Schwinn Force Home Gym by Bowflex

[L3thal Veteran]

Hey guys,

I am in the market for a home gym to be purchased within the next few months to start working out. I just plan to gain some muscle and resistance (such as doing pull-ups at ease and gain some muscle) for when I head into the State Police Academy in a few years. I have looked into Bowflex, but for $1000-$3000, I find that too empathic for my needs.

I would rather work out at home rather than a gym for the fact I am very busy with school and work and I will probably have 2 days to go work out, at most, per week.

I was searching last night for over an hour on my options and I came across the Schwinn Force gym made by Bowflex for, guess this, $399.99. I was astonished by its low price, so my question is, is this thing good for what I plan to do? It comes out cheaper than free weights.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F5NKY...e&n=3375251

Thanks :)

[smoove]

To be honest with you, them kinda machines are a complete waste of time if you ask me. At first it will be pretty tough going using it, but if your serious about your training, you'll be doing it 3x a week for an hour. Within about a month, the resistance you'll get from these types of machines will be basically zero. Theres a reason why these types of machines arent in gyms. If you want to build muscle & resistance, get your self a bench, barbell & dumbells. Thats all thats needed, would probally be cheaper, build muscle better and could constantly increase the ammount of weight you need.

[Kerm]

Again, i know this is not related to the product your mentioning directly, but you can work every muscle perfectly well on a desert island with no treadmills, weights machines or anything. Just go outside, you can do it all there.

[L3thal Veteran]

So I am assuming everyone recommends just getting a bench, barbell and dumbells even though they will run almost twice the cost of this machine?

[wez312]

Yeah me too (Free weights) I would comment on the machine since I know that's what you're looking for, but I really don't know much about machines. I've almost always stuck to free weights myself

[.weir]

We have a Bowflex Ultimate, I used it for years when I played soccer until I got a bum knee. My brother and my dad both still use it. You don't need to use it for an hour 3x a week, I used it about 30 mins 3x a week, and as far as resistance going to zero, with the Ultimate (I know not the same as what you're looking at) you can go to like 320lbs resistance, unless you're a tank, that doesn't feel like zero. It's great for staying lean if your into sports, if your looking to build mass, then weight training would be the way to go.

[L3thal Veteran]

Thanks for the posts guys. I'm still debating what do to. A lot of people say this machine is good for the money and will give you a good work out on a daily basis, plus, I believe it was 260lbs. of resistance.

[uniacidz]

My friend got one of those machines and asked me to check it out.

Its ok, will definately give you resistance, and i can say does provide alot of resistance.

One thing about this machine, i found the resistance wasnt smooth and even, jerky in a way.

However, it really did provide a great amount of resistance.

[L3thal Veteran]

Thanks, Jasur. How big is the machine overall? Also, from your experience, does it do a good job?

[uniacidz]

Im 5ft 11 and the machine was taller then me, and it can be a bit wide. Dont know the dimensions, but if space isnt much of an issue, then should be fine.

As per pic attached, i cam to about that high to the arrow. You get a general idea by the seat how wide and tall the machine can be.

My Bodiflex machine (rubber resistance) at home is as wide as the bar and taller then me as well.

Generally have to remember, it is a multi purpose gym and most effective ones do take up some room so allow for that and expect it.

Build quality is ok from what i saw of it, pulleys may need some lubrication over time for smoothness (most gyms have to have maintenance, but just general dusting and lubrication)

As for performance, well, i use 25kg dumbells per hand for my bench flies and free press, and my mate cranked it up and i could not get one full clean repetition for either the machine press and fly.

So does do a ok job or maybe i had a weak moment, :(

Has a good range of exercises to do on it. Of course with most home gyms, some exercises cannot be done or you dont get full range, free weight assist in this.

One thing i can say about my gym (rubber resistance), my dad bought it when i was young, and had it in the family for years, and the resistance bands have lasted over 15 years at least and still going fine. Depends on the quality of the bands which you might be after, should be ok as well.

The bench on mine, i use my free weights as well, so if you wish to add some free weights over time on ya routine, depending on the bench that comes with it, might be able to incorporate a free weights session into your routine.

Anyway, hope this helps.

This is my one

http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/BODIFLEX-Fitnessge...bayphotohosting

Has different sized bands, eg, 40lbs band, equivelant to 40lbs reistance.

[L3thal Veteran]

Thanks, Jasur. I am most likely going to buy the machine and later one, get some free weights to alternate my exercises.

By the way, does the machine come with a book of the type of exercises you can do?