Bowflex - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

shane_c · 03-29-2011, 01:47 PM

Does anyone have any experience with Bowflex machines?

I’ve been watching the ads on Kijiji lately and most of the ads I see are for the Conquest or Blaze models and are usually available for ½ the price of a new one. Does anyone have any experience with either of these models. Is it possible to get a good workout on them?

For the record, I’m not interested in using free weights.

troutman · 03-29-2011, 02:09 PM

I_am _Beast could tell you about it. I think he can bench-press a car.

VladtheImpaler · 03-29-2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

I_am _Beast could tell you about it. I think he can bench-press a car.

This reminds me of a law school story. Someone blocked my friend's car in the parkade (parked behind it). He picked up the offending vehicle and turned it over on its side. Some kind of lawyer! Sorry to de-rail.

arloiginla · 03-29-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane_c

Does anyone have any experience with Bowflex machines?

I’ve been watching the ads on Kijiji lately and most of the ads I see are for the Conquest or Blaze models and are usually available for ½ the price of a new one. Does anyone have any experience with either of these models. Is it possible to get a good workout on them?

For the record, I’m not interested in using free weights.

I have one up for sale in the Buy and Sell forum. It is a Blaze model and I found it was great. Only used it half a dozen times because I like going to a gym better...made me more motivated.

Fire me a PM if you are interested in buying it.

corporatejay · 03-29-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

This reminds me of a law school story. Someone blocked my friend's car in the parkade (parked behind it). He picked up the offending vehicle and turned it over on its side. Some kind of lawyer! Sorry to de-rail.

Zangief's a lawyer by day?

TheSutterDynasty · 03-29-2011, 05:19 PM

People like it because it boasts having a home gym in one machine, which is good I guess.

Edit: some models only have up to 200 pounds. Others have up to 400 pounds IF you upgrade.

More edit: There's only so much you can do with machines. At some point, for the best strength and actual usefulness of it, you're going to have to go to the classics (bench press, deadlift, etc)

onetwo_threefour · 03-29-2011, 06:42 PM

http://www.allellipticals.com/images...th-trainer.jpg

I've got Pro-Form CrossXover elliptical trainer you can have for free!

A couple of caveats. The elliptical part is currently broken, although it is fixable as I have fixed it a few times. The elliptical part is pretty meh. I used it to lose a whole bunch of weight last year and used it a lot but it broke down three times with the steel axle first bending then snapping off at the end. Ultimately, it costs about 30 bucks to fix if this happens and you can order the parts from the manufacturer easily enough but it's a hassle. If you want it I'll show you exactly what's broken and what you need to do to fix it.

With the bad out of the way, the resistance training it offers is actually pretty decent. It uses electro-magnetic resistance pulleys which give resistance up to about 240 pounds with intervals of 1 lb. Each pulley moves independently so it allows you to work out both sides independently. I've never had any issues with resistance aspect of the machine and it allows for dozens of exercises with its setup including stuff like lats, bench press. leg curls and extensions, triceps etc.

I'm getting rid of it because it's too tall for my basement and I can't use the top part of the machine. Also, with the elliptical being busted, I used it mostly for that as I've never been a big weights guy. Aesthetically it's in good shape without any major damage although it's partly disassembled right now. I can put it together for you so you can see how it goes together and what parts are going to be needed to repair it if you want to get the elliptical part functioning, but I would warn that I think a design flaw will cause the elliptical to break down again and probably wouldn't bother fixing it for that reason. You don't need the elliptical to be functional for any of the resistance training so you can just use the machine for resistance training.

If you want it PM me and we'll set up a time for you to come take a look and take it if you want it. You'll need a pick-up truck for sure if you want to take it assembled, and you'll want some help at your place to unload for sure. If we disassemble into the large sections I believe we can get into the back of a decent sized SUV with seats folded down. If nobody takes it I'm going to be giving it away at the Fairview community cleanup in May.

Here's a review...

http://www.ellipticaltrainerreview.c...l_Trainer.html

Doctordestiny · 03-29-2011, 07:55 PM

How much floor space does a Bowflex take? Can you go to a store and try these things out?

RogerWilco · 03-29-2011, 08:26 PM

The weight intervals on a bowflex are 5 lbs not 25 lbs as a post above states. I have a bowflex and have found it to be a fantastic machine. Part of the reason I have been able to drop 70 lbs over the last year.

TheSutterDynasty · 03-29-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerWilco

The weight intervals on a bowflex are 5 lbs not 25 lbs as a post above states. I have a bowflex and have found it to be a fantastic machine. Part of the reason I have been able to drop 70 lbs over the last year.

My bad. My buddy had what is apparently a very old model that maxed out at ~200 lbs and had barely any intervals. I'll edit the post.

Pinner · 03-29-2011, 08:48 PM

Yep, my resistance rods go 50, 50, 30, 10, 10, 5 So 10 lbs. to 310 lbs. Any weight you want. I added an extra set of handles so no need to switch anything. I like it, it's very convenient.

RogerWilco · 03-29-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

My bad. My buddy had what is apparently a very old model that maxed out at ~200 lbs and had barely any intervals. I'll edit the post.

I can agree though that if you want to be a full on body builder it probably isn't for you. But if you are working to get in shape I don't know many people that need more than the 320lbs provided. You can expand that by adding more weight though.

I_am_Beast · 03-29-2011, 11:47 PM

I love mine, it's nice to not worry about the bench press and having a spotter. The best part of this machine when done right is the negitive resistance..... your work out are much better. You'll never be a body builber on this unit, but for really focusing on one area... or even a curcuit it's awesome I got faster results using my machine then I ever got going to the gym.

Mine has 320 pounds, and i need to buy the 100lb upgrade I maxed out on the bench press.

best piece of work out equipment i ever bought.

Mine takes up roughly the same amount of space as a pinball machine...........

shane_c · 03-31-2011, 08:50 AM

Thanks for all the replies! Will keep my eye on the Sears flyer because they often have them on sale. They currently have the Blaze model on for $799 (400 off) until July I believe and I've seen the PR3000 model marked down to $699 before.

Does anyone happen to know if seniors get a discount at Sears or if you use your Sears card if you get a discount? If so, I'd get my parents to order it and just transfer the money back to them.