Buy Walking VideosShould You Buy A Bowflex?
The Bowflex is an exercise machine that uses flexible rods for resistance. It’s a small machine that folds up nicely and is relatively light weight when compared to weight machines that use weights for resistance. When I was looking for a weight training solution, I looked at Bowflex machines in the sporting goods stores. I decided against them because they were too tall for my basement and because it looked like a royal pain in the butt to switch between exercises.
Plus, it was EXPENSIVE. The cheapest Bowflex machine I could find was almost $600. I just wasn’t willing to spend that kind of money on flexible plastic rods. It looks like that initial price tag wasn’t the only thing to worry about with Bowflex. According to some of the people who have bought them, there’s a lot more to worry about. That financing offered by Bowflex is a little more complicated than it appears:
2/16/2007 – Silena writes:
I am a physically handicapped woman confined to a wheelchair. I was encouraged by my physical therapist to consider purchasing a bowflex after being told that my insurance could no longer pay for my therapy and the small monthly payments of $28.00 a mo. would make it affordable to maintain my physical strength. My problems began when they started doubling my pmts. without telling me. By the time my pmts. exceeded $120.00 a mo. I was left with no choice but to stop making pmts. What really upsets me is the fact they knew what my income was when I ordered this item. They knew I could not pay more per month and they still approved me knowing they were going to raise the pmts. My account was turned over to collection and my credit is ruined, and I will never be able to pay it off because it is still collecting interest.
You can read all the complaints here:
In the end, I bought an Apex weight bench, but it’s no longer available. Apex does make this Deluxe Standard Bench that is very similar, but it’s about $50 more than what I paid last year. I’m still using my weight bench off and on and the cost of the bench and the weights was less than half of what I would have paid for a Bowflex and even takes up less space.
Should you buy a Bowflex? When there are so many other options out there that are just as effective and less expensive, I think it’s best to steer clear of them.
Previous: New Year’s Resolutions: Week 2
Next: Nike Takes “Just Do It” To The Next Level
January 9th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I purchased a bowflex thru QVC a couple of years ago. 6 easy payments and that was it. Rather expensive… and large… for a dust-collector 🙁
It’s a great piece of equipment when you use it. It’s not difficult really, just a lot bigger than I expected. We have it in the same room as our treadmill. It stares at me woefully as I put miles and miles on my treadmill.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Like you I went for the bench, scored a bench with a 100lbs worth of weights for less than $100 at Walmart, it isn’t anything fancy, but then I am a runner so all my money goes on shoes etc.
January 10th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
You can get weights and stretch brands much cheaper and they would collect less dust. Then you could spend what you saved on something truly amazing or put into savings.
January 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
okay, so I am by no means a picture of fitness. But as someone who has failed so many times at my fitness goals, I am stunned when I look back at how many of those failed efforts started by telling myself that if I finally got gadget x or y that all my problems would be solved. I have been going to judo now for about three months with my son. I am finding that the most important part seems to be that it is with my son. Having a workout buddy is proving so important. I’m down ten pounds… It seems to be less about the gear than me just committing to get off my butt and do it. Wish me luck 🙂
January 17th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Steve,
That’s an excellent example of finding a reason to workout that works for you. Congratulations on your weight loss!
Sending good karma your way, Laura