Bowflex

[Mychael101]

Are they worth a damn? No matter what I'm watching there seems to be a bowflex commercial. Sports Authority has the Extreme2 on sale for a grand. Just wanted some input.

[ruffdaddy]

They make GREAT coat hangers :)

[Tyrone Biggums]

I used one when I first started working out and it worked well. It was compact, easy to use, built well, but they have their limits. Are you going to build a body on one like the guy in the commercial using it, not likely. I grew tired of it and found I enjoyed using free weights more than I did the Bowflex. I also felt like I was getting more from my workouts with the free weights. If you're looking for a quick, space saving way to get in better shape, then go for it. If space is not an option, you can assemble yourself a hell of a free weight collection for less than the cost of the new Bowflex. If your set on the Bowflex, save yourself some money and hit up craig's list. There are always tons of them on there.

[flashstang04]

Just get a good set of olympic weights, a bowflex will never compare with free wights. Throw in a dip and pullup bar and you are all set....for a lot less than a grand..

[Mychael101]

With a 2yr old running around I'd much rather have bowflex then free weights. And space is at a premium so its a no brainer. Its equipment my wife and I can both use, you can upgrade the resistance and it seems safer to have around my child.

[GT-40 GTS]

There as good as a gym membership you don't use. :D

[poopnut2]

I thought it felt awkward. I'm a big fan of dumbbells lately. After doing bench/incline/military with dumbbells, even the barbell (big bar) doesn't do it for me.

[flashstang04]

With a 2yr old running around I'd much rather have bowflex then free weights. And space is at a premium so its a no brainer. Its equipment my wife and I can both use, you can upgrade the resistance and it seems safer to have around my child.

I can definitely understand the space issue. The bowflex can be dangerous to 2 kids too....as can anything. Still...seems to me you could find something as good or better and not pay a premium for the name.

[EDSGT]

My Buddy Has One For Sale For $400.00, Before You Spend Over A Grand On It.....

[Mychael101]

I have no issue using free weights, that was what I primarily used when I was at 24hr, I no longer have a 24hr location within 30 mile radius so I figured I might as well get a home gym. I'd rather have a home gym since there is less of a chance of getting bored with it over a treadmill or eliptical/bike. And $400 is a hell of a deal. Best I could get was the $999 and additional 10% off. If its a Xtreme 2 with all the attachments and in great shape have him pm me his contact info.

[EDSGT]

It's The Bowflex Xtl W/leg Attchmnts. Ill Pm You His Number To Call Him...

[exlude]

Bowflex effin sucks. I worked out on one for a few months when it was all I had access to. The resistence is not constant through the entire range of motion.

[Mychael101]

Bowflex effin sucks. I worked out on one for a few months when it was all I had access to. The resistence is not constant through the entire range of motion.
Well that sucks to hear. I'm pretty sure I'll be picking one up soon. It has to be better than sitting on my ass all day.

[exlude]

Well that sucks to hear. I'm pretty sure I'll be picking one up soon. It has to be better than sitting on my ass all day.

It is better than nothing, that's for sure. But I would invest in some barbells before I personally bought a bowflex.

[Mychael101]

I can't keep free weights around my daughter. The bowflex will be going into a small 10'x10' room that is in our master bedroom. That way there will be no excuse for my wife and I to not use it. I love using free weights but this seems to be our best bet for the time being.

[96Cobra_Nate]

Its going to be a waste of money. ;)

[flashstang04]

What about getting some free weights and just make that room off limits? It seems like a bowflex would be much more dangerous to a small child than a free weight she probably can't lift...imo

[Mychael101]

Got a buddy nicked named "uno" that will disagree. And its not easy to make off limits since its a part of the master bedroom without doors.

[flashstang04]

Well, if that is your only choice, then I say go for it.....

[MrEd]

They make GREAT coat hangers :)
and a high dollar coat hanger at that.
i used mine two weeks and said the hell with it.
got a bike and got a gym membership.
i sold it for $500 and the guy that bought it sold it for $50 bucks and they tried talking him down :eek:
good luck

[Mychael101]

My receipt says I can return it in 90 day for a full refund. Get back into shape in time for my cruise and then return it if I don't like it.

[doopie]

The key to a Bowflex is form and short range of motion....The cables are only so long. However I love mine when I use it.

[Mychael101]

I picked it up Thursday nite, and I finally got around to clearing the space necessary and took nearly 2 hours to set it up. Gonna read back over everything to make sure I didn't skip a step somewhere along the way.

[Mychael101]

The key to a Bowflex is form and short range of motion....The cables are only so long. However I love mine when I use it.
Finally, watched the dvd while on the machine to make sure I was doing the exercises correctly. And went thru my 1st beginners workout. Its much different from free weights, but I'll be begging for a set of the dumbells they sell soon enough. Now doing the 20 min workout should be a breeze, only real breaks are to remove or add the leg extension or seat.

[PWTRTXSS]

I picked up a Bowflex XTL today with the lat bar and leg extension kit for $150. I figure if it's as crappy as a lot of people seem to think, I will just sell it and get my cash back.

[8mpg]

I picked up a Bowflex XTL today with the lat bar and leg extension kit for $150. I figure if it's as crappy as a lot of people seem to think, I will just sell it and get my cash back.

its not crappy..just dont expect the resistance weight to equal steel weights. Any workout is better than no workout. Just push yourself on the bowflex like you would on the a set of weights.

[PWTRTXSS]

its not crappy..just dont expect the resistance weight to equal steel weights. Any workout is better than no workout. Just push yourself on the bowflex like you would on the a set of weights.

I walked through a very simple workout last night and I can tell that this machine will be good for me and the wife. Now all we have to do is use it :)

[Mychael101]

I walked through a very simple workout last night and I can tell that this machine will be good for me and the wife. Now all we have to do is use it :)
You'll be wanting to add resistance bands soon, good thing you can find them cheap on craigslist.

[03trubluGT]

With a 2yr old running around I'd much rather have bowflex then free weights. And space is at a premium so its a no brainer. Its equipment my wife and I can both use, you can upgrade the resistance and it seems safer to have around my child.

I've been lifting for 20 years and I believe that the Bowflex is the best substitute to a gym membership.

I can do a lot of exercises with one, and although you can't get the same amount of weight out of it, you can make up for it with form. The chest press will make you one sore MF'er... Something about the way it works that really makes my chest sore at the very middle where the muscle attatches to the sternum..

[PWTRTXSS]

The key to a Bowflex is form and short range of motion....The cables are only so long. However I love mine when I use it.

I'm 5'8" and the wife is 5'4". No issues so far with the range of motion but I could see it being an issue with folks who are 6' +.