BoW FleX. Is it any good?

msoper · 06-21-2002, 03:59 PM

Does anyone know if the Bow Flex does what they say it can? Is it as good as free weights? Better? Worse? I was just wondering becuase I dont have much time for the gym between work and school and if I had a full gym at home I woould work out more.

TJohn · 06-21-2002, 04:10 PM

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

**Prince** · 06-21-2002, 04:13 PM

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.

Stickboy · 06-21-2002, 04:19 PM

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.

TJohn · 06-21-2002, 04:27 PM

Quote:

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

mick01 · 06-22-2002, 01:32 AM

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

BAM!
Real muscle.

mad_mike · 06-22-2002, 07:33 AM

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.

Scotty the Body · 06-22-2002, 09:13 AM

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

lean_n_76er · 06-22-2002, 09:33 PM

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.

**I Are Baboon** · 06-25-2002, 07:14 AM

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.

Neil · 06-25-2002, 10:47 AM

I agree with everyone else about spending your money on freeweights instead.
I think a program containing progressive overload, proper rest, nutrition and intelligent training will be effective. The bowflex can offer progressive overload just the same as freeweights, I guess it all comes down to a matter of taste.

06-21-2002, 03:59 PM	#1
msoper Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 97	BoW FleX. Is it any good? Does anyone know if the Bow Flex does what they say it can? Is it as good as free weights? Better? Worse? I was just wondering becuase I dont have much time for the gym between work and school and if I had a full gym at home I woould work out more.

06-21-2002, 04:13 PM	#3
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,721 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	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.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System.

06-22-2002, 01:32 AM	#6
mick01 Phyical Cultural-ist Elite Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: AK (a.k.a middle of no where) Posts: 162	For the price of a Bowflex you could probably get a power cage a utility bench, a bar and some plates. BAM! Real muscle.
	To refuse to learn anything that could prove beneficial to yourself is a working definition of stupid! High-intensity training is going all-out, not almost all out. It is taking one set to one's absolute limit, not almost to the limit. It is using whatever equipment’s available. It is not the words of two or three men, but a commitment to work as hard as possible while in the gym without socializing, resting excessively between sets, or falling prey to the 'this isn't going to work so I'll copy the star' attitude"

06-22-2002, 09:13 AM	#8
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	I agree with Mick and Mad mike, use the money to buy some free weights.
	Cool

06-22-2002, 09:33 PM	#9
lean_n_76er Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: right where I want to be Posts: 2,225	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.
	Where there is smoke, there is not enough lubrication!

06-21-2002, 04:10 PM	#2
TJohn Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania Posts: 445	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

06-21-2002, 04:19 PM	#4
Stickboy Rebel without a clue Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NM Posts: 1,115	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.

06-22-2002, 07:33 AM	#7
mad_mike is this thing on? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 53	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.

06-25-2002, 07:14 AM	#10
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,909 Photos: 10	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.

06-25-2002, 10:47 AM	#11
Neil Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 171	I agree with everyone else about spending your money on freeweights instead. I think a program containing progressive overload, proper rest, nutrition and intelligent training will be effective. The bowflex can offer progressive overload just the same as freeweights, I guess it all comes down to a matter of taste.

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