Bowflex Tips

Let me start by saying my name is not Hulk and I have no trouble finding clothes to fit me. I don’t bench 350 and I don’t shed my shirt in public every chance I get. I’m a regular guy who would love to be in better shape. That never ending quest led me to this purchase.

Having owned these dumbells and used them rather extensively for a year, I felt a few added comments might help those persons who were on the fence with this purchase. I can’t comment on the powerblock system which is very similar to this because I haven’t used them but this system has been great for me.

This review is actually an update. My first review was my first ever epinions.com review and at that time, I didn’t know what to write.

I watch a lot of TV and I see the informmercials for Bowflex and Total Gym all the time. I’ve been wanting to do some kind of strength training regimen but what’s the best way to do it?

I’ve considered a gym membership, but honestly, working 12-hour night shifts (I’m a nurse), I don’t think I’ll have the energy after work to exercise. So, I know that money will go down the drain for nothing.

6/18/07

Bowflex Xtreme XTLU

Paid $899.00 free shipping and 100 LBS upgrade

From Bowflex.com

I live in NC and purchased the XTLU on a Friday. The next Wednesday the purchase was taken out of my account. I received a tracking number on Wednesday and I received the Bowflex on Thursday. Apparently they ship from Virginia.

I put the machine together by myself and it took about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The hardest part is looking for all the pieces in the 9 boxes that comes with the XTLU. I received 10 boxes with the 100 LBS upgrade.

They sent me the unit and about 7 of 10 boxes were damaged. The damages boxes went back with UPS. So I called and they told me replacements for the damaged boxes were being shipped. A couple days later I called to see if the boxes were sent. Not one was sent out!! They told me that they wanted the good ones back before they would ship out anything. Well that’s just great I’m sitting here wait for a shipment and if I didn’t call nothing would of happened. So now they wanted to send me UPS Labels to return the good boxes, but the label would not include the pickup fee. Sorry, but I’m not going to lug around their packages for them. After complaining I got labels that included the pickup fee. So UPS comes and pickups the boxes and I called to see if they sent out the order (Not yet!!). I called a couple days later and demanded that if they don’t send out my unit I want to cancel the order! You would think they care, not one bit!! So here I am 3 weeks later no unit and with that service I don’t ever want one!!!!!

I bought a Bowflex about three years ago when I was living in a small town that didn’t have a gym. I figured it would be a good way to at least keep all the muscles I had spent years lifting free weights to build, since I would be without a gym of any kind for the foreseeable future. Was I surprised when I started using it!

This contraption takes some getting used to. The constant tension is totally unlike that of free weights. The first few times I used it, I felt shaky and uncertain, thinking the whole time that I must be performing the exercises incorrectly. What I didn’t realize was that I was calling into play all sorts of peripheral muscles to help control the movement.

I have used the Bowflex at work for nearly 1.5 years. I have a full set of dumbells at home. I prefer my dumbells every time for every upper body exercise I do.

The Bowflex works fine for quick, light workouts. However, if you want to lift heavy you’ll be disappointed if you’ve ever learned how to properly lift free weights in the past. Heavy weights on the Bowflex simply feel awkward and unstable. For example: I routinely work chest at home with 75 pound dumbells and it feels great. The Bowflex can be set to 75 pounds per arm, but getting the Power Rods into position for benching is tough on the shoulders, and once in position the motion is not nearly as smooth as with free weights. I’d like to see someone besides the great Arnold lift heavy with the Bowflex without seeing wobbly, side-to-side motion.

Like many people, I thought the Bowflex was typical infomercial junk…until I tried a PowerPro on display at a local Fitness Depot outlet. The salesperson was very helpful and let me spend almost an hour testing the machine out in every way I could think of. After trying at least one exercise for ALL my muscle groups, I had to admit it was an excellent ALTERNATIVE to the good ol’ fashioned barbells and dumbbells that I was used to. Still not totally convinced, I spent the next three months researching everything I could on the internet about the Bowflex, looking for pros and cons. I was amazed at the overall positive response the Bowflex was getting!

I owned an original Bowflex a couple of years ago, and I had mixed results. However, I bought the bowflex for a slightly different reason: I wanted to gain weight instead of lose it. Therefore, I don’t think that the Bowflex was for me. It did a good job of toning my muscles and giving me some definition, but it did not do a good job of building muscle. My theory is that the Bowflex does not let you push yourself the amount needed to gain muscle. You really need a spotter to make yourself work harder, and it would be difficult to have a spotter on the Bowflex.

Noting that I work out on a regular basis is an understatement as I find myself in the gym hitting the irons early in the morning when most of my co-workers and compadre’s are in bed resting. However fitness has become a part of my daily routine, not only is it great for my health but it keeps my waist line in check. I purchased the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells approximately three months ago from the Sport Authority after playing around with a pair they had on display.

The Bowflex Motivator is a great way to get in shape. It doesn’t take up too much space, provided that you u have a 6′ by 6′6″ area in your dwelling. The patented “Power-Rods” are really durable and work great. It’s easy shifting weights. Transition between exercises is no hassle. Save a lot of time, and is convenient for everybody. The Motivator can be upgraded with several features, more weight can be added, 310, and after that 410 lbs. It starts off with 210lbs. There is a leg attachment and a lat bar attachment, they are very pricey, especially with shipping. The Motivator has many gym-quality exercises. All in all, it’s a great machine that guarantees results in 6 weeks, provided that you use it at least 3 times a week.