Bowflex question NOTE: I saw the sticky

[sup3rsiz3m3]

Hey I read the sticky and saw a bunch of people's opinion on the bowflex but my parents are thinking of getting one for Christmas. I was wondering if any of you have had experience with it would you mind answering a few questions.

I'm looking to gain upper body strength. Can the bowflex help you put a lot of muscle mass onto your pecs, triceps, shoulders, biceps, and back? I will be going to the gym to do squats and serious workouts but I hear from various sources the bowflex is good for upper body and That's what I'm really trying to get in good shape/definition.

If my parents are willing to spend the 1-2k on the bowflex am I going to see good result's or be disappointed?

P.S I will still go to the gym on occasion to use free weights such as dumbbells, and Olympic style weights and of course squats and other leg workouts.

Lastly if some of you do suggest a bowflex which one would be the best for definition and muscle gain in the upper body?

[kelt_22]

Talk them into a Good home gym like Precor, Inspire, Torque, Hoist etc they are a hundred times better and often cheaper.

[animalfan]

or some free weights and a rack.

[buffbrown21]

Hey I read the sticky and saw a bunch of people's opinion on the bowflex but my parents are thinking of getting one for Christmas. I was wondering if any of you have had experience with it would you mind answering a few questions.

I'm looking to gain upper body strength. Can the bowflex help you put a lot of muscle mass onto your pecs, triceps, shoulders, biceps, and back? I will be going to the gym to do squats and serious workouts but I hear from various sources the bowflex is good for upper body and That's what I'm really trying to get in good shape/definition.

If my parents are willing to spend the 1-2k on the bowflex am I going to see good result's or be disappointed?

P.S I will still go to the gym on occasion to use free weights such as dumbbells, and Olympic style weights and of course squats and other leg workouts.

Lastly if some of you do suggest a bowflex which one would be the best for definition and muscle gain in the upper body?

If you put real work into the boxfllex and maintain a good dietary plan, then you will see results. I believe you will see better and quicker results with free weights and $1,000-2,000 is nothing to sneeze at these days, so if you are set on buying one, be sure to use it!

[dparty82]

I deleted my smart a$$ comment because I felt wrong while typing it.

Talk your parents into something better in the free weight line. You and your parents will thank us later.

[sup3rsiz3m3]

I deleted my smart a$$ comment because I felt wrong while typing it.

Talk your parents into something better in the free weight line. You and your parents will thank us later.

thanks to all of you guys for your support and I will definitely look into other options please feel free to post more opinions.

[ironwill2008]

I would advise against buying a bowflex if for no other reason than they're grossly over-priced, and they've historically had many quality issues. Google "Bowflex Recall" and you'll see what I'm talking about here.

As far as using one, the resistance varies through the ROM, and you don't have any way of effectively working your legs; leg extensions are little more than a warmup exercise. You'd do much better to look elsewhere.

Free weights are the Gold Standard.

[sup3rsiz3m3]

I would advise against buying a bowflex if for no other reason than they're grossly over-priced, and they've historically had many quality issues. Google "Bowflex Recall" and you'll see what I'm talking about here.

As far as using one, the resistance varies through the ROM, and you don't have any way of effectively working your legs; leg extensions are little more than a warmup exercise. You'd do much better to look elsewhere.

Free weights are the Gold Standard.

please read I said nothing of legs I care only of upper body strength for now I will go to an actual gym for my legs.

[ctgblue]

Talk them into a Good home gym like Precor, Inspire, Torque, Hoist etc they are a hundred times better and often cheaper.

^^^THIS^^^

Lifefitness, Inspire, Bodysolid all make really nice gyms for the cost of a 'midline' bowflex

okay, example, my wife, at 5'6" and 130, can press all of the 200lbs rods on a bowflex, for reps, so imagine how little that is when she cannot bench 135 on free weights

[gbrs5]

Google "Bowflex Recall" and you'll see what I'm talking about here.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/29/health/main596623.shtml
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/recalls/2009/03/us_cpsc_recalls_78000_bowflex.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4097708/

OP...did your work for you :)


Another failure involves the machine's backboard bench unexpectedly collapsing when it is in the incline position on Power Pro models without the "Lat Tower." There were 42 reports of this failure and subsequent injuries to the back, neck and head, none of which were serious.


Nautilus has received 18 reports of injuries caused by unlatched seat rails that have fallen, resulting in head and shoulder lacerations, some requiring stitches or staples.

[sup3rsiz3m3]

^^^THIS^^^

Lifefitness, Inspire, Bodysolid all make really nice gyms for the cost of a 'midline' bowflex

okay, example, my wife, at 5'6" and 130, can press all of the 200lbs rods on a bowflex, for reps, so imagine how little that is when she cannot bench 135 on free weights



Thanks very, very helpful posts right there im going to look into some of those gyms. And thank you for the links

[ironwill2008]

^^^THIS^^^

Lifefitness, Inspire, Bodysolid all make really nice gyms for the cost of a 'midline' bowflex

okay, example, my wife, at 5'6" and 130, can press all of the 200lbs rods on a bowflex, for reps, so imagine how little that is when she cannot bench 135 on free weights

^^^^I'll second this post. If you're looking for an "all in one" unit, any of these will serve you well.

