Bowflex

[jmac66]

I'm 45 and using a home gym with a bowflex and some powerblocks for my home gym. I'm planning on using the 12 week plans here on Bodybuilding.com. Has anyone had success using a bowflex for muscle growth?

[JerryB]

I'm 45 and using a home gym with a bowflex and some powerblocks for my home gym. I'm planning on using the 12 week plans here on Bodybuilding.com. Has anyone had success using a bowflex for muscle growth?

I gave a co-worker a plan for his bowflex. He is primarily a runner and he put on some muscle.

[chodan9]

if you use it in a progressive and consistent manner you will get results.

[jasnija]

A friend of mine has one and he swears by it. I think it's a good investment for just getting into shape and he does look better in his clothes but I dont know how useful it is for actual bodybuilding. I would prefer free weights for that.

[ironwill2008]

Has anyone had success using a bowflex for muscle growth?

I regularly follow a large number of journals on this site, all of the journalers making generally steady progress. None of them use a bowflex. I also have trained IRL with many other bodybuilders, none of whom use a bowflex.

Can you sell it and then buy a power rack, bench, and Olympic set instead?

[JerryB]

I regularly follow a large number of journals on this site, all of the journalers making generally steady progress. None of them use a bowflex. I also have trained IRL with many other bodybuilders, none of whom use a bowflex.

Can you sell it and then buy a power rack, bench, and Olympic set instead?

If he is really serious that is a better option.

[stillfit]

Don't let anyone tell you that a bowflex will not work. If you know how to train it will work fine. Here are a few pics of me before and after. All training was on a bowflex. I only joined a gym 10 months ago. This transformation was done with a Bowflex and no other equipment.

[djflex]

Impressive above!!!

[ironwill2008]

Don't let anyone tell you that a bowflex will not work. If you know how to train it will work fine. Here are a few pics of me before and after. All training was on a bowflex. I only joined a gym 10 months ago. This transformation was done with a Bowflex and no other equipment.

Perhaps you're very genetically gifted. While I'll tell you straight up your transformation is remarkable, unless dozens of other posters here report the same great progress from exclusively using a bowflex, I'll just stick to my original advice--to train with traditional equipment using traditional bodybuilding exercises.

[jmac66]

Thanks for the input; I'll be using the Bowflex for the foreseeable future. My goal initially will be total fitness and knee rehab: four surgeries (two each). We'll see how it goes for a year or two... might switch to a power rack then.

[chodan9]

Thanks for the input; I'll be using the Bowflex for the foreseeable future. My goal initially will be total fitness and knee rehab: four surgeries (two each). We'll see how it goes for a year or two... might switch to a power rack then.

like I said you will make some progress with it, but if you start to get more serious you will probably need to upgrade pretty quickly.

A guy at work has one that is maxed out with power rods, and while I am no powerhouse of strength, the maximum load on a bowflex is not even close to challenging, and I am not even that strong compared to some of the guys on here.

[stillfit]

Perhaps you're very genetically gifted. While I'll tell you straight up your transformation is remarkable, unless dozens of other posters here report the same great progress from exclusively using a bowflex, I'll just stick to my original advice--to train with traditional equipment using traditional bodybuilding exercises.

Like I stated " if you know how to train". Most people who get a bowflex let it collect dust and think that 20 minutes 3 days a week will get it done. If used properly they will work. I wouldn't call myself genetically gifted. I did rely on muscle memory from my younger days.

[BCo1SG]

We have a Bowflex in our gym here in Afghanistan. Usually, my commander (workout partner) and I use the Bowflex for exercises we dont have the typical weight training equipment for. We use the Bowflex for incline bench, tricep pull downs, lat pull downs, and the exercises you would usually use the cable machine for. While I love lifting free weights, I jacked my wrist up last week and had planned on taking this week off to let it heal, today I thought I would use the Bowflex. It was great, I had no pain in my wrist at all. So I will be using the Bowflex this week exclusively for my upper body workouts.

[alex2363]

Don't let anyone tell you that a bowflex will not work. If you know how to train it will work fine. Here are a few pics of me before and after. All training was on a bowflex. I only joined a gym 10 months ago. This transformation was done with a Bowflex and no other equipment.

awsome trans ...what was your diet like?

[stillfit]

awsome trans ...what was your diet like?

Old school. Oatmeal and eggwhites for breakfast.fish chicken or tuna every 3 hours but in small portions. Maybe a small baked potato or yam with chicken for dinner. Low carb and pretty low calories.

