[Green Acres]

For those who have used or currently use a BowFlex...I have a question. My SO got one (at the right price ) and he's bugging me to start working out. Yes, I should work out more than doing the horse/barn/yard stuff but where do you find time.

Mostly what I want at this point, is to loose tummy, tighten abs area. I don't want to really have more muscles in my legs and sure don't want bigger chest area. I wouldn't mind if I could tone up the flabby part of my upper arms. Will the BowFlex help with the areas I want to tone up, etc.

We have one of those exercise balls that I was thinking of using for crunches, etc and think that might be the best bet.

Opinions?

[carolprudm]

I love mine