Bowflex Sport Home Gym Discontinued
| Brand: | Bowflex | ||
| Average Rating |
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Bowflex Sport Home Gym Exercise Equipment This new, sleek Bowflex Sport Home Gym utilizes the same Power Rod Resistance as the top-of-the-line Bowflex models allowing you to do over 60 exercises.Bowflex Sport Features: Over 60 gym-quality exercises! 210 p more info
Terence Hunt on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 12:28 am
Bowflex Sport
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Great deal, Great price, Free delivery. You can’t beat that. I use it every day, and have lost 30 pounds.
W. Lewis Amselem on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 2:02 am
Great Quality
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
We bought the Bowflex Sport and have been very pleased with it. The product is very high quality and the free shipping by Eagle was outstanding. It takes about 2-3 hours to assemble and on first viewing the number and size of the parts can seem very intimidating. The instructions, however, are (surprise) very well written with clear illustrations. The only complaint is that the parts came in many boxes in no logical groupings so you had to open all the boxes and hunt for the parts you needed for a particular stage of assembly.
A terrific machine.
Mark L. Mckee on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 2:33 am
The Big Guy pulled a double play…
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
So my wife had our second child, she got thin again, I did not. Christmas came and went and like all the lemmings in the united states, I vowed a new health routine for the new year. I am spending twice as much on groceries that contain half as much. I am riding the Ironman elliptical machine and this machine 3-4 times a week each. I am starting to feel good. This machine will give you a pretty precise workout. The price is right, it gives you a program, and it works. My wife and I assembled it in @ 1 1/2 hours. Over 60 real exersizes. I would only discourage first timers because this machine does involve changing the set up frequently. All the parts were in the box. The CD Rom shows you everything you could possibly want to know and designs a workout for specifically you. I spent $1400 on two machines after delivery. We cancelled our Gold’s membership and saved $700 a year. If I lose the weight and sell this stuff for half of what it costs, it’s a wash. I’m happy.
Melissa Reginelli on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 3:21 am
Nuts!
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
Got my Bowflex weeks ago and having trouble, lots of trouble putting it together. It’s not the product’s fault other than the fact that putting together is a real ‘mutha. Seems the parts could’ve been marked better. Identification is pretty much visual. Instead, you have a “picture map” to compare what part is needed. I was doing fine until I inserted the wrong bolt, stripped the bolt trying to get it out, got the WD40 on it, finally had to use a crescent wrench. So, my confidence is blown and then I continued on to assemble the seat backwards. The assemblage directions could be better, believe me. I used the 800# once, but I finally found that no matter what was suggested, the picture was misleading and there’s no way that could’ve been explained. Onward through the fog!
NorskeWarrior on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 3:51 am
Well Worth the Money!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I received my Bowflex about two weeks ago, and I am smiling more every single time I use it. I have been working out for over 30 years with free weights — promised myself about 10 years ago that I was going to buy myself a home gym, but never had the money, or something else came up. This is the best $800 I have spent in a very long time. The free shipping option stated it would arrive in about 5 days and it did. Assembly is much easier than I thought it would be, and I had it all together in a little over 2 hours. The manual explains everything thoroughly, and you will quickly become adept at switching from one exercise to the other, and changing the power rods. I would say that I am getting a far better workout than I’ve gotten in years, and I basically stay pretty close to the 30-minutes three days a week that they recommend. I have seen a tremendous difference in only two weeks, but in my case that may be because I was already in pretty good shape and my muscles are accustomed to being worked. This is so much easier to use than free weights it’s unreal, and I can’t wait for each workout. It takes the chore out of working out, and doesn’t feel like it’s working you that hard until the next day when you can really feel it. But even then, it doesn’t make me as stiff and sore as the free weights always did, even when I am increasing the number of reps or increasing the weight. I tried two other home gyms at a local store, both using weight stacks, and both brands STARTED at $1500 and went up from there! They were not as easy to use as my Bowflex, and that’s important when you have to motivate yourself to work out. I am motivated all the time now. I also shopped this unit hard, and I did not find a better price for one anywhere. If you’re looking for a great workout, and great results in a short amount of time, you need to seriously consider this bad boy!
Thomas J. Happ on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 4:35 am
Tips on using the Bowflex
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Before I get into my tips, I’ll give a brief review. I’ve had this machine for 10 months now and I am mostly pleased with it. I started out as a computer desk nerd with no strength and I’ve worked up to about average guy strength – I can bench about 200 bowflex pounds now, more than twice what I started at. So it works – just don’t expect the miracles they advertise. The best thing about it is that is uses a pully system which makes it extremely versatile. The worst thing is the bows, which are elastic. If you can find a machine that uses pulleys like the Bowflex but has a weight stack instead of bows, that would be best, but I don’t think there is one in this price range.
Now for the tips.
1. The bows work by stretching, and can get stretched out of shape like a rubber band. So make sure you tie them back with the included strap after every workout. If you mess up and stretch them out, you *could* try connecting them to the opposite hook and leaving them like that for a couple of days. I did this and it seemed to fix the issue.
2. By the same token, the resistance varies with temperature. I found this out by accident when my AC stopped working. The temp went up by 10 degrees and I was suddenly able to lift about 10% more.
3. The bows are not like physical weights. The resistance changes from easy at the beginning of the motion to hard at the end. Also I believe they are overall lighter than physical weights.
4. The weight labels on the bows don’t add up mathematically. For example, 30lbs + 10lbs + 10lbs is much “lighter” than the 50lb bow. So while you are making gains you should actually increase from 45 to 30 + 10 + 10 + 5 to 50 instead of jumping directly from 45 to 50. Another way to think of it in your head is that the 50lb is actually 60-ish in Bowflex units. This is also true for the jump from 25 to 30. Since there are only 2 10lbs weights I get around this by doing extra reps at 25 until I can finally do a full set at 30. You could also try raising the room temperature by about 5 degrees which should soften them up to start, and gradually increase it with each workout.
4. Despite what Dr. Bowflex says, the machine just isn’t made for a cardio. I got a schwinn exercise bike to compensate for this. I immediately noticed being able to have longer workouts due to my increasing cardiovascular endurance.
5. The manual also states not to rest more than a minute between each exercise. I did this at first, but then (anecdotally) I discovered that if I rested longer in order to catch my breath, I could do more reps and make faster gains.
6. Certain exercises just don’t work that well – basically anything involving legs, feet, or cardio. The supposed rows are not even worth it. Also the leg curls are very awkward. The manual does not even describe how to do them but according to an old manual I found on the net, you need to lie halfway on the leg station seat and halfway on the bench (the opposite exercise – I forget the name – let’s call it “leg raise” – does work rather well though). Finally the leg press might be worth it after you upgrade to 310 or 410 pounds, but at 210 even someone completely out of shape might find them wanting – mainly because your legs are the strongest part of your body, even on a sedentary person. On top of this it is hard to get the leg press strap to stay in place when you are first getting into position.
7. In my case there were some exercises that hurt my joints. I’ve never had joint injuries that I know if, so it may just be my body shape. I’m pretty sure I did them correctly. However, in the manual it lists the muscle groups of each motion. Instead of trying exercises that hurt, I picked others that would exercise the same groups.
