Supplementing Your Bowflex Home Gym with other fitness equipment

Bowflex fitness machines can take care of most of your exercise needs by providing a platform for strength and overall fitness training . The key to the Bowflex system is that it replaces most of the equipment found at the local gyms making it easier to get a complete workout using only one machine. You can perform a fitness routine on a Bowflex at home same as if you were at the local gym using 7-8 pieces that cost between $3,000 to $4,000 each.

Despite the completeness of Bowflex equipment, there are a few additional pieces of exercise equipment that can be added to supplement the workout you get from your Bowflex. Most health care professionals maintain that at, a hour's walk each day, combined with eating a healthy diet, is one of the best things one can do for their cardiovascular health. A treadmill, such as the Bowflex TreadClimber helps with cardio fitness and compliments a Bowflex fitness machine if walking outside is not an option. When you live somewhere like the Pacific Northwest, where it seemingly rains 12 months a year, a treadmill strategically placed in front of a TV, is a great place to get in a walk or run. There's many different treadmills on the market. I could write an entire article on how to buy a treadmill, but for the sake of this article, I just want to communicate that a simple treadmill should be used to effectively supplement your regular Bowflex workouts and fitness routines.

An alternative to treadmill, for those with less room, is an upright stationery bike. A second hand bike can be a great choice if your budget is also limited. Although they don't burn as many calories as a treadmill, you can vary the workout on a stationery bike to optimize the cardiovascular benefit and provide yourself with a well-balanced workout.

Medicine balls are becoming very popular at health clubs. These can help with both endurance and joint integrity, which may be a challenge for those completing a workout on a Bowflex. Although not typically considered a necessity for most home gym's, in the long run, medicine balls are very useful. Depending on the size of the ball or balls you purchase, medicine balls can help with arthritis and other signs of aging.

Hand grippers are little and inexpensive pieces of equipment that work on improving hand strength while toning and building bigger forearms.