Bowfelx!!!

[Azzazzin]

How good is this machine?

I'm really not a fan of going to the gym, other to use the cardio equipment, because it is all dirty and disgusting where I go...

I have the chance to buy a used bowflex (not really used, just that the family that bought it never used it) so I was wondering if it is a good investment to buy it, and how well it works...

And personal experiance?

Thanks

-Azzazzin

[bodybuilder_13]

yeah i just got one yesterdayand it's great!
although i would not recomend it for your whole workout.
just get a barbell with some weights and your bowflex and you are set. it has a neat leg press station witch is kinda like a rowing machine and i love doing flyes. mine also has a lat pulldown station and calf press squat leg ext. or curl station tell me if you have anymore questions
-later

[duke114]

Is it as good as real weights like they say on TV?
Plus could i actually get the same workout? i was looking into buying one too but they cost so much

[bodybuilder_13]

yeha you get a reallly good pump where you havent got it before it is worth it

[BalMan]

I bought mine about 3 months ago and love it. Granted, it's not the same as free-weights, but it is a great machine to have in your home.

Good points:
1) Convenience - The primary reason I went looking for a home gym. I save SO much time by not having to drive out to the closest gym, which is like 30 minutes away.
2) Compact - It's just about the smallest home gym you can find. It can fold up and you can just wheel it into the corner of your room.
3) MANY exercises - Before you buy one, I recommend calling them and asking for the free video. They show you a lot of the different exercises you can do with it. They actually advertise that you can do "60 different exercises" with it but some of them are "incline bench", "decline bench" "flat bench"... which I would consider just variations on the same thing, but whatever. To do some exercises, you may need to buy one of the attachments (4 I think: leg, lat, squat, side extensions) but you can still do a lot of the exercises without the attachments. (Like, to do lat pulldowns, you lay down on the bench rather than be in your normal sitting-upright position. It took a little getting used to, but you're still making the same motions with your arms.)
4) Can't hump the bar - You can't really cheat by throwing your waist forward when doing bicep curls. Actually, trying to get any kind of momentum going for any exercise is pretty much impossible just because it's almost a constant force being exerted throughout the entire movement.
5) SAFE - This is a VERY safe machine. I don't feel worried about trying to bench too much weight. With a straight bar or dumbells, you always run the risk of dropping the weight on your face/chest/crotch/etc... With these, you can just let the weight pull your arms back... and that's it! (This is one of the main reasons I like it so much. It allows me to push my limits further every session.)

Of course there are drawbacks too:
1) EXPENSIVE - I paid over a grand (I think I must have been drunk to actually make the purchase) but I got them to throw in the leg attachment for free. (I learned this by doing research! I read from a bunch of people that if you just ask them if they have any specials they'll offer you like 100 lbs extra, or the lat-pulldown attachment or, in my case, the leg attachment.)
2) I think it took them around 5 or 6 weeks to ship it to me.
3) Takes a while to get used to. I think it took me 2 weeks until I felt secure enough to do all of the exercises without having my arms shaking like crazy... but that could have just been me and my puny arms. *shrug*
4) Not as effectual as free weights - (Not my opinion, but I've read this in plenty of places.) It's a good workout, but free-weights still stimulate your body more than doing your full workout on cables. That's just a fact. Nothing is as good as free-weights. But I think this is damn close... and I think the safety reason (stated above) makes up for it.
5) and of course... heckling from friends about not getting a "real bench" or freeweight set. :P

To wrap this up:
In my opinion, it's a great machine. I've made some big improvements in strength and some in size as well (but that's probably due to my diet).

But don't take just my word for it. I did plenty of research (on other forums) and read what other peoples' experiences were. A lot of people complained about it being worthless, but others (like me) got great results... but I know that I'm actually trying hard. (I try to eat correctly; workout 4 days a week for 45-60 minutes a day; get enough sleep; etc...) Who knows what those other people were doing. But like I said, do your research first before you make your descision.

I hope this has been helpful!

