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bowflex vs power rack

dave-inator

New member
hi, i've been debating whether i should buy a bowflex or a power rack. i'm not going for hardcore lifting or bodybuilding, but just like a 3 times a week 30 minute routine sort of thing. i have been leaning toward the bowflex mostly because it looks alot easier.

Yeah yeah easy way out, but i'm not sure if i would know how to use a powerrack without like good instruction, it would just sit around in my basement collecting dust. i dunno, thoughts?
 
its a no contest... your muscles work better against gravity, not power rods.

but if you want easy, get the bow flex
 
dave-inator said:
hi, i've been debating whether i should buy a bowflex or a power rack. i'm not going for hardcore lifting or bodybuilding, but just like a 3 times a week 30 minute routine sort of thing. i have been leaning toward the bowflex mostly because it looks alot easier.

Yeah yeah easy way out, but i'm not sure if i would know how to use a powerrack without like good instruction, it would just sit around in my basement collecting dust. i dunno, thoughts?

Since it sounds like you are not interested in "hard core" lifting, I would still go for the power rack and free weights. If for nothing else, for the difference in cost between the two. Also, if you ever do decide to pursue "hard core" lifting, you will be much better off with the power rack and free weights.


.02,
Joker
 
I agree with that. You might as well train hard core if you're going to put time into it...I mean 45 minutes is nothing. Hardcore lifters only need 45 minutes/workout. Plus you can save yourself a couple of hundreds.
 
Power rack. If you hang around these boards for a while, you'll become a "hardcore lifter" whether you want to or not. I can't imagine pushing against some power rods when I could have a few hundred pounds of steel in my hands. A power rack is also much more versatile in my opinion.
 
from my experience, people who buy bowflex's have those sitting around collecting dust rather than a powerrack. but even if you go with a boxflex, dont follow thier program, its is what makes people think bowflex is crap, not neccesarily the equipment.

X
 
Exodus said:
from my experience, people who buy bowflex's have those sitting around collecting dust rather than a powerrack.

X

I would totally agree with this.... Other than the commercials, have you ever seen anyone say "I am totally in shape for using this thing"?
 
If you are actually gonna use it than a power rack, but it really doesn't matter if you don't use it.

I never understood the point of "casual" lifting. If you aren't serious about it than what's the point? Maybe for the heart? I dunno, your choice.

-sk
 
sk* said:
If you are actually gonna use it than a power rack, but it really doesn't matter if you don't use it.

I never understood the point of "casual" lifting. If you aren't serious about it than what's the point? Maybe for the heart? I dunno, your choice.

-sk

people who only care about looks, just staying inshape, a hobby, peer pressure, trying to impress a girl........... i could go on and on.

X
 
Exodus said:


people who only care about looks, just staying inshape, a hobby, peer pressure, trying to impress a girl........... i could go on and on.

X

Yea but even if you care about "looks" (bodybuilding aspect of it) you have to be serious to accomplish anything.

-sk
 
I used to think bow flex might not be that bad(I haven't ever used one) until I helped my friend move. I picked up the bow flex threw it on my shoulder and went down two flights of stairs with it. It was bending and flexing so much I wonder how safe they really are. Also if the machine weighs less than the weight it can be used with I am very suspect. Otherwise I just wish I had a basement to put a rack in.

Cheers,
Scotsman
 
Just buy an adjustable bench and dumbells. Try it for 6 months AND SAVE YOUR MONEY. You may give up and never do it again. OR you may want to add the power rack later after you`ve been bitten by the bug. Either way, you don`t want the flex. jmo
 
just staying inshape,

basically.

Thanks for the insight, i think im gonna try out the adjustable bench and dumbells first, also, what about those like huge full workout machines? price isnt really a problem, btw.
 
dave-inator said:


basically.

Thanks for the insight, i think im gonna try out the adjustable bench and dumbells first, also, what about those like huge full workout machines? price isnt really a problem, btw.

Still not worth the money, IMO.

Before blowing any large amount of money on some equipment, go the cheaper route and see if you stick with it. A couple years later if you still want one, at least you know you will use it.


Joker
 
try joining a gym for 3 months. You may not like it. save your money and the space in your house. There are less expensive clothes hangers than a bowflex and power rack.

If you can afford it (like you said) hook up with a personal trainer. IF YOU DO IT RIGHT from the beginning. You`ll be pleased with the results. I think that`s a big reason people stop working out. They don`t see progress. good luck
 
BowFlex Vs Power Rack... haha

im not even sure theres a debate.

and fyi. there is no such thing as "casual lifting" that will yeild any benefit.

if your like most newbies and your thinking "i just want to look like the guys on mens health, i dont want to be too big"

IF that is you. Then i gotta ask, do you think your super man? It takes years to get that big. to even get a fraction of that size. especially as a natural.
Getting to the mens health level takes a serious level of commitment. if you want to look like that then you really have to put some effort into it.

and bow flex will not help you accomplish those ends.

get a power rack. you might get somewhere with it.
 
when i say casual i dont mean lazy lifting, and i am certainly planning on putting in alot of effort, casual i meant like 3 times a week 30-40 minutes per workout sort of thing.

what can i do with
2x 3 lb dumbell
2x 5lb dumbell
2x 10lb dumbell
8lb medicine ball
swiss ball

and a floor? :P
 
You can forget about them. thats probably your best bet. youd be better off doing some serious calisthetic movements then using 3lb dumbells.

im a gymnast, so if you want some help putting together a bodyweight training program id be glad to help.

to give you some ideas

Consider
Deep explosive pushups... explode up as fast as possible. Can you do more than 15? put on a backpack and fill it with stuff untill you can only do 5-10 and then work your way back up

Chin ups... slow negatives are best with these.

