Total Gym vs. Bowflex
 

OK, it's time, once again, to set that New Year's Resolution. Which one of the products should I buy, use furiously for about six weeks, then let collect dust in the garage or basement, and eventually put on eBay or craigslist in April or May for a fraction of what I paid? (or alternatively, use to transform myself into the Incredible Hulk ;) ).

Any input, serious based on experience, or otherwise, is appreciated.

My vote is for the Total Gym because if Chuck Norris uses it then you must be able to gain the ability to secure an acting contract in the movies, which could lead to huge $$ and more Porsches.

I think you can hang more clothes on the Bowflex.

Bowflex without question. I am a former competitive bodybuilder (state level) who used to bad mouth the bowflex and swore that I would never own one. Well, two daughters, a law practice and fledgling business and the CLIFF that is 930 ownership leave me precious little time for the gym. I bought one a couple of years ago and love mine. Although you probably won't be starring on American Gladiators any time soon you can build a pretty impressive physique. The key (same with the gym) is to actually use it. 3 times per week along with a healthy diet and some degree of cardio and you will notice results.

Oh yeah, you can definitely hang more clothes on th bowflex

I used a Total Gym while doing rehab after knee surgery over 20 years ago and thought it was a great peice of equipment. After the rehab I found a used Total Gym, same as in the rehab center. I have been using it ever since. I do not know how close this old "industrial" unit is to the one sold today, but it is a great peice of equipment.
As with anything it is really about using it and doing the workouts.

Regards,
Bob

+1

and you owe me a new keyboard.

I've owned both. I used the Bowflex longer. I couldn't give the Total Gym away. I sold the Bowflex on craigslist.

Two words: "Free", and "weights."

+1.

I still believe that there is no replacement for free weights. There are routines that you can't do on non-free-weights machine....I guess (vice versa).

Which one do you just strap on while watching TV. That's the one I need.

witch ever one you find on craigslist cheaper
or in a trash pile [I have seen a good number thrownout]

I would go with free weights as they cost even less
or a bike and a row boat as I like to do things rather then sit in a room

I seriously busted up my shoulder in 2003 in a mountain bike wreck and had bought a used bowflex from some guys storage shed to do post rehab work. I could probably use free weights today but the bowflex works great, doesn't take up much room and I can hang my bike clothes on it to dry after a ride in the rain

I worked out for many years at local gyms. There's nothing like the convenience of all the various machines to alleviate the repeated setup hassle. That's what many of these all-in-one machines suffer from.

In any case, after leaving the gym scene I used one simple and inexpensive piece of equipment to keep myself in very good shape....a $29 adjustable chin-up bar. It came with mounts for the top of the door frame as well as for the bottom (for sit ups etc). The number of exercises one can manage is quite sufficient to get/keep in shape. Add a jump rope and you have your cardio workout as well. :)

$17.99 shipped http://www.amazon.com/GoFit-GF-CUB-Chin-Up-Bar/dp/B0007W2FLI

Well, for anyone scoring at home, I bought one of these for $150 on amazon.com (much less @ a couple of other online stores with poor merchant feedback, however). Similar to the Total Gym 1700, but way cheaper. I read about 50 reviews online from buyers, and nothing negative from any of them, so hopefully it will work for me, as well.

I figured a bench and a couple of dumbbells are really all you need and can be picked up for less that two hundred bucks (if you buy new).

But then I came to my senses and bought a new stereo for my car instead. :D
You can't hang any clothing on it but it will probably get more use.