Bowflex Classic Home Gym

January 18th, 2010 Johanna No comments

Home gyms are very significant because everybody has become health aware, would like to have a completely fit body but at the same time, do not have sufficient time and energy to go to an outside gym every day. This home gym is convenient, have better services and can be used to perform many different types of workout. They are multi-functional and multi-purpose and can be used to work out every part of the body and approximately all the muscles so that the user has a fit body.

The promise of the Bowflex Classic Home Gym is based on the same concept as the rest of the Bowflex line: workout on the machine just “20 minutes a day, 3 days a week, and you will see results in 6 weeks.” Actually, you will see and feel results in about two weeks.

The Bowflex Classic is at a great priced gym for the home. The unit is able of giving the whole body a workout good for toning or definition and there’s a cardio rowing station built in. With fitness results guaranteed within 6 weeks the Bowflex Classic is worthy of closer inspection:

The Home Gym

The Bowflex Classic Home Gym is an entry-level machine offering 30 exercises including 3 chest presses (bench, decline bench and incline bench), shoulder press, rear delt rows, pull downs, triceps pushdowns, standing biceps curls, ab crunches, trunk rotation, calf raise, kickback, leg extension, and more.

With the use of Strapless technology the Bowflex Classic strapless watch requires no chest strap to get accurate heart rate. Wear all day as a watch and you can also have your heart rate at the touch of a button. This machine is ideal for walkers. Features include, strapless heart rate, time, recalls last 20 readings, lowest and highest readings, extra large display, night vision, countdown timer and lap re-call for 42 laps.

The Bowflex home gyms can be expensive, but they do have some advantages over other home gyms, such as not taking up much floor space. The fact that many Bowflex units can be folded up and rolled into the corner of a home or apartment has made these home gyms particular favorites of urban dwellers with limited space.

While the Bowflex company may have begun with limited offerings, today the company offers many different models, ranging from the ridiculously expense to the relatively reasonable.

The most reasonably priced Bowflex gym is the Bowflex classic. The Classic, like most of the other Bowflex home gyms, uses “Power Rod” resistance and a cable and pulley system. The Classic also has a leg attachment and a lat pull-down bar. While the official Bowflex statement is that the machine allows users to perform 30 exercises with a little creativity, this number is higher in actuality.

Characteristics

The Bowflex Classic Home Gym has all the characteristics needed to succeed. It allows the user to do thirty types of exercises. It has 4” holstered roller cushions for leg extensions, horizontal bench press, built-in rowing station, hand grips for Lat Pull Down, folding unit and many other things. It has a leg attachment which assists in developing leg muscles. It has a squat station which can be adjusted and which can be used in different ways for different exercises.

Bowflex Classic Home Gym is 6’ 10” in height, 6’ 10” in length and 3’ 5” in width. It has a workout area of 8’4”x 6’6”. A manual accompanies the gym so that you can go through it, see what type of exercises can be done and then begin your workout. You have to be regular in your workouts. It is not enough that you do them once in a while. For good and excellent results you have to work out for at least thirty to forty minutes daily. In this model you have the facilities of doing different types of exercises. You can check with the manual and decide the exercises you would like to do.

This exercise equipment is designed in such a way that you do not have any joint pain or any pain after the workouts. The rowing facility will make your hand and shoulder muscles pretty strong. You will see the results in a short while if you are regular and do your workouts religiously.

If you are indeed very overweight and you are using this machine to lose weight then you should combine exercise with a proper diet for the best possible results. If you are using this Bowflex home gym to develop your muscles and strengthen them, you will find the result encouraging if you are regular and workout religiously. If you are using it to be physically fit, then you will certainly find yourself fit.

Specification

  • 210 lbs of Power Rod® Resistance
  • Lat Tower
  • Leg Developer
  • Built-in Rowing Station
  • Horizontal Bench Press
  • Folding Unit
  • Max User Weight: 300 lbs
  • Dimensions – 82″L x 41″W x 82″ H
  • 5-year Limited Warranty; Lifetime Power Rod Warranty; 6-week fitness Results Guarantee

Features

  • Monitor watch provides heart rate measurements and recalls up to 42 laps
  • No need for a cumbersome transmitter chest strap
  • Countdown time and pacer mode/chronograph mode for interval training
  • Touch sensors make measuring your heart rate effortless
  • LCD display is large and easy to read

Benefit

The Bowflex Classic allows users to have a varied and relatively safe workout. There are no weights to change and no plates to drop. Overall, the unit is sturdy and a good buy.

Drawback

The price of the unit, at roughly $650, might be out of the price range of many people. However, it is portable, folds up and is sturdy with easily replaced parts.

Workout

The Bowflex Classic allows users to perform many of the most common weight lifting exercises.

Value

Expect to pay about $650 for the Bowflex Classic.

Warranty

Bowflex build their gyms to the highest standards. This is backed by a generous warranty:

  • Lifetime on Power Rods
  • 5 years on parts

Bowflex Xtreme SE Home Gym

January 18th, 2010 Johanna No comments

How much do you invest for a gym membership monthly? Start computing and decide whether to continue the gym workout outside your home or to purchase a machine, it might be expensive to think of it but you will save money in the long run plus think of the convenience that it would bring.

Bowflex Xtreme SE home gym is a must-have for serious workout enthusiasts. The Xtreme SE lets you execute more than 65 gym-quality exercises, including workout for the chest, shoulder, back, arms, abdominals, and legs – in short, all you need to improve strength, tone, or bulk up. Resistance derives from the 210 pounds of Power Rod units, which feel as good as or better than free weights but lacking the latter’s inertia or risk of joint pain. If that’s not enough resistance, you can also upgrade the Xtreme SE to 310 or 410 pounds.

The Xtreme SE is equipped with a number of workout stations, including a lat tower with an angled lat bar for building back and shoulder muscles; an abdominal crunch shoulder harness; a three-position lower pulley/squat station for building your glutes, hamstrings, and quads; and a leg extension/curl attachment. And devoted lifters will dig the adjustable cable and pulley system, which lets you change your resistance angle to target exercises more competently to certain muscle groups. Other details include five-way handgrip and ankle cuffs, an ergonomic adjustable seat with a polyurethane cushion, and a reinforced X-shaped base for maximum stability. The Xtreme SE measures 49 by 81 by 62 inches (W x H x D) and carries a seven-year limited warranty.

