Anyone own or used a BOWFLEX????

[hammersley]

Wondered in what you think... .

 

[bigtoy]

I bought a new one in march of 03. They are a nice machine, probably a little over priced, but if you use it,it's worth every penny! There are so many different workouts that you can do with a bowflex. When I first got mine my max. bench press was 140 lbs. My current max is 280 lbs. So the darn thing does work.

 

[fkovalski]

Ckeck this thread for my opinions --> BOWFLEX

 

[daytripper63]

I have Had the Bowflex Extreme for about 3 years and am very happy with it.

 

[staarma]

I guess it all depends on what you plan on doing with it. For light workouts and just toning they are ok. They lack resistance off the bottom so that is a drawback. If you powerlift then don't even think about one of them they will be a joke. Parabody and Vectra make some fairly nice home gym stuff and not too pricey but again, if you are into powerlifting and building mass then the public gym with free weights isn't going to be matched.

 

[biggieou]

Like staarma said, you absolutely cannot replace the quality of free weights. Sure someone might be able to bench 200lbs on a Bowflex, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can do that on free weights. You get a much better and truer workout with free weights.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I used a Bowflex once a couple years back to take the weight off a chandelier I was replacing in a guys apartment. It did great! heavy and cumbersome to move around on carpet tho. That's about all I have to give ... sorry.

 

[RonA]

I used to make these pro trainer elites for this guy. Great machine but very pricey and overkill unless you are a professional athlete or mountain gorilla.

http://powerbodiesets.com/

 

[JayWm]

I used a Bowflex once a couple years back to take the weight off a chandelier I was replacing in a guys apartment. It did great! heavy and cumbersome to move around on carpet tho. That's about all I have to give ... sorry.

:--) :--) :--) I didn't see that particular exercise listed in the book

 

[JoshPeters]

The advantage to a Bowflex over free weights is the lack of a spotter. If you are lifting to gain strength you need to have a spotter to use free weights.



That's my thoughs... . I don't have any fitness machines... so I'm really of no use other than the 6 years of lifting I did through high school and after.



JP

 

[Mike Ellis]

For normal strength training, free weights are the best bet but the Bowflex has a serious advantage that should not be overlooked: it is extremely easy on the joints. For us decrepit older guys that can be a consideration. Working out on the Bowflex produces an interesting and enjoyable "fluid" feel to the motions - sort of like the way a good stretch feels, if that makes sense.



The lower resistance settings are so light as to be rather useless, and if you are strong enough to handle the heaviest settings you may encounter a bit of difficulty keeping the movements "straight line" for benching etc. but you get used to it pretty fast. It will give you a good workout and it is very quiet and smooth machine to use. I recommend it highly, especially to the older crowd. Good stuff!