Buying home gym equipment

MamaRiss

Hubby is going to let me use part of our tax refund to buy gym equipment. Listening to you lovely folks, I'm thinking my best bet is free weights ( for body recomp). But hubby is thinking something more along the lines of a Bowflex or similar (so I don't need a spotter, and because all the extras for the free weights is where the costs start adding up). So what would you folks do? I get his point of view with the bowflex, cuz waiting until he gets home from work to spot me will reduce the likelyhood of me actually getting my workout in. But I have also seen all the amazing results people have had with free weight programs. What would you do? My budget will probably be around $400

ETA: He is also ok with me using dumbells. So that is another option or addition

cheshirecatastrophe

An idea: keep a watch on your local Craigslist (or regional equivalent, depending on where you are). That's where you will likely be able to stretch your budget the most.

carolemack

I'd go with the Bowflex...a better variety of exercises so you won't get bored.

paulandrachelk

I have used bowflex for 15 years. We got it for same reason your husband want to get it. Hubby is right. Only fault is resistance counted by rod weight and does not reach max until end-can't hit full flex due to set up on some exercises so you may have to add rods after awhile. I love it. There is a lot of criticism by jocks who can't grunt or drop weights with a bowflex but I don't buy it.

Shawshankcan

Buy a power cage where you can adjust the safety bars. You won't need a spotter. It is what I have done for years, and you will get a better workout than with a bow flex, and it should be cheaper too. Get a cage, adjustable bench, bar and some weights.