Schwinn Bowflex Review Pt 2
By Thor Melicher
Getting Started:
Neither the book (Bowflex Body
Plan), nor the manual, give any recommendations on what weight you should attempt when performing the exercises the first time. I used the following guidelines when I first started:
1. Set each side to 50.
2. If you can do 13 reps easily, then add more to each side depending how easy it is.
3. If you can’t do 13 reps at 50, then drop to 30 on each side and try again.
Although the first workout will yield more than 1 set for each exercise, it will help you get accustomed to the machine quickly. For smaller muscles, like the biceps, I started at 30 on each side, and then adjusted accordingly.
I have two complaints with the machine. First, it was not designed to exercise the hamstring muscles effectively. I have tried standing facing the power rods while using the leg extension, but it just never felt right. I have also tried doing the suggested seated leg curl in the Bowflex Body Plan book, but again, it just doesn’t feel right. I feel it in my hips instead of the hamstrings. This is probably due to my legs not being parallel to the ground because the leg extension places them too high. The other complaint is that the Schwinn Comp does not come with a leg press belt which means most exercises that you would use the sliding bench for can not be done. I was, however, able to buy it directly from Bowflex for $21.50. The belt is of good enough quality that it should last for some time.
It is true that the Bowflex Schwinn Comp only comes with 210 pounds of resistance. This is fine for most upper body exercises. Having worked with the machine now for about 2 months, I have reached 210 pounds in the following lower body exercises: the leg extension, leg press, and seated calf press. The Schwinn Comp is capable of adding two additional 50-pound rods, one on each side, to bring the resistance to 310 pounds. I am planning on calling Schwinn directly at 1-800-864-1270 because the Bowflex website does not say which power rods you should order.
3. Schwinn Bowflex: Results
4. Schwinn Bowflex: Final Thoughts