[Edward Engle]

Yo Azzazzin, I perchased the XTLU unit back in Dec. of 2001 which it took 2 months to receive. But, let me tell you, I feel it is the best investment I have ever made. Why?, because I don't have to travel to and from a gym + the cost of joining every year, the gas etc. + It's mine. Just for the heck of it just yesterday I went to a gym just to compair how I was doing weight wise to free weights. The BOWFLEX is equal to what I could use with free weights! I was serprised, but also very happy with my findings! I have been in the iron game now for 23 years and tried 1 show in 1985. I'm 47 5'9 188 lbs. My wife sais that I look bigger & thicker. I've been doing the 4 sets 4 exersizes 5-8 reps 1 body part per day routine and It was her idea to get the BOWFLEX. I am greatful for her idea! As for supplements I use a protein powder with Methoxyflavones in it, L- Glutimine and EAS Methoxy Factor. To sum up your question, I feel you will not go wrong with your perchase and if your going to give it a 6 week trial I would get the unit XTLU PRO. It's the newest one out. Oh,one other thing, when performing the exersizes use the 8 second method 4 on the positive and 4 on the negative using controle. GOOD LUCK AND DON'T GIVE UP!

[Blackhawk123nwh]

yeah i got the bowflex too...got it bout a year ago..its great and beats going to the gym and waiting for people to get of the machines...but some dumbells would be good also with it:=)

[Bodzilla]

I've had a bowflex for four years. I think its great for someone starting out. When I got it (16) I was way too skinny to go to the gym. I lacked confidence and knowledge. Over the past years I've made great gains a little more than 20 pounds as a beginner, working out only at home.

drawback: I'm short 5'6 1/2 ", and the bowflex's standing bicep curls don't provide resistance for bottom half of the curl unless you are over 5'8". You can replace these with seated curls or lying curls - they work well.
I bought the Squat Attachment. It lets you do squats, flat bench, barbell curls, bent over rows, shrugs...etc.

The weight is slightly heavier than a gym for certain exercises. I can squat 310 for 18, but definitely couldn't do that at a gym.
~~You can do Modified Calve raises too. They work pretty well.
The bowflex is GREAT with the following additions:
1.Pull Up Bar ( I missed Pull ups) 2.EZCurl bar (Makes up for the lack of standing curls) 3. some dumbbells for Concentration curls, frech presses, ert (You can do them with the machine but they are lacking.)
I also bought the Pec Bar for the bowflex which widens the bench press grip.

BTW, the company is great with replacing parts. One of my handles broke from trying to bench too much with bad form (too early in the morning) and they sent me a new one in 3-4 days. That was the only broken part in 2 1/2 years.

[2Skinny]

Originally posted by Bodzilla
When I got it (16) I was way too skinny to go to the gym.

Too skinny to go to the gym? Come on now, thats why you join a gym! To NOT be skinny anymore. But I hear the point, I always get dirty looks when I go to the gym by juice heads.

[Pumpmaster]

The ads for it make it look great. Didn't know if it was marketing hype or not.

[Arniefan]

just what i heard, dont flame me or anything but some1 said that free wieghts are better yet the bowflex tones ur muscles more then enlarging them.

[kyokushin1]

just what i heard, dont flame me or anything but some1 said that free wieghts are better yet the bowflex tones ur muscles more then enlarging them.

How can you 'tone' your muscles without making them bigger?

[Skidmarx]

Aren't these things around a grand new?

For that price you could put together a nice free weight gym, rack and all.

[BusyDizzyIzzy]

Bowflex is junk and for the uninformed. Get a good power rack, free weights and bench and build your body up the correct way.

[MePhone31]

It's funny the people who usually say the Bowflex is junk are usually the old guys, juice heads or fat muscle guys. Like anything else you get what you put in I've been using it now for 5 months and my strength and tone have gone through the roof. For myself it's perfect I'm 30 married with a wife and 2 kids. I enjoy the fact that my arms are not so big that I can't wipe my own @55. Keeps me tone fit and f^&*ing my wife 6 days a week so I'm good.

[fishingeek]

This thread isn't old enough. Try pulling up one that is 10 years old or better. Whew, was barley able to type this, my arms are to big to type any more...