Bowflex Tips

Bowflex Ultimate 2 Power Gym During the late fall and winter season I gain a lot a weight.It comes from not using my body as much as I do during grass cutting sea...

Reviews on Bowflex Ultimate Bowflex Ultimate: The True Ultimate In Home Gyms! I currently own the base model of the Bowflex Power Pro line. I own the basic Power Pro model which I bought for $1,098. I can't be any happ...

I purchased a Bowflex Ultimate with all the bells and whistles in July 06 from the Home Fitness Club. They had a sale that included all the extras, floor mat, free weight scale and I added 100 bucks for the rod upgrade; brings total weight to 410 pounds. Included free shipping.

The floor mat came late, but everything arrived at my door in 3 weeks or so. My two kids put the thing together with me reading them the instructions. I just made sure all bolts were torqued well. 3 beers later and it was assembled.

It folds up and can be wiggled into a corner or against the wall. I can move it into the middle of the room, unfold it and exercise while listening to radio or watching TV. Once folded, I can move it around on rolling wheels; it moves like a two wheel dolly. I read somewhere that this thing weights about 250 pounds. It seems that it does. The Bowflex Sport is about half the weight, cost and does most of the same exercises. The ultimate is much better made, very solid, but does not provide any extra physical benefit. I love the Ultimate because it is solid, smooth, comfortable, I like using a bench from days I worked out as a kid playing football and it will be much harder for my kids to destroy.

My friend purchased the Bowflex Extreme 2. It took both of us several hours to put together and uses cables through 14 pulleys. The quality of both machines is very good, similar to gyms.

I have kept track of the weight and reps of all exercises following the guide in the Ultimate manual. I even purchased Dr. Ellington Darden’s book, The Bowflex Body Plan. This book features the Bowflex Ultimate. It has been 6 months and I have doubled my strength and lost over 25 pounds. I am very pleased. However, many folks will prefer a different machine.

Many exercises require you to have a beam between your legs. You have to remove the bench and turn around to do a standing curl. Also, you have to set up the machine for any accessory every time you want to use it. My friend’s extreme 2 does not have this set up time problem. You have to stand up to change the weights, first on one side and then the other.

OK, now for the good. The extra set up time, for me, keeps be occupied and seems just a part of the routine. I can warm up with rows, attach the leg extender in less than 1 minute, do the extends and leg curls, remove it in less than 1 minute and then be doing arm curls. Put the bench on, about 20 seconds, and then do a bench press. The beam between the legs is not in the way when you exercise. I stand up between exercises anyway so changing the weights does not cause me a problem. I even did some regressive lifting. In this lifting, you lift you normal weight for say 10 reps (until muscle failure) and then lower the weight about 25% and do 10 more reps. I can drop the weight in about 20 seconds most of the time. It is that easy.

The weight lifting is not linear. It feels a little different than free weights. Many folks will not like this feeling. However, most folks I have talked to got over this difference and it was OK. You do not have to worry about dropping the weights on your toe, or friend’s toe. However, you are lifting, and like all exercises, you can over do it and hurt yourself by doing too much. You must start low and work up slowly. This machine will do the trick and give you extra strength. You must follow the manual; do not try to invent the wheel.

I highly recommend Dr. Ellington Darden’s book, The Bowflex Body Plan if you get the Bowflex Ultimate.

This machine has a 10-year warranty. I called Bowflex after they ignored my e-mail about a plastic knob that seemed cracked and I requested they replace. I have not pressed them. However, after two e-mails, one phone call and a fax later there is still no response. These folks are not in India and my request was simple English, but still……… (it has been 6 months!)

I can recommend this machine for those that love a workout bench at home. For those that love free weights, I do not recommend you get one of these; here is why. You are already lifting free weights then you must already have all of the exercise equipment required and do not need anything else. However, most free weight folks require a spotter and that is not always easy at home. The bowflex allows you to lift much weight and let it down without worry. Add to it the leg extender and Lat attachments to do exercises difficult for free weights and this machine’s completeness shines.

Summary:

1. This machine is a bench model.

2. It can go to 410 pounds.

3. Has an easy to follow manual and is the machine

on which the book The Bowflex Body Plan is based.

4. Can be moved on two wheels and wiggled into a

corner for storage.

5. Provides a complete body workout.

6. Has a very sturdy look and feel.

7. The nonlinear weight lift feels a little different

than free weights.

8. For strength training, not for cardiovascular.

9. Not cheap.

10. Work out at home anytime. Great for the whole

family.

Bowflex Ultimate If you are just passing by you may not have read my review of W eider CrossBow Home Gym. I am going to attempt to review as many Bowf...

Reviews on Bowflex Ultimate XTLU Bowflex Ultimate XTLU Review I purchased this model about 2 years ago. I find it to be an excellent machine. Although some of the exercises are weak, the fact that you...

Reviews on Bowflex Ultimate XTLU Bowflex Ultimate XTLU (used) review I have had my Bowflex for a little over 2 months now. I bought it used on Ebay for only $421. It was a local auction so I did not even hav...

Bowflex Ultimate XLU Bowflex has been around for many years. Their product line has expanded from just the PowerPro to the plethora of machines they now of...

Bowflex Ultimate 2 Ab Crunch Attachment Brand:BowflexFitness Type:Abdominal Exercisers • Weight Training EquipmentSports Type:Personal FitnessWeight Training Equipment Type...

Reviews on Bowflex Ultimate Bowflex Ultimate is it really? SALES INFORMATION This product is not made in the USA!!!! The sales people at the company assured me it was manufactured in the USA before ...

Bowflex Ultimate Xtlu Official Website

Reviews on Bowflex Ultimate 2 The best home gym