Any BowFlex owners here?

[JM Aggie08]

Gym memberships are completely outrageous, and I'd much rather work out in the comfort of my own home, or living room for that matter.

I've been scowering Craigslist, and have found multiple BowFlex machines ranging from $200-350...and I'm getting close to pulling the trigger and picking one up. Are these machines any good?

 

[B-Riz]

Fudge, had one years ago. Hard to remember if it was "good" or not.

Good as in build quality or workout results quality?

I never used it enough to get ripped like in the infomercial.

Ended up selling it on CL for a few hundo and getting a gym membership (was cheap) to do squats and have a wide range of dumb bell weights to use.

It does provide resistance and a decent workout, I do not think it is as good as a simple routine of squats and other simple presses with some pull ups and dips thrown in.

 

[purbeast0]

gym memberships around me are the cheapest they've ever been because of so much competition.

everyone i know who has owned a bowflex has just let it sit and collect dust. they aren't really good if you are serious about weight lifting though because they top out pretty light.

also, i'd much rather work out somewhere else than my house. many people who have them at home also just put things off cause they can always just "do it later" and next thing you know it's too late. when you have to go to the gym, you are going out to actually do something.

but also i don't have a kid yet so i could see why someone with a family would want to workout at home.

 

[Fritzo]

I own a Bowflex "knockoff" and it works really well. Use it 3-4 times a week for 20-40 minutes and I got fantastic results, especially in my chest.

 

[thirdeye]

I personally think a set of good dumbbells may be better investment. You can buy some adjustable ones in your price range and can do most of what the Bowflex can do without wasting a ton of space. P90X and some dumbbells did more for me than my Bowflex ever did (though I'm guessing not using it didn't help when I did have it).

 

[vi edit]

P90X and some dumbbells did more for me than my Bowflex ever did (though I'm guessing not using it didn't help when I did have it).

I second this. Dumbbells + P90x + pullup bar = fit you.

 

[Fritzo]

I personally think a set of good dumbbells may be better investment. You can buy some adjustable ones in your price range and can do most of what the Bowflex can do without wasting a ton of space. P90X and some dumbbells did more for me than my Bowflex ever did (though I'm guessing not using it didn't help when I did have it).

I couldn't do P90X. That program is for people that are already in great shape and want to get ripped.

 

[JM Aggie08]

I second this. Dumbbells + P90x + pullup bar = fit you.

I've toyed with the idea of P90x, but we just moved into a home with original (90 year old) hardwoods. I'd hate to damage them.

 

[nickbits]

I have a bow flex and use it when I'm not in my "running mode". I have the blaze model. My opinion is, it is good for basic strength training but it won't satisfy the serious user. I also considered getting a squat cage, nice bench and more free weights but didnt want all they equipment.
Also personally I would never work out at a gym, so a home option is my only option.

 

[Phanuel]

The 210lb max one my buddy has feels like 130lbs. You'll definitely want 300+ max weight on the thing.

 

[vi edit]

I've toyed with the idea of P90x, but we just moved into a home with original (90 year old) hardwoods. I'd hate to damage them.

Not really understanding where the correlation is there. If you are worried about denting the floor or something get dumbbells with the rubber coating on the ends. And get your self a mat or area rug with a soft underside to work out on.

 

[smackababy]

gym memberships around me are the cheapest they've ever been because of so much competition.

This. I pay $24 a month for my gym membership. The only annoying part is that it they close at 7PM on Friday and 6PM on Saturday / Sunday.

 

[vi edit]

but also i don't have a kid yet so i could see why someone with a family would want to workout at home.

Yeah that's pretty much the exact reason why I work out at home. Kids. I get up at 5:30AM to help get the kids out the door with my wife at 6:00AM. Then take 45 minutes to shower and get breakfast. In to work by 7:30. Out of work a little after 4:00. Then home in time to start on supper for when she get's home with the kids at 5:00. Then it's dinner/bath/bedtime routine for kids. And by then it's 8:00PM. That's really the only chance in the day my wife and I have to work out. And we'd have to go 15 miles out our way to do that in a gym. Just easier to pop in a P90x DVD or hop on a treadmill in the basement.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

I personally think a set of good dumbbells may be better investment. You can buy some adjustable ones in your price range and can do most of what the Bowflex can do without wasting a ton of space. P90X and some dumbbells did more for me than my Bowflex ever did (though I'm guessing not using it didn't help when I did have it).

with dumbbells, you can tone/lose weight but can't really build serious mass unless you have 100# ones.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

I couldn't do P90X. That program is for people that are already in great shape and want to get ripped.

false.

