Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Nooklear
Hey everyone. I was wondering what all of your opinions on the bowflex are. I have one, and I really like it for certain exercises, especially chest flys and tricep push-downs. Its also nice for seated rows and lat pulldowns.
Whenever I use dumbells for chest flys, I don't get as much of a burn as when I use the bowflex. Should I stick with the bowflex or should I use dumbells? I always hear people saying that free weights are the best. What do you all think?
|
It's obvious...free weights stimulate more muscle...
Doing flys with free weights...not only are you trying to arc them togather in a synchronized fashion...but you must also prevent the weights from becoming top or bottom heavy (falling behind your head or on your balls - excellent insentive IMHO).
In the case of flys...free weights require you to use muscles to both perform the motion laterally and prevent the dumbells from moving longitudinally (not sure if thats correct term but you get the idea).
Systems like bowflex simply don't give you that edge...
Your likely getting more of burn from your bowflex simply because you can physically apply more resistance to your chest...
25 pounds resistance on a system is easier than 25 free weights...
If you simply can't press 25Lbs free weight and say only 10Lbs...but on your system you can press 25 Lbs...it's possible your stressing your muscles more right now on your system...or it's possible it's completely psychosomatic
Systems are a great way of developing asymmetric muscles...dumb bells are best...for instance...I injured my right should years ago...so when I bench press with a bar or system...I have a tendancy to assist my right side by pushing more with my left...now there is a noticable difference between my right side and left...
Always go free weight if you can...not to say systems aren't good...but for things you "can" do free weight...do it free weight!!!
Cheers