Bowflex

[eleven11]

guys....I have a friend who lives even farther from the gym than I do and its getting harder for him to go on a regular basis... anyway he was asking me what I thought of the bowflex but I didn't know what to tell him. I've never used one and I don't know any one that does. He's not a BB but he's in pretty good shape and thats his goal to try to stay in really good shape. I figured anything was better than not going at all.

Any comments?

 

[Ronin_]

a power rack with chinning bar, barbell, adjustable bench and a stationery bike are much much better and about the same money

 

[Mark Kerr]

Bowflex is good for someone who just wants to stay in good shape. The problem with recommending free weights is I am afraid it may be too dangerous. I dont want to come on the board and hear a story about him dropping a 100lb dumbell on his face during an unspotted benchpress.

Your friend,

Mark

 

[Ronin_]

I guess Mark, I just figure if you're going to use resistance of only one kind free weight is always better

 

[Mark Kerr]

You were right Ronin, as free weights are exactly what I would want a BB to have. But it sounds more like this guy just wants to be in shape. I dont know if he lifts seriously enough to risk injury.

Your friend,

Mark

 

[ratmonkey]

they just had a rather extensive recall on a number of issues with the bowflex. seems that after a few months of use the damn things fall apart from poor construction.

of course i'm sure not many people use them for more than a month so most should be safe.

 

[ramboj70]

they just had a rather extensive recall on a number of issues with the bowflex. seems that after a few months of use the damn things fall apart from poor construction.

of course i'm sure not many people use them for more than a month so most should be safe.

you have got to be kidding me bro, I would military press that piece of shit machine right out the fucking door, tell your bro to buy himself free weights, I guarentee it will be much cheeper,

 

[Grizzly]

I agree with Ronin. A power rack and adjustable bench are all that's needed for anyone, especially your friend.

 

[Radical Ice]

Bowflex is good if you live upstairs in apartment -- no noise for the people below you to complain about. Definitely good to get in or stay in good physical condition... depends what his goals are. Shooting to maintain or build a bb physique is gonna eventually take a lot more than that.

 

[oldawg]

Bowflex is good for someone who just wants to stay in good shape. The problem with recommending free weights is I am afraid it may be too dangerous. I dont want to come on the board and hear a story about him dropping a 100lb dumbell on his face during an unspotted benchpress.

Your friend,

Mark

Don't you mean a "10" lb dumbell?

 

[oldawg]

a power rack with chinning bar, barbell, adjustable bench and a stationery bike are much much better and about the same money

A cage is much safer than a rack.

 

[Grizzly]

I think that's what both he and I meant. I call it a "power rack" which is how I distinguish the cage from a regular "squat rack". I suppose our terminology is wrong, but who's counting?

 

[Phreezer]

I think that's what both he and I meant. I call it a "power rack" which is how I distinguish the cage from a regular "squat rack". I suppose our terminology is wrong, but who's counting?

NO you're right Grizz.. they are the same thing.. I don't know why anyone would want to split hairs.. And honestly, OLd dawg.. How is a "cage" safer than a power rack?

Btw, here's a pic of each...would you care to explain the differance to me?

 

[ipfan1]

He doesn't need a spotter for a bench press IMO, dumbells are better (if his goal is hypertrophy) and you dont need a spotter to do a DB press.

 

[ramboj70]

NO you're right Grizz.. they are the same thing.. I don't know why anyone would want to split hairs.. And honestly, OLd dawg.. How is a "cage" safer than a power rack?

Btw, here's a pic of each...would you care to explain the differance to me?

phreezer, the cage I had was old and home made, I just got rid of that old dawg where can I get a nice one for cheep?

 

[eleven11]

Thanks for the responses. I think what he was looking for was something that didn't take up to much room, easy to use and could get him by on days he couldn't make it to the gym. The powerrack didn't seem to take to much room but I think he might be looking for something simple to use, and like I said he's not a BB just an ex jock who's still in good shape...........Thanks mesomaniacs

 

[Grizzly]

Seems to me if that's what he is, then the power rack is perfect. If he's an ex-jock wanting to keep in shape then it's perfect. Squat, bench, row, chin and call it a day.

 

[thick]

For what he wants just get a nice adjustable bench and adjustable db's.

Seems to me if that's what he is, then the power rack is perfect. If he's an ex-jock wanting to keep in shape then it's perfect. Squat, bench, row, chin and call it a day.

 

[Bob Smith]

Scrap the Bowflex. As someone stated, there was a major recall in the past couple weeks about these. When I was looking for equipment for my house, I checked out the Bowflexes at a local gym equip store that sells them. Even the guy said they are shitty. The "power rods" warp after a period of time due to the constant flexing.

I ended up buying a cage ($300), a flat bench ($150), and some weights ($150). I built a basis platform out of wood so that I can do incline work. This is my entire setup right now. No dumbells, no pulldown machine, no glute/ham, etc. Just the basics. It works great! I am very happy with my purchases and where I bought the cage and bench from (www.newyorkbarbells.com). As money becomes available I will add a pulldown machine next, then either a chest-supported row or a glute/ham bench. And of course more weight.

Total setup was $600 or less and it does everything I need. Consider that Bowflexes start at $800 for a crappy one and around $2000 for the top of the line setup. For $2k, you could have a kick ass home gym with everything you would need.