I just can’t seem to make it to the gym and have been contemplating a bowflex for the office.
Any guidance…
Brian
I would say not to waste your money. Get yourself a stability ball (burst resistant) and a set of adjustable dumbells. You can get a workout with more core emphasis at a lot less money.
I tried the Bowflex and didnt like it, the resistance felt strange to me, and I thought the construction quality was not great for what you paid.
I have an entirely different take than Flying Wombat. I love our bowflex. Yes, it will take some time to get used to the resistance training versus free weights. However, I am able to replicate almost every excercise I used to do in the gym. Plus I am picking up added time in terms of no commute to and from the gym as well as no waiting in line for machines or weights.
I will say that the only part that I do not like as much on my particular machine is the hamstring curls. I think the new machines have this solved, but it is a matter of personal preference.
Again I love being able to walk into “the excercise room,” where the bowflex and computrainer are, any time I want.
which machine do you have?
Mine is a very, very expensive coat rack. I hold up to 10 coats!! Lovely…
I tried and tried to like the way the resistance felt, but it just never clicked for me. I’m willing to sell, hardly used!
It doesn’t show an email address for you. Send me over an email at brianalong@msn.com.
B
Ultimate … would much prefer the Extreme
I have one and think it is Ok for a home machine. Having said that I switched to a stability ball and free weights mid way through this year and feel I can get just as good a workout (or better) for what triathletes need ie: not bulk body building. As the toy money is tight i am now in the process of selling mine to pay for (in no order) PC’s, disk wheel, computrainer etc, etc. With all of the toys you can spend money on for tri get the ball and free weights, spend the difference on tri stuff.
I’m a 50 year old woman that wouldn’t feel comfortable being on TV in only a bikini without my Bowflex.
Concur with the Swiss ball and freeweights, which are ulitimately more versatile and portable.
I tried using one for a while, but like others have said, the resistance is very awkward. On most of the exercises the resistance is behind you, putting undue stress on parts of the body that are not being worked by the particular exercise you are doing.
I too would say to go with dumbbells and a bench or stability ball.
Nothing against Bowflex but for a triathlete I would recommend what others on here already have - dumbells, a BURST RESISTANT stability ball and maybe some bands.
The Bowflex is a bit awkward for athletes since, like bands, the resistance is greater at the end of the movement - athletes need the most resistance at the beginning of a movement. Yes, bands do the same however they are great for cost and portability.
Our DVD has a full stability workout that has exercises for both home or gym equipment. I have written an article on here that has some ideas for exercises: http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/coachcorn/strength.html and http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/coachcorn/strength2.html
Good luck!
Maylene Wise, CSCS
Quit it guys! I’m trying to make a sale here! 
Just kidding, it’s not for everyone… hence, why I’m unloading mine!
If it’s worth anything, I let a friend of mine try it out. He liked it, bought it and is still using it.
I just can’t seem to make it to the gym and have been contemplating a bowflex for the office.
Any guidance…
Brian
I have one and enjoy it. I have not had any problem getting used to the resitance of it. My only problem with it is that I don’t usually do anything at the house. I also own a treadmill that I don’t use but will use the one at the gym. I just need to leave the house to workout I guess.
Kevins is a funny name for a 50 year old woman, even one in a bikini.
My wife and I were wondering just yesterday, is that your son in the commercial with you? You guys look awefully close for mother and son?
Shit… Sorry. I thought that I could feel as loved and accepted as the woman on the commercial. Let me take this time to apologize to all of you. I am in fact Dr. Greg Ceynamon… Shit… I can’t even spell his name correctly.
Burst Resistant stability ball, isn’t that an oxymoron?
I’m on my 3rd one.
Our 5 yr old busted a supposed burst resistant ball within an hour of getting it home.
He watched me inflate it and stick the plug into it and I guess he thought one of his toys looked like the plug and decided to put another one in it. Came running down the hall looking for tape…
Destructo-boy stricks again
Jim
Greg, Thank god I get a chance to speak with you, we have noticed that if we use your puills our blue stomachs will turn to grey, without exercising. We have been wanting grey stomachs but thought it would be too much work.
If I combine this with the bowflex, do you think I could be become a fifty year old grandmother with a grey stomach and hang out with my son in the pool?
Hey! That specific colored stomach was researched and found to best flatter anyone (male or female) that desires to be shirtless while wearing triple-knit slacks in a variety of colors. Let it go and take your negativity elsewhere!
I have seen some people get some surprises on those things. The best ones I have found are at Perform Better for about $30.