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(More customer reviews)First of all, I have the Bowflex Sport, which is the same as the Blaze just with different trim and labels, but which is being discontinued to Bowflex (however if you can find one they are cheaper than the Blaze).
Before I get into my tips, I'll give a brief review. I've had this machine for 10 months now and I am mostly pleased with it. I started out as a computer desk nerd with no strength and I've worked up to about average guy strength - I can bench about 200 bowflex pounds now, more than twice what I started at. So it works - just don't expect the miracles they advertise. The best thing about it is that is uses a pully system which makes it extremely versatile. The worst thing is the bows, which are elastic. If you can find a machine that uses pulleys like the Bowflex but has a weight stack instead of bows, that would be best, but I don't think there is one in this price range.
Now for the tips.
1. The bows work by stretching, and can get stretched out of shape like a rubber band. So make sure you tie them back with the included strap after every workout. If you mess up and stretch them out, you *could* try connecting them to the opposite hook and leaving them like that for a couple of days. I did this and it seemed to fix the issue.
2. By the same token, the resistance varies with temperature. I found this out by accident when my AC stopped working. The temp went up by 10 degrees and I was suddenly able to lift about 10% more.
3. The bows are not like physical weights. The resistance changes from easy at the beginning of the motion to hard at the end. Also I believe they are overall lighter than physical weights.
4. The weight labels on the bows don't add up mathematically. For example, 30lbs + 10lbs + 10lbs is much "lighter" than the 50lb bow. So while you are making gains you should actually increase from 45 to 30 + 10 + 10 to 30 + 10 + 10 + 5 to 50 instead of jumping directly from 45 to 50. Another way to think of it in your head is that the 50lb is actually 60-ish in Bowflex units. This is also true for the jump from 25 to 30. Since there are only 2 10lbs weights I get around this by doing extra reps at 25 until I can finally do a full set at 30. You could also try raising the room temperature by about 5 degrees which should soften them up to start, and gradually increase it with each workout.
4. Despite what Dr. Bowflex says, the machine just isn't made for a cardio. I got a schwinn exercise bike to compensate for this. I immediately noticed being able to have longer workouts due to my increasing cardiovascular endurance.
5. The manual also states not to rest more than a minute between each exercise. I did this at first, but then (anecdotally) I discovered that if I rested longer in order to catch my breath, I could do more reps and make faster gains.
6. Certain exercises just don't work that well - basically anything involving legs, feet, or cardio. The supposed rows are not even worth it. Also the leg curls are very awkward. The manual does not even describe how to do them but according to an old manual I found on the net, you need to lie halfway on the leg station seat and halfway on the bench (the opposite exercise - I forget the name - let's call it "leg raise" - does work rather well though). Finally the leg press might be worth it after you upgrade to 310 or 410 pounds, but at 210 even someone completely out of shape might find them wanting - mainly because your legs are the strongest part of your body, even on a sedentary person. On top of this it is hard to get the leg press strap to stay in place when you are first getting into position.
7. In my case there were some exercises that hurt my joints. I've never had joint injuries that I know if, so it may just be my body shape. I'm pretty sure I did them correctly. However, in the manual it lists the muscle groups of each motion. Instead of trying exercises that hurt, I picked others that would exercise the same groups.
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Bowflex Blaze Home GymThe Bowflex Blaze Home Gym with Power Rod Technology is a serious piece of fitness equipment. If you're searching for a way to look and feel better, the Blaze will give you fast results, with just 20 minutes a day, three times a week. The Blaze offers over 60 gym-quality exercises that work all your muscle groups, and with 210 pounds of Power Rod resistance (upgradable to 310 or 410 pounds) this device offers plenty of room for strength-training growth.
Feature Details:
Number of Exercises: 60
Power Rod Technology Resistance: 210 pounds (upgradable to 310 or 410 pounds)
Lat tower with angled lat bar helps build back and shoulder muscles quickly
Lower pulley/squat station enables you to do squats and build your glutes, hamstrings, and quads
Leg Extension/leg curl attachment helps develop strong, muscular legs
Sliding seat rail allows you to perform aerobic rowing and leg presses
Triple function hand-grip/ankle cuffs
Multiple cable/pulley positions enable custom workouts
Dimensions: 90 inches long by 38 inches wide by 83 inches tall
Folded Footprint: 52 inches long by 38 inches wide
Workout Area: 8 feet, 4 inches by 6 feet, 6 inches
Multiple Machines in One Device The Blaze home gym is similar to having a whole resistance training gym tucked right into your den. Bowflex's lat tower with angled lat bar helps build back and shoulder muscles quickly, and the lower pulley/squat station enables you to do squats and build your glutes, hamstrings and quads. In addition, the Blaze is equipped with a leg extension/leg curl attachment that helps develop strong, muscular legs, and the sliding seat rail allows you to perform aerobic rowing and leg presses to improve your cardiovascular health. And instead of different handles for every exercise, Bowflex has designed triple-function handgrips and ankle cuffs with multiple cable/pulley positions that encourage custom workouts. But if custom workouts isn't your cup of tea, Bowflex also includes a workout placard that steps you through the famous Bowflex 20-minute workout.
Power Rod Technology Bowflex Power Rods give you resistance, or weight, that feels as good as or better than free weight lifting -- but without the inertia or risk of joint pain that is almost always associated with free weight strength training. Power Rod units are precisely manufactured under the highest quality control measures, then sheathed and tested four separate times to ensure quality and durability. Bowflex is convinced that the Power Rod units are so strong that you simply can't wear them out. You can flex them repeatedly, but they won't lose their resistance or break. In fact, they're so strong, Bowflex has given the Power Rods a no-time-limit warranty. If you can wear the Power Rods out, Bowflex will replace them for free.
The Key to a Better Body strength training is when you perform exercises with resistance to build muscle strength. Strength training is not running on a treadmill, riding a stationary bike, or using a ski or rider machine. Although these types of aerobic machines use "resistance" to increase cardiovascular workout intensity, it is still not the same as strength training. strength training is, essentially, weight lifting. But don't be discouraged; you don't have to get bulky muscles if you don't want to. With Bowflex Blaze you can shape and sculpt your muscles to make your body look the way you want. It just takes persistence and dedication.
Why does strength training work better than aerobics for getting fit and losing fat? Because the more muscles you have on your body, the higher your metabolism rate, and the more calories you burn. Muscle also creates the shape of your body -- muscle is what makes you move, it's what gives you energy and strength. Of course, this doesn't mean you should abandon your aerobic exercise -- cardiovascular exercise is necessary for a healthy body -- but the combination of aerobic and strength training will help you achieve your fitness goals. Muscle acts as your body's fat burners. It's the stuff that makes you active and makes you burn calories. If you want to lose fat, you need to strength train with the Bowflex Blaze to add muscles, burn calories, and look fantastic.
What's in the Box? Bowflex Blaze home gym, lat bar, leg extension/leg curl attachments, triple-function handgrips and ankle cuffs, 20-minute workout placard, and owner's manual/fitness guide.
Manufacturer's Warranty Five-year limited warranty on commercial quality construction and lifetime warranty on Power Rods
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