Quake3World

Looking at either Chuck Norris Total Gym (he's the man) or the Bowflex Sport. Anyone have either of these? Both look like a good combo of all around strength training ( and cardio workout. Any other upper and lower body recommendations?

If and when I ever get a home gym, it'll be something along these lines:



(that's a Body By Jake PC 850 Power Cage)

How about a nice free weight bench with a shorter bar for curling and some dumbbells? Those all-in-one machines seem like a gimmic compared to age old tradition.

i so want a powercage.

squats, deadlifts, dips, chins, benches, dumbell presses, etc.

I've used both of those during my rehab for my neck, and I actually bought a bowflex system just for getting back into shape after surgery. I highly recommend the bowflex if you want a home gym without going the free weight route. I found it especially good for chest and back work. The total gym is not a bad machine either, but I think it is best for working only on flexibility and toning as opposed to building much muscle. Don't let people tell you that you cannot gain muscle with a bowflex - it isn't true. They are pretty solid machines. My bowflex also works as an aerobic rowing machine for cardio.

If you want freeweights and can afford them, I'd recommend some of those bowflex adjustable dumbells - you basically get a set of 5-100 lb dumbells (or thereabouts) in one setup (you adjust the dumbells to get the weight you want - pretty slick for a home system).

Not sure if that bowflex model has it or not, but you might also want to consider a chin/dip bar. Those aren't too expensive.

bitWISE wrote:How about a nice free weight bench with a shorter bar for curling and some dumbbells? Those all-in-one machines seem like a gimmic compared to age old tradition.

Have a fairly crappy bench now and was looking to replace that (assortment of dumbells). After doing some pricing I found that average prices on the Bay for an all-in-one is roughly the same price as a good bench at a local place.

Free weights definitely work - if it ain't broken don't fix it.

Bowflex systems are not gimmicks - there are a lot of practical reasons why people would choose a system like that over free weights. The bowflex is nice because you have to keep yourself grooved during the lift, the machine doesn't do that for you, so it requires activation of stabilizers and the like.

I don't think they are necessarily an equal substitute for free weights if you are after pure mass and strength, but if you goal is to get into muscular shape, a bowflex will do it.

riddla wrote:http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=&newwindow=1&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=smith+machine

:icon25:

Smiths are good for certain exercises, but in some cases if you don't know what you are doing they will lock you into an unnatural 'groove' during the lift. I see people squatting on the smith machine all the time with horrible form, but they feel that because they are on the machine everything is fine.

Smith? bah.

Oh they can be useful if you use them right for isolation movements and other things.

tnf wrote:Oh they can be useful if you use them right for isolation movements and other things.

isolation, sure. but, for me, i don't like restrictions. i don't use any type of machine often.

+JuggerNaut+ wrote:

tnf wrote:Oh they can be useful if you use them right for isolation movements and other things.

isolation, sure. but, for me, i don't like restrictions. i don't use any type of machine often.

I liked them for burning the very last fiber in my upper chest at the en of a workout...slow, controlled incline presses on a smith bringing the bar down just below your chin...ah I miss the days....

I hear you about restriction though - I didn't even use barbells that much - mostly dumbells. Did dumbell presses a lot more than I did barbell presses. Christ, I probably couldn't bench with two hands what I used to dumbell press with one hand right now..heh.

If you think a machine will encourage you to work out, then by all means get one. Personally I prefer a mix of cardio and core exercises. Because of that I only need a Exercise Ball, some light free weights, surgical tubing, a punching bag, and a chin bar.
Core excising is allot cheaper, and safer then machines. I think I spent 50 dollar in total. (not counting the punching bag) Plus every thing fits in a small bag. Unlike machine that isolate, the muscle mass built is with core exercises is much more practical.

I walk 30 miles a week, 50 during the school year \o/

tnf wrote:

+JuggerNaut+ wrote:

tnf wrote:Oh they can be useful if you use them right for isolation movements and other things.

isolation, sure. but, for me, i don't like restrictions. i don't use any type of machine often.

I liked them for burning the very last fiber in my upper chest at the en of a workout...slow, controlled incline presses on a smith bringing the bar down just below your chin...ah I miss the days....

I hear you about restriction though - I didn't even use barbells that much - mostly dumbells. Did dumbell presses a lot more than I did barbell presses. Christ, I probably couldn't bench with two hands what I used to dumbell press with one hand right now..heh.

you're making me sad. that's too bad (iirc) that your injury forces you to not be involved in much weight lifting.

i also do mostly dumbbell presses, just because i know it brings out the best in your stabilizers. i'm just so used to using dumbbells, it's hard for me to use a Smith for anything.

tnf should have the docs give him the Lee Majors Package so he can bench busses

Dave wrote:tnf should have the docs give him the Lee Majors Package so he can bench busses

Lee Majors or Haney? wtfookle?

+JuggerNaut+ wrote:

Dave wrote:tnf should have the docs give him the Lee Majors Package so he can bench busses

Lee Majors or Haney? wtfookle?

dude...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070700/

oh yeah, Lee Majors *brain farts*

i used to watch that too. i remember that plane or test craft crashing at the airfield. i always hated that noise though whenever he used his superhuman strength. man, that was annoying.

You have been redeemed sir

*salutes*

*phew*

p.s. that multi-million dollar woman was ghey though.

I bet she was great in the sack though

Dave wrote:I bet she was great in the sack though

i'd freak out if i heard that superhuman noise while i was pumping her furburger.

+JuggerNaut+ wrote:

Dave wrote:I bet she was great in the sack though

i'd freak out if i heard that superhuman noise while i was pumping her furburger.

I'd take it as a sign of victory