When the machine is in your hands, it is frustrating to know that you are not using it. You have invested much money just to get one so make sure make the best out of it. Set goals from the time it was delivered right in front of your door.

  1. Set deadlines. The first goal that people should consider is to set a deadline for completing all 60 different exercises. This should be done over an extensive period of time. Give each exercise its due respect. After trying each exercise for a variety of time, you’ll know which ones work best for you and which muscles they work. And you can pick from them a workout plan that will work out your full body the best.
  2. Next you have to ask yourself – is the 210 pounds of resistance enough? It depends. If you’re a small woman, then it might be. However, if it is not enough, you can always upgrade to 410 pounds of resistance. In general, I have found that people who use this machine say 210 pounds is not enough resistance. This is especially true if you’re going to use leg exercises. For most, it is recommending going with 410 pounds of resistance.
  3. Lastly, a little bit of common sense goes a long ways when using the Bowflex Xtreme. Just because it can be used for all, doesn’t essentially mean that it should. For some people, good old-fashioned push-ups and sit-ups will work better than the same exercises designed to work the same muscle areas on the machine. Don’t be scared to still use free weights and body weight exercises just because you can perform them on the Bowflex Xtreme.

Key Features

  • 210 pounds of Power Rod Resistance offers the benefits of free weights without the inertia or risk of joint pain; upgradeable up to 310 pounds / 140 kg or 410 pounds / 186 kg
  • Lat tower with Angled Lat Bar for building back and shoulder muscles quickly
  • Abdominal Crunch Shoulder Harness help build strong, defined abs
  • 3-Position Lower pulley/squat station to build your glutes, hamstrings, and quads
  • Leg extension/leg curl attachment will help develop strong, muscular legs.
  • Ergonomic adjustable seat with polyurethane cushion provides added back support for leg exercises and knee support for lat exercises
  • Compact size for smaller workout space; reinforced “X”-shaped base for maximum stability
  • Five-way hand-grip/ankle cuffs are designed to add flexibility and performance to any workout; functions include a regular grip, non-grip cuff, ankle cuff, foot cuff, and a shoulder cuff
  • Multiple cable/pulley positions are designed to change your angle of resistance and increase the effectiveness of many exercises
  • Owner’s manual/fitness guide comes complete with detailed instructions for each exercise

Specifications

  • Exercises Available: 60+
  • Standard Weight Resistance: 210 pounds / 95 kg
  • Attachments and Accessories: Leg Attachment, Lat Tower, Squat Station, Ab Crunch Accessory, Shoulder Harness
  • Adjustable Main Pulley System: Built-in (4-position adjustable pulleys)
  • Machine Height: 6′ 11″ (211 cm)
  • Machine Length: 5′ 2″ (158 cm)
  • Machine Width: 4′ 1″ (125 cm)

Manufacturer’s Warranty

Bowflex machines are warranted to the original purchaser. Bowflex home gyms limited warranties cover all defects in material or workmanship but do not cover commercial use or misuse by the consumer. The Power Rod units have a no-time-limit warranty. If you wear them out, Bowflex will replace them for free.

About Home Gyms

While offering the ease of working out in the comfort and solitude of your own home, home gyms also permit you to focus on specific routines without having to wait in line or change between complex arrays of machines. In addition to improving strength, power, coordination, and muscular endurance, weight training can enhance weight reduction, enhance the immune and cardiovascular systems, and help prevent injuries. In general, home gym machines are compact units designed to make stronger and exercise many parts of the body. While no single home gym can give a complete strength training solution, they are a suitable way to combine many exercises into a single unit. Some home gyms focus exclusively on upper-body workouts, while other, more higher units focus on upper- and lower-body conditioning.

Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE

January 18th, 2010 Johanna No comments

The trendiest home gym on the market nowadays is the Bowflex home gyms. There is a variety of alternatives and a lot of different goods from Bowflex. One of their more reasonably priced home gyms is the Bowflex Extreme 2 SE Home Gym. It is not the best home gym that is offered from Bowflex, but it is still one of the best on the market. There are not other companies that can top the Extreme 2 SE Home Gym.

The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym could be your key to looking years younger and feeling like you did back in the day. Strength building exercises for your entire body gives you a ton of age defying benefits. With the help of an efficiently designed home gym, you can flash through your workouts in just minutes per day. And the benefits you can reap include a trim, tight, and more muscular body.

The refurbished Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE presents a compact total-body workout solution that allows you to execute over 70 exercises. It includes a Lat Tower that adjusts to two positions, leg extension for developing strong, muscular legs, an abdominal crunch shoulder harness to help you build strong, defined abs, and a 4-position lower pulley/squat station that helps in building your gluts, hamstrings, and quads.

By exercising your whole body you will also help improve your posture and alignment and help your entire body function more efficiently. Combined with other healthy activities such as eating a well balanced diet and getting the proper rest, you and others should start noticing impressive results in weeks.

The Xtreme 2 SE utilizes Bowflex’s original Power Rods, which provide resistance, or weight, that feels as good as or better than free weights–but without the inertia or risk of joint pain usually associated with free weights. You can hook one, two, three, four or all of your Power Rod units to the cable pulley system and go from as little as 5 pounds all the way up to 210 pounds of resistance (can be upgraded to 410 pounds). They’re precisely manufactured from a high-tech composite material under the highest quality control measures, then sheathed and tested 4 separate times to ensure quality and durability. The Power Rod units are so strong, you can flex them repeatedly but you won’t be able to wear them out. This refurbished model of the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE is backed by a full 6-month warranty.

Delivery

Designed to strong, small, and fully-featured, this home gym is well constructed. It ships in five boxes and requires some assembly. There are detailed directions and every piece fits together exactly like it should. Assembly should only take between 3 and 4 hours.

Workout

Bowflex ships a home workout DVD with each of their gym systems. The most basic is a three day per week full body workout. It only takes 25 – 30 minutes to complete. The machine is quiet so even in a cramped household you can work out with a spouse or children asleep in the next room. The workouts center on isolation exercises for every muscle group in your body and will deliver solid, if not amazing results.