And if you got a chin bar you could hang off of it with your feet and do inverted sit ups. or leg raises.

Also consider working on your flexibility around your trunk, and hamstrings. if you can fold yourself up in two you have accsess to the greatest abdominal exercises known to man. 99.999% of people dont have the option of doing these simply because they dont put the effort into gaining the flexibility.

how about some tricep dips between chairs, again with the backpack full of weight

handstand pushups against the wall

Try this one for your shoulders, abs, wrists. Put your feet on a chair, and support yourself with your arms straight, and then lean forward as much as possible, try and get your center of gravity (usually your waist) overtop of your wrists. and hold for 5 seconds, repeat ten times for three sets.

Theres hundreds more but those are the simple ones.

but really man, get a power rack.

whatever you want to achieve thats your best way to do it.
 
well you said money was no option, but as your fitness improves you'll want to use heavier weight, and it's much easier and cheaper to buy plates for a power rack. Also i heard the engineering for bowflex is a bit shoddy and breaks down every once in a while, whereas a decent power rack is basically metal weilded together. Also I think power rack puts you in a more "natural" position when you lift. Some people have complained that various attachements and positions for exercises feel strange on the bowflex. So basically a power rack, olympic bar, plates, and perhaps adjustable dumbells would be money and time well spent.
 
wow i can understand what you meant when you said getting addicted..

i went to the gym today and did the "xpress lane" or something, and i came back home feeling like jelly (jesus christ i didnt know i had that little armstrength :() and i want to go back as soon as possible, so im like all ready to be a member and go there 3 times a week (mon wed fri, weekend break) and do the xpress lane, and probably if i become a member get a personal trainer.

basically what it is is a full body workout (i think) all legs, abs, lower back, triceps biceps, i did a 15 minute warmup on the bike keeping about 85+ rpm constant. man does this feel good!

what are the greatest abdominal exercises known to man? this interests me, and ill start working on folding myself in two :)
 
Okay

as follows in no particular order

1- V sits.
Sit on the floor, legs infront of you. Now push your body off the ground, your legs should still be on the floor. Now supporting your upperbody with your arms, raise your legs off the floor and hold them straight in front of you. Hold for 60 seconds... that is an L-sit.
Self explanatory, you look like an L floating off the ground.

A V-sit is one step further, fold your legs up to your body, and back down to L-sit.
The upper body, and hip/leg strength may be a limiting factor (some people cant get up for more than half a second at first)... but these will improve very quickly)

For v-sits, ideally you want to keep your torso perpedicular to the floor, and then bring your legs up so there perpendicular to the floor as well. but untill you gain the flexdibility you can lean back with your torso so it becomes more parallel, to help bring your legs farther up.

2. Full leg raises. As explained in V-sits, but this time you are hanging from a chin bar with your arms. You pull your legs up so they are parrallel with your torso

Alot of people lean back with their torso to get their legs perpendicular to the ground, and pretend there increasing the range of motion.

There not... there just changing the angle... which makes no diffrence

Keep your torso perpedicular at all times, and bring your legs up to your chest. dont cheat by leaning back.... this is where the flexibility comes in. but man youll notice it. I promise

3. Slide outs. Youll feel this all over at first, but it will become more of an ab exercise as your overall body strength progresses. Start in a pushup position, and slide your legs, or walk them out further behind you, untill your arms are more infront of you, than directly below you. you should start to feel the tension in your trunk muscles. keep going to a point where you can hold it for 60 seconds. try this for 3 sets. get lower each rep.

4. Reverse handstand.

Start in a handstan position, (do this against the wall if you need to) and fold your legs down to your face, keeping them straight (as you are in all the exercises listed above). If you can get them to 90 degrees. Good job. any further, and its that much better. that extra range of motion that most people cant get without the flexibility makes all the diffrence in a great six pack. actually i shouldnt say that. most guys who do these sort of movements have 8-12 packs.
 
no prob man. if you need any help learning these, feel free to pm me. id like to see more people using these. there much more effective than curling your head to your knees.
 
also, im gonna try out free weights the next time i go to my gym (tommorrow), its friggin 50 bucks an hour or so (apparently, my dad said this) and i get like 3 free training sessions if i become a member, which i plan on doing. anyway point is can anyone give me a link to some articles w/ pictures on free weights and like the form for squatting, arm exercises, abs exercises, etc? thanks in advance.
 
yeah most people cant when they first start... itll come quickly.

folding up requires more practice. but the strength for l-sits and the like will come in a matter of weeks.
 
New York Sports Club has great facilities - even though they have lots of useless equipment, like cardio machines.

Welcome to the club.
 
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