Alright, I'm also apart of another forum (tech forum) and someone was getting a Bowflex to stay in shape. He is an active marine at the USMC. I recommended going to the gym to stay in shape.

Why would you get a Bowflex instead of going to the gym (or setting up one in your home)? I don't see the point.

What advantages does the Bowflex have over barbells/dumbell exercises?

free weights aren't advertised on tv :D

Maybe safety, but that's not an issue if you have an appropriate rack and/or a good spotter.

Maybe cost.

Definitely portability if it's someone who has to move often and on short notice (like a serviceman).

I'm pretty anti-social when I lift. If forced to choose, I could easily see taking the Bowflex over a sparkly, brightly-colored, "No Deadlifts" policy McGym. Not over a good old-fashioned basement black iron gym, though.

Maybe the advantage is not miss a workout if you can't get to the gym for some reason?

Why would you get a Bowflex instead of going to the gym (or setting up one in your home)? I don't see the point.

What advantages does the Bowflex have over barbells/dumbell exercises?
A co-worker just got a used Bowflex for Xmas. I stopped by his house to see it last week. I'd actually consider one. It's a nice piece of machinery, it's easy to move from one exercise to the next, and no plates to move or store. It's compact and even the smallest apartment could make room for one of these. It's easily portable. His version of the Bowflex provided 240-lbs. of resistance, which is more than enough resistance for your average gym goer. It cost him $650 used. Not too many home gyms have all this in such a small package.

Other people have different goals. This home gym could fill that need, and it means no having to deal with the nuances of a public gym. Not bad in my book.

-R

I used to use an entire rack system that took up an entire room. I then switched to a bowflex and found that it does take some getting used to but I can get the same workout without worrying about killing myself with the weights. Plus as mentioned before it is really easy to switch between exercises in no time so that helps keep up the heart rate.

My only complaints about it are:

- My particular model, the "Extreme II" does not have the ability to perform leg curls so deadlifts are my only choice for hamstring movements
- No leg press
- The shoulder press doesn't engage the full weight until closer towards the end of the movement (but this might be because I am relatively short)
- Expensive compared to other equipment

Positives are:

- Very good (and safe) squat and "barbell curl" exercises
- Ability to move between exercises in seconds
- Takes up very little room
- Solidly built (the cheaper models may not be but the $1500 model is well build)
- Cables allow full range of movement unlike other machines that lock you into a certain path

If your goals are to bulk to your fullest potential and build super-strength then stick with the rack system. But for a busy individual who doesn't want to go to a gym and wants a compact yet effective system then I'm a complete supporter.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

I personally own a bowflex wannabe. Although I am not home much, while home I use my Weider crossbow all of the time. Much cheaper than bowflex, though the cabling is not as sturdy. This does the job just fine for me, though at 240# it needs more weight.

BowFlex Negatives:
1. Expensive. $1500-2400 for the good models with add on rods.
2. Resistance is too low for advanced lower body work - legs and hip. Always get add-on rods, even then you can outgrow it.

The Ultimate model BowFlex with add-on rods will satisfy the needs of 90% of the people reading this forum. 100s of effective exercises can be performed on it. It is portable and light, it can be stored out of the way. They are durable with good warranty

I am a believer that resistance is resistance, it doesn't have to be a bar with iron weights on the end of it. There are a number of machines that can match or out do free weights. Everything has advantages and disadvantages.:cool:

The Bowflex is rather expensive IMO compared to an oly set, bench etc that you would need for a good home gym setup.

Convenience is what attracted me to the Bowflex. I originally purchased the Elite model from Costco and then recently upgraded to a used Xtreme 2 which I found for less than what I paid for the Elite. The Xtreme 2 and Ultimate 2 are even more convenient since you don't spend as much time reconfiguring between exercises. Buy either of these used and cost is much less an issue.

I also own a set of adjustable dumbbells. So far, I find the Bowflex to be more convenient.

I had a Gym membership years ago and it definitely wasn't for me. I finish my cardio and work-out sessions at home in less time than it used to take just to drive to the gym and back.

- My particular model, the "Extreme II" does not have the ability to perform leg curls so deadlifts are my only choice for hamstring movements


You can do leg curls on the Xtreme 2. They're mentioned in the user's manual but not pictured. You stand to the side and engage the leg attachment, a single leg at a time. Brace yourself with your hands against the seat back.

I will add here, that if you decide to go the rod technology route. Be sure and get the extra resistance package, you will need as much as you can add. Then buy and read and re-read every page of The Bowflex Body Plan by Ellington Darden. (http://www.amazon.com/Bowflex-Body-Plan-Ellington-Darden/dp/1579546897/sr=8-1/qid=1170115753/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-8892483-6897459?ie=UTF8&s=books)

Was in the Marine Corps for 4 years and will say this. Bowflex is extremely easy to move and is a very good anabolic tool for such a catabolic lifestyle, know a couple people that had em. But yeah, it's gonna cost $2000+ to get a model that will work your entire body effectively.