Changing the resistance is easy, though unhooking the leg extension attachment is a bit cumbersome. The resistance bands are effective and truly feel like the dumbbells they are supposed to simulate.

Specifications

  • Number of exercises: 70+
  • Weight resistance: 210 pounds (can be upgraded to 410 pounds)
  • Leg attachment: Included
  • Lat tower attachment: Included
  • Aerobic rowing: No
  • Squat station: Included
  • Preacher curl attachment: No
  • Ab crunch accessory: Shoulder harness only
  • Adjustable main pulley system: Included (4-position adjustable pulleys)
  • No-change cable pulley system: Included
  • Dimensions: 83 x 58 x 49 inches (HxLxW)
  • Workout area: 8′ x 6′ 5″
  • Maximum user weight: 300 pounds

Manufacturer’s Warranty

This model of the Bowflex Revolution XP Home Gym has been refurbished to factory standards and is backed by a full 6-month warranty.

Exercises

The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE home gym allows you to perform over 70 gym-quality exercises including:

Arm Exercises

  • Triceps Pushdown w/ Hand Grips
  • Triceps Hammer Pushdown
  • Triceps Pushdown w/ Lat Pulldown Bar
  • Single Arm Pushdown
  • Triceps Extension
  • Cross Triceps Extension
  • Hammer Triceps Extension
  • “Rope” Pushdowns
  • Seated Biceps Curl
  • Standing Biceps Curl
  • Concentration Biceps Curl
  • Hammer Biceps Curl
  • Barbell Biceps Curl
  • Reverse Barbell Biceps Curl
  • Seated Hammer Biceps Curl
  • Reverse Curl
  • Triceps Kickback
  • Hammer Triceps Kickback
  • Arm Opposition Push-pull
  • Upper Body Opposition Push-pull
  • Wrist Extension
  • Wrist Curl
  • Resisted Dip

Shoulder Exercises

  • Crossover Rear Delt Rows
  • Crossover High Rear Delt Rows
  • Reverse Fly
  • Crossover Reverse Fly
  • Seated Shoulder Press
  • Front Shoulder Raise
  • Shoulder Extension
  • Shoulder Shrug
  • Scapular Protraction
  • Scapular Depression
  • Lateral Shoulder Raise
  • Seated Forearm Lateral Shoulder Raise
  • Shoulder Rotator Cuff (internal)
  • Shoulder Rotator Cuff (external)
  • Crossover Seated Rear Delt Rows
  • Scapular Retraction

Leg Exercises

  • Leg Extension
  • Squat
  • Calf Raise
  • Single Leg Calf Raise
  • Standing Hip Extension (knee bent)
  • Standing Hip Extension (knee extended)
  • Standing Hip Abduction
  • Standing Hip Adduction
  • Leg Kickback
  • Hip Flexion
  • Dead Lift
  • Stiff Leg Dead Lift

Back Exercises

  • Standing Low Back Extension
  • Bent Rear Delt Row
  • Crossover Bent Rear Delt Row
  • Seated Wide Lat Pulldowns
  • Narrow Pulldowns w/ Lat Pulldown Bar
  • Narrow Pulldowns w/ Hand Grips
  • Reverse Grip Pulldowns
  • Crossover Wide Pulldowns
  • Crossover Narrow Pulldowns
  • Pulldowns
  • Stiff Arm Pulldowns
  • Standing Shoulder Pullover w/ Hand Grips
  • Crossover Seated Lat Rows
  • Seated Lat Rows
  • Reverse Grip Pulldown with Lat Bar

Abdominal Exercises

  • Seated (resisted) Abdominal Crunch
  • Seated (resisted) Oblique Abdominal Crunch
  • Trunk Rotation

Chest Exercises

  • Bench Press
  • Chest Fly
  • Decline Bench Press
  • Incline Bench Press
  • Decline Chest Fly
  • Incline Chest Fly
Bowflex Xtreme® Mat FreeShip
Current Price: US $109.00
Bowflex Xtreme® 2 SE Home Gym
Current Price: US $600.00

Bowflex TreadClimber

January 17th, 2010 Johanna No comments

The Bowflex TreadClimber is a unique new combination cardio machine from Nautulis fitness. Nautulis Fitness is the same company that started the exercise machine craze in health clubs. Remember those blue painted machines with the black weight stacks? That was Nautulis.

The Bowflex TreadClimber is a low collision, 3-in-1 home fitness exercises machine. It merges the features of a treadmill and of a regular stair climber, elliptical as well, so you burn the same quantity of calories in just half the time (30 minutes a day) it takes on the other two machines combined. It is great for the beginner or for expert enthusiasts, because it has 12 intensity settings.

Treadmill Action

The ideal exercise to begin with when aiming to lose weight is walking. Walking is low impact and nearly anyone can do it on a regular basis (exception to disabled of course). Walking on a treadmill will burn on average 700 calories an hour when on a high setting.

Stair Climber Action

Stair stepper machine is a great way to amplify the intensity of your workout. While walking increases caloric burn a stair stepping action will also increase muscle mass and tone, both of which have the added benefit of burning even more calories. Depending on your initial weight, you can anticipate to burn 5.9 – 8.8 calories per minute. That interprets into nearly five hundred calories an hour at normal speed.

Elliptical Movement

Elliptical are known for smooth low impact movement. When doing a work out on a typical treadmill you will have at least some harsh impact to knees and other joints, with an elliptical machine you do not. After some time, you get the same calorie-burning workout that you can get with a treadmill but with considerably less effort.

It is always best to know the benefits and the drawback of the system before purchasing one. It is because, every person is unique and one thing may be good for him and one thing is not. As for this machine, not all people can get the benefits of it because of some circumstances like health conditions and personal preferences. So it is a wise action to examine the machine before acquiring it. However, after carefully checking the machine’s complex engineering, there is no doubt that safety and fitness for all are the main objectives why it was invented.

Benefits

Health Benefits (Cardiovascular-friendly). It is designed and built to help people get better and maintain good health. This machine is an expert when it comes to health development factor. The heart rate gradually increases allowing blood and oxygen to circulate in the body more efficiently as if you are just walking a distance.