 

[vi edit]

with dumbbells, you can tone/lose weight but can't really build serious mass unless you have 100# ones.

And you aren't going to do that with a bowflex either. If you just want basic fitness and to look good naked then a steady diet of P90x and good eating habits will get you there.

OP never really stated his goals. About 95% of the non-athletic population can more than get by with basic body weights and a set of dumbells that range from 5-50 pounds.

 

[thirdeye]

false.

+1 there. I was in VERY bad shape before I started P90X. You just do what you can. As much as I hate quoting taglines their tagline is accurate. "Do your best and forget the rest".

 

[JM Aggie08]

And you aren't going to do that with a bowflex either. If you just want basic fitness and to look good naked then a steady diet of P90x and good eating habits will get you there.

OP never really stated his goals. About 95% of the non-athletic population can more than get by with basic body weights and a set of dumbells that range from 5-50 pounds.

I'm a skinny dude. I just want to be toned.

All of this P90x talk is making me want to just continue sitting on my couch in the evenings lol.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

gym memberships around me are the cheapest they've ever been because of so much competition.

everyone i know who has owned a bowflex has just let it sit and collect dust. they aren't really good if you are serious about weight lifting though because they top out pretty light.

also, i'd much rather work out somewhere else than my house. many people who have them at home also just put things off cause they can always just "do it later" and next thing you know it's too late. when you have to go to the gym, you are going out to actually do something.

but also i don't have a kid yet so i could see why someone with a family would want to workout at home.

Work out any time day or night, no wait for equipment, radio is playing what I want to hear, no dressing presentable, pajamas are fine, no membership fees, get some alone time, its a short walk to my shop where the equipment is. I find it's so much easier to fit in a weightlifting session even on a busy day.

Better question is why would I go to the gym?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

with dumbbells, you can tone/lose weight but can't really build serious mass unless you have 100# ones.

I've watched guys get absolutely massive with nothing more than water bags used for curls and bodyweight exercises in prison.

 

[blackdogdeek]

I'm a skinny dude. I just want to be toned.

All of this P90x talk is making me want to just continue sitting on my couch in the evenings lol.

What do you mean by "toned"? Do you already have enough muscle and want to lose the fat so you can see the definition of your muscles? Just eat fewer calories.

If I were you I'd spend the money on an olympic bar and weights and start a program like Starting Strength.

 

[JM Aggie08]

What do you mean by "toned"? Do you already have enough muscle and want to lose the fat so you can see the definition of your muscles? Just eat fewer calories.

If I were you I'd spend the money on an olympic bar and weights and start a program like Starting Strength.

I'd like to build and maintain a little bit of muscle. I don't have room for an onlympic bar, unfortunately.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Gym memberships are completely outrageous, and I'd much rather work out in the comfort of my own home, or living room for that matter.

I've been scowering Craigslist, and have found multiple BowFlex machines ranging from $200-350...and I'm getting close to pulling the trigger and picking one up. Are these machines any good?

Costco has 24 Hr Fitness SUPER Sport for $599 for 2 years ($25/mo) or Regular Sport for $349 for 2 years (~$15/mo)

 

[smackababy]

I'd like to build and maintain a little bit of muscle. I don't have room for an onlympic bar, unfortunately.

Perhaps they have made storage enhancements from the last time I saw a Bowflex informercial, but the squat cage is not much bigger than one. And the weights you need don't take up much room either.

 

[MustISO]

We have a bowflex from about 10 years ago. It was about $900 when we got it. I like it but I don't like the leg extension add-on piece. That has improved a lot on the newer models. I use it daily and for me it's fine. I'd prefer to have something closer to separate gym stations but that's a lot of $$$ and requires a lot of space.

Whatever you get buy used. I see excellent condition used models for much less than new being sold all the time.