[gtdmb]

I have a Bowflex that I use strictly gfor cable exercises. I don't really like it much, but it is all I have. I use free weights for the majority of what I do. Good luck.

[JerryB]

Don't let anyone tell you that a bowflex will not work. If you know how to train it will work fine. Here are a few pics of me before and after. All training was on a bowflex. I only joined a gym 10 months ago. This transformation was done with a Bowflex and no other equipment.

I personally have a preference for ironwill2008 suggestion.

But your results show's it's all about applying proper and consistence resistance to muscles. Muscles only response to the demands you place on them.

The co-worker I get a Bowflex routine enhanced him muscularity to the point I did not recognize him when he was out running at lunch time. He followed the routine religiously.

[mslman71]

Don't let anyone tell you that a bowflex will not work. If you know how to train it will work fine. Here are a few pics of me before and after. All training was on a bowflex. I only joined a gym 10 months ago. This transformation was done with a Bowflex and no other equipment.

Holy cow, man. That's really impressive, bowflex or anything else. Seriously, that's hard to believe.

[stillfit]

I personally have a preference for ironwill2008 suggestion.

But your results show's it's all about applying proper and consistence resistance to muscles. Muscles only response to the demands you place on them.

The co-worker I get a Bowflex routine enhanced him muscularity to the point I did not recognize him when he was out running at lunch time. He followed the routine religiously.

I agree 100 % no arguement that a gym is better, there is no dought about that and that is why I now go to the gym. I was only showing that results can be attained by using a bowflex.

[Getsum]

Don't let anyone tell you that a bowflex will not work. If you know how to train it will work fine. Here are a few pics of me before and after. All training was on a bowflex. I only joined a gym 10 months ago. This transformation was done with a Bowflex and no other equipment.

Excellent results man!

[mitch9518]

Don't let anyone tell you that a bowflex will not work. If you know how to train it will work fine. Here are a few pics of me before and after. All training was on a bowflex. I only joined a gym 10 months ago. This transformation was done with a Bowflex and no other equipment.

Great job. Can you post your workout?

[Landor]

Dude, you look awesome.

I never felt comfortable with a bow-flex or clone. Same thing with bands. They just don't feel right to me.

I think most will say no way but there are those that it does work for. Question is, is the OP one of them.

Don't let anyone tell you that a bowflex will not work. If you know how to train it will work fine. Here are a few pics of me before and after. All training was on a bowflex. I only joined a gym 10 months ago. This transformation was done with a Bowflex and no other equipment.

[stillfit]

Dude, you look awesome.

I never felt comfortable with a bow-flex or clone. Same thing with bands. They just don't feel right to me.

I think most will say no way but there are those that it does work for. Question is, is the OP one of them.

Hard to say. I did old school workout on bowflex. Push, Pull routine. All slow and strict.I am not saying everyone should run out and get one. My original purpose was to rehab a shoulder that was operated on. I just decided to keep going.

[FishChris]

In case their is anyone who doubts it, StillFit and I have been close friends for 13 years.

I think he looks a little meaner in this shot

Bow Flex only, at this point too, I believe.....

In fact, I have been really hesitant to mention it (only because I'm not 10% as buffed as my buddy here) but based on his success, I bought my Bow Flex about 1 year ago, and I think I have had great success with it so far. I certainly whip the $#!+ out of this thing several days a week..... and totally feel it after my workouts !

Now to be totally honest, for some of the exercises, I already feel like I could get a better workout with free weights, and for a few other exercises, maybe a couple more #50 power bars would do the trick. I've already added two #50 bars, but it has space for two more.

I'd absolutely LOVE to own my own private gym. But I have a whole bunch of MAJOR issues with working out in a public one. The biggest of which is that I'm so easily distracted (AADD) that I would have very hard time getting a good workout.... then the inconveniance... the cost.... So for myself anyway, gyms suck

But my choices are to either "try really hard" to get into a gym and make it work.... or start assimilating some equipment > free weight types of machines... especially a leg press or squat rack.

Kinda hard to look and my buddy, and believe him when he says he doesn't have great body building genetics, huh ? If his are not great, mine must be really pathetic ! But then he was definitely HUGE (albeit not as ripped) when he was young. So their is definitely a bunch muscle memory going on there too.

Fish

[dkn215]

I own a bowflex and use it here and there. I prefer the gym, not saying its better. I just like going. The only problem for me is legs with the bowflex. Maybe its just the model I own, the extreme 2. Doing squats is dam near impossible and in my opinion dangerous. And even with the extensions not enough weight. But for upper body parts it can be a nice way to break up your routine and some of my best pumps came from the bowdlex.