Home Gym Systems

mamav

mamav

Joined
Apr 23, 2003
Messages
1,413
Does anyone here have any experience with home gyms like the Bowflex or Weider systems? I've researched the internet and it's interesting, but would like to get a real comment from a real human if anyone has one. (and I'd like to get it from guys that I trust rather than some joe blow on another forum that I don't know......know what I mean?;) ) The most expensive machine would pay for itself in 3 years and it has a 12 year warranty.

Any comments would be helpful. Thanks so much.
 
Stay away from any kind of home gym like that, and get yourself a good olympic weight bench with an olympic bar and a few good dumbbells.

Freeweights are more beneficial to your body because they require your stabilizer muscles to work.

A good bench and weights will cost you a whole lot less, and it will be more beneficial to your gains.
 
Well, I agree with the bench and dumbbells, but I have somewhat of a disability and I'm sort of worried about more injury. My last trainer kept me on machines for that reason, except for a few arm workouts where she was right handy for any spasms. Anyone else deal with anything like this. For some reason my muscles spaz at any unknown times, which of course is why I really need the workouts and especially strength training. :confused: I just wish i could afford a gym and a trainer..........don't we all!!;)
 
a number of those cable based gyms don't look at all comfy... notice in the commercials or demos how the cables wrap around the forearms/biceps etc and well, that's not great form... i've read some complaints as well they limit you to very specific limited ranges in some cases that free-weights or other machines might not...

http://www.shovelglove.com/

check out your craigslist for home gyms/etc. notice how many are available. why? perhaps the price works for you :)

SOME of those home gyms run $1500-3000, at $20 for my local includes everything gym, at $240 a year, $2400 for 10? yah, i'd rather have the gym :)

bladite
 
I actually was shopping around for one this past month. (I settled on the bench and free weights) I discovered in my search is that there are TONS of slightly used home gym systems out there for a fraction of the price a new model will run you. (I guess lots of people either abandon their fitness program or transition to going to a full blown gym with trainers.)

Try checking out Kijij or craigslist (sp?) for your area. You might be able to pickup a home gym that someone has been using to just hang clothes off of for a steal.

The models I found in my search were usually at least 1/2 to 1/3 of the full price for a new model.:D

Good Luck!
 
If your free-weight setup has a good spotting capacity, you'll likely be fine. I work out with my son, but there's no way that he could spot me properly. So the next project on my building list is a power cage.

While you might not want to / have the time to build one, they're not desperately expensive.
 
Gin, I am actually a fan of the flexing rod work out machines. I was an athlete in high school and college and fully understand the benefits of free weights. However, once I moved back home after school and starded working 7 days a week, I knew that even with a gym across the street I wouldn't go unless I had the equipment sitting right in my apartment living room.

I settled on the poor man's boflex and got one of those weider Crossbows. They had them on sale at Dick's for a good price. I was very, very happy with it. What I liked about it was there was no 90 degree sticking point like there is with free weights. After years of free weights, within a couple months of using this machine I actually felt stronger all around. Granted, I did not bench press as much as I did when I was an athlete (didn't really need to anymore). However, i felt the workout in my entire upper body because you have to really think about keeping the motion even and fluid.

The downside to the weider system was that bows would start to take a set flex after a little less than a year. Honestly, most people won't find this to be a problem. However, I sort of outgrew the stock "weight" and weider stopped selling bows for the Crossbow. Once my work hours got a little better (or at least more constant) and my wife and I bought our house close to another gym, I have started back on weights again.

My father now in his early 50's, once a hulk of a man, now has my Crossbow and he loves it. It allows him to still work out, but it doesn't require him to stoop over and strain his back picking up heavy weights. It also folds up a lot smaller than his weight system. He's lost about 7lbs since he started using it and has gained a little more flexibility that he thought he had lost about 10 years ago:D

Jake
 
I believe Consumer Reports reviewed home exercise equipment not too long ago. My only suggestion would be to try out different equipment and invest in something that is safe and convenient (ie., something you will actually use on a regular basis). A few dumbbells and a basic bench used regularly will be of greater benefit that an elaborate machine that takes up space and gathers dust. Good luck.

Eric
 
The "Total Gym" is a good machine for those who are looking for a little bit of a workout. It uses % of your weight. My son uses his quite a bit and its helped him. Depending on your disability it may be a good fit for you. It also kind of stretches you out.
 
I agree with Shann. I have used the Total Gym in the past. It was actually designed for people in rehab for variuos injuries. You can get a good full body workout very quickly and it uses your own body weight for the resistance. Very easy to use. I usually don't recommend infomercial products, but this one is what it claims to be. I personlly have gone to calisthenics and dumbells. Got into serious lifting for awhile and just ended up with injuries.If you want to get real serious, check out Matt Furey's combat conditioning. The spasms are probably a combination of diet and lack of exercise. It will probably go away. Good for you Gin. Hang tough, set goals you can achieve and don't get discouraged. If you need a rahrah, we will be happy to oblige.
Terry
 
Probably should expand on the spasm thing. This is a normal response to increased workload on the muscle. If you are working with a personal trainer the workouts are probably pretty intense. As your muscles get used to the work, this will probably go away. I would suggest a little carbo loadinjg before and after your workouts. This gives the muscle fuel to work with and replenishes the depleted glycogen after a workout.Lots of ways to do it. I had friends who would use Dr. Pepper before marathons. Don't suggest it, but there are many drinks that will work. Frsh fruit is good, but go to a health food store or a GNC and see what they have. Plain old Gatorade will suffice. Although some cardiologists say Powerade is better for the heart. Be sure and strectch really well before and after. This will help. Massage and deep breathing will help move out the lactic acid.
Terry
 
From my experience I would go to body weight exercise. You can save a ton of money and still get a good work out. 'course you want have a nice place to hang clothes! :D I have used weights, machines you name it. If you like equipment the Bullworker does work. It has received a lot of bad press but it works. It's easy, takes up no space and can be bought pretty cheap. Pilates, like the one's Daisey Fuentes hawks are good. The Windsor pilates do not rely on equipment. My wife has it, I have done it. It's a good work out. If you search the net you can put together a good body weight routine without buying a book tape etc. If you like yoga Geo Takomas brand of yoga is good. It's not just streaching and asanas. Take a look. Take it slow. Good luck.
 
I am spending too much time in these Knife/Gun Forums.

First thing I read was "Home Gun Systems" :foot:

Keno
 
Why not just buy heavy household items?

A few 9 pound forks and that 40 pound box of tide will shape you up faster than any home gym. :rolleyes:
 
greatest gym membership or greatest gym equipment, if it isn't fun for you, you won't use it.

i suggest finding a strength training activity that you enjoy, lest that $1500 bowflex go to waste.

i wasn't a fan of my friend's bowflex, but that is a function of my own personal tastes. i found the technique for certain exercises to be not to my liking. but than, i like free weights so my opinion is heavily biased.

the only thing i can add about the bowflex is that it's BIG. and i wouldn't want to put that thing together.
 
I'm planning on getting a bench and some free weights after the new year when my work hours allow for it. Gin, I'd see someone who specializes in injury rehabilitation and/or disabilities and see if he/she could come up with a free weight program for you if I were in your shoes. A decent set of free weights won't be as expensive as a machine, will allow a wide range of movements, and last next to forever.

Whatever you do in the end, stick to it.

Bob
 
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