Having a BowFlex TreadClimber at home will really help you in your weight-loss journey at the same develop a healthier heart. You would even develop a good sleeping habit and self-discipline.

Provides gentle but constant workout. TreadClimber does not provide heavy cardiovascular workouts. It is designed to provide a mild and gentle yet persistent exercise to let the body sweat and heart pumping naturally. You may need to perform basic calisthenics to prepare yourself with the workout to prevent undetermined effects from sudden motion applied to different muscles of your body.

Safe. The machine offers a low to moderate impact workout for the body which is best for people with back and knee problems. People with these minor conditions can benefit a lot from the machine when aiming to regain strength for the body. What they need is a good and promising exercise that has to be easy and gentle which TreadClimber alone can offer.

Convenience. Easy to use features coupled with an astonishing display and high-tech controls. This is not just your typical workout equipment; it can also be a great piece to display.

Drawback

TreadClimber can be expensive. Despite the benefit it offers, this innovative piece of machine comes with an even more amazing price tag. TreadClimbers can be 10 – 20% more expensive than normal treadmills and 40 – 50% more expensive than steppers and oblique machines.

Users may need time to get acquainted with the machine. With its features and design, using the machine efficiently requires a little bit of familiarization to the controls. But rest assured that after few sessions of using the machine, bit by bit you’ll be able to manage to use it smoothly.

The maximum speed is only 4mph, so you can’t really run or even jog, the tread climber also doesn’t allow for long strides.

The motion does take some getting used to your feet can slip between the belts if you’re not careful.

How the Bowflex TreadClimber Works?

The treadClimber has two platforms rather than a single flat walking surface you find on a treadmill. Each platform rises separately. As you put your foot on the left platform it goes down while the right one goes up. If you have used stair steppers you know that you are going up and down in a straight line. Steppers are my least favorite cardio piece (other than a skier). The TreadClimber is different. There is a gradual hill climbing movement that is really easy on my knees.  The TreadClimber gives your feet a natural range of motion. Your feet can move around although the platform is much narrower than on a treadmill.

Is a treadClimber Worth the Money?

Yes. As a result of the treadClimber reviews over the internet, since they do provide a solid workout it is recommended if you have the money to spend. If not, you are probably better off with another machine.

For you to spend that kind of money on a machine like the Nautilus Treadclimber and Bowflex Treadclimber just to decide that you don’t like the motion would be a waste. In no doubt, you could always return it within 30 days but you don’t get your shipping/handling fees back, and in most cases have to pay for shipping it back to the company.

The Bowflex Home Gym

January 17th, 2010 Johanna No comments

Of all the fitness equipment on the market, Bowflex home gyms are likely the one brand name that most of you are well-known with thanks to the long running TV commercials. You might also be familiar with the parent company, Nautilus, and the home gym systems it makes.

Bowflex Home Gym is typically one of the most excellent equipment that you will find. When you are in the marketplace for used exercise equipment, Bowflex Home Gym is usually much more inexpensive than when you purchase it new. Even if the equipment has been used relatively, you will find that it is most likely in excellent condition. Bowflex Home Gym’s are made actually well so they will stand the test of time through numerous exercisers a good deal of the time.

When you shop exercise equipment Bowflex Home Gym you will find that there are some different models to select from. Some of the more common models that you will see are the Bowflex Ultimate, Bowflex Ultimate 2, Bowflex Extreme, Bowflex Extreme 2, and the Bowflex Blaze. These are simply different models that were released at different times. For the most part the technology is the same, though if you can choose one of the newer models you will find that it comes with more of the accessories and it is much easier to use. In addition, most of the newer machines do not require you to change anything out, you can just move from weight to weight without adjusting, which is really good.

One of the best places to get used Bowflex Home Gym models is in used sports stores. There are several chains across the world that offers a wide variety of sports and fitness supplies and equipment. Many of these stores carry the Bowflex Home Gym models because they know they will sell. You can often find them for less than half of their original price, which means you can get a $1200 machine for just $600 and sometimes less. This is a great deal, because as was stated before Bowflex machines normally stand up well over time. The most difficult part of the transaction may be getting the equipment home, but if you or a friend have a pickup truck or SUV with plenty of cargo room you generally won’t find it difficult.

If you cannot seem to find used exercise equipment Bowflex Home Gym in your local area you may want to look over the internet. You might be surprised to find how many people sell their used goods, including exercise equipment online. If you can find a really good deal and you are also able to see pictures of the product all you need to do is check on the shipping charges. As you might imagine, the Bowflex Home Gym equipment is relatively heavy and can cost a lot to ship. If you choose to buy used exercise equipment online then you should be sure that you aren’t being charged too much to have it shipped to your home. Make sure you are still saving money when all is said and done, and also be sure that the package is insured just in case it is damaged during shipping.

The Bowflex Home Gym is definitely one of the best used exercise equipment deals you will find on the market. You may find a lot of infomercial type equipment that is being sold used, but when you come upon a Bowflex you will find that it is in stellar condition and really worth its resale price and then some. If you have quite a few used sports gear providers in your area you may want to check with all of them for the best deal, though most of the time you can bet it is a good deal.

You may also want to check newspaper classifieds for used exercise equipment Bowflex Home Gym advertisements. Many people do not want to transport the equipment to the used stores so they advertise it for sale. Much of the time the owner is simply looking to get the equipment out of their garage or basement and will let you have it for a really good price. Of course, you should ask to see and even try out the machine before you buy, just to be sure that the equipment is still in good working order. If it is, then take your new yet used exercise equipment home and get in shape, the Bowflex can work wonders.

If you got no choice but to purchase a new one, remember these things that you must consider:

Initial Assembly: The initial assembly of the Bowflex Extreme SE home gym took approximately 1 and a half hours with the help of a friend. The directions are easily laid out and were simple to follow. All of the tools required for assembly are included, but have a good set of vice grips available to make the tightening of all of the bolts a lot easier. This is definitely a two man job though.

