good unit for BEGINNERS to any excersice outside of runnnig?? I really dont have much fat to burn off as I do run 2-4 miles 3x a week, I have just never really weight trained.

 

[gardenweasel]

3 seconds...you would be the perfect guy.....

the key to looking good...if that`s your goal...is not having excess flab hiding all your hard work....


you`d see reults right away...and the bowflex training regimens are very good...

you can go from very light resistance and progress upwards...

i`m not a kid anymore...i`ve been doing this for...i`d rather not say...and we had some very hard times right before christmas...i slacked off a bit...the bowflex got me motivated again...

you sound like a fitness buff...it`s addictive...

you almost always feel better after a workout...you probably already know that...

btw...i have no affiliation with bowflex...i just appreciate getting a return on my investment....

i feel like it was money well spent...

 

[3 Seconds]

3 seconds...you would be the perfect guy.....

the key to looking good...if that`s your goal...is not having excess flab hiding all your hard work....


you`d see reults right away...and the bowflex training regimens are very good...

you can go from very light resistance and progress upwards...

i`m not a kid anymore...i`ve been doing this for...i`d rather not say...and we had some very hard times right before christmas...i slacked off a bit...the bowflex got me motivated again...

you sound like a fitness buff...it`s addictive...

you almost always feel better after a workout...you probably already know that...

btw...i have no affiliation with bowflex...i just appreciate getting a return on my investment....

i feel like it was money well spent...

Damn, maybe Bowflex should hire you cause you have me about sold. I am in pretty good shape fitness wise, I just would like to add some muscle mass & cut to my body. Sounds like this is the way to go.

I am going to check out some sites on the different models & prices etc... now.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

:thumb:

 

[gardenweasel]

go to a sporting goods store...hell,maybe even sears carries them...t.j. bell saw it at costco....

try it out...before you spend your hard earned cabbage...

g.l.,bro...

 

[Sun Tzu]

http://www.beachbody.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE


Check out the Power 90 program. A personal trainer friend of mine got me on it...

cheap and no bulky machine..

i am on day 5 and i swear to God i have never been so sore in my entire life.

good program though... check out the message bored on the site. People post their before and after pics..

gl

gib

the site doesnt seem to tell you anything but show pics....so what's the story...I work out all the time and am in decent shape, but it has gotten stale and been forever since I really felt much improvement...of course I am not getting any younger.

 

[theGibber1]

the site doesnt seem to tell you anything but show pics....so what's the story...I work out all the time and am in decent shape, but it has gotten stale and been forever since I really felt much improvement...of course I am not getting any younger.

Funny i read this, i just got done with the workout..

All the directions and work out routine instructions come with the dvd.

Basically the power 90 program is 3 months long (obviously) The dvd comes with levels 1,2,3. The work out is 6 days a week rotating between the cardio workout and weight training workout. The level 1 cardio workout is 37 minutes. The level 1 weight workout is 28 minutes.

Just finished with my 11th workout and i am nowhere near ready for level 2, so i dont know how long it is.

Now i must go. My arms cant type anymore after all the push ups and dips.

ps. The person who invented Dips should be shot in the face with a blowtorch and rot in hell :sadwave:

 

[Sun Tzu]

So it isnt weights - it is do it yourself at home?

 

[theGibber1]

So it isnt weights - it is do it yourself at home?

all you need are dumbells and your own body weight.. trust me its enough

but yes its just an in home boot camp..

good for those on the go

 

[parlayinn]

hey gibber, any updates?