S. Zayas on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 7:13 am
A fantastic machine [4.5 stars]
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This machine is well-made, nice looking, and fairly easy to use. It’s a lot of fun, too. Using the Bowflex beats the heck out of standing around a stale-smelling gym, waiting in line for sweat-drenched or misplaced equipment, listening to bad music blaring through crackling speakers (it’s a wonder why I like going to the gym at all.)
With this machine, you can get a fantastic workout in your own home. The machine is quiet and the tension smooth and consistent throughout the exercise. It takes a little bit of experimenting or reading the manual to figure out how to set up the equipment for certain exercises; nevertheless, it still saves you the time, effort and aggravation of going to/working out at the gym.
The product is advertised as having over 60 different routines that can be done. I have the luxury of sharing this machine with a personal trainer friend of mine, and we have figured out a few routines not in the manual. The machine gives you lots of options. If you use it correctly, do the routines with good form, you will get an excellent work out!
It’s not perfect, though. The straps, for instance, rub against your arms when you do incline chest and/or flies, creating more resistance and some (very mild) discomfort. As indicated, unlike free weights or machines at commercial gyms, sometimes it’s difficult to figure out how to set up the machine for certain routines. That problem is corrected by frequent use or by patiently referring to the manual. It takes a long time to assemble, but that’s only a one-time problem.
It’s tall so if you plan on putting the machine in your basement, you need to have a lot of headroom. Without looking at official measurements, I estimate it stands about 7 feet high. Measure your basement or workout room before you buy it.
Laura White on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 7:15 am
excellent piece
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
easy to set up, very easy to use. not difficult to change for various exercises, great product especially for price
Kristy Howard on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 7:39 am
Pretty Good
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I just got one for Christmas, and have tried it a couple of times. The assembly is not too bad. I assembled it following the instructions included, and it took me roughly 3 to 4 hours. The hard part was trying to understand how to use it. Luckily there was some instruction on how to use it for certain exercises. Other than that, it works pretty well. I haven’t been using it long enough to see any results, yet, but I’m motivated because the equipment looks impressive.
M. Empric on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 12:18 pm
Setup is the WORST, Machine is excellent
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Overall, I’d rank the Bowflex Sport as a five star machine. The composite power rods are quite good at providing solid resistance, and the machine has a great variety of features found only on the more expensive Bowflex machines, including a lat tower, leg attachement (with an additional seat) and a squat station.
My one peeve is on another reviewers comments about the ease of assembly and I’m guessing she doesn’t have this specific machine. I doubt that she has a Bowflex Sport model, becuase this comes delivered as a case of peices with a whole lot of screws, nuts, bolts, cables to attach it all together. There is no way possible you’re going to be up and running within 15 minutes of getting this. Putting this thing together was so tedious, I actually had to take a break in the middle of assembly to run out for coffee. The manual lists 30 different parts that make up the physical unit, almost 20 different types of nuts and bolts, and 11 “accessories” that need to be added after the main unit is put together. This is NOT a 15 minute project!
That said, I’m not deducting anything for the time-consuming assembly, mainly because I like the unit so much. Be forwarned, it’s a great machine for weight training, just slot out a half a day or so for assembly!
T. Davidson on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 12:44 pm
Bowflex Sport
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Simply great! You just have to use it. I do every other day (not according to instructions) but am getting great results. I found 3 exercises I can do without changing a thing that work the chest and abdomen, my problem areas.
Steven J. McCarthy on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 1:04 pm
Great Machine – but know what to expect
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
As a new owner of the Sport model, I’m incredibly impressed with both the quality of the machine itself and the quality of the workouts. Nothing replaces free-weights, but you can workout at home without the need for a safety spotter. Good for folks that can maintain their motivation to workout at home. Just a couple of small caveats:
See one assembled before taking one home. These are not small machines – they take up a lot of room. You need room for the rod tower, bench, and leg extension. You also need room to the side for the rods to bend out without obstruction. This machine does not have a small footprint – make sure you have room. The bench and leg extension do fold up for storage, but this isn’t something your going to wheel away and store in the closet. It’s big!
Second (for the Sport Model at least) remember these words: “Some assembly required!” It comes in four boxes and it took me about three hours to assemble, with a couple of mistakes here and there. It comes with a couple of allen wrenches, but you’re going to need a wrench and a screwdriver for this one. Just consider the assembly your first workout on this machine.
Third, the manual that comes with this model is apparently a stripped down version of what comes with the higher priced models. This manual didn’t have any recommended workout programs or the Body Leaness Program (with diet) – just assembly instructions and pictures of the individual exercises. If you need help (like I did) putting together a full workout, full manuals are available on-line to download.
This model also does not come with the wall posters that other models do. These posters are handy to hang on the wall either to remind yourself of the next exercise you want or to remind you of how to set up the machine for your next set. These posters are avaialbe on E-bay, and nice to have rather than flipping to a page in the manual to see what to do next.
With these caveats, these are awsome machines at a smoking price. The Sport Model costs about half (or less) than the other models and there doesn’t seem to be any restiction on the exercises you can do. Lat Tower and Leg Extension for $800. An Awesome Buy!
K. Mims on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 2:49 pm
It’s pretty amazing.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Combining the simple, easy workout with the eating plan, my body changed, what seemed like, instantly. I HIGHLY recommend this. I”m on week 5 and have already dropped two pants sizes.
K. C. Kaleida on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 4:30 pm
bowflex
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is a nice way to workout. The software program accompanying is like having a personal trainer.
William Rivera on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 4:45 pm
My Bowflex Sport Is Awsome…:-)
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
All I have to say is this Machine was worth every penny,and with the 310lb upgrade option you can’t go wrong,and your joints will thank you in the long run…I live In Hawaii so being in shape is a way of life, get a bowflex if you want to make your life more enjoyable and most importantly..simplier…Alohaz
W. F. Nix on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 4:46 pm
Very pleased.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I am very please with my Bowflex Sport. It took a while to setup by myself as I was doing it after a motorcycle injury to my leg, but it has definitely helped get me back into shape and having it close by keeps me motivated. Its something I look forward to using when I come home! Soon I’ll have to order some extra bows for added resistance! A great buy, I recommend it highly.
Darald A. Wieneke on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 6:49 pm
Couldn’t be more pleased.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
It was a smooth transaction. Delivered ahead of planned date.
Love good books on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 7:18 pm
Love it!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I received the product very quick, even though it was the free standard shipping option, and it was in very good condition!! Did take awhile to set up, but if you follow the steps carefully it’s no problem. Love the way it works, good product!!
M. Fritz on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 8:58 pm
Good and basic system
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The Bowflex is a replacement for one of the older models(original, by Schwinn)that my husband has used consistently for 12 years. It came in one huge box, and took the two of us half a day to put together. The directions and diagrams were pretty clear. One piece was broken, but they sent out a new one within the week and it is now complete. They have changed the power-rod holder, so we can’t salvage most of the old ones. My husband did figure out a way to position two 50-lb rods into the new slots so he could use more resistance. It is not as compact as the older model, but it does fold up somewhat. Overall, he is very pleased with this purchase– we paid less for this one through Amazon than we did in 1995!