[Wildtim]

please read I said nothing of legs I care only of upper body strength for now I will go to an actual gym for my legs.

Honestly if you are going to a gym for legs I'm not sure what you would gain by having a hugely expensive piece at home. Since you are maintaining a gym membership anyways a couple of grand can buy a whole lot of personal training. Provided you pick your professional correctly you would see more progress from working with them than you ever would on your own no matter what piece of equipment you own.

[HardKore79]

I don't see the point of working only your legs at the gym. Either stick to working your whole body at home or at the gym.

[yitmy]

I would be remiss if I do not post here right? Anyhow I think a bowflex is great for you and your parents to exercise. It is more gentle on their older bone structure and studies show less injury from use of more elastic resistance. Free weights is important too to reduce osteoporosis or bone loss in the lower extremities. Where a set of free weights may be a good addition-I use powerblocks but there are other competent systems out there. For you the addition of the gym is great. I too like to train my legs heavy and the gym lets me do it for 180 pounds is not the same through dumbbells as it is sitting on a bar in a squat rack.

[Ripnlean]

Let me say it this way
I got one For Free last year, it helped me get started with working out but after 2 months use I got sick of the cables and the (NON REAL) weight that I was moving. I bought a rack and weights since than,( Best decision of my life) (Selling the bowlfex, wonder why no one wants it even for 300, huh?)
The lat pulldown would just get stuck at the bottom with all weight on the bowflex.

I suggest 2 options:
1. P90X is already better than the Bowflex!
2. like above Free weights (Bar/weights/bench or Rack)
3. Craigslist... for the cheap, if you can afford new than go for it:D

Good luck

[HardKore79]

I would be remiss if I do not post here right? Anyhow I think a bowflex is great for you and your parents to exercise. It is more gentle on their older bone structure and studies show less injury from use of more elastic resistance. Free weights is important too to reduce osteoporosis or bone loss in the lower extremities. Where a set of free weights may be a good addition-I use powerblocks but there are other competent systems out there. For you the addition of the gym is great. I too like to train my legs heavy and the gym lets me do it for 180 pounds is not the same through dumbbells as it is sitting on a bar in a squat rack.Good points BUT he has to choose on one system to get and that would make free weights a definite winner. :)

[wolfdragon]

If your parents are buying it for all of you try and get them talked into a good all-in-one gym (like Kelt and Blue suggested). If you can't talk them out of the bowflex at least get them to buy a used one (they stay on Craigslist for $200 and up). I must say some older people are intimidated by freeweights and something is better than nothing. At least my Mom will use the bowflex, but not a barbell and rack.

[Keetman]

If your parents are buying it for all of you try and get them talked into a good all-in-one gym (like Kelt and Blue suggested). If you can't talk them out of the bowflex at least get them to buy a used one (they stay on Craigslist for $200 and up). I must say some older people are intimidated by freeweights and something is better than nothing. At least my Mom will use the bowflex, but not a barbell and rack.



This is a wise post.

A rack and weights are superior, but realistically how many older women are going to be hitting the steel really hard or even just NOT be intimidated by a power cage? I'm sure they're out there, but the odds are just against it. Heck, I'd say most older men would not want to start a serious lifting program unless they have prior experience and are comfortable with the equipment.

So, I agree the best bet would be either a new all in one by a high end company or a used bowflex. I would actually say a used all in one by a high end company would be a choice too, but they don't pop up as much as used bowflexes for some reason ;).

This is just an attempt to be consistent. The manufacturers of quality equipment listed by Kelt and CTG are going to produce a product that shouldn't be intimidating, will be competitively priced, and will be able to meet their goals/needs in a fine package that will hold up for a long time. Hoist, Bodycraft, Bodysolid, or this beauty all strike confidence in the deal for me:

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq203/Keetman/Misc%20Equipment/Inspirem4.jpg




If you can find any of those on CL for a decent price (don't expect to actually find an Inspire, I can't imagine they pop up much)......go ahead and look into them.

If they are hard set on the Bowflex.......don't look anywhere BUT Craigslist.

[buffbrown21]

I would be remiss if I do not post here right? Anyhow I think a bowflex is great for you and your parents to exercise. It is more gentle on their older bone structure and studies show less injury from use of more elastic resistance. Free weights is important too to reduce osteoporosis or bone loss in the lower extremities. Where a set of free weights may be a good addition-I use powerblocks but there are other competent systems out there. For you the addition of the gym is great. I too like to train my legs heavy and the gym lets me do it for 180 pounds is not the same through dumbbells as it is sitting on a bar in a squat rack.

What studies show less injury from elastic resistance?

[RHINO240]

What studies show less injury from elastic resistance?
I believe it. This type of machine will be used a lot less once they discover it's crap. Thus, less injuries.