alternative to free weights

[xgatoradex]

i have spinal stenosis and a herniated disk and the doc said i shouldnt use free weights,so whats an alternative? i was thinkin bowflex but idk

[Krust]

Don't get the bowflex.. I use to have one. Movement is very unnatural. Hardly any resistance on the negative motion.

I would get this: http://www.dumbellbuddy.net/powertec/powertec_wb_multisyst.html

[Chipman]

i have spinal stenosis and a herniated disk and the doc said i shouldnt use free weights,so whats an alternative? i was thinkin bowflex but idk

I would call your doctor and have him give you someone to talk to that has experience in strengthening the muscles in people with your problem.
I can see where there are machines you could use and some that could harm you.

[IBey777]

Calisthenics offer a great alternative to weight training. Check out this link.:
http://www-nehc.med.navy.mil/downloads/hp/chapter8.pdf

You may also want to look on the bodybuilding.com exercise section and select body weight as the equipment type. Hope you can find a program that fits your abilities.

[StupendesMan99]

Hey,
I am someone who has seriously worked out on the bowflex. I needed an alternative to going to the gym. I thought about buying a set of weights but I don't have anyone to spot me. I decided to make the investment and buy a bowflex. It has been a great investment. Sure some of the movements are diferent from freeweight movements but you work the same muscles. I have been following a strengh training program for 4 months and i have watched my body transform. I am alot stronger, I have muscle definition, and I feel great. Don't let what other people say about the bowflex get you down, chances are they haven't even SEEN one let alone give it an honest try. I am someone who has SERIOUSLY worked out on it.
BOTTOM LINE: the bowflex works and is a great alternative to freeweights. You can bench, squat, lat tower exercises, curl, triceps pushdowns, etc.
Freeweights are great, but they aren't the only way to get in shape and build muscle.

[lokischild]

I would call your doctor and have him give you someone to talk to that has experience in strengthening the muscles in people with your problem.

I second this. The bowflex is said to be good for recovering from injuries, but that's just something I've heard said by people in general. You want to talk to someone with experience in rehabbing those injuries to see what they say before you drop a dime on anything IMO.

Bowflex is fine if you use it. You get out of what you put into it, just like any other piece of equipment, regardless of what anyone else claims. If I were buying a machine today though, I'd get a power rack.

[PopeyeFAFL]

i have spinal stenosis and a herniated disk and the doc said i shouldnt use free weights,so whats an alternative? i was thinkin bowflex but idk

This is perhaps better than a Bowflex (squat is probably way better).

Instead of that multi-station gym, that someone proposed, perhaps this, since you can do all the same exercise, cost less, take less space (more plates swapping maybe).

http://www.powertecfitness.com/workbench_lev_gym.htm

[mks]

This is perhaps better than a Bowflex (squat is probably way better).

Instead of that multi-station gym, that someone proposed, perhaps this, since you can do all the same exercise, cost less, take less space (more plates swapping maybe).

http://www.powertecfitness.com/workbench_lev_gym.htm

its a good system.
But like he mentioned there is a lot of plate swapping. If you are going to be lifting an appreciable amount of weight, that means you will have to load that much weight. Considering you have an injury and shouldnt be going near heavy free weights, this may not be good for you.