Resistance Weight Included: My Bowflex Extreme SE home gym came with 210 pounds of resistance weight, and this was definitely enough for the first few months of training. It is important to point out that the Power Rods do have a different feel in comparison to free weights. The great thing about the Bowflex is that it can grow with you in terms of resistance weight. The Bowflex is upgradable to 410 pounds of resistance.

Lat Tower: The Bowflex Extreme SE home gym comes with an incorporated lat tower that makes performing back exercises a breeze. You can use it not only for back exercises, but also for triceps pull downs and additional chest exercises.

Cable Pulley System: The Bowflex uses a cable pulley system to connect the Power Rods to the various workout set ups, and they are of very high quality. They provide a very smooth and very wide range of motion that really permits you to get the most out of each exercise you perform.

Overall Quality: The Bowflex Extreme SE home gym is made of high quality materials like steel, and aircraft rated aluminum cables and pulleys. There are no weak points of the unit, and everything is still rock solid on it.

Space Requirements: This requires 8X8 ft space to ensure proper functionality

Safety: The Bowflex is one of the safest home gyms you can buy. There is no need for spotters because the Power Rods eliminate the need for lifting heavy free weights that could potentially fall and injure the user.

Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells

January 17th, 2010 Johanna No comments

Bowflex is continuing to transform the home fitness industry with their new Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells.  These unbelievable dumbbells consent you to rapidly dial in how much you want each dumbbell to weigh.  Thanks to the nautilus engineers you are now able to have 2 dumbbells that can weigh anywhere from 5 to 90 pounds at the turn of a dial.  No more need to spend $900.00 on a rack of dumbbells that take up half your home.

Bowflex has become the most trusted name in the home gym industry with their power rod based home gyms. They continue their power with the success of the SelectTech dumbbells which have quickly become the top home dumbbell solution to people who just enjoy the ease of use, affordability, and space saving quality of these game changing weights.

Additional accessories include an adjustable weight bench, a sturdy SelectTech dumbbell stand, and durable equipment mat.

Benefits of Having SelectTech Dumbbells

Covers only small space. The biggest benefit, obviously, is the truth that they take up very little space. You can factually put these Bowflex dumbbells in a corner of any room. Yet they provide the same flexibility and functionality as a huge set of dumbbells that would normally take up a whole wall or more. This is enormous for anyone who doesn’t want to allocate a whole room to a weight set or weight machine — or simply doesn’t have the floor space available.

Adjustable Dumbbells. These adjustable dumbbells are in fact very easy to use. You literally change the weight amounts with the turn of a dial. It’s very instinctive and takes about 2 seconds to adjust both of the Bowflex dumbbells. No more messing with strange device that require changing pins or flipping switches. In addition, of course, no more of the annoying clamps, bolts, or weight plate-swapping associated with normal free weight systems.

Good Quality. The Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells actually look good. Their stylish design and high-quality structure positively sets them apart from other types of adjustable dumbbells, most of which are ugly to say the least. The SelectTech dumbbells are very smooth and most people won’t have a problem putting them in an area where guests can see them. Another good thing is that the person weight plates are enclosed with molded plastic which eliminates the clanking noises associated with other adjustable dumbbells and free weights.

Exercising “Core” Muscles. When exercising with dumbbells, your body has to work harder because it has to stabilize itself.

Various Exercises. Dumbbells offer a good variety of exercises for each major muscle group.

Exercise both Sides of Your Body Evenly. Everyone has a leading, stronger side to their bodies. The Bowflex dumbbells enable you to develop and tone each side of your body evenly.

Increase Bone Density. Exercising with actual “weight”, increases both bone density and ligament strength. This is particularly important for post menopausal women and athletes.

Drawbacks of the Product

The only real unhelpful regarding this Bowflex dumbbell is that they are a bit expensive. Depending on where you buy them, expect to pay between $350 and $400 per set, as well as another $140 for the optional stand. Also, if you have them shipped, it can easily cost $50 – $100 (unless the merchant offers free shipping, as many do these days).

However, there is what we call positive drawback of the machine. Listed below are some of those.

  • Learning Curve – if you are a beginner (haven’t used free weights regularly), it take some time for your body to learn to do each exercise “correctly”. It is essential that when beginning a new exercise you start with a light weight.
  • Much like learning to ride a bicycle, your body needs to learn how to do each exercise correctly.
  • Safety – it’s very significant to understand what amount of weight is right for you, specifically if you train by yourself. Though the Bowflex dumbbells only can go up to 52.5Ib, there is still a possibility of injury due to poor exercise form or using too much weight. Please be safe.
  • Momentum – having proper exercise form is also important for eliminating momentum. Momentum starts to creep in when a person does an exercise too quickly. You can eliminate this by pausing at the bottom and at the top of each repetition.

Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells and High Intensity Training

Everyone that workout gets to a point where what they have been doing stops being as effective.  Muscles get accustom to recognizable movements and grow fuller, faster when they are hit with varying exercises. Another well-liked way to alter a workout once a month is to use High Intensity Training.

High Intensity Training is a type of training where repetitions are fewer but the few reps are killers.  The desired result of High Intensity Training is to make muscle reach the complete type of failure necessary for optimum muscle growth.

This is how it a set of Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells High Intensity Training would go.

1st set

  • Start the first set with good chunk of weight
  • Do slow reps with the main focus being form.
  • Pick 6-8 spots while slowly lifting and lowering the dumbbells have a wonderful 5-10 second pause.
  • Fun begins once you cannot continue to push the weight up anymore.  This is where you continue to hold the weight in a static position.  Pretty soon the weight will begin to slowly drop.

2nd set

Same process as set 1 but with a weight drop around 20% (Personal Preference)

3rd set

Same process as set 2 but with a weight drop around 10% – 20% (Personal Preference)

And you have done that muscle group and should not do High Intensity Training for that muscle group for 3 weeks.  Trust me every 3 weeks is plenty.  The rest between the High Intensity Training is crucial for optimum muscle group.

So if you are looking for something new to try with Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells High Intensity Training could be the jump starts your routine back into a new growth period.

Total Gym 3000

January 17th, 2010 Johanna No comments

The Total Gym 3000 is a machine used to exercise equipment that is also referred to as a home gym. It’s a fantastic piece of exercise equipment that is really enjoyable for the last year and will continue to use and enjoy.