Hex92 on Sat, 30th Jan 2010 10:39 pm
Good machine but leg curl attachment needs work.
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I like my new Bowflex. Like the others it took me about 2 hours to assemble and the instructions were very clear until the last couple of steps. I like the versatility of the machine. If you are working out with a partner you can quickly change resistance and the cables around to do the different exercises. With two people you can switch from lat pull downs to leg extension with a resistance change in 1 minute or less. I think that is pretty good for a home machine that can do this much. But I can’t get full range of motion on all the exercises so that knocks off one star.
My issue with the Sport is the leg curl attachment. The manual does not show you how to configure the machine to do this exercise. I called the support line and they emailed me a file that shows you how to do it on another model (Xtreme). You cannot configure the Sport to support your torso while doing leg curls.
There is a separate seat (not shown in the Amazon pictures) that attaches to the leg extension/leg curl attachment that allows you to do the leg exercises. On the Xtreme (current model) and Power Pro (old model) the bench reconfigures to provide support for your torso. The Sport’s bench does not. According to Bowflex’s telephone support you are supposed to prop yourself up on your elbows while doing this exercise (the first person I talked to said that you couldn’t do leg curls with the Sport model). This is a great way to pull your lower back out of alignment.
In the end, I decided to use a bag full of shop towels to support my midsection while doing this exercise. Having to use the bag of towels knocks off another star leaving 3.
Eugene Koltunov on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 2:04 am
Excellent – PLEASE Read!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Honestly, this machine is an excellent purchase, especially for those of you who WANT to work out and get into better shape, but don’t have the time or the commitment to go to a gym 3-4 times a week, every week (even if it’s a 10-minute drive away).
The people that say that the assembly process takes half a day or more honestly don’t know how to put anything together. I’m not saying it took 15 minutes, but 2-3 hours tops! In fact, it’s almost easy – it just takes some time because there are quite a few pieces and you want to make sure everything is in the right places.
As for the weights, resistance and not representing it’s numbered amount – it’s very possible that 50-bowflex-resistance pounds might not EXACTLY represent 50-regular-disc pounds. However, who cares? Just add another rod or two, and you’re good to go.
I must say that this machine is probably NOT for body builders (you should be in the gym like 6-7 times a week) but for those of you have just want to feel stronger and look better, I promise that this machine will get you there, 100% guaranteed! I’ve been using it for about 2-3 weeks and I already feel the difference (it doesn’t come over night, but you can certainly feel it and slowly but surely see it).
My only suggestion: CONSISTENCY! If you’re willing to put 30-to-60 minutes a few times a week, I guarantee this machine is MORE THAN ENOUGH to see nice results, again, for people who just want to get into a better shape or lose weight.
Tina Agnew on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 4:18 am
Good setup at a good price!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The Bowflex Sport home gym is amazing! There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars more for the newer, fancier model. This one has everything you need to do a huge variety of strengthening and toning exercises. As entry level users, our family has had no problem adjusting our routine to fit in an every-other-day workout. The Bowflex Sport allows for all of our different strength levels with a quick change of the resistance of the power rods, and easily changes accessories to provide a multitude of different exercises for your whole body. The only downfall of my purchase was the extended delivery time (by a freight forwarder) but HEY – it was FREE shipping, so I can’t really complain! One word of warning: be prepared for the assembly process! (This great machine first comes in the form of a jigsaw puzzle that requires two people for assembly). Overall, I am very satisfied with this great tool that has lead us down the road to a healthy new lifestyle for the entire family!
R. Misiak on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 5:57 am
great product
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
this is awesome, we love it. easy to put together, easy to read instructions. all around great item.
Anonymous on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 9:35 am
Bowflex Sport Home Gym
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I Bought this product three weeks ago, so far is working very well. The instruction for putting it together is well written, I built it by myself for about 2 1/2 hrs. The system is very easy and quite to setup so you can change your exercise position quickly.
Ursus on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 11:14 am
Great Workout for Middle Age!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
My wife and I are middle aged people who needed to get in shape. We bought the Bowflex after investigating numerous other types of equipment. Six months later we are certain that we made a good choice. The Bowflex Sport unit came with all of the parts, and took us a good 4 hours to put together. (The directions were decent, but one person might find it difficult to setup). Directions were adequate. The machine itself is sturdy and easy to use. The workout is great — the power rod system is easy on the joints, and provides a very adjustable level of resistance. A complete workout, with stretching included, runs about 45 minutes. Changing the setup for different exercises is easy and quick. There is much less stress put on muscles and joints as opposed to free weights — it is really ideal for older people. Our only surprise was with the size of the thing — make sure you have the room! (Thankfully the unit folds up easily). We found the basic unit to be more than enough, and we were glad we didn’t buy anything more expensive. All in all a good investment.
Zachary C. Maddox on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 1:29 pm
Free Shipping
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The shipping from EagleGL at first seemed to be second rate. My BowFlex was shipped on Monday and arrived Thrusday! Awsome shipping for the size of the product.
C. Liu on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 1:33 pm
Metal vs. Rod
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
Assembling was not as bad as I thought it would be. My goal for this gym was to tone up my muscle and it work well. Although I think the gym can’t compare to the real weight. The initial tension of the rod is weak while it tense up at the end. e.g. When you lift 50 lb dumbell, you would have a 50 lb dead weight. For the Blowflex, as you lift you will feel 30lb, 40lb, then 50lb. Overall I gave it a 3 star.
Night Hunter on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 2:28 pm
Great machine for a great deal of the day price
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I’m very happy with this machine. I’m able to get a great workout from the comfort of home. Next time I purchase a bow flex machine, I’m going to buy something two levels higher. Hightly recommended. It works as advertise.
Dai Luong on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 4:40 pm
Great for starters or beginners!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
If you decided to get this, I would highly recommend that you get the upgrade rod to 310 lbs. This is great for those that are trying to get back into shape or just started to work out. Just remember to install the CD and following the workout excercise. Oh, remember to STRETCH!!!!
J. Hart on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 5:02 pm
bowflex fits my needs
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I used to workout in my garage with free weights. But when we moved our new home had a basement. I’m 47 years out and wanted a weight machine so I could do it all at one place without the mess of dubmbells everywhere. I lift just to stay in shape. I looked at the under $500 stuff at “Dicks” sporting goods, and went to the really high end places. And found the bowflex to be in the middle and more in my price range. The free shipping took 13 days. Not only did I save $150 with Amazon, the free shipping saved $118. I felt 13 days was not bad, and eagle frieght the shipper handled everything in a very professional manner. It took 1 hour to lay everything out. (which I recommend) and about 2 Hours to put it together. The directions was very clear and you can see the quality in the machine. I have only use it for 2 days but feel I’m going to enjoy it for many years to come.
OkraLizard on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 7:50 pm
Good Value for the Money
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I bought this as a replacement for my gym membership. I’m enjoying it. It’s easy to assemble and use. I got the 310 lb. upgrade for it and it was easy to install. My only concern is that the weights aren’t true to their claim. I’m a 26-yr old woman and have never been able to bench or curl 100 lbs. This machine says I can. Overlooking this, you do get a good workout for the price.
