Bowflex vs freeweights for muscle?

Question

I am a boxer and a correctional officer and am looking to possibly buy a Bowflex. I have a few free weights right now and am looking to build some muscle. I currently weigh 190 pounds (Alot of fat) I usually weigh 165 pounds. I am trying to stay with in the 165 pound range and would like opinions from people who have used the Bowflex and free weights. I want to build muscle and strength so I can hit harder and be more toned. I would appreciate serious answers only...THanks

Answer 1

I have a bowflex and went and got a gym membership...LOL The bowflex can be awkward to use, a a pain to change positions, but honestly its not a bad workout....Freeweight, MUCH better...easier to use, and better motion, without pinching wrists in the cables.

I am 5'9" and when I'm heavy, like now I weigh at about 230 and during my fit summer months I'm about 180...To drop the weight, I use only about 30 minutes of cardio, road work...you're a CO so you remember all the runs, and then simple cal...Yup remember all them push-ups, sit-ups squat thrusts from the academy? Yeah, they really work well....I actually only do 5 sets of 10 and I'll do about 4-6 excersizes...then I'll add 8 sets of freeweight lifts 4 times a week of about 10-12 reps....That it and I end up with a good deal of balance, toning, endurance, strength.....But I also limit my calorie intake to between 2000 and 3000 calories a day..more on days I do all 3 workouts....And I cut soda and switch to water...although, I have at least 2 diet sodas a day...but better than the 4 regular ones I usually have.

Answer 2

The Bowflex is good for conditioning, but to add mass nothing works better than free weights. I have a bowflex - it's easy to use and versatile, but the thing I don't like is that you don't feel the full resistence until you hit the end of the ROM and overall it just doesn't have a good feel to it.

Answer 3

free weights will always be superior to any machine as the human body moves in 3 planes of motion while most machines barely allow for 2.

punching power comes from the ground via the legs and the core (mid-section) not from the upper body.

remember that a muscle that is relaxed can exert more force throughout the entire range of motion. stretching and resistance training go hand-n-hand.

Answer 4

I quite have one and that i think of a gymnasium club is plenty extra effectual! and additionally you are able to no longer look like the lads on the economic in basic terms from a bowflex. you may get some outcomes yet unlike that, have faith me.

Answer 5

FREEWEIGHTS!