The Total Gym 3000 is intended to give an absolute body workout, from head to toe, and can work out privately of your own home. The Total Gym 3000 has weight-resistance type exercises with aerobic type exercises to give you the total body workout you need and want. Some variety of weight resistance exercise is just as significant as the cardiovascular exercises in order to keep your body lean, fit and in shape. The Total Gym 3000 combines both aspects of exercising.

How to Use the Total Gym 3000?

Total Gym 3000 came with several accessories, including:

  • Pull Up Bar/Foot Holder Accessory
  • Press Up Bars
  • Leg Pull Accessory Kit

Using the accessories that come along with the Total Gym 3000, you can also focus on many kinds of leg and arm exercises. With this machine, you work your whole body.

When you get your Total Gym 3000, you can look at the Exercise Flip Chart and get the information you want about every work out and advantage available to you with this machine. The Total Gym 3000 works by using your own body weight as a form of resistance. The glide board is inclined so as to cause a form of resistance. Then, once you put your body weight onto the glide board prior to any exercise, you are increasing the amount of resistance/weight. The glide board is height flexible so you can start at a low level in the start and work your way up for a stronger workout later.

One of the trademark aspects of the Total Gym 3000 is its pull over handles. There are two handles that are attached to cables and you pull them during many exercises. This equipment uses a cable/pulley system for a lot of its exercises. The higher the setting of the glide board, the more weight resistance you get. It combines the element of body weight and gravitational pull so you get the ultimate workout for your body.

Some Exercises and Their Benefits

The most well-liked exercise movement on the Total Gym 3000 is the “Arm Pullover” using the handles and the pulley cable. Lying flat on your back, you use the handles and pull your arms over your head, towards the ceiling, over your chest and down by your sides (keeping arms straight at all times). This is a simple exercise on the Total Gym 3000, however it is very effective. This one exercise works out your shoulders, upper back, triceps and upper abdominals. Here are some other exercises and their benefits:

Seated Row (rowing exercise using the handles and sitting on the glide board): Upper Back, Trapezius, and Biceps

Butterfly (sitting up on glide board, pulling handles from behind you to straight in front of you keeping arms straight): Front Shoulders, Chest, and Biceps

Squat (unhooks pulley cable and lay flat on your back on the glide board with your feet on the squat stand. Push up and down, squatting repetitiously): Quadriceps, Buttocks, Calves

Cardio Pull (position the glide board at the highest level; holding the handles and laying on your back position your feet on the squat stand; then you combine the “Arm Pullover” and “Squat” exercise motions): This provides an aerobic workout and also works the Quadriceps, Calves, Shoulders, Upper Back and Arms

Setting Up an Exercise Program

It seems awesome at first when you take delivery of the Total Gym 3000 because you don’t know where to start. The Flip Chart and the videos that come with it are very helpful with this matter. You have more than one choice as to how you want to set up your personal routine. The Flip Chart has a section that gives you instructions based on “Beginner”, “Intermediate” and “Advanced” exercises, for men & women. You can easily use this to set up a routine and you will visibly start in the “Beginner” section and work your way up.

The other option is to watch the “John Carleo’s 6-8 Minute Workout” and get your routines from this. This video gives you a routine to follow for 6 out of 7 days of the week. Each day is also featured in the other part of the Flip Chart so you can easily follow along and then once you get the hang of it, you can just use the Flip Chart solely for your refresher each day. This routine also starts on a beginner level and you work your way up to an advanced level of exercise. The makers and promoters of the Total Gym 3000 are very concerned with your safety, so they always recommend starting at a beginner level first, no matter which program you choose to use.

Advantages of Using the Total Gym 3000

  • Total Body Workout (from head to toe, literally!)
  • Toned, Defined Muscles; Resistance Exercising
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Stabilized/Increased Metabolism
  • Variety (don’t get bored easily because of such a wide range of exercises and routines)
  • Convenient (no more driving to crowded gyms, this is in your own home and you can use it more than once a day if you wish!)
  • Privacy
  • Economical (in the long run, this is much cheaper than many annual gym fees!)
  • Portability (you can leave it out, or you can fold it up and store it EASILY; it’s very compact!)
  • Safety (using your own body weight as a form of resistance can be much safer than using free weights)
  • GET HEALTHY! (Lose weight, tone your body and feel great! IT WORKS!)

Product Information from the Manufacturer

There are several ways to get information about the Total Gym 3000. You can tune in on your television and watch the Infomercials, you can check out the website at www.totalgym.com or you can contact them directly at 1-800-942-2441 or 1-800-541-4900. If you’d like a packet of free information by mail regarding the Total Gym 3000, simply go to the following website address and fill out the form:

http://totalgymdirect.com/efi/info.html

WARRANTY Information: The frame itself has a LIFETIME warranty, and the parts/accessories have a 2-year warranty.
The manufacturers of the Total Gym 3000 are confident in their product. Here are some of their claims regarding the Total Gym: “The Total Gym 3000 strengthens and tones every major muscle group. It will condition and help to slenderize your entire body.

The solid steel construction makes the Total Gym 3000 a sturdy piece of equipment with a revolutionary design. It gives you optimum incline so you can control the amount of resistance you want. And it is perfect for ANY fitness level!”

Total Gym XLS

January 17th, 2010 Johanna No comments

Total Gym takes care of your exercises routines, all in one machine. You will work up a sweat and build that much desired cardio strength. There is an overwhelming exercise for every part of the body, from upper to lower extremities. The Total Gym works many body parts at the same time, which makes it a very cool portion of equipment.  Abs, arms, chest, you name it the Total Gym works you from head to toe.

The Total Gym XLS comes entirely with our total fitness system of workouts and workout tools to take all the guesswork out of getting into shape. The Total Gym XLS is the newest unit in the Total Gym family, sets the standard for fitness excellence.

Nine important Things you should know about Total Gym XLS

1. Delivery of the Product. It took about seven days from the time of order for the equipment to arrive. It comes in a well-made box and hardly ever will you find anything missing or not in perfect working order.

