Anyone use a bowflex? I have a good free weight gym set up at home, but it takes up so much room. I'm thinking of selling it all and getting a Bowflex. Is a Bowflex a good alternative to free weights? I've never tried one before and I'm concerned I won't get the same quality of workout. The Bowflex video looks convincing, but I still have doubt.

Cheers,
Will

A few years ago I bought a BandFlex, which is a cheap version of the BowFlex. It took me 3 days to assemble it and once I finally got it together I was so tired I sat down and drank a cold beer and stared at it. I used it a few times, but do most of my workouts at the gym.

An alternate to a blowflex are resistant bands (cheaper and they take up less space). My boss bought a set that hook together so that you can increase the resistance. I can't remember the name of them, but if you're interested I will find out.

we bought one. our kids swim year round. a weight program is part of their workout requirements. we thought the bowflex at home would be a good alternative to before school or late night gym runs. they used it for the first couple of weeks. they really tried to like it. unfortunately, it just was not "enough" for them.

4x4beacher,

Thanks for the input. I work out with 275 lbs on the bench press and wonder if the BowFlex has enough resistance to replace my free weights. It sounds like that might be a problem.

Cheers,
Will

We have the Weider Pro. Everyone here seems to like it alot. It's very easy to use, and you can work out everything. I like it because you only have to move a pin to change the weight setting....very easy. I do not use it as much as I should, but the boys and hubby do.. Has two seats, one for upper body and other for legs, etc. We were able to get rid of alot of equipment and just use this. Can't post the picture for some reason.....(integrated.OBX: forum_edit.form.PostMessage: Out of memory) pops up....

I bought a Bowflex last spring and used it about 3 times. For some reason I just could not get into it! The commercials do make it look great, but I just had no interest in it. I would much rather go to the gym, I think you're more motivated there. And I also like free weights alot better. Will, if I were you, I'd stick with the free weights. Save the money (Bowflexes can get very pricey when new), and get a better workout with your freeweights!

Got a Total Gym, you know, the Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley thing - You can get them from a couple hundred bucks through QVC or maybe HSN or from Ftiness Quests site IIRC. It's great easy to set up out of the box, and super easy to use. Normal routine is 5 or 6 different exercises at 20 reps each in about 10 minutes - mainly working abs, shoulders, and arms, maybe a hundred squats if something good is on the tube. I also found a recumbent stationary bike a couple years back on large item pick up day sitting by the curb all dusty from someone's abandoned resolutions I'm sure, but absolutely new, with stickers and no batteries in the little computer. I set it up in the great room and use it about evry other day for a 4 to 7 mile go at 15 or 17 MPH and it's great - no impact hands free operation - I keep a set of 10s under it and do reverse curls or full arm spreads while biking. If I do it in the evening I read a bit while doing it, for some reason I think my retention goes up if I am aerobic. Lord knows I can use it at this point, LOL! I liked the Total Gym so well I bought a 1700 model for my rental mountain house so I can use it there and the feedback from the customers is good. That one came with a little flip chart mounted on it so newbies have an idea what to try, and it adjusts from one difficulty level to the next easier than my cheaper one st home. I think it's hard to beat a total gym for the money.

Biff,

Thanks for the tip. I'll take a look at the Total Gym... I haven't heard of that one.

Cheers,
Will