Byron Kooima on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 8:44 pm
Amazon Delivered as Promised
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
What can I say, except that this Bowflex is made exceptionally well. I decided that the Sport would be enough of a work out for my in home gym. I did not see spending so much more money for the Ultimate and not really need it. I was not disappointed. In fact, I have nothing but positive things to say about the Bowflex and the multiple ways to use it. I have also found new excercises that were not listed in the manual. Each week, I am more and more impressed with how the machine performs overall. I was a little leary about the bands and how well it would work overall, but I have already started noticing positive results after only a couple of weeks. I was also impressed with Amazon and how quickly I received the Bowflex from the third party shipping company. It arrived when they said it would, but their tracking left a lot to be desired. That was the only negative I can state for the entire process.
Robert J. Kelly on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 8:47 pm
BowFlex Sport
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
BowFlex Sport Gym received as advertised. Delivery was on time. Directions for assembly were complete and easy to follow. I assebled by myself in a total of three hours. The home gym is easy to use and helps give good muscle group workouts. The gym can be moved about easily if set up in something like a garage. Its worth the price.
Mark C. Cornell on Sun, 31st Jan 2010 9:37 pm
Bowflex Sport – Definitely Worth It
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Just purchased the Bowflex Sport thru Amazon. Paid $699.00 total – with free shipping and free Bowflex mat too. Best price on the net. I live in Arkansas and it shipped from Dallas warehouse…took just over two weeks. It must have been out of stock but never directly said out of stock. The Sport itself is very well made and is one of the entry level models they offer. It took about 2.5 hours to assemble and goes best if you lay out everything first and then simply follow the directions. I am new to working out and have had it two weeks now and already see results. I’m 41 and bought it to stay in shape. I can target just about every part of the body with the 60 or so exercises listed in the manual. I have settled into doing about 12 or so and that is why I felt a more expensive machine would be a waste of money for me. I just want to look and feel better. Sit-ups, chest flys, curls and leg evercises. It’s very easy to use and change exercises. It comes with the 210# of resistance and I don’t forsee needing more rods in the future. I’m not a body builder but I did put all the rods on to try it and couldn’t even move the handles. Very impressive rod comstruction! Key to rod maintainance is to keep the rods tied up straight when not in use. It will eliminate what I call “droopy rod syndrone.” It seems to be a great machine and should last for a very long time. Overall I am very pleased with both Amazon and Bowflex – hence the 5 stars! Like I said – best price on the net. Even beat E-Bay for a new unit. Highly recommended!
Gary Graham on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 1:28 am
Solid Unit but difficult instructions!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
We just finished assembling the unit and it took 5-6 hours. There are 26 steps to the instructions and I found 5 manageable errors in the manual until step 23. Step 23 was a nightmare! They show a picture that is physically impossible to do. I struggled with it until I realized the instructions for the step are totally wrong and ignored them. The remaining 3 steps aren’t great either since they tend to refer to parts that are not shown in any image. Still, once assembled, it is a solid and impressive unit – quite large and it cannot be easily stored away – that is fictional. We now have to learn how to actually do the different exercises and then put a routine together – you are on your own a bit for that too. By the way, the leg attachments say to set the bars in a certain position for you height. I’m 6′ 2″ and my wife is 5′ 4″ so that may be a problem. Besides, they don’t tell you how to adjust for your height anyway, just that you need to do it. It is frustrating that all they would have needed to do is to pay one person to set-up a unit while they watched, and they could have had the manuals many errors and omissions corrected. I’ll post a follow-up on how it works for exercise.
loudboy on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 4:07 am
the correct machine for me!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I got this a few years back, and it is a very important member of our household still! My wrist was smashed in an auto accident many years ago and i no longer have the ability to hold free weight above my neck… the possibilities are atrocious. With the bowflex if i let go for any reason the potential catastrophe is avoided.
There is no stress or strain except for the muscle group you are trying to focus upon. Well made, well designed, and very well built. Like our Dyson vacuum, this is a quality product utilizing quality engineering. It may be perfect for the elderly or female/male non bodybuilder athlete because of it’s non need for a spotter and the ease of changing resistance!
I am happy with my build, i don’t want to be bodybuilder, if you do this may not be the correct machine for you… like it is for me at 43!
that is my opinion, and like all the others… i’m sticking to it!
thank you for your time
Z. Tang on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 6:04 am
Perfect for my needs.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
(This review is of the nearly identical Conquest Model)
Over the last 2 years, I have been member of 4 different gyms. I traveled a lot overseas during that time, so I juggled the memberships quite a bit and ended up paying way more than I wanted. My usual trips to the gym took 2-4 hours including travel time, I’m a pretty motivated person, but after a while, it is just becomes too difficult to get myself in the gym because of the time and money involved.
After coming back from a recent 1 year trip overseas, I’ve decided to look into home gyms to save both money and time. After extensive research, I ended up purchase the Conquest here on Amazon. Some other machines I looked at were the Platinum Crossbow, Total Gym, Bandflex. After comparing all the machines and going to the local sporting store to try out the Bowflex, I had no doubt that Bowflex is well worth the money.
Other machines might be cheaper, smaller and easier to assemble. But I found that the Bowflex quality is difficult to match.
Setup:
I put together the machine in about 2 hours. All you need is a couple of screw drivers, the everything else needed is in the package. The instructions were easy to follow and makes logical sense. However, my Bowflex, like many others, arrived missing a few parts. In my case it was just a few washers and a couple of screws, nothing critical, but such problems seemed common from what I’ve read.
Operation:
If you have not used a Bowflex yet, you are in for a treat. The Power Rods provide very smooth resistance and wonderful range of motion. The resistance builds as you flex the power rods, very easy on the joints at the beginning of the motion, yet still provides enough to break down your muscles toward the end of the motion. The DVD provides instruction for basic exercises (about 15), and the manual covers over 60 different exercises. A lot of them are simply variations of another exercise, but I found myself creating new ways to exercise that is not covered in the included material. The weight and type of exercises were easy to change, and will not interfere with your workout. I found this to be a very good time saver vs waiting for machines at the gym.
Size:
No matter how many times you have seen the Bowflex on TV, you won’t realize how big the machine truly is until you have put it together. The conquest is easily 7ft tall, and takes a huge amount of space in my living room. It has wheels, but you will not be able to fit it through most doors, so think long and hard before you decide which room you will place it.
Value:
I ordered here on Amazon because of the awesome discounted price they had, evident by the fact the machine sold out 2 days after I placed my order. But after using the machine for a week, I can honestly say I would gladly pay full price for the machine. Like any other piece of exercise equipment, if you make good use of it, and it is worth every penny. I noticed that this machine is nearly identical to the more expensive Sport model.
Summary:
This is the best item I have purchased in 2006, over the years I always ignored the Bowflex TV ads and considered it a fad. But the Conquest proved its worth a dozen times over the last week; for once a machine that works better than advertised.
