Bowflex... yay or nay?

[Exoduso]

I was looking into buying one since between school and work I don't really have time to go to the gym 3-4 times a week... I don't want to get like, Hulk Hogan big, but I still want to have some improvement.
I used to lift freeweights a lot before my back surgery a year and a half ago, at which point I had to stop working out and actually lost quite a bit of muscle mass (and again, I was never THAT big, but bigger than I am right now heh..)

I just got the okay from my doctor to work out again, but I want to take it slow... and again, because of my time constraints, I was wondering if the bowflex was a good choice.

I heard both good AND bad comments about it, so I was wondering if anyone here had any personal experience with it that could share.

Thanks a ton.

[Shadida]

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/im...is-Posters.jpg

"Total Gym is better"

[Po]

I've used it a bunch and it works pretty well. A lot better than hauling around a lot of weights and always having to change them.

How much is Bowflex anyway? They always only tell you the monthly payments on commercials.

[coronamad]

If you can afford it and have the space, I'd suggest it. Not a lot of lifting and changing plates, the bow seems easier to use and would probably lend less strain to your back, and you're still getting the workout you want, except at home. It's win-win.

[Exoduso]

Will it help me get the muscle mass back though? or does it work more muscle tone?

And yes, I realize a gym is better, but I have no time for it, and i'm also afraid of it atm because 1 wrong move could seriously hurt my back (the back muscles have basically done NOTHING for the past year and a half, going to half to work them slowly, especially since they cut through them during surgery and they are probably still healing..)

Again, I don't want to get really big, but I want the muscle mass to be acknowledged.

And Po, the one I'm looking at is their Ultimate 2 because it's the only one that can go up to 410lbs I believe (and yes, I know it's not really 410 because of the way it's built, but still..), and it is around 2200 I believe...expensive sure, but if it will do the job I don't mind spending my money on it.

[divisortheory]

The most expensive one is like 2200. The cheapest one is about 900.

[coronamad]

Yes, it will help with muscle mass. It's based around resistance, so in effect, even though you're not doing (e.g.) curls, the resistance the machine is creating equals the mass of the weights you would actually use. At higher weights, yes, there will be a difference, since the machine is a bit more streamlined than just pounding weights, but you're still getting the benefit of muscle exercise, resistance, and eventually tone and gain. If I had the space and could afford it, I'd get one.

[Norelco]

I was looking into buying one since between school and work I don't really have time to go to the gym 3-4 times a week... I don't want to get like, Hulk Hogan big, but I still want to have some improvement.

I have a feeling if you don't have time to go to the gym, you won't really have time to hop on your bowflex. Why make excuses?

I'd also hate to burst your bubble, but to get "Hulk Hogan" big would require a significant change in your diet. Going to the gym 3-4 times a week wouldn't bulk you up as fast as you think. Muscle gains come slowly and with dedication.

I used to lift freeweights a lot before my back surgery a year and a half ago, at which point I had to stop working out and actually lost quite a bit of muscle mass (and again, I was never THAT big, but bigger than I am right now heh..)

Again, how much fat you gain or muscle you retain is 80% diet. You most likely lost muscles from not eating the right amounts of food.

I just got the okay from my doctor to work out again, but I want to take it slow... and again, because of my time constraints, I was wondering if the bowflex was a good choice.

Not to be a dick, but how much FFXI do you play every day (assuming you still play)? You can solve that time constraint problem by cutting your play time.

Also, 30-40 minutes is all you'd really need. You can't swing that?

[Devek]

For $900 you can buy... a metric shitload of fitness equipment.

Only get it if you
a) Have no space
b) Want it all
c) Have a lot of extra cash

For $100 you can buy a basic weight bench with a good amount of weights at Academy sports.

The reality is.. I don't think this or any "all in one" gym equipment can replace a nice set of dumbbells for really working your shoulders/arms/wrists/back.

Just buy traditional equipment and spend the $500 or more you saved on a personal trainer who will guide you through the proper movements.

[Norelco]

For $100 you can buy a basic weight bench with a good amount of weights at Academy sports.

The reality is.. I don't think this or any "all in one" gym equipment can replace a nice set of dumbbells for really working your shoulders/arms/wrists/back.

Just buy traditional equipment and spend the $500 or more you saved on a personal trainer who will guide you through the proper movements.

I agree. It's amazing what you can do with just an ordinary set of dumb bells. You could easily work some of your leg muscles as well.

Save your money Exo. You could even bypass the personal trainer suggestion and hit up a few websites that have video show the proper and safe lifting motions.

Lifting properly with less weight is ten times more effective than lifting improperly with a ton of weight.

[Charla]

The "teh retired" in his sig kinda tips you off that he doesn't play anymore.

[Exoduso]

I have a feeling if you don't have time to go to the gym, you won't really have time to hop on your bowflex. Why make excuses?