2. Instructions and Ease of Setup. The commercial advertisements declare that it is very simple and easy to set up. It an ideal act to watch the brief videos first (as hard as that is with something new and exciting) where they give details on how to set up the equipment in a very brief and simple style. The one thing that could have been better was if there was a large notice inside the box referring to the profits of watching the videos first. The Total Gym and the add-on gear are very easy to set up and begin using.

3. Quality of the Product. The Total Gym XLS is very high class machine. You can utilize it 5 and 7 days per week, at times twice a day. You won’t see any signs of wearing and tearing at all. Some clients claim that even after a year of hard use by every member of the family, the equipment stands up to that kind of pressure. It is a system that will deliver years of quality service.

4. Assistance with the Exercises and Exercise Programs. The Total Gym comes with over 80 full color instruction cards (5 ¼” x 8 ½”) that explain each exercise. These are very helpful and very well done with full color pictures of the exercise plus additional explanations. There are also several workout programs that are detailed on the same size cards including:

  • 6-8 Minute Workout for Men (7 days)
  • 6-8 Minute Workout for Women (7 days)
  • Starter Workout Program
  • Workout for Young People
  • Long and Lean
  • Core Strength and Stability
  • Total Body Circuit
  • Upper Body Sculpt for Women
  • Lower Body Strength for Women
  • Upper Body Strength for Men
  • Lower Body Power for Men
  • There are more than a few Abs sessions and it is easy to develop your own Abs routine.

The programs usually consist of sets of six to ten exercises with the goal of doing 3 sets per session. Normally, 3 sets will take thirty to forty five minutes. Certainly, you do not need to follow their pre-designed customs if you do not want.

5. Quality Workout. The quality workout received from the Total Gym is outstanding. It can be used for muscle tone, cardiovascular, or endurance. The Upper Body Strength and Lower Body Power for Men routines are very good for muscle development. One more wonderful thing that the machine is that it is safe to use.

The only downside is that if you are exercising for absolute extreme power that may be hard to achieve with the Total Gym. Weight can be added to make routines more challenging but I don’t think it is possible to suggest a 400 pound press or bench press.

6. Flexibility. With as many workout as can be done on the Total Gym (over 80) the equipment is very flexible. There are exercises designed for the chest, back, shoulders, legs, arms and abs. There are also several stretches and compound exercises (designed to work more than one area of the body at once). The Total Gym is very supple; it is a single piece of equipment that can be used for the entire body.

7. Enjoyable. For many people, exercising is not fun. It is very tedious. With as many different exercises as the Total Gym provides it tends to make exercising a lot more interesting and exciting. Although, turning on a little music does help. Any exercise equipment can be labeled as unruly fun, but with the many various exercises available the Total Gym does have a benefit over most exercise machine.

8. Usability by all Sizes and Shapes. Every people are unique. There are people of every shape, size, and age and exercise objective. The system is just as helpful and usable by someone in their 80s as it is for the teenagers in your home. The equipment can be adjusted to give the perfect exercise to someone who is 6′5″ tall or to a youngster under 4′ tall. Even people who are quite overweight can get value from using the Total Gym system to start losing that weight where they are comfy at home.

9. Convenience. The fact that you do get a gym quality workout in your own home makes the convenience factor rate very high. You do not have to drive away from home to work out and you can work out on your free time like during night time or early morning before going to work.

Where to Acquire Total Gym XLS?

The company no longer sells them on Amazon but they do sell them directly. If you are looking to buy a used one you should really deal with the company directly for the best odds of a positive buying experience.

The Total Gym 1700 Club

January 17th, 2010 Johanna No comments

The Total Gym is a radical piece of exercise gear that searches to replace an entire gym worth of equipment in one simple machine. It is a fairly intimidating idea, but the Total Gym achieves most of this quite estimably.

The Total Gym 1700 Club gives a complete body exercises and the payback of exercise. This product is endorsed by Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley and is best for everybody from privileged athletes to beginner exercisers. The Total Gym 1700 Club is light and compact, so it creases easily and fits under most beds. The Total Gym helps make stronger and tone every major muscle group in your body, and it also gives resistance training and cardiovascular workout. A great value, this compact machine includes the whole thing you need to keep fit and toned.

The Total Gym 1700 club gives you all you require to start toning and strengthening all the significant muscle groups on your body. From your upper body to your lower body, this exercise machine helps you shape and maintain the type of body you want with ten to twenty minute workouts, two to four times a week.

The machine works by making you lift a certain amount of your own body weight against gravity. It can also work your abdominal area and your cardiovascular system. It reduces body fat and assists to increase the muscle mass on your body. You’ll also be able to burn body fat by working out on the Total Gym 1700 home gym.

The Total Gym 1700 Club can actually find at stores for a fairly practical price. It doesn’t appear with a lot of the bells or whistles that the other Total Gym systems come with, but it also is a whole lot cheaper, which means you aren’t spending a lot of money for features that you might never use or need.  Also, this model can still do most of the exercises that can be performed on the other models, so you aren’t giving up much when you buy the Total Gym 1700 at all.

The Total Gym is an all-in-one home exercise machine which allows its user to isolate each of the body’s muscle groups. The basis behind the Total Gym is resistance training on an incline/decline bench.

What you get on this Product?

  • The Total Gym 1700 is well designed and safe to use
  • It very easy to store away when not in use
  • It is also very easy to move into different exercises quickly
  • The Total gym 1700 is fun to use and gives you a great upper, lower body workout and cardiovascular exercise

Drawback of this Machine

  • It can be a little heavy to move around if you need to do that
  • The Total Gym 1700 is not for those looking to bulk up their muscles. It is better used for those looking to tone up their muscles

The Total Gym 1700 comes with an exercise flip chart so you can easily reference your exercise
Comes with a glide board and attachments for strengthening and sculpting the muscles on your body
It also features a pilates bar which can help you to improve the range of motion and balance on your exercise & dip bars & press up bars add exercise versatility
The device gives a smooth resistance whilst you exercise

