View Full Version : Resistance Vs. Weight.
Firstly, I'd like to say Hey to the brotherhood, and thanks for the invite.
Now, no more bullshit, straight to the question.
Resistance Vs. Weight. Is there a clearcut winner? Or does it depend solely on the task at hand?
The reason I ask is I've wanted a bowflex since the first time I saw one of their commercials (I may have been like 15 at the time, but I knew that was the body I wanted). But, the hefty price tag was always a kick in the ass, Ive never had the funds to buy my own shit, a good friend gave me his old bench and some old plates when he upgraded his stuff, and thats when I started working out. I got up to benching 300 for my max, and then twisted my back while helping my dad install a kitchen. I pinched a nerve, and looked like frankenstein when I walked.
So, a few weeks later, I pick up my dumbells to try and get back into it, and just holding them compressed my spine, and I pinched the nerve again. So, Im pretty sure I cant do the weight untill I get my core strength back.
So, the resistance machines look like a good option, much better than watching my chest deflate ever so slowly... Has anyone used both plates and a machine like the bowflex? Do you prefer one over the other, and is the bowflex all its hyped up to be?
Thanks for your time, and thanks in advance for any replys, I hope to get some answers that would lead me back into the gym someday.
Punisher
01-09-07, 2:49 pm
Bowflex seems okay if your looking for something just to stay in shape but if you wanna build some serious muscle I suggest you get yourself a membership to a good gym with plenty of equipment.
Ive done the gym thing, but my back injury occured while there, and I had to bail on it. (really hard to do at some gyms).
Even pre-injury, the gym wasnt that great, there was tons of stuff, Ive never seen that much equipment in my life, but too many people too, waiting for machines is counterproductive. So, im more interested in getting something that I can set up at home, and hit it hard, and not need to wait. Also, something that wont fuck my back up again is a bonus.
Bowflex seems okay if your looking for something just to stay in shape but if you wanna build some serious muscle I suggest you get yourself a membership to a good gym with plenty of equipment.
Definitely, free weights is the way to go. Forget all the fancy crap the gyms have, all you need from them is their benches, cages, weights and DB's. If you'd rather set it up for a home gym then fine, but I'd look into those before you go blowin your money on a bowflex
Big Jawn
01-09-07, 4:59 pm
Nothing compares to free weights. I'll use cables sometimes for assistance and bands for reverse band deadlifts etc.
Freakshow
01-09-07, 7:10 pm
Bowflex can get you cut up and in good condition, maybe a good contest prep machine, but the real mass comes in a real gym. Free weights or nothing for me.
TheNaturalG
01-09-07, 8:15 pm
How exactly did you hurt your back in the gym?
ransom.holland
01-09-07, 11:03 pm
Your question should have been "What can stimulate muscular development the BEST?” which is a hard question to answer. Since you've said you've been injured I would go with a machine lift or a lift that has a controlled axis to perform the physiological function. The reason it's such a big argument is that free weights aren't on a controlled axis but must be controlled by stabilizing muscles. Which helps with developing overall mass the best; however machines can develop (nowadays) a close running match with free weights. I think in your boat (not knowing how advance is your injury) a combination of both machines and free weight exercises. This would develop the best results for you while lowering your risk of injury if you just did free weights.
Maybe you should concentrate on getting you back up to par before you worry about your chest?
IMO, bowflex should only be used by fat people who lack any physical fitness and are trying to get in shape for real weightlifting. Do you really think the people in the bowflex ads actually use those things? Of course not! They are in the gym doing their free-weight compound movements like everyone else!
TheNaturalG, I just realized how my post sounded, it didnt happen AT the gym, it happened while I was a member of it.
In my first post I said I hurt it while installing a kitchen with my dad.
Lots of good replys comming in, thanks for the info guys. I figured the bowflex wouldnt do too much for my stabilizers, which should have lead me to figure out it wouldnt help me get much new muscle anyways.
As for how bad the injury is, Im not even sure myself, if something simple like just trying to do some dumbell curls can set it off, Im guessing its not a good idea to try and get back in the gym and throw some weight around.
When I joined the gym we had to do a mandatory physical and crap, we had cyropractors check us over (I joined with my woman.) and he went over some crap asked me if I got migranes and such, then proceded to give us a pricing chart then I stopped listening. Do you guys go get 're-aligned' or no? Ive heard some horror stories of cyro's making things much much worse.
