Bowflex: Building Muscles or Better Tones?

[ktan09]

If you don't know, Bowflex is a resistance machine using a series of wires and pulleys to simulate weights. Since I am on the skinny side, I want to build muscle but I was wondering if a Bowflex would be the best idea or the regular all-in-one weight machines that one could by at Sears and such. Thanks.

[ephemera]

If your starting out, forget the expensive bowflex, get a weider bench so you can do bench presses, deadlifts, squats, military presses, curls, upright rows etc all with the one bar and barbells. Seriously thats all you need. Using free weights forces you to use supporting muscles as well as the main muscles. If you use machine weights, you can lift more, but your only really working the main muscles.

Eat lots of chicken breast and tuna.

[almostfreeman]

The guy on the commercial went bald from using bowflex.

[kleptodathief]

imo the bowflex is a ripoff, just get a normal bench/barbells/dbs and u shud b good to go!

[nolimtzel]

imo the bowflex is a ripoff, just get a normal bench/barbells/dbs and u shud b good to go!

are u the same klepto from toronto accords?

[sexpuppet6000]

imo the bowflex is a ripoff, just get a normal bench/barbells/dbs and u shud b good to go!

the bowflex is an awesome machine. it doesn't sound as if you've used one extensively.

[Shaner]

It's an effective piece of equipment.

IMO, free weights are the ideal way to work out; however, bowflex is still a god way to build/tone muscle.

[CouchPotato]

I have two friends with Bowflexes. Both are great dust collectors.

Do you already work out now? What are you using?

Basically, if you already work out regularly (like at a gym) and just want something to use at home for convenience and need to save space, I think a home universal or bowflex can be effective.

However, don't get a bowflex thinking it will get you in shape if you are not already working out and eating well. Chances are, it will end up like most home exercise equipment. Unused.

This is not directed at the OP necessarily, but for anyone, if you're not already working out now and don't/can't go to a gym, get a chin up bar and some resistance bands. Do a full body bodyweight workout - chin ups, push ups, etc. If you're still doing it 4 months from now, then it's time to consider more elaborate home exercise equipment.

Ditto for treadmills. Get one if you're already an outdoor runner and just want something convenient for winter.

[Mintmaster]

The Bowflex is ideal for ballistic motion, circuit training, and specialized control (e.g. the rings in gymnastics).

IMO, it's less than ideal (compared to free weights) for weightlifting, functional strength, and bodybuilding. A lot more expensive, too.

Here's my thoughts on the Bowflex in detail. In particular, don't be fooled into thinking it works your stabilizer muscles more than free weights do.

[UrbanPoet]

you can do everything the bow flex does and more using 2 simple adjustable dumbbells.

You cant just be on the bow all the time... Its just like going to the gym and only using the machines for every workout.

Dont be fooled by the fancy bow flex marketing...

[Smashy]

If your starting out, forget the expensive bowflex, get a weider bench so you can do bench presses, deadlifts, squats, military presses, curls, upright rows etc all with the one bar and barbells. Seriously thats all you need. Using free weights forces you to use supporting muscles as well as the main muscles. If you use machine weights, you can lift more, but your only really working the main muscles.

Eat lots of chicken breast and tuna.

And carbs. And good fats.

[ktan09]

No, I don't already work out but I would like to start, unfortunetly I don't have access to a gym so a home-gym is all I have right now. Either Free Weights or a Weight System are my options and according to you guys, it's a mixed pot.

[poedua]

No, I don't already work out but I would like to start, unfortunetly I don't have access to a gym so a home-gym is all I have right now. Either Free Weights or a Weight System are my options and according to you guys, it's a mixed pot.

+1 for Free Weights

If it were me, I'd pick up some used weights ( barbell, dumbbells ) - everyone is selling them - and a used bench ( with an incline is a plus ) . You can get the same results with free weights as with a Bowflex IMO - and at a fraction of the cost.

Not only that, but my experience has been that over 80% of people new to training who buy equipment for home training, usually quit within a year. Something to think about.

[w4x]

No, I don't already work out but I would like to start, unfortunetly I don't have access to a gym so a home-gym is all I have right now. Either Free Weights or a Weight System are my options and according to you guys, it's a mixed pot.

u live in thornhill and don't have access to a gym? gyms in the thornhill/richmond hill area come and go like chinese restaurants now a days.

don't buy machines, they usually end up collecting dust and do not retain very much resale value if you can find someone to buy them from you.

free weights for the win - portable, better than machines b/c they use stabilizer muscles, more natural movements, cheaper plus you can always unload them to others if you decide to stop working out

[df329]

muscles tones