Okay, here’s a brief update. I will come back and do more extensive ones after.
Since getting the Bowflex, life has gotten the way of consistent exercise routine, so has laziness. But with some effort and a little support, I’m back on track.
The first month after getting the machine, I only exercised an average of once a week for 50 minutes each.
Starting with a quick 5 minute rowing exercise and do a basic workout, one exercise per major muscle group, 3 sets of 10-12 per exercise. After a couple of weeks of being very sore… At first, I was a little discouraged, but I remember that this will happen whenever I stop working out for extended period of time and start again. Simple solution to avoiding this soreness is to not stop. =P
The second month and on, I was back on the exercise routine again. My best friend now works out with me on the machine. I am working out 2-3 times a week for a hour at a time. And playing tennis a couple times a week for 2 hours at a time for cardio.
I have gained 6 lb of muscle mass. I look much better in the mirror, my arms are a little thicker, I can’t see the ribs on my chest any more =] Seeing results gets me really motivated to work out more often.
The power rods feels very different from free weights, and even the pully and cable machines you see at the gym. The resistance starts out low, and builds up as you bend the rod. One of the major concerns for me when it comes to working out is safety. I had hurt my shoulder working out with free weights before (a friend told a joke while I was working out, I laughed =/ ) The bowflex if very safe to work out with if you keep to the proper forms. It is also more effective than I thought. With the bowflex I get to my muscle’s “point of failure” a lot quicker.
Overall, I think it is a great purchase if you would workout at least twice a week on the machine. The travel time I saved for not having to drive to and from the gym is often enough to do my entire exercise routine on the Bowflex.
On local news paper ads and craigslist listings, one can probably find a good deal on almost new Bowflex machines. I’d highly recommend the machine to any commited individuals. For me the machine has paid for itself already in saved money and time.
Have fun and keep burning!
