Bowflex Reviews
I never had a weight problem. Until I hit my mid-30s, that is.
Then it seemed as if I packed on the pounds without even trying. In my twenties I could eat what I wanted, exercise when I wanted and still fit into a size 5. Not anymore. Now, if I just look at a pack of Oreos, I have to buy bigger pants.
That's what led me to look into getting some serious exercise equipment for my home, and what ultimately led me to look into the various machines offered by Bowflex.
I'm sure glad I did.
Why it's nearly impossible to lose weight after the age of 25
Before I did my Bowflex research, I decided to take an aerobics class.
I spent 6 months huffing, puffing and sweating and lost a whopping 6 pounds! Enough, I thought. There's got to be a better way.
Then, my older sister told me about the Bowflex home gym she had purchased a few months (and more than 20 pounds) ago.
It doesn't matter whether you are a man or a woman, she explained, unless you are building muscle by strength training, you're going to have a hard time losing weight and firming up.
The truth is, a person's metabolism slows by a half-percent every year after the age of 26, making it nearly impossible to lose weight as we get older unless we drastically reduce our caloric intake and rev up our exercise regimen.
Unless, of course you can find a way to speed up that slowing metabolism and burn the fat.
The first Bowflex machine that caught my eye was the Bowflex Blaze, which is a nice basic model for beginners, but is still an amazingly powerful machine.
There's a picture of it below. (Oh, and you can click on the pic to go right to the Bowflex website that will tell you all about it.
I spent 6 months huffing, puffing and sweating and lost a whopping 6 pounds! Enough, I thought. There's got to be a better way.
Then, my older sister told me about the Bowflex home gym she had purchased a few months (and more than 20 pounds) ago.
It doesn't matter whether you are a man or a woman, she explained, unless you are building muscle by strength training, you're going to have a hard time losing weight and firming up.
The truth is, a person's metabolism slows by a half-percent every year after the age of 26, making it nearly impossible to lose weight as we get older unless we drastically reduce our caloric intake and rev up our exercise regimen.
Unless, of course you can find a way to speed up that slowing metabolism and burn the fat.
The first Bowflex machine that caught my eye was the Bowflex Blaze, which is a nice basic model for beginners, but is still an amazingly powerful machine.
There's a picture of it below. (Oh, and you can click on the pic to go right to the Bowflex website that will tell you all about it.
Why You MUST Do Strength Training - Especially After Age 30
Bowflex, according to their website, does exactly what you need -- it uses resistance training to build muscle, which in turn burns fat at twice the rate as standard aerobic exercise.
Muscle acts as your body's fat burners, which burns calories.
According to the research, if you're not strength training after age 30, you're actually burning 700 fewer calories each month. No wonder so many of us gain weight in our 30's and 40's!
For those of you who are worried that using a Bowflex home gym will make you look like a bodybuilder - don't.
Increasing the resistance with each workout will build muscle -- which will help you burn unwanted fat at twice the rate - and help you to sculpt a much firmer body, but it can't turn you into a bodybuilder since it can't offer resistance above 400 pounds.
And anyway, you're totally in control. If you want to "bulk up," increase the resistance.
If you want to tone up, don't. It's that simple.
And another thing -- don't think that just because you live in a apartment or don't have much space at home that you can't have a Bowflex.
Take a look at the Bowflex Xtreme below (and click on the pic to go see it in action at the Bowflex site). Its compact design make it perfect for people who can't dedicate a room at home to exercise equipment.
Muscle acts as your body's fat burners, which burns calories.
According to the research, if you're not strength training after age 30, you're actually burning 700 fewer calories each month. No wonder so many of us gain weight in our 30's and 40's!
For those of you who are worried that using a Bowflex home gym will make you look like a bodybuilder - don't.
Increasing the resistance with each workout will build muscle -- which will help you burn unwanted fat at twice the rate - and help you to sculpt a much firmer body, but it can't turn you into a bodybuilder since it can't offer resistance above 400 pounds.
And anyway, you're totally in control. If you want to "bulk up," increase the resistance.
If you want to tone up, don't. It's that simple.
And another thing -- don't think that just because you live in a apartment or don't have much space at home that you can't have a Bowflex.
Take a look at the Bowflex Xtreme below (and click on the pic to go see it in action at the Bowflex site). Its compact design make it perfect for people who can't dedicate a room at home to exercise equipment.
But the best thing about my new Bowflex is...
One of the best things I've discovered about using my Bowflex system, besides the weight loss, of course, has been how easy it's been to use.
Unlike other exercise equipment or classes that may put stress on aging joints, Bowflex offers a stress-free resistance workout that is great if you want to get in shape without the constant pounding of other exercise programs. For the first time in a long time I'm not stiff and sore after exercising.
After trying out my sister's Bowflex for a few weeks, I decided this was one piece of exercise equipment that wouldn't be gathering dust - or dirty clothes in the corner of my bedroom.
Since buying my own model, I've been able to set an exercise regimen that I could stick with and lose 3 dress sizes for a leaner me.
Was buying and using my Bowflex all about losing weight? It may have started that way, but after using the system for a few months I now know it's about so much more: feeling great; looking great and being a healthier me. Now that's worth it!
Oh -- which Bowflex version did I go with?
I gave myself a little treat and got the amazing Bowflex Revolution! (See the picture of it below and be sure to click on the pic to see some amazing videos of how this thing works! You'll be glad you did.)
Hope that helps you make a decision!
Unlike other exercise equipment or classes that may put stress on aging joints, Bowflex offers a stress-free resistance workout that is great if you want to get in shape without the constant pounding of other exercise programs. For the first time in a long time I'm not stiff and sore after exercising.
After trying out my sister's Bowflex for a few weeks, I decided this was one piece of exercise equipment that wouldn't be gathering dust - or dirty clothes in the corner of my bedroom.
Since buying my own model, I've been able to set an exercise regimen that I could stick with and lose 3 dress sizes for a leaner me.
Was buying and using my Bowflex all about losing weight? It may have started that way, but after using the system for a few months I now know it's about so much more: feeling great; looking great and being a healthier me. Now that's worth it!
Oh -- which Bowflex version did I go with?
I gave myself a little treat and got the amazing Bowflex Revolution! (See the picture of it below and be sure to click on the pic to see some amazing videos of how this thing works! You'll be glad you did.)
Hope that helps you make a decision!
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