I have finally decided to take up a buddy’s challenge. Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it a “challenge.” The thing is I have never been big on rubber bands. Back in the early 90′s, I used Soloflex for a while , and once the novelty wore off, I went back to the tried and true.
As I got ready to leave Hawaii in 2004, I bought some resistance bands to use during our move back to the Mainland. I hated them. I stopped after a couple of days, complete waste of my money. I was better off doing pushups and pull-ups.
I tried Bowflex at a friend’s place for a few weeks back in 2005. I really liked it, but the thought of plunking down a thousand bucks; it just wasn’t going to happen.
And don’t even get started on those “stacked weight” “all in one” home gyms. Terrible. I am a free weight guy.
A little while back ago, a gal talked to me about Bodylastics. She wanted my opinion. She very much like their line, “Don’t live in gym, just look like you do!,” as heading to the the gym everyday was getting old on her. So I gave her my standard line on rubber bands. I think she was looking for a little more informed decision.
Cut to the chase, looked at it for a while, it looked interesting. Then I started thinking I needed to do more than just run, plus I was using any little excuse not to run. I guess I started thinking I needed a change of pace. Joining a gym was out of the questoin.
Of all that I read on their website, I think what got me was this line:
Bowflex, Total Gym and even Bally’s have a $50 alternative – Bodylastics!
So, I have decided to try it – see if it really can provide a decent workout. So, I got on Ebay and bought a set last week.
It arrived this afternoon. Now, mind you, it’s not like I bought a thousand dollar Bowflex set, thank goodness. It was only 62 bucks for the complete set.
It came with 5 bands, 2 handles, 2 ankle straps, door ankle, travel bag, and a user’s manual. I got the set without the DVD, it was an extra $10 and I’m thinking – don’t need another exercise DVD. Bands come labeled from 5 lbs to 23 lbs, for a total equivalent of 67 lbs or 134 lbs for two limb movements.
Just finished going through the user’s manual. It’s pretty good. It has 6 separate workout programs and separate workouts for each body part. It also has workouts to support baseball, tennis, golf, and martial arts. And it shows a start and finish photos of each movement – not drawings but real athletes.
Interesting difference from the typical resistance bands you find at Sears or Kmart, these are labeled with specific pounds of resistance and the ends have clips. Should make adding and reducing resistance pretty easy.
So, starting tomorrow – for the next 12 weeks, I am going to use Bodylastics and see for myself if it’s the real deal. I’ll keep you posted.
Maybe, I’ll do weekly updates, what do you think?
