Bowflex 310-Pound Rod Upgrade

...right off the bat, if you do calf raises you''ll need more than this. You''ll do a lot more weight with shoulder shrugs than you think too.

Mine didn''t come with instructions. You have to take the rod block off the machine so you can get to the bottom of it to put in the screws. Just pop out the two covers (I used a flat screwdriver to pry them out), insert the rods, and put a philips screw into the bottom of the block to hold the rod in (screws are included).

I''m a 42 yr old male, in good shape and experienced with working out and weight training. I lift weights to tone up, and to balance the running portion of my workouts. I''m not looking for size or "gains". My goal in purchasing a Bowflex was to save time and space. I purchased the Bowflex Extreme with the 310 "lb" resistance upgrade. To date I have not purchased the leg attachment option. I have used this machine for six weeks.

Overall I''m happy with this purchase. This machine is a good concept, and produces good results. In my opinion, it offers several advantages over free weights. It''s well constructed, but has some minor flaws (described later). While not the top-of-the-line model, this machine allows me to do more exercises than I could ever possibly need.

The resistance feels different than free weights, and takes some getting used to. First, the poundage listed on the rods does not correspond to free weights it doesn''t need to. The goal is to provide a repeatable, controlled resistance. Second, the resistance increases through the range of motion, unlike weights which require you to overcome inertia. Initially, this makes the exercise feel too easy, but I''ve found that if I work through the complete range of motion in a controlled manner, I get a good workout.

In my opinion, because resistance increases through the range of motion, the Bowflex works stabilizer muscles better than free weights. In addition, since you''re not limited to working against gravity, you can exercise through ranges of motion not possible with free weights. Free weights do offer some advantages, but I''m happy with my results to date.

The actual size of the Extreme is pretty much what I had anticipated. It requires a 7ft wide x 9ft deep x 8ft high workout area. You''ll not want to move it once setup, but it can be used in a second bedroom. I like how the bench is set up in a vertical position to save space.

One flaw is that some of the components seem cheap. Overall, the system is solid and well-constructed. However, my rod binding strap split into two after a couple of uses. Also, the plastic covering on one of my cables started flaking off after a few workouts. Another flaw is that the 210 "lb" standard resistance is insufficient. The machine should come with 300 "lbs" of standard resistance Bowflex should ditch the useless 5 lb rods, and add two more 50s.

A couple words of advice Read the ENTIRE manual before assembling or working out. I read the assembly portion of the manual, and easily set the system up in an hour. However, thinking I was experienced, I jumped into my workouts without reading (or watching the DVD) on how to use the machine. I later found out that I was doing several of the exercises, and using several of the attachments, incorrectly. Perhaps this contributed to the flaking cable covering. Finally, I''ve found that grouping exercises by pulley location (high, middle, or low pulleys), shortens my workouts.

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For most of us who exercise regularly, the Bowflex Sport is a fine exercise machine. Unfortunately though, two hundred and ten pounds of resistance is not enough. The 310 lb. upgrade is a neccessity for serious workout. I found by upgrading to 310 lbs., I can''t bench press the whole machine. I would recommend for any serious lifter, when you buy the the bowflex sport to immediately upgrade to 310 lbs.

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The resistance of the 50 pound rods in the 310-Pound upgrade is noticeably less than the resistance of the 50 pound rods that came with the machine. They feel like they ought to be labeled 35 pounds because they feel just a hair more resistant than the 30 pound rods. While I am still a novice girlyman with the machine and body sculpting in general, the upgrade has not provided enough extra resistance for me to feel the burn doing leg presses. I believe that if the resistance matched the old rods, they would have been adequate.

On the good side, I got them installed quickly and easily, and delivery was prompt.

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There is no way these rods are 50 lbs. maybe 30 lbs. at most. Are not rubber coated like originals. They do not retain there shape like original ones. Very disappointed.

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