Fat 2 Fit #67 – Bowflex


Written on June 13, 2009 – 6:00 am | by Russ Turley

Dude sitting on a bowflex.Jeff has quit the gym. Spurred on by his wife, he has taken the workout from the gym he’s belonged to for 10 years, into the basement. He purchased two pieces of fitness equipment, a treadmill and a Bowflex. We’re all a little bit surprised. Can the Bowflex give the average user a gym worthy workout? Is it the right choice for everyone? Jeff answers all those questions and many more as we talk Bowflex in this week’s Feature section of the show.

In the email and comments portion of the show, Connie called in with a great question that you’ll want to know the answer to also. Can one drink alcohol and still lose weight? Alcohol has 7 calories per gram, almost twice the amount of protein or carbohydrates and just shy of fat. So, you answer the question before listening and see if we agree. Also, check out the links below for some great information on alcohol and weight loss. Our second question is a two parter from Don. When working out on the treadmill, which burns more calories, a faster pace with lower incline or a slower pace and a steeper incline? Jeff has a bit of experience with this, being a new treadmill owner. Don’s second question has to do with toning muscle. You’ll be surprised by the answer.

sugar stacks

In the Web Report, Russ points us to a web site called Sugar Stacks that graphically represents the amount of sugar inpopular foods by creating pyramids of sugar cubes. It’s eye opening how much sugar is actually in processed food. Jeff has a sobering article about how living a healthy lifestyle, something we advocate and hope you there at home are following, is actually on the decline in the US. Unfortunate.

Don’t forget that we’re hosting a social/meetup on July 15, 2009 in Long Beach, CA. Check out the link below for more information. We hope you can make it out.

Links Mentioned in the Show:
Fat 2 Fit Radio Social
Healthy lifestyle on the decline in the US
Sugar Stacks
Calories in alcohol
Alcohol info
Fat 2 Fit Radio BMR Calculator

Recipe of the Week:
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Homework: The homework this week is to check out how your workouts have been progressing over the last month. If you keep a training diary or have some sort of record on a calendar, this should be pretty easy. If you don’t have one, you should start. Take a look, as best as you can, at what you actually did. Did your workouts actually progress over the days or weeks? Did you run a little bit farther, faster or take less breaks. When you did resistance training did you lift more, do more exercises, or rest less between sets? If you routine has become stagnant, now is the time to start changing it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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  1. 5 Responses to “Fat 2 Fit #67 – Bowflex”

  2. By Emma on Jun 15, 2009 | Reply

    I have to admit, my jaw dropped open when I read the first sentence, “Jeff has quit the gym.” Nice review of the Bowflex. Maybe you’ll consider doing a video showing how you use it. hint, hint

    Since I’m still pretty much a beginner, I’m sticking to my workout videos, which I enjoy very much along with a little resistance exercise with free weights. I really appreciate that I save so much time compared to driving to a gym every day for my workouts. But the social aspect is nice.

  3. By Jim on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply

    I am also considering the Bowflex. I have looked at the new version, the Revolution, which is different than the original one. Has anyone tried the new version or should I stick with the classic version.

    Thanks

  4. By Bob on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply

    I tried the Bowflex that a friend owned and didn’t care for it at all. I then tried a Total Gym, and to me it is a much more versatile and safer piece of equipment to use. I shopped around on the Internet and actually found a machine that is similar to the Total Gym, built better , with more attachments for much less money. It is called the Total Trainer by Bayou Fitness.

    What I like about the Total Trainer is that switching from exercise to another takes just seconds. There are also over 70 different exercises that you can do, and if you get the machine with the Pilates attachments there are well over a hundred.

  5. By Jeff Ainslie on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply

    Jim,

    I would stick with the classic version. The goal of it is to provide resistance for your workouts. The Revolution with its “spiral plates” is not better at providing resistance than “resistance rods” – just a re-invention for marketing purposes. I tried out both where I purchased mine, and I couldn’t justify the extra $1000 myself.

  6. By John Sanderson on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply

    Great podcast gents. I know 2 guys that have the bowflex. One swears by it and the other hangs his clothes on it. I’ve tried it and I can see where it could be the foundation to a nice home gym, but I am the kind of guy that won’t work out at home.

    BTW, in regards to alcohol and weight loss, when I quit drinking I broke through a plateau and lost about 25 – 30 pounds.

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