If you want to be doing this in 20 years, you need to take injuries seriously. Go see a doctor about your back. Then, if he says it's ok to train, try to get some physical therapy. A back problem is very serious, as your back is involved in damn near every heavy free-weight exercise. Get it fixed FIRST.
Then, train with free weights, everything else is just details. Doesn't matter how light you start out, they are the best for strength, balance, and muscle mass. Bowflex is total bullshit. It is a waste of time and money. Just to some pull-ups, push-ups, and shit like that.
Chiropractors are about as legit as supplements. A lot of promises, but dubious results. As with supplements, proceed with caution. Having a chiropractor help you loosen a sticky joint is different than having them realign your whole damned body. Franco Columbu is a chiropractor...funny, huh?
I personally think it is all bullshit, but that is my opinion. Stick to the real shit. Your back hurts: that is real. Fix it.
If you want to be doing this in 20 years, you need to take injuries seriously. Go see a doctor about your back. Then, if he says it's ok to train, try to get some physical therapy. A back problem is very serious, as your back is involved in damn near every heavy free-weight exercise. Get it fixed FIRST.
Then, train with free weights, everything else is just details. Doesn't matter how light you start out, they are the best for strength, balance, and muscle mass. Bowflex is total bullshit. It is a waste of time and money. Just to some pull-ups, push-ups, and shit like that.
Chiropractors are about as legit as supplements. A lot of promises, but dubious results. As with supplements, proceed with caution. Having a chiropractor help you loosen a sticky joint is different than having them realign your whole damned body. Franco Columbu is a chiropractor...funny, huh?
I personally think it is all bullshit, but that is my opinion. Stick to the real shit. Your back hurts: that is real. Fix it.
Amen. Doc first, work out later. If you want any advice, you have to know what's really going down with your back.
PS: Buy some free weights. They are dirt cheap. 100$ for 210lbs and a bar at most sporting goods stores.
Bowflex is garbage in my opinion. The only resistance i see that is on the level of free weights is bands. If you dont wanna go to the gym and use free weights, theres hundreds of bodyweight exercises you can do. With the price of a bowflex you could get a lot of great equipment, or a gym membership for a long time. And i dont see why a bowflex would deal with an injury any better than free weights or machines at a gym. It just feels ackward to use a bowflex anyways.
Hellreaver
12-09-07, 3:53 am
This is all great advice and I really hope you are taking it down. Before doing anything, see a doctor and listen to what he says. It is costly, but how much do you value your life? I'm not exaggerating even slightly when I say that if you don't have it checked out, or if you procrastinate in having it checked out, you risk permanently injuring yourself and risk being in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. Sound like fun? No? Then stop reading and go see a damn doctor. He will most likely recommend physical therapy. If you can afford it, get a personal trainer who knows their shit. Someone who is not just certified in personal training, but someone who has a degree in physiology or kinesiology. After all is said and done, then think about getting back to weights. (Notice I didn't say bowcrap). Take care of yourself and let us know what happens.
I'm going to give it to you straight so don't shoot the messenger, just being honest. Reality is that "we" train through injuries, and there will always be plenty of them - torn muscles, hernias, herniated discs, on and on. Your back went out due to a lack of support. As for chiropractors, well, basically every big name powerlifter and bodybuilder I know swears by them (including me). A good one can do remarkable things from one visit. How do you find a good one? You inquire of the local athletes who they use and get their input. Me, I would be rehabbing that back with a reverse hyperextension - don't have access to one? Make one. Can't make one? Get more creative. Do a google search for sports rehabilitation in back injuries. Okay, now reality for you and most of the world - go see a doctor; one who knows such injuries, preferably one who works within the sports field. If you are an athlete you have different needs; if you're a weekend warrior, then a family doc might have you nursing that injury quite awhile. Whatever you do, make sure your approach has light at the end of the tunnle and you can see how the method will conclude with restoration and deliver you to an acceptable state of function and mobility.
As for the Bowflex verses free-weight question - I guess eventually you'd like your back to not go out so easily? You need to strengthen your core and you back muscles -that is most readily accomplished with iron.
ironshaolin
12-09-07, 8:52 pm
to answer the question, resistance vs weight, I say there's a 3rd party winner here, LOAD. Weight is inconsequential, as long as the overall load increases over time. If you rep 100lbsx10 reps, that makes 1000lbs total load.Next time you come in, if you do 135lbs x8 reps, you have a total load of 1080, load increases, growth happens. Try and keep track of that as you workout. What is your total load, and is it more than it was last time? If it is, you're on the right track.