# Tell me about Bowflex **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 11, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572 "2003-05-11T23:47:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![YWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/6f9a4e/32.png) [@YWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWalker)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/1 "2003-05-11T23:47:57Z")
Happy Mother’s Day! **Mr. YWalker** just offered to buy me a bowflex as a Mother’s Day gift. He had a suggested model (the Motivator XTL), but was holding off on purchasing until he had a chance to get my feedback. Upon looking at the [Bowflex](http://www.bowflex.com/), I think I would prefer the Power Pro XTLU model, primarily because it has a sliding seat rail for aerobic rowing. So, if any of you have any experience with a bowflex, I’d love to hear your opinion. Which model(s) have you used? How well does the rowing setup work, and is it worth the upgrade? For the record, I have a Y membership, and have access to the weight room there. However, since we recently moved several miles further away from the Y, I’m finding it harder to motivate myself to hit the weight room after aerobics or kickboxing classes due to the time issue. I’ve gone from lifting weights 2 or 3 times a week to once a week, usually. I’m looking to this to provide a supplement to my regular cardio that I can fit in quickly at home without having to deal with child care issues, not a replacement. Also, unless we shell out for the Power Rod resistance upgrade, I know I’ll need to hit the weight room at the Y for at least the leg press, since I already lift more than their standard package offers. I’m leaning toward Bowflex rather than free weights or a weight-based multi-training machine because I can’t depend upon having a spotter around, and I’ll be locating this on our second floor, and don’t want to have to worry about structural issues (or moving the damned thing.) So, any advice (or warnings?) ---
**Author:** ![YWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/6f9a4e/32.png) [@YWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWalker)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/2 "2003-05-11T23:51:31Z")
And, of course, I wasn’t paying any attention, and posted this in MPSIMS instead of IMHO after I digressed to do a search. Grrr. ---
**Author:** ![Winsling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Winsling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winsling)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/3 "2003-05-12T00:21:41Z")
I’ve never used one, but I checked [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=183318) site, which is a summary of reviews. One thing that jumped out at me was: > [@](#): > > Many consumers are familiar with the Bowflex name, thanks to this company’s extensive TV advertising campaign. However, none of our top-rated reviewers recommend Bowflex, and owners are split about this home gym’s benefits. An interesting discussion thread called “Is the Bowflex Home Gym Worth the Money?” ([http://www.nutritionalsupplements.com/equipmentQ1.html](http://www.nutritionalsupplements.com/equipmentQ1.html)) elicits vastly differing opinions; one poster says to “steer clear of any fitness company making such claims [guaranteed results in 6 weeks] about their fitness machine,” while others rise to the brand’s defense. To be fair, though, Bowflex is generally well-reviewed by owners posting to Epinions. Hal ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/4 "2003-05-12T01:13:05Z")
My only experience with the Bowflex is watching the commericals. Fat ordinary people, just like you and me, become skinny after only 30 seconds on air. I’d say it’s amazing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/5 "2003-05-12T01:31:03Z")
People who have experience lifting don’t like it. Apparently it’s not terribly well made, and because of the way the cables are set up, you only get full tension at the end of the lift, which is not good from a functional strength (i.e., what you can do outside of the gym) standpoint. You can get a hell of a weight set for the same price. ---
**Author:** ![d12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@d12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d12)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/6 "2003-05-12T01:32:48Z")
The best home gym is a membership card. ---
**Author:** ![YWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/6f9a4e/32.png) [@YWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWalker)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/7 "2003-05-12T01:47:48Z")
Thanks for the link to the other discussion, Hal. I’ll be the first to agree that the commercials for Bowflex are utter BS. **Shirley Ujest**. I don’t think that using it for just 6 weeks is going to make me lose 60 pounds, brighten my teeth, freshen my breath, and improve my sex life. I just want to be able to fit in a bit more strength work than I have been lately. My husband would like to do some more upper body work as well. Your comment is interesting, **ultrafilter**. I hadn’t thought of that aspect. Does it provide resistance during the release phase, or is it just a total release of tension at that point (analogous to being able to use gravity to let the weights drop, if you have really awful form?) I wonder if they have one at a local Play it Again Sports. I’d really like to test drive one before we make such a big investment. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/8 "2003-05-12T01:56:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by YWalker \* > **Your comment is interesting, ultrafilter. I hadn’t thought of that aspect. Does it provide resistance during the release phase, or is it just a total release of tension at that point (analogous to being able to use gravity to let the weights drop, if you have really awful form?)** I don’t know. You can provide resistance by lowering it slowly, but I’ve never used one. Have you considered getting a Smith? They can be quite a bit cheaper than Bowflex, and provide a safety mechanism so that you don’t have to worry about dropping a barbell. I don’t like them, because I’d rather have a free weight force me to use good form–I’m looking into buying a power rack right now–but it might be more up your alley. ---
**Author:** ![YWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/6f9a4e/32.png) [@YWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWalker)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/9 "2003-05-12T02:02:21Z")
I tend to avoid Smith machines. I have a bit of curvature at the top of my spine, and anytime I try to rest a barbell across my shoulder, it ends up putting the weight squarely on my spine, which I consider to be a VERY BAD IDEA. My husband has expressed interest in a Smith, though. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/10 "2003-05-12T03:20:49Z")
You can use a smith for benches and other exercises as well as squats. It would be a good idea to get some dumbbells too. ---
**Author:** ![kpm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c57346/32.png) [@kpm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kpm)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-bowflex/174572/11 "2003-05-13T14:56:44Z")
That husband sounds like a great guy.