Okay, maybe I shouldn't be posting here but my question is FOR men so I wanted to post TO men.

I just bought a Bowflex and I don't have the slightest idea what to do with it. I don't know where to start. What the hell IS this thing?

Help? Please?

Suggestions, thoughts, ideas.. anything?

Many women seem to do just cardio. While I don't want to be "man lumpy/bumpy" I do want to work on some target areas and all thoughts would be appreciated.

The advantage of home gyms like the bowflex are you can do multiple types of exercises with one machine. I suggest you break up those exercises by body zones. Back and biceps , chest and triceps, and then a day for legs. Start out by doing light weight/resistance with high repetitions. I would do 3 sets of each exercise with 15-20 repetitions.

Another good way to increase aerobic exercise by doing anaerobic (weights) is to do a circuit. Plan out your exercises in sequential order but rather than separating zones - work your whole body in one work out. Still do 3 sets/15-20 reps of low weights but take no more than 30 seconds to do a set with no more than 30 seconds rest between sets/exercise change. The bowflex is set up so that you can switch between exercises in under 30 seconds. Make sure you stretch and warm up with a walk on the treadmill before and cool down with stretching and a walk afterwards = 5 min should do. I can complete a circuit in my local gym in 30 min

others may have additional or different advice but this could be a start for you.

Okay, maybe I shouldn't be posting here but my question is FOR men so I wanted to post TO men.

I just bought a Bowflex and I don't have the slightest idea what to do with it. I don't know where to start. What the hell IS this thing?

Help? Please?

Suggestions, thoughts, ideas.. anything?

Many women seem to do just cardio. While I don't want to be "man lumpy/bumpy" I do want to work on some target areas and all thoughts would be appreciated.

Hey Bubble, I don't have a clue how those things work but I just noticed your ticker...WOW! You're almost there! Congrats!!! :confused:

Wasa- try going to their website and order a video and/or brochure that shows you the exercises you can do. I have a "Cross bow". It's a cheaper version, but works basically the same. Great way to get some resistance training.

The advantage of home gyms like the bowflex are you can do multiple types of exercises with one machine. I suggest you break up those exercises by body zones. Back and biceps , chest and triceps, and then a day for legs. Start out by doing light weight/resistance with high repetitions. I would do 3 sets of each exercise with 15-20 repetitions.

Another good way to increase aerobic exercise by doing anaerobic (weights) is to do a circuit. Plan out your exercises in sequential order but rather than separating zones - work your whole body in one work out. Still do 3 sets/15-20 reps of low weights but take no more than 30 seconds to do a set with no more than 30 seconds rest between sets/exercise change. The bowflex is set up so that you can switch between exercises in under 30 seconds. Make sure you stretch and warm up with a walk on the treadmill before and cool down with stretching and a walk afterwards = 5 min should do. I can complete a circuit in my local gym in 30 min

others may have additional or different advice but this could be a start for you.

Yikes, that sounds AWFUL!

Did I mention that I absolutely HATE weight resistance training? I know it is necessary but I swear whoever invented the very concept must be sadistic and evil. That stuff is sooo heavy!

(end of whine)

Thanks for the info, I do believe I will take a little longer to put this thing together.

Hey Bubble, I don't have a clue how those things work but I just noticed your ticker...WOW! You're almost there! Congrats!!!

Thanks MsDad. I've been working really hard and it is paying off. Or, I should write I WAS working really hard. When my friend brought the Bowflex over for me he left it outside as I asked so I could wash it really well. (It was an ebay find) I could get it in the door but I can't budge it on the carpet and yes, it's on wheels and I still can't move it. It's in the way of my treadmill so I can't run on the treadmill.

However, I've lost four pounds from trying to move it daily. HA! The kids next door are going to come over and set it up for me. I think that is a better bet than trying to move that thing myself since that clearly isn't working.

Anyway, thanks again!

Shoot.... off the clean up the gym. :whoo:

Okay, maybe I shouldn't be posting here but my question is FOR men so I wanted to post TO men.

I just bought a Bowflex and I don't have the slightest idea what to do with it. I don't know where to start. What the hell IS this thing?

Help? Please?

Suggestions, thoughts, ideas.. anything?

Many women seem to do just cardio. While I don't want to be "man lumpy/bumpy" I do want to work on some target areas and all thoughts would be appreciated.

You're gonna make me work out, aren't you?

:::nodding:::

You can get a replacement manual with the exercise info here: Bowflex® Power Rod® Home Gyms | Assembly Manuals