Posted: 3/19/2009 6:36:06 PM EDT
| I really, REALLY need to start working out again, but the problem is I don't have anyone to work out with at the the gym due to work schedules - I start at 0500 and go home anywhere from 1300-1700 or sometimes even later. Does anyone own a Bowflex? What can you tell me about them? Are they mostly gimmick, or can you really get a good full-body workout with them? (No, I don't believe that 20 min 3x a week will have me looking like the guys in the commercials.) How about strengths & weaknesses of the older style with the bows versus the new Revolution? |
|
Quoted:
I really, REALLY need to start working out again, but the problem is I don't have anyone to work out with at the the gym due to work schedules - I start at 0500 and go home anywhere from 1300-1700 or sometimes even later. Does anyone own a Bowflex? What can you tell me about them? Are they mostly gimmick, or can you really get a good full-body workout with them? (No, I don't believe that 20 min 3x a week will have me looking like the guys in the commercials.) How about strengths & weaknesses of the older style with the bows versus the new Revolution? You would be better off working out at the gym by yourself. I've been working out at the gym by myself for over 10 years. There's lots of stuff you can do without a spotter, and if you do need a spot, you can always use the ice breaker of, "Hey, can you gimme a spot?" |
|
Quoted:
Bowflex is expensive, and nobody in the commercials got their bodies from Bowflex. You would be far, far better served by buying a rack, a barbell, and weights. A good rack will eliminate the need for a spotter. flushing your money directly down the toilet. If you can go to a gym, do so. Use dumbells if you're afraid to ask for a spot. |
|
I bought a Bowflex and used it for about a year, then I got a power rack with free weights and haven't used the Bowflex since.
The biggest problem with the Bowflex is that you cannot squat or deadlift with it. The machine stabilizes the weight, thus reducing the number of muscles that do any work. I would recommend that you purchase a good power rack, some weights, and "Starting Strength" and "Practical Programming" by Mark Rippetoe. |
|
Expensive gimmick. Not completely useless, but you're better off just going to the gym and lifting alone.
Or if you're determined to spend that kind of money, get a power rack, barbell and weights. I can guarantee you that those professional fitness models in the commercials did not get their bodies by using a bowflex. |
|
Quoted:
I can guarantee you that those professional fitness models in the commercials did not get their bodies by using a bowflex. I know, read my next-to-last sentence 
My biggest problem with free weights stems from a broken right wrist I suffered almost 30 years ago. I broke both bones in 2 places each, and that wrist has never been as stable as the left because of that break. I was probably the only guy in the army who would rather have done fist pushups, because they didn't hurt my wrist like regular ones. I do prefer free weights, but I've always felt like I got a better workout with machines like Nautilus because I could concentrate on lifting rather than lifting AND stabilizing. I know controlling the weight is an important part of lifting, but it always felt like I was doing more controlling than lifting. But the advice about free weights is good, I could get a hell of a lot of free weights for far less than the cost of even a used Bowflex. Guess I'll be scouring flea markets, pawnshops, surplus & salvage stores, and online ads. Thanks! |
|
Just to throw out an alternative, look into getting a good kettlebell and Pavel's Enter the Kettlebell. If you are just looking to get into shape then Pavels Program Minimum (swings and Turkish get-ups) is a pretty good routine. If you are looking to add significant bulk or strength then kettlebells likely wouldn't suit your purpose and your best bet would be an olympic weight set with a cage, as mentioned above.
A good kettlebell, accompanied by bodyweight exercises (push-ups, chins, dips, etc...) and maybe some traditional cardio like running, biking, rowing would go a long way towards getting healthier. |