Pros: solid construction, long warranty, exercise variety, smooth motion, easy operation, great long term value.
Cons: Setup time, size, missing parts
Neutral: Decent resale value.
pak a day on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 8:11 am
Bowflex Sport
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The Bowflex Sport is a very nice piece of exercise equipment. We have all seen or tried other various home-gym machines and this is not the same. Nothing about this machine is wobbly, squeaky, jerky or flimsy. It is extremely well made and aesthetically pleasing. It is not portable, although the bench will stand up to give you a little space, so it’s best to set it in a room where it can be what it is: a really big piece of exercise machinery. The resistance is light in the beginning of an exercise but increases towards completion of the rep. It works you harder than it feels. The best thing about the Bowflex Sport is that it makes workouts fun. The machine begs you to play with it and discover its potential. A workout doesn’t have to hurt to be effective and with this machine they are downright pleasurable. It provides 60 different exercises that it explains completely in the well-written owner’s manual/workout guide. You can even invent some of your own once you get the feel of the machine. The cables and pulleys are silent. The parts glide smoothly and the resitance level is quickly and very easily changed. The bench is solid and thick. On the downside, I found the machine to be hell to put together. If you are ordering it be prepared to spend a few hours with some tools. In my opinion, if you don’t want the hassle of having parts strewn all over the place, you’re better off to pay an assembly fee at the shop to have it put together by people who have done it before. Then have someone with a good back handy to help you get it in the house, which will prove to be a good workout in itself.
T. Nguyen on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 5:59 pm
It is OKAY, but not a replacement for the gym
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
My friend bought one of these a while ago. We decided to work out on this rather than going to the gym everyday. IMO, free weights are the best way to work out. Next would be a machine with weights and pulleys. The bowflex does work you out, but it does not feel as good as free weights. Yes, the bowflex can get challenging, and the resistance can be really great. However, the feel of each rep does not replicate that of free weights. Rods and bands never feel the same as dead weight. In the long run, I could not get from the bowflex what I get from the gym. That is, the soreness but sureness that I was getting a great workout.
B. Suh on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 6:16 pm
Good Machine
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I own it for over three year now and I still love it.
It is very well made, it is little difficult to put it together since there are many pieces but every pieces fit perfectly.
It save me time and money since I can work out when ever I feel like it with out all the driving.
And I do have to say I try many machines but this is next best thing to having your own professional gym. You don’t have to wait or wash other people’s sweat off.
Yes, this is big but it is perfect for me to do pull up on the machine.
Another downer is fact that weight is not accurate, it is lighter than what they claim to be so you might need extra weight, also rod’s stiffness varies with the temperature.
Michael Keller on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 10:32 pm
Great value
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I ordered this Bowflex at $200 off PLUS a $200 coupon, PLUS free Super Saver Shipping, for a total final price of $599. Others have complained about the slow shipping, but mine arrived a week ahead of schedule, and it was approaching Memorial Day weekend!
Others have complained about how hard it was to put together. I wouldn’t know, I was at work during the day and my teenage daughter, being impatient and at home alone with this box, assembled the entire thing by herself. I’m sure it would have gone faster and smoother with two people.
As for the workout, if you’re not already a hardcore fanatic, this machine should be plenty for you. 80% of all the exercises use the Bowflex in the same basic configuration. You’ll use the leg lift portion for only a couple of exercises, other leg exercises use the same setup as the chest and arm workouts. The biggest hassle with any workout (machine or free weight) is reconfiguring the hardware for another exercise. It’s easy to switch the bench seats for flat, incline, or no seat, and once you get a system to your workout, you can make the changes to the weight and configuration quickly and easily.
Mine came with the Bowflex iTrainer software, which is useful. It could be a little better to customize your workout, but it’s a nice addition and you can install it on multiple computers if you like. It shows small videos of the exercises (better than the photos in the book), and lets you create and track your workout regimen. The software will let you set up multiple users on the same installation, so everyone can share the software, and you can print out your workout schedule to have at the Bowflex.
It takes up a LOT of space, right now it’s in my living room and it looks like an altar or something. Ready to use, and allowing for the bend of the bars, you’ll need a T-shape space about 6′ wide by 7′ long by 6′ high. It folds up and rolls, but it doesn’t roll well on the small wheels, especially on carpet. It’s quite heavy, so moving it on wheels is about like moving a refrigerator around, it takes balance. Don’t think you are going to move this in and out of a closet every time you want to use it, but if it’s sitting in the guest room, it’s easy enough to fold up while company visits.
I definitely think that, for a little more than a year’s gym subscription, I got a great value, and with four of us in the household using it, we’re getting more than my money’s worth.
litemakr on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 11:54 pm
Overall a great unit, but difficult assembly
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
The Sport is an excellent machine with a few caveats:
First, delivery. It took about a week for delivery, which is fine. I got a call from the delivery company to set up an appointment, and was told that they would only take it off the truck, not actually bring it inside. Amazon only covers curbside delivery. Considering I am on the 3rd floor of an apartment building and it weighs 230+ lbs, this was not good. I was told they would not even bring it up using the elevator. Luckily, the delivery guy called and asked if he could bring it earlier in the day and offered to bring it up for me in return. I just lucked out because there is absolutely no way I could have gotten it upstairs on my own.
Assembly:
I basically dismissed all of the complaints on here about difficult assembly, but they are all true. It took me about 4 hours to assemble and I am pretty handy. The parts are well constructed, but they do not fit together easily. The bolts are tightened using an included allen wrench, which stripped after 2 bolts. It would have been much smarter to make them tighten with a large flathead screwdriver. The nuts are locking nuts and are nearly impossible to tighten properly with the allen wrench. I ended up going to the hardware store and purchasing regular 3/4″ nuts that I could actually tighten with the allen wrench. I would highly recommend you do the same. Otherwise, I would still be trying to assemble the thing. There are several screws that need to be tightened in pre-threaded holes and it was very difficult to get them in properly. One took me literally 20 minutes just to get threaded (no joke). The instructions are decent, but a couple steps, (such as the seat assembly) are not clear and I had to do some steps twice to get it right.
The third thing I will caution you about is that this thing is BIG. You really can’t tell from the pictures just how long the bench and leg extension are, but they take up over 6 feet from the main unit. The bows flex outward and need about 6 feet of room as well. It does fold up, which helps, but make sure you have a large area for the machine. And don’t plan on moving it from room to room once assembled, it is way too big to get through a doorway.
All that being said, I am very happy with the Sport. It is very solid and I get a good workout from it. At first, the resistence of the bows felt weird, but it does the trick. It just takes getting used to. I have been working out for about 2 weeks about 20 minutes most days and have seen great results. The range of exercises is pretty impressive. You can do several varations of exercises for all muscle groups, as well as aerobic rowing.
I don’t think you could get a better home gym for the price. If Bowflex would spend some time simplifying the assembly process and clarifying the documentation, they would have a five star product.
