i just caught this article on the new bowflex off of forbes.com (see link below). it looks like amore legit piece of equipment now that it has been redesigned alot. has anyone ever used this bowflex before?

http://www.forbes.com/businesswire/f...1005126r1.html

Bowflex is a total waste of money in my opinion.

Hey Newf, what would make the Bowflex a waste of money?

I've got a few friends who bought one, actually use it, and have been noticing some gains. I don't actually like the variable resistance it provides, however it does the job if you are serious about using it.

Care to explain?

I know a couple people who swear by their bowflexes, and from what I've seen, it's not a bad resistance machine.

Maybe i didn't explain it very well. I don't know if they work but i'm sure they don't work has well has traditional weights. Its the price.

Top Model

Payments As Low As
$57/month*
OR $2199USD

That's a way overpriced in my opinion reminds me of harleys. However, you can always get your money back and sometimes more with harleys. Not knocking Harley's but they too are overpriced.

Unfortunately, Harley's are a status symbol which has been created by the price AND brand. I think they are way overpriced, but I tend to buy one as soon as i can afford it ... and, same goes for the bowflex. I will always own a set of free weights, but not everything can be accomplished with them. I really like the looks of their sports package, and will probably purchase it once i have a basement or spare room i can put it in.

years ago it was soloflex, now it bowflex. never interested me. a power rack and bench are i need (i can always find stuff to chin and dip off of)

but if it gets someone off their ass and moving, i say go for it. i just hope they realize that using the machine wont give them a bowflex body

Ok, hang on...

Why wouldn't it give them - exactly - the body of all the bodybuilders/bodyscuplters that are shown on the commercial? As I understand, the 'power rods' can provide up to 450lbs of weight, and I don't know many people who can bench that much weight.

Besides, machine aside - everyone could probably build a 'Bowflex Body" with household items, good diet and a lot of work... As long as muscles are being challenged, which the Bowflex would do, it should be able to do it.

what i'm referring to is where is the proof that those ppl in the ads got like that from the machine? that would be nice to see but i'm sure it doesnt exist. there was one guy who went around promoting the machines in malls and when asked if he got like that from the machine, the standard company policy was to say, "well, i do use the machine."

the look in the commercials is not from the machine and thats the gimmick. we all know there is more to it than that. i agree with you that yes they will get results and like i said, if it gets ppl moving i'm all for it.

its still too damn expensive!!

Abear, I'm certain that you've got it right. However, the same is likely said for all of the ads in Muscle & Fitness, Musclemag, etc. which have six page inserts with very famous bodybuilders touting the best protein powders, creatine and the like.

I think we're agreeing with each other on these counts. I also think that while you could get that body using a Bowflex, most bodybuilders aren't creating their physiques on homegyms, Bowflex machines, or the like - they're hitting Gold's.

oh yea, dont get me started on the magazines and the supplement ads too.

the power of marketing. i was under the spell for too long a time. but like the song says, "i can see clearly now...."

after talking some people about the bowflex, it turns out more people have them than you would think and also more people swear by them than dont. i think the ppoint is ther eis something these things must do or they wouldnt be in business. i ended up testing out the new Bowflex Revolution and was very impressed with what it had to offer. it provides a complete workout and most importantly raises your heart rate and gives your muscles a challenged. i completely endorse the home gym as an option, especially if it helps grease the wheels and gets everyone in america exercising again.

I recently just bought a bowflex, though I bought it used for only $300. It came with the lat tower bar and 310lbs of resistance. I can say that this thing is better than you think. Whether you call you it weight training or resistance training, its still the same thing training of the muscles. I wouldnt say its any better or worse than free weights, but its definitely a good piece of equipment.
The first time I used one, many moons ago, I actually had trouble lifting much lighter weight on the bowflex, than what I could throw around in the gym. I say if you can get one at a low price (eBay), add it to your workout plan. It really saves me a lot of time and space.

I just bought the new Revolution a few months ago. It is a good piece of equipment. Did the people in the ads and infomercials get their bodies from the bowflex? Probably not. Do the people in the muscle mags get their bodies from the free weights? Yeah but with the help of steroids. Steroids would work with the Revolution too! You can work every muscle group with this thing. As for how the resistance compares to free weights, a friend of mine lifts free weights at the gym. He normally does 3 sets, 10 reps, @ 300 pounds. He tried the revolution at 200 pounds and couldn't budge it. We reduced to 150 pounds and he could lift that, although he has shakey. He might be able to do a little more if he took the time to get used to the cables and the linear resistance. My wife and I have used this thing for a couple of months now and we both think it's great. I am toning up and feel much better. Now, I was a couch potato before we got this so anything would have helped. But the Revolution, is designed to work all of the muscle groups and work them well. There's over 100 exercises with 400 variations. By the way, it has a 10 year warranty. I made a stupid mistake of pulling the wrong lever and letting the seat loose while it was in the stored position. The seat fell into the hooks that the foot rest hangs on while doing leg presses. It tore the seat in two places. I called Bowflex and they replaced the seat NO QUESTIONS ASKED! Amazing! They stand behind their product well. I also have the i-trainer software and the organizer rack for the Revolution. The software pretty much replaces a personal trainer, if you're computer savey. I think people who actually try this thing will love it. People who are commenting on the Bowflex but don't even own one, don't know what they're talking about. Why should you listen to someone who hasn't even tried one for a while? Someone said it earlier, the trick is, use it.
Randy