Exercise equipment questions...

[Robert Walper]

Does anyone here have a BowFlex/equivalent or know someone who has a Bowflex/equivalent exercise machine?

I'm thinking about gettting one myself, but I'm interested in getting some feedback from those who are familar with exercise machines of this nature.

Do they work well? In other words, how much of their ads are bullshit and how much is actually accurate? How comparable are these machines to free style weights? I can't find any free styles that over 40 pounds each, although I haven't checked into any sports specific stores.

They claim you only need to work out 20 minutes a day and 3 days a week to acheive some good results(with a Bowflex). I'd personally would want to work out every other second day at least, and probably for signifiantly longer than 20 minutes.

Any suggestions or ideas on what I should do? I'm aiming for strength training and toning up a bit for my upper body.

Thanks for any feedback guys.

[Darth Wong]

They claim you only need to work out 20 minutes a day and 3 days a week to acheive some good results(with a Bowflex). I'd personally would want to work out every other second day at least, and probably for signifiantly longer than 20 minutes.

I work out for half an hour a week, and have gotten good results. I should do more, but I have a very tight schedule. Simply put, anything is better than nothing.

Any suggestions or ideas on what I should do? I'm aiming for strength training and toning up a bit for my upper body.

Free weights are better. People who work out on machines often find that their theoretical strength does not seem to translate into the expected real-world abilities when (for example) one of their friends asks him to help him move to a new apartment.

[Defiant]

I like the machines because I'm able to do them myself. Then again, I go for faster reps at lower weight, not for pure strength. Are free-weights better for the more cardio type of workout?

[Robert Walper]

They claim you only need to work out 20 minutes a day and 3 days a week to acheive some good results(with a Bowflex). I'd personally would want to work out every other second day at least, and probably for signifiantly longer than 20 minutes.

I work out for half an hour a week, and have gotten good results. I should do more, but I have a very tight schedule. Simply put, anything is better than nothing.

*nods* I'm strongly leaning towards just getting a couple of heavy free style weights myself. They are alot cheaper, much easier to put away and if you end up not using them, at least the cost didn't hit you that hard.

Any suggestions or ideas on what I should do? I'm aiming for strength training and toning up a bit for my upper body.

Free weights are better. People who work out on machines often find that their theoretical strength does not seem to translate into the expected real-world abilities when (for example) one of their friends asks him to help him move to a new apartment.

Sounds like I'll probably be getting free style weights first no matter what. I had an original set before, but they were pretty light at only 20-25 pounds each(I busted one so now it's just the single one at 40-45 pounds). If I get myself a good set of free styles(I want a couple around 40-75 pounds each) and use them continously, that might justify getting some more serious workout equipment.

[TrailerParkJawa]

Dont waste your money. Im not saying they are useless but a few few weights and a bench are easier to store and easier on the wallet. And probably will give you the same results.

HINT: None of those models on the ad got that way using just the machine.

[Kuja]

HINT: None of those models on the ad got that way using just the machine.

Surprise surprise.