John P. Sullens on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 12:07 am
The Almighty Bowflex
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
When I purchased my Bowflex Sport Gym, I wanted to take advantage of Amazon’s free shipping. Amazon honored my request with a two to three week ship. I couldn’t wait to get my Bowflex to start my health and wellness business so I borrowed a friends van and picked it up before the shipper could complete the delivery. To my surprise the shipper kept the box in premium condition, however, whomever Amazon bought this through it was not Bowflex directly. The Bowflex that I got after two weeks of waiting was incomplete. The smaller boxes within this really huge 220 lb. box were numbered 1-4; I had two number 2 boxes. Amazon would do nothing about it, except refer me to Bowflex’s customer service. Now Bowflex has to have the best customer service I have ever witnessed. They not only took care of my problem, even though it was Amazon’s fault and they didn’t have to, they took care of my warranty work right over the phone. They sent the part that I needed via two day air, unlike Amazon that said it would be another week or two before they could manage, and my business was up and running. My warning to new users is to be mindful of Amazon and make sure this does not happen to you…I was lucky.
J. Sahni on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 12:41 am
Bowflex
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I have been working out for almost 20 years using free weights and machines and have been using Bowflex sports for almost 3 years and I love it. I still workout with free weight and machines in the gym, but find Bowflex very useful. It still makes my muscles reasonably sore, probably because with Bowflex additional muscles fibres were worked that were left untrained by free weights/machines.
You can do all the exercises with a greater range of motion with Bowflex than with the free weights and machines and in half the time. For legs, I suggest that you buy additional resistance going up to 410 LBS.
One reviewer has correctly stated that the resistance is not uniform and he sees this as a drawback. The resistance is not uniform because the more you pull the power rods greater the force is needed. But you can use this so-called drawback to your advantage in a way that will eliminate the need for a spotter. This is how I use the so-called drawback:
I begin the exercise by pulling the handgrips to a range where the tension feels right, say 90 degrees. For example, if I am doing bicep curl and using 30LBS, in the beginning, I don’t feel much resistance until I am half the curl or at 90 degrees angle. So, I limit the range of motion to 90 degrees, and workout the range between 90 and 180 degrees. Next I add more resistance and work out 0 through 90 degree range. This way I am isolationg the entire bicet and can feel the burn through out the muscle without the help of a spotter.
Drawbacks: I have not felt any resistance when using it for crunches.
D. Wiley on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 1:15 am
Excellent Machine for the Long Haul
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I ordered this machine just over three years ago. It has been long enough that my memory of how difficult it was to set up is a little hazy, but what the other reviewers say about 2 to 3 hours rings true. It does take up a lot of space, but we have an unfinished basement which is perfect for the machine because of all the space and because it is nice and cool down there in the summer. I have been using the machine two to three times a week for the last three years. In all that time nothing has needed replacing, repairing, or even tightening. The Bowflex is a rock. Nor have I wanted for more options. The Bowflex Sport provides more workout possibilities than I will ever use. I originally got the machine because finding a spotter for free weights was sometimes a challenge. I wanted a workout that was safe to do alone. You can hurt yourself with the Bowflex with poor posture or inattention so read the manual carefully, but unlike free weights you don’t run the risk of killing yourself.
Until this spring I was using it mostly to maintain strength, range of motion and flexibility. Basically I just wanted to be strong enough to help people move, shovel snow, push a car, and so forth without straining a muscle. In May 2007 my wife got interested in using it so she invited her Pilates instructor (and all-round fitness guru) over to suggest a workout. He devised a devilish program for both of us. The workout ups the time I used to spend from 10 minutes to 45 minutes, but the results are worth it. The workout is based on the pyramid system where each exercise starts with an amount of weight that allows for 13-20 reps, then increases the weight so only 6-10 reps are possible, and finishes with the most weight with 3-5 reps. Ever since I have started this program the amount of weight I can handle has gone up remarkably, and I have lost five pounds without changing my diet. Actually I eat a little more now because I started getting hungry all the time. Weight loss was not my goal (I am 6 foot even and used to weigh 150), but it is a pleasant side effect. Even though I have always exercised regularly, the increased Bowflex work out has also made a noticeable difference in how awake I feel throughout the day. I am more alert in the mornings, and I rarely crash after lunch any more.
Suggestions:
- Plan on spending some time setting it up.
- Make sure you have adequate space.
- Find a good program. The manual I received with the machine is great for showing individual exercises, but not for designing a workout.
- Consider learning some basic Pilates. Pilates increases your core strength and teaches body-awareness. Both will help protect your back during a Bowflex workout. Engaging your abs/gluts while working with the Bowflex makes the workouts just that more intense. Pilates mat work also provides an antidote to the stiffness that a good workout leaves a middle-aged body with.
J. Duncan on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 2:30 am
Fast effective workouts.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
First, a couple of notes to help distinguish this from the other BowFlex units.
This one supports the 310 lb and 410 lb upgrades. The less expensive Motivator 2 doesn’t.
This unit has a bigger footprint than the Extreme. The seat area is longer.
The specs say 100″ is needed for the length. I have it set up in a room with 9′ 6″ between the walls (114″). With the head of the unit as close to the wall as I can get, without the rods rubbing the wall, I have just enough room to walk around the foot. Otherwise you have to step over the unit.
It’s fast and easy to change the weights. A lot faster than changing the weights on my power rack with Olympic size free weights. Just make sure to take the rod tension off before trying to attach the cables for the other attachments, since you need a little slack to get the cables to reach and it can be tricky if you have rod tension on the main cable already.
The Darden book, The BowFlex Body Plan, is a good accessory. He spells out a lot more info on the different exercises, nutrition, etc. than the booklet that comes with the machine. One thing I liked a lot about the book, he condenses all the possible exercises down to 23 “best” exercises. That really helped me narrow down and get a good idea of which ones to focus on, since with 60+ available I wasn’t sure which ones to do when starting my routine. He has a lot of supporting info on the correct number of sets and reps to shoot for too.
Even if you don’t plan to lift more than 210 lbs, if you do calf raises or shrugs you’ll go over the 210 lb mark pretty easily, so plan on at least the 310 lb upgrade.
Justin Fraser on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 3:03 am
Great Piece of Equipment
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Ok- so I probrably could have walked the Bowflex from whatever warehouse it shipped from faster then the free shipping option. It took a long long long time. But i got what I paid for shipping-wise. I would like to mention that everything showed up in perfect condition, it just took forever.
I had very little trouble assembling my Bowflex. This machine goes together rather intuitively once you set all the pieces out. It took me longer to put together an entertainment unit– though I’d set aside about 2 hours for assembly.
The Bowflex is constructed from some heavy duty, serious parts. I think I’d have a hard time breaking it even if i wanted to. I’m impressed by it’s quality.
The exercises are also fantastic. I’d recommend it to anyone.
Sammy Madison on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 3:31 am
I love my Bowflex!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I really love my Bowflex. After years of working out at the gym, I found myself avoiding it because of the hassle of getting there. I had no idea a piece of equipment you could have in your home would be every bit as heavy-duty and good quality as gym equipment, but the Bowflex is. Although the initial workout started with a lot of assembly, it wasn’t hard to figure out, and I began using the Bowflex immediately. I add new exercises all the time for variety, which can keep a potential slacker motivated. The instructional dvd is very useful and easy to understand. The action is amazingly smooth, way smoother than I thought possible. I thought it would be a hassle to change the pulleys for different exercises, but it is very easy and does not interfere with the workout. It does take up some floor space, and you can’t fold it up and put it under the bed, but none of the portable or inexpensive equipment I have bough has ever been anywhere near as good as the bowflex.