Um, there is a big difference between something that is THERE when you get home at 7pm, than going out to a gym at 7pm when you don't feel like seeing more people are having to deal with them all day (a little quiet time doesn't hurt you know..)

I'd also hate to burst your bubble, but to get "Hulk Hogan" big would require a significant change in your diet. Going to the gym 3-4 times a week wouldn't bulk you up as fast as you think. Muscle gains come slowly and with dedication.

I said the opposite, I DON'T want to get that big, not even close. I just want to gain the muscle I lost. Naturally, being in rehab for almost 4 months after surgery, I didn't have the appetite or the ability to work on my muscles, which caused me to lose most of the mass which I have gained previously. You don't have to be a dick, I know that it takes time and dedication to get it done, which is why I was wondering if bowflex will be a waste of time or not.

Again, how much fat you gain or muscle you retain is 80% diet. You most likely lost muscles from not eating the right amounts of food.

You try going through a major surgery and tell me if you're hungry lol... please don't even go there, I know exactly why I lost the mass.

how much FFXI do you play every day (assuming you still play)? You can solve that time constraint problem by cutting your play time.

I quit a year ago, and quite honestly, I barely have time to play any video games whatsoever anymore.

Also, 30-40 minutes is all you'd really need. You can't swing that?

I could, and I could also go to the gym, but if I could get the same workout by hopping on the bowflex in the morning before going to class/work, it would be very much easier than having to wake up even earlier to go to the gym.

[Norelco]

The "teh retired" in his sig kinda tips you off that he doesn't play anymore.

Right.

[Quixon]

I've got the $2300 Unit. I only use it on days I can't get to the gym, but it's a pretty good machine.

If you can't ever get to the gym than spend the money on it. My local gym is so much better though I hardly ever use the thing. Making things convenient for urself (ie. home gym) tends to lead to laziness in most people lol. That is another reason why I got to the local gym instead.

I'm in the gym for 1hr-1hr 15 minutes M-F on my lunch break. And depending on my weekend can be ne where from 0-2 hours on the home gym. With a heavy schedule like mine some weeks I need to take the entire weekend off.

I'd recommend a couple sessions w. a personal trainer befor you get to cracking on the bowflex. It may seem expensive but you need to be very careful comming back from something as serious as back surgery.

[GraveRobberX]

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http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/bo...revolution.jpg

[Scythiroth]

lmao.

[Norelco]

Um, there is a big difference between something that is THERE when you get home at 7pm, than going out to a gym at 7pm when you don't feel like seeing more people are having to deal with them all day (a little quiet time doesn't hurt you know..)

So go in the morning? There's definitely always less people at the gym in the early morning. The problem with doing your workouts at home (for most people) is that when you see a couch you're going to want to sit on it. Having to go somewhere before you get home may help you stay motivated.

I said the opposite, I DON'T want to get that big, not even close. I just want to gain the muscle I lost. Naturally, being in rehab for almost 4 months after surgery, I didn't have the appetite or the ability to work on my muscles, which caused me to lose most of the mass which I have gained previously. You don't have to be a dick, I know that it takes time and dedication to get it done, which is why I was wondering if bowflex will be a waste of time or not.

I'm not being a dick. I'm being realistic. I also know you DON'T want to get big, but you're making it sound like it's easy to get huge.

You try going through a major surgery and tell me if you're hungry lol... please don't even go there, I know exactly why I lost the mass.

I said you most likely lost your muscles because of your nutrition. I'm not trying to pretend to know what it is like to be in your shoes.

I quit a year ago

I quit too. I'm very happy for you and myself. Best decision I ever made.

I could, and I could also go to the gym, but if I could get the same workout by hopping on the bowflex in the morning before going to class/work, it would be very much easier than having to wake up even earlier to go to the gym.

You just owned my argument at the top of this post. My hat's off to you, sir.

[Po]

Yea they are expensive and whatnot.

But think about it you never have to buy replacement weights and whatnot. Great machine overall from the experience I've had.

[Devek]

Yea they are expensive and whatnot.

But think about it you never have to buy replacement weights and whatnot. Great machine overall from the experience I've had.

Wouldn't it be the other way around? A bowflex could in theory break.

I have never seen a dumbbell go bad..

[Exoduso]

Norelco, I also want to eventually combine the two... but for the beginning, I thought it would be safer to go with something like the bowflex, esepcailly because it's not as strong as free weights, mainly to get the movements going with the muscles again, gain some mass, and then go back to do the free weight thing at the gym, and eventually combine the two to max out both aspects.

I could go in the mornings, but i'm EXTREMELY reluctant to go to the gym in the beginning, even with a personal trainer, because i'm afraid i'd hurt something and then be set back for a couple of months because of some retarded injury that I didn't necessarily have to go through.