Total Gym 1700 Club Key Features & Benefits

  • Pilates Bar. Helps improve your range of motion and balance
  • Weight Bar. Allows you to add up to 75 lbs. of additional free weights
  • Dip Bars & Press-Up Bars. Complete resistance mechanism that helps you maximize strength
  • Resistance Levels. Six levels: 6% to 50% of bodyweight
  • Large Glide Board, 13″ x 40″. Offers comfort while working out
  • Wider Tower. Provides added stability
  • Auto-Lock Height Adjustment. Adjusts to any user’s height
  • Exercise Flip Chart. Makes it easy to follow and track your exercise regime
  • Easy Assembly and Storage. Folds easily and fits under a bed or in a closet
  • Exercise Mat. Protects your floor and keeps your Total Gym secured
  • Maximum Weight Capacity. 275 lbs.
  • Warranty for the Total Gym 1700 Club. 1-year home use warranty
  • The Total Gym 1700 comes with an exercise flip chart so you can easily reference your exercise
  • Comes with a glide board and attachments for strengthening and sculpting the muscles on your body
  • It also features a pilates bar which can help you to improve the range of motion and balance on your exercise & dip bars & press up bars add exercise versatility
  • The device gives a smooth resistance whilst you exercise

The Total Gym 1700 Club is the improvised Total Gym 1500 and is a better value than the entry level Total Gym.

Here’s what you get on the Total Gym 1700 that you don’t get with the 1500:

  • Pilates bar which helps improve your range of motion and balance
  • A weight bar that lets you add up to 75 lbs. of additional free weights to increase your workout (weights not included)
  • Dip bars and press-up bars that work together as a complete resistance mechanism that recruits your own body weight to help you maximize strength in a totally stress-free way
  • a user weight limit of 325 pounds (250 pounds on cheaper models)
  • Yes, the list of additional features isn’t a mile long on the 1700, but the features you get are so important to a better workout, you’d be a fool not to upgrade from the 1500.
  • The weight bar attachment that lets you increase the resistance is the best upgrade on this machine.

The Total Gym 2000

January 17th, 2010 Johanna No comments

Many people have decided to make a difference in their health, but are budget cautious; in that case, the Total Gym 2000 is the perfect home gym. Stripped down to the bare fundamentals, the Total Gym 2000 basic unit does not consist of any add-on accessories and comes with the easy to follow Start It Up.

Finding a home fitness gym that can provide results and wouldn’t cost much to buy is what most people think about before they buy a product like the Total Gym. The basic of all models, Total Gym 2000 has 250 lb weight capacity and has over 40 exercises that you can carry out. What’s more is that you’ll be surprised to know that you have discovered an exercise that’s not incorporated on the list. When you purchase the machine you will get an instructional DVD for your very first Total Gym workout.

Total Gym is a home work out system that builds on the idea of using your bodyweight and gravity for strength training.  It is very easy to use, and is flexible in terms of the number of different workout you can do.

Many people are familiar with Total Gym because of the commercials and infomercials with Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley.  The essential idea is that doing strength building exercises using your bodyweight is more than sufficient to make the muscle and training that you desire.  The center of the Total Gym system is a platform you sit on, and then you hold onto handles that operate on a pulley scheme to pull your body weight up and down.  You increase intensity by adjusting the degree of incline.

Clients may have dissimilar goals they desire to attain with the use of their home gym, but this depends on how you use it. Some use it for weight loss, heart rate training, and general fitness, while others are looking for some low impact work out.

The Total Gym 2000 is ideal for those who want fundamental exercises done with no spending a lot of money to do it. It’s easy to set up, it’s easy to use, comfy, and it also functions silently so you don’t have to be anxious of creating noise at all. It’s great if you live in an apartment house.

The Total Gym 2000 also made it easy for people to fold and store it. However, for some, especially women, they find it a bit hard folding it, but most find that after a few weeks of work out they overcome this little problem.

Most clientele praise Total Gym Direct for their delivery on time and most machines arrive in good form, except for a particular purchaser who once received her Total Gym with one missing ankle harness, but was able to receive a response from the company support stating “It is rare that an item arrives with a missing part”.

Who can use Total Gym 2000

Women, children, and the elderly could benefit the most from a Total Gym because it’s a low impact, easy to use machine. The way you work out virtually eliminates the chance for injury. The Total Gym won’t bulk you up (a common fear of women), it’s designed more for slimming down and toning your muscles. This is why it is good for elderly and children.

When to use the Total Gym 2000

When you begin your workout schedule with the Total Gym start with just 10-20 minutes per day, 3 times a week. This will ensure that you don’t burn yourself out while still providing quick results. After about 4 weeks of that, bump up your time on the Total Gym to 30 minutes, 3 times a week. Then increase to five times per week, so on and so forth. You should always have at least 1 day of full rest, with no exercise. Always remember that consistency is the very important to succeed.

Benefits of Total Gym 2000

Total Body Workout. The Total Gym 2000 works all the major and minor areas of your body. You can tone and strengthen your hips, thighs, calves, abs, chest, back and arms. With the 2000 you can perform a variety of exercises, including bench presses, crunches, chest flyes, bicep curls, triceps extensions, and squats. There are over 60 exercises you can perform on the 2000.

Easy to use. One of the greatest benefits of Total Gym is how easy it is to use.  It comes fully assembled and it takes just minutes to set up. Once you assemble it, all you have to do is decide what incline you want to begin your workout at off you go.

Lower Incline. Another wonderful advantage if this product is that you can begin at a lower incline to warm up or build flexibility.  You can just do long, slow repetitions to get a great stretch and get blood flowing into your muscles. When you want to build more strength and muscle, all you have to do is increase the incline, and instantly you’re lifting a higher percentage of your bodyweight.  At the highest inclines, you will find that you’re reaching the point of failure quite easily (meaning you can’t do any more repetitions).  This is where muscle gets built and your strength increases.

Study the information and observe the educational video as vigilantly as needed, as it is tremendously crucial that you be familiar with how to handle your gym. It may be appropriate to say that simply starting is the most difficult part of it exclusively. Yet, once you have gotten used to your home gym you should find out it as simple as ABC. Getting the prize of possessing great health, fitness and beauty is available for all and sundry if they desire it. When you own a total small gym directly at your home, there’s no need to expend for pricy workout fees outside of your home.

Overall, we found Total Gym very easy to use.