Thread: BoW FleX. Is it any good?

Bowflex or any other home machine like it do not compare to free weights as far as gaining mass is concerned. It might be OK for keeping your muscles in shape (maintenance mode that is) I've tried one and well the leg press / squat is a joke !! You can get some blood flowing with some of the other exercises though.

TJohn

Is it better than free weights, no. Could it work, yes to an extent, but ultimately you would probably get bored with it and tired of changing it around for different exercises, and stop using it.

I asked this question along time ago myself.

Just my opinion, but......

If you want to get toned, then it's probably a great tool for that. If you have the brochure or the tape, or seen the commercial it's primary focus seems to be on weight loss.

If you want to get bigger, then I think free weights are the answer. I finally passed on it, because although I want to be toned, I also wanted to get bigger. I ended up buying a bench, a smith machine (I work out at home with my wife, but occasionally we have to solo it), and a few other peices of equipment....pretty much a full gym, and it was less than a bowflex.

You may also want to keep in mind that alot of people buy equipment and NEVER use it past the first couple of weeks.

The bowflex looks great, and they certainly know how to sell it, and even offer a payment plan if I recall. However, I would find it hard to believe that the people in the commercial gained mass with it.

In a nutshell, I think free weights are better.

Originally posted by Stickboy
The bowflex looks great, and they certainly know how to sell it,

Yes they do !! With a guy or girl that's been in the gym hitting free weights for years and have great bods !! And then they say, this is the only machine I use !! Bogus adds !!

TJohn

For the price of a Bowflex you could probably get a power cage a utility bench, a bar and some plates.

BAM!
Real muscle.

If you were going to spend money on a Bowflex take that money and buy yourself a good bench with a few attachments and some free weights.

I agree with Mick and Mad mike, use the money to buy some free weights.

I say bag the Flex! My nephew wanted one because of the adds, "all it takes is six weeks". Then he did some research and pricing. The next weekend he went out and bought a bench and some weigts. BTW, he's only 14. Stick with the free weights. Glad you asked before you went out and bought one though. Good choice.

Men's Fitness magazine did a review of the Bowflex a while back. They say it's a good piece of home equipment for people with limited space and not a lot of time to go to a gym. They did recommend it, and rated it higher than the Soloflex. But like everyone here says, it pales in comparison to free weights.