Bowflex

[robardin]

BTW, if you’re already set on getting a Bowflex, I would suggest looking in eBay and Craigslist and the like before shelling out MSRP for a new unit. People unload barely used Bowflex systems all the time. Even if you won’t be one of them, there’s no reason not to take advantage of someone else’s depreciation to your benefit.

[the_Lady]

@Buckwheat

That is what I like about the model I am looking at, because it says
“No-Change cable pulley system lets you move from squats to lats to leg workouts without ever changing cables.”

What year is your Bowflex the Lady ?

Maybe they have changed the way it works?

It’s a couple years old.
I must admit I can’t remember which model we have, but you definitely have to change cables to do all those exercises.
And ours doesn’t have enough weight to challenge me on the leg presses -but that’s not a huge deal.

[Kalhoun]

@robardin

There are also Bowflex brand dumbbells that are “gadgety”: the SelectTech ones that have selectable weights so that you can replace that rack of, say, 10-50 lb. dumbbells with a single pair.

I bought these for Mr. K and they’re very cool. He uses a few other dumbbells, but these are the bee’s knees.

[cmyk]

I have a Blaze, and like it a lot. I never weight lifted with dumbbells on a regular basis, but I do get nice and worked up with the machine, and don’t feel like it’s any less of a workout than free weights.

Another advantage over dumbbells is you don’t need a spotter.

[Buckwheat]

@robardin

BTW, if you’re already set on getting a Bowflex, I would suggest looking in eBay and Craigslist and the like before shelling out MSRP for a new unit. People unload barely used Bowflex systems all the time. Even if you won’t be one of them, there’s no reason not to take advantage of someone else’s depreciation to your benefit.

robardin I think you just saved me a bunch of money!
I have never bought anything on E-Bay, but my wife has, so she knows the ropes about PayPal and all that stuff.
Thanks!

[Philster]

@robardin

There are also Bowflex brand dumbbells that are “gadgety”: the SelectTech ones that have selectable weights so that you can replace that rack of, say, 10-50 lb. dumbbells with a single pair.

I’ve got a pair of these and a weight bench; those two, plus a doorway mounted chin-up bar, a mat for doing squats and push-ups and a CycleOps bicycle trainer (which allows me to use my bicycle as a stationary exercise bike) constitute a reasonably comprehensive home gym that doesn’t take up too much room, and can be put away into the corner (and the bike into the garage) when I need the basement space cleared.

This is the only gadget I’d opt for. I love my free wights and dumbbells and I think these encourage more dumbbell use for people who already use traditional ones but loathe the inconvenience.

And that is the key: * for people who already use traditional ones but loathe the inconvenience.
*

If you don’t do anything to work out now – be it basic dumbbell exercises, or pushups or crunches, etc – the Bowflex is a total waste.

If I was in a bad hotel for five days w/out a gym, I’d be lifting furniture and going for personal bests in pushups and squats. I don’t think the bowflex is going to make you work out.

Probably the hottest Craig’s list items are Bowflex and the Bowflex clones.

Take that for what it’s worth. Oh, and the TV ads make use of steroid addicted and HGH addicted models.

[Philster]

Bowflex should pay fees to Craig’s List!

Wow! Look at how many were made available in just the past few days in Denver, Co.

http://denver.craigslist.org/search/spo?query=bowflex&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

[Projammer]

I’m happy with my bowflex xtreme (eBay) though I have been slacking the past few months. It was an interesting experience when after about a month my arms had started brushing against my lats (back muscles) when I was walking. Don’t know that I’m ever going to have a six-pack though.

The only thing I really don’t like about it is doing the changeovers between exercises.

[Lanzy]

They make a decent coatrack, but for getting in shape stay away from gimmicky tools. Weights are cheaper, work better and last forever. Visit garage sales and you can pick up a decent bench and a couple of hundred pounds of weights for about $25.00. Slackers are always selling theirs. For serious weightlifting, get a cage.