E. Chung on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 6:12 am
Bowflex
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Excellent product, best price, Free shipping and no tax.
Thanks!
A Satisfy Customer!
C. Phi on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 6:19 am
…..its ok…..
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
well it is true about what ive heard about this machine. it does get you in shape if you’re consistent with it. but if you’re gonna buy one of these, i recommend buying the one with minimal rope hook configurations. it was just too frustrating to change rope clamps so i could do different exercises that i would always have a break of about 2 minutes between excersises..and for me, thats too long. but im still happy with it and i’m sure it be with me for a looong time.
Aaron Roath on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 7:01 am
Freakin’ Awesome
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is something that I have wanted for a very long time. When I first starting seeing the Bowflex on those terrible TV Infomercials, I thought, “Wow, what a piece of garbage.” Later on, while serving in the US Air Force over seas, my squadron had managed to tactically acquire one. Along with the rest of our daily regiment of physical training, a few of us would spend half an hour or so each on this odd looking apparatus. It quickly became obvious that this was, in fact, not a piece of garbage. Just as the few of us using it were showing some impressive results and starting to convince the rest of the squadron of its worth, we were deployed to various points of interest throughout the Middle East. When we returned, the Bowflex was gone and we were all very upset about it.
It has been a few years now, and I have since left the service. I sent my body into a sort of accelerated atrophy alongside a bit too much of partying, to include too much drinking and too much eating. I recently re-started some of my training, but I could only describe my progress as slow. Then I came back to the Bowflex, found a good price for it on Amazon, and went for it.
It takes a while to set up, so unless you are patient and fairly adept to the use of Lego’s, I would suggest that you not expect to use it the day you get it. If you do, as I did, I would suggest that you start out slow, as I did not. I went with one of my old routines, which pretty much kicked my back side for about three days (and after only one workout). The machine comes with a variety of assembly, workout, diet, and overall health aids. Keep in mind that the weight loss guarantee only counts if you follow their workouts and diet plans closely.
Now for the only part that matters. Here it is: It works. Now here’s the disclaimer: It only works if you work. Just like any other machine, weight set, pair of running shoes, etc. this machine is nothing unless you routinely use it for a workout. If you already have a few machines sitting around you house that have, say, clothes drying on them, then this is not for you. Don’t spend the money on this if you can’t stick to a routine. Just buy a nice TV and sound system. If you can stick to a routine, this is perfect. If you want it to work a bit better, add a little cross training, such as running or swimming.
Y. Jenner on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 11:11 am
great
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought this bowflex for my 18 year old son and for my husband and myself as well. I have to be honest, I haven’t had a chance to get on it, as my son and his friends have been using it alot. The only drawback was, that I didn’t get a dvd with the bowflex. I am a visual person, and I was looking forward to have a tutorial on DVD. Other then that I am very pleased with the purchase
J. Barthel on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 11:15 am
Bowflex Sport
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
My wife and I are very pleased with this purchase. Neither of us have ever been big on “going to the gym”. We don’t have time. It’s a different story with our Bowflex in the basement. We have already used it more than we had expected and we both love it. What we like most is the flexibility that it offers. I do the exercises that I want and she does a completely different set, each focusing on the muscle groups that need the help. This unit combined with an elliptical machine gives us a complete and healthy workout at home when we want. We are very pleased with this machine.
Angela Bulhoes on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 1:34 pm
Bowflex
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The Bowflex was delivered quickly, easy to put together, and easy to use. It allows you to start small and quickly work your way up. You feel great after your workout!
Candace Scott on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 1:51 pm
Truly does work
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
After watching countless Bowlex infomericals over the years, I finally broke down and purchased one. I admit I laid out the money with some trepidation, but word of mouth had quelled my fears somewhat; it seems everyone I knew who owned a Bowflex raved about it. Now, as a confirmed user of the device, I can echo the positive reviews: this truly is a quality machine, well produced and easy to use. The set up time is minimal, you can basically empty the machine out of the box, attach the rods, tighten a few screws and you’re ready to begin. From the time I opened the box until I began lifting my first weight, only 15 minutes had elapsed.
The range of motion for each exercise is exceptionally smooth, quiet and consistent. The machine is designed primarily for upper body workouts and I found the leg press station and leg lift attachment to be a trifle substandard. If you’re looking primarily to work your legs, this is not the premiere choice, merely an adequate one. However, the upper body exercises are stellar and well-designed.
The Bowflex comes with a video which shows people doing each individual exercise. Affer a couple of viewings, you’ll have your routine down pat. There is also a flip chart which photos of each exercise, and you can consult this as you’re working out. As a strength-training device, I give this high marks. It’s quite user-friendly and novices or pros can benefit from the machine. I was initially a skeptic, but after using the Bowflex for 6 weeks, I am a confirmed believer in its usefulness as a strength-building tool.
mango man on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 3:31 pm
Bowflex sport is great
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have had my Bowflex Sport for a week. It is a fantastic machine. The feel of the power rods is different than that of weight cable machines. The movement starts with less force and builds up. there is no momentum effect. The machine feels good. The cables work very well without any “sticking”. It is a very solid feeling and smooth machine. I believe it can do more exercises than they claim.
Z. Tang on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 1:09 am
Perfect for my needs.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Over the last 2 years, I have been member of 4 different gyms. I traveled a lot overseas during that time, so I juggled the memberships quite a bit and ended up paying way more than I wanted. My usual trips to the gym took 2-4 hours including travel time, I’m a pretty motivated person, but after a while, it is just becomes too difficult to get myself in the gym because of the time and money involved.
After coming back from a recent 1 year trip overseas, I’ve decided to look into home gyms to save both money and time. After extensive research, I ended up purchase the Conquest here on Amazon. Some other machines I looked at were the Platinum Crossbow, Total Gym, Bandflex. After comparing all the machines and going to the local sporting store to try out the Bowflex, I had no doubt that Bowflex is well worth the money.
Other machines might be cheaper, smaller and easier to assemble. But I found that the Bowflex quality is difficult to match.
Setup:
I put together the machine in about 2 hours. All you need is a couple of screw drivers, the everything else needed is in the package. The instructions were easy to follow and makes logical sense. However, my Bowflex, like many others, arrived missing a few parts. In my case it was just a few washers and a couple of screws, nothing critical, but such problems seemed common from what I’ve read.
Operation:
If you have not used a Bowflex yet, you are in for a treat. The Power Rods provide very smooth resistance and wonderful range of motion. The resistance builds as you flex the power rods, very easy on the joints at the beginning of the motion, yet still provides enough to break down your muscles toward the end of the motion. The DVD provides instruction for basic exercises (about 15), and the manual covers over 60 different exercises. A lot of them are simply variations of another exercise, but I found myself creating new ways to exercise that is not covered in the included material. The weight and type of exercises were easy to change, and will not interfere with your workout. I found this to be a very good time saver vs waiting for machines at the gym.
