Bowflex Sport Home Gym Review

If you are a newbie at weight / resistance training looking for an affordable piece of exercising equipment, Bowflex Sport Home Gym may be a good choice. Superseded by newer Bowflex machines, it remains a high quality model that has a lot to offer.

Bowflex Sport uses Power Rods for resistance – strong yet flexible, exactly the same kind as you will find on the top-of-the-line, high priced Bowflex machines. Power rods get connected to the cable pulley system, and you flex them as you pull on the workout handles. It feels very much like weight lifting, although slightly different from lifting free weights. The major concern expressed by those newly introduced to this type of resistance is that you will break the rods by repeatedly flexing them. That’s very unlikely; the patented power rods are built very strong and durable. Besides, the company offers a no time limit warranty for the rods, so if you do manage to wear one out you can get it replaced for free.

Hooking to more power rods can increase resistance. With Bowflex Sport, you can start with as low as 5 pounds and go up to 210 pounds, which is more than enough for a beginner. If you wish to go farther than that, you can purchase additional rods and upgrade your machine to 310 or 410 pounds.

The machine has a cushioned seat that is adjustable. The seat also slides, allowing you to do rowing exercises in addition to weightlifting – a nice feature not found on many machines. Altogether, you can do over 60 exercises with Bowflex Sport Home Gym, which amounts to a complete body workout. The integrated lat tower allows you to work your back and shoulder muscles (interestingly, the more advanced and expensive Ultimate series does not have it). The lower pulley / squat station and leg extension serve to help you exercise your legs. The cable pulley has multiple positions, which lets people of different height choose the most convenient angle. A fitness guide is included with the machine.

Bowflex Sport Home Gym measures 7′ x 7′6″ x 3′2″. When folded, it is 52″ x 38″. It has transport wheels. The set up process has been reported rather long and difficult, but I guess it is common for home gyms. The machine comes with a five-year warranty on materials and workmanship and costs around $800, being one of the cheapest models in the Bowflex line.

Product Description
Get your full-body workout with this Bowflex Sport home gym. The Bowflex Sport delivers over 60 gym-quality exercises that allow you to work your chest, arms, back, legs, and more. This home gym provides 210 lbs. of resistance, is constructed from sturdy steel, incorporates comfortable vinyl cushion seating, and folds to a compact size for storage.

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Choosing the Best Home Gym

Suggestions for Creating Your Home Gym Experience
When your time is limited, or you have schedule conflicts throughout the day, you don’t want to forego the opportunities and benefits of a great workout! Exercise and conditioning is key to your general health, mental well being, and performance in other areas of your life. Invest some of your time to taking care of your health, and the benefits are very rewarding both in the short and long-term. Even if going to a gym or health club doesn’t work for you, there are many opportunities to choose from various equipment and machines for your own home gym. Creating an at-home experience for a workout and schedule is fun, exciting, and flexible; you can have workout equipment available whenever you want or need, and can customize your workouts to suit you best! The pressure and hassle of making a trip to the gym are completely negated; what better incentives to work out than knowing that now you really don’t have any excuses?

The best home gym for you can vary from a variety of machines, one or two key training pieces, or a complete home gym system. There are a variety of cross-training machines such as the Bowflex, Iso Flex system, and different models offered by companies such as Body Craft and Multi Sports. These are generally all-in-one machines that offer core training. Strength training, specific muscle group and target areas, and cardio workouts are often different components of these machines. These types of machines are stable, durable, and will last at least 2-3 years with average use. Cross-training machines like these are akin to those found in health clubs and gyms, but they are made for single, at-home usage. You will benefit most from these if you can combine your training with a cardio workout; these machines are great, but they are not effective without a sensible diet and overall body sculpting program.

One or two key training pieces are the ‘norm’ for independent bodybuilders and workout enthusiasts. These can range form dumbbell sets, barbells, benches, and single abs machines. These exercises are considered foundational exercises; they are the ‘raw’ exercises performed to train specific muscle groups. When combined, you can create your own cross-training regiment and get a complete and thorough workout. Remember to incorporate cardio training, even if it is only minimal.

Adjustable dumbbells are those that you usually see on racks; they are high on the list for versatility. Since the weights can be adjusted to your needs, you can vary the duration and challenge of each and every workout.

You may want to invest in an Olympic barbell as well; these are ideal for overall back, shoulder, and sides training, as well as squats and lunges. The weight on the Olympic barbell can vary, so do be sure to choose one that is comfortable, but still challenging.

The standing calf raise machine and abs machine are two vital pieces for overall conditioning. The standing calf raise machine will strengthen and tone your calf and lower leg muscle, and you can adjust the weight on these in most cases. Abs machines are good for terrific workouts when you have minimal time; these will help you strengthen your core, improve your posture, and create a nice sleek look. The abs machines can be floor-based (i.e. with rollers), or a complete machine with weights that require you to bend forward. Choose the machine or piece of equipment that you will be most comfortable using in the long-term. Remember, you are creating your own unique home gym experience, and only want items that will motivate you!

High pulley rows can be used to strengthen shoulder and back muscles, and variations can enable you to strengthen biceps and lower arms as well. This is an addition to your home gym that can really target often-overlooked areas, so choose a piece that you know you will use on a consistent basis.

Home gyms will of course fluctuate in price depending on how extensive they are and what specific equipment you are looking for. Overall, complete home gym systems range from $500+, while individual equipment pieces can range from $300+. Today all workout and body sculpting enthusiasts can enjoy from a variety of prices and manufacturers. Shop around, and try every piece at the store’s factory outlet or comparative shopping area to make sure you are comfortable. All equipment will be delivered to your home, so you can easily enjoy the benefits of your home gym experience! I have tried most of the home gyms on the market; however, I prefer the Bowflex Home Gym experience for best workouts and strength training.

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