On some posts, they won't even let you have dumbells/gym equipment in your living quarters or on-base housing.

I think it boils down to this:
At any reasonable gym, you will have the capability to get a better workout than you will with any home gym - whether that's a Bowflex, Crossbow, Proform, etc.

However, if: 1) your schedule won't allow you to get to a gym on a regular basis; and 2) You don't have the space to get a bench/free weights/Titan, then a machine is much better than nothing. And better than just cardio.

I'm lucky. I've got space for a bench, dbs, pullup bar and concept 2 rowing machine. Any/all of those can give you a lot of work. Only complaint is that sometimes it's hard to bump up the weights by 5 lbs/side.

One good thing about a machine.......speed.

If you are a discerning bodybuilder/bodysculptor you might want to go "free-weights" to handle the nuances.

On the other hand, as rtestes stated , resistance is resistance from a fitness point of view.

As everyone knows , the more muscle you've got working in a session the more chance you're going to trigger greater growth hormone response.

Thusly on a machine, be it Bowflex or pin/stack plate or whatever, the fact that you can whistle through ex's and resistance settings in a fraction of the time it takes to set up plates on bars is a plus because you can get more muscle working in a shorter time.

This good if your workout is fullbody oriented.

Not everyone is a "bodybuilder".

But a lot of people are into fitness and conditioning.

I have machines and freeweights in my basement gym.

But when stuck for time or changing up to a superset or circuit type program for a little while, the machines see a lot of use.

Hell, if I was marooned on a desert island I'd do bodyweight ex's.

There is no shame in any of it....every method can be the right tool when used effectively.

You can do leg curls on the Xtreme 2. They're mentioned in the user's manual but not pictured. You stand to the side and engage the leg attachment, a single leg at a time. Brace yourself with your hands against the seat back.

Thanks for the tip! I tried as you mentioned and found it a little awkward since the cables get somewhat in the way. But hopefully with some practice I'll be able to maintain my stability and incorporate that exercise into my plan.

I bought a bowflex without really studying the difference between it and free weights. This is my first post on this forum. I was visiting other forums, and we had discusions about the bowflex. They pretty much bashed it and i had no evidence to stand up for the bowflex. (I worked out six months with free weights and toned up a bit. I didn't have much of a peak on my bicep. I was a weak person. I worked out about 3 months on bowflex and my bicep started to peak a bit.) Well, I saw the bowflex on tv and I had went from 135 to 210 lbs and wanted to lose weight and saw the garuntee on losing weight. Now i realized I was going to have to go on sort of a diet and exercise both if i wanted to look good. Or that is what I thought. they don't tell you that on those infomercials..I will be honest, but they tell you on the bowflex workout video you get with the bowflex. If you are not satsified in 6 weeks you can send it back and get your money back or whatever i don't know, but i liked the bowflex (Ultimate btw) so I kept it. I had just quit smoking and wasn't ready for free weights. They just bored the stew out of me and i was lazy. anyways, i worked out on the bowflex for 8 hard months and went from 210 lbs to 176 lbs. I was doing cardio too and i was trying to eat well but i failed a couple of times not to inspire somebody to eat wrong. It is not that hard for me to lose weight as long as i stay active. I am disabled, so I don't do much except sit around the house all day. I am schitzophrenic and i don't go out in public much because it scares me. This is about as far as public as i get. except to buy groceries and pay bills. overall: I like the bowflex and i really think some folks are quick to bash it without really knowing hardly anything about it or they have never used it. Some might have. I got 310lb resistence which no, doesn't match 310 lbs of free weights. will be honest. I did upgrade to 410lbs of power rod resistence. I can only bench 170 lbs of power rod resistance until failure at about 9 or 10 reps. I can see how some folks can probably out do the entire amount of lbs in rod power. If i reach that then i will switch to a free weights. I don't plan on competing in any contests. Why a bowflex? It is pricie yeah. I have had no problem with customer service, but I feel like it is a great place to start if you have never worked out and have been lazy awhile. :) Come Summer I will post a pic and let you guys see a bowflex body for sure. I have been on it a good 8 months and have toned and thickened a bit. My strength has increased and i walked from the grocery store with a back pack filled with some bulk and a lil weighty items. I walked about a mile without stopping to rest. That is a big improvement for me. the weight was so much that one of the back pack straps broke off when i was taking it off when i got home. :) I would say free weights are better, but i don't know. I haven't used free weights much and can't compare them.

Thanks for the tip! I tried as you mentioned and found it a little awkward since the cables get somewhat in the way. But hopefully with some practice I'll be able to maintain my stability and incorporate that exercise into my plan.

I only had a problem with the cables when I tried to stand over the extension, instead of to the side. Also, you might be able to adjust the squat pullies to a narrower position to provide extra cable clearance. Stand on the right side to do the left leg and left side to do the right leg. Doing it this way, I didn't notice any interference with the cables. It's definitely not the most natural feeling leg curl but I think it can get the job done.