Size:
No matter how many times you have seen the Bowflex on TV, you won’t realize how big the machine truly is until you have put it together. The conquest is easily 7ft tall, and takes a huge amount of space in my living room. It has wheels, but you will not be able to fit it through most doors, so think long and hard before you decide which room you will place it.
Value:
I ordered here on Amazon because of the awesome discounted price they had, evident by the fact the machine sold out 2 days after I placed my order. But after using the machine for a week, I can honestly say I would gladly pay full price for the machine. Like any other piece of exercise equipment, if you make good use of it, and it is worth every penny. I noticed that this machine is nearly identical to the more expensive Sport model.
Summary:
This is the best item I have purchased in 2006, over the years I always ignored the Bowflex TV ads and considered it a fad. But the Conquest proved its worth a dozen times over the last week; for once a machine that works better than advertised.
Pros: solid construction, long warranty, exercise variety, smooth motion, easy operation, great long term value.
Cons: Setup time, size, missing parts
Neutral: Decent resale value.
Ferg on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 4:02 am
8 yrs old and still working great
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
For normal people (i.e. you are not a guy in the gym three hours a day slamming protien drinks, and compensating for other things that are smaller then they should be) this is the best home gym you can own. I bought one in Feb 1999 and it has worked great ever since. My wife probably uses it more than I do. If you can find a better home gym for the price and size, let me know. Beware, there are a lot of cheaper knock offs out there…they are a waste of money and will fall apart.
James yi on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 7:59 am
Good product, but it can improve in some areas
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
* I will rate 4(****) for the product. But, only 2 or 3 for additional factors to consider — see following.
* Some part was not fit perfect, so I had to hammer in. It was confusing. It takes about 4 hours to assemble for beginner. Need two people for some assembly.
* I wished that they provide exercise video for the product. They have exercise manual, but it is just OK, not very good.
* It comes with spring hooks with very sharp edges – need to be very careful not to poke your fingers. I went Home Depot and replace them (cost = $3 * 10 = $30 ) because the hook is handled often during exercise.
M. Yi on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 12:04 pm
Great machine, larger than expected.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Love this machine! What everybody else has reported about the assembly time, it’s true. Took around 2 hours. The instructions are easy to follow, it just takes a lot of time and patience. And this machine takes up a lot more room than I had anticipated. It is really a very large machine, and hardly qualifies as moveable. Really, wherever you assemble it is pretty much where you are going to leave it. Other than that, it works great and really gives you an intense workout. Best buy ever!
Michelle L. Harvey on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 3:13 pm
AWESOME!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I love the Bowflex! Without a doubt it is the easiest piece of equipment to transition from one exercise to the next without strain. Workouts are concise, fluid and actually enjoyable! Thank you for offering a great piece of equipment at a really great price.
T. Germusa on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 5:34 pm
“Super Saver Shipping” = “Super SLOW Shipping”
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
If you’re in any hurry at all to actually use the Bowflex Sport you ordered, don’t make the mistake I did and use the “Super Saver Shipping”. The promised delivery window had nearly expired before the fly-by-night shipping company that Amazon uses finally contacted me. They left a message saying that I could contact them and set up delivery for a week later than the originally promised date.
Had I known that it would take about 3 weeks to actually get my gym I would have shopped elsewhere. You can get the same price with free shipping elsewhere if you look around the internet. I really suggest that you do.
M. P. Mendez on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 5:46 pm
Get a BOWFLEX SPORT!!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have recently bought a Bowflex Sport through MERCANTILA. I have been looking forward to buy one since one year ago. MERCANTILA send it to my address without any charges and in less than 7 days after my order was placed (plus MERCANTILA paid the shipping charges). And about the BOWFLEX SPORT, all I can say is that IT IS A REAL BEAUTY!!! It is very well constructed, solid machine, with strong steel beams and 200 pounds of pure home gym ready to use. I am enjoying it very much. Although, it tooks me 3 hours to assemble the machine, but the Assembly Instructions manual is very clear and simple steps to follow. If you are serious about fitness and you can do the investment, well this is the piece of your puzzle you have been looking for!
Maria on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 6:30 pm
Information about the Bowflex Sport
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Delivery time took two weeks. To assemble it, we had to unpack it in the garage and put it together in the basement because the box it comes in is large, heavy (200+ lbs.) and unwieldy. Took two people 2.5 – 3 hours to assemble. Very easy to assemble, but you really do need two people to do it. Before you buy it, manually measure the height of your basement. Ours was short by about ½ an inch and we had to move it to an inconvenient location. Takes up 8 feet in height by six feet in length of floor space when the bows are completely flexed.
The Sport is an excellent machine. Hubby and I have both used it three times since putting it together. That’s every other day. We have both noticed significant gains in strength. Hubby used to be a body builder and says it is an excellent piece of equipment. It came with an interactive workout CD that helps you develop your workout, shows you how to properly perform each exercise and keeps track of your gains. As for strength, I used to literally slog up the stairs. The day after the second workout, there was no resistance in my quadriceps as I climbed to the second floor. The difference was astonishing, as I was not expecting to notice anything for six weeks, if ever.
Caveat: We did not follow Bowflex’s suggestions in developing our workouts. Historically, at the gym I’ve lifted far too little weight and done far too many repetitions and thusly noticed no real changes in my body. Now, my husband has directed me to workout with enough weight so that at the 9th repetition of the first of my two sets for any given exercise, my muscles should be trembling/begging for relief. I take a brief rest (under 1.5 minutes) and then I do my second set.
If women are concerned about gaining so much muscle that it makes them “bulk up,” they have no need to. In order for this to happen, they need to either be a) genetically rare or b) they have to take anabolic steriods (synthetic analogs of the male hormone testosterone). Without one or both of these factors at play, it is physiologically impossible to develop the bulky physique of a man. It was based upon this fear that I used to lift lower weight amounts while doing excessive repitions. Be responsible and confirm this information on your own on the web or with any physical trainer at your local gym.
Get this machine. If only for the fact that it will give you amazing gains in strength. As for weight loss, that’s the cherry on the Sunday. I haven’t noticed any, but I think it’s too soon to. Just keep in mind that muscle is metabolically active, meaning it burns fat even while it is at rest while fat is metabolically inactive at all times. I hope this review was helpful for you.
DMG on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 10:51 pm
Worth every penny!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
From the first time strength trainer, to someone who has been working out for years, this machine can do it all and do it well. Unless you’re going to compete professionally as a bodybuilder or you already lift massive amounts of weights, the added resistance of the 310# and 410# power rod upgrades should be adequate. The resistance is smooth and quiet. The lying bicep curls feel great, as do the lat pull downs, leg curls, squats, and bench presses. The squat is a little hard to get started on (I usually lean all the way forward and put the bar behind my head , then roll it to my shoulders) , but once in position , feels very satisfying. The machine is very well built and exudes quality at every bend and weld in the steel. I wholeheartedly recommend this machine to anyone who wishes to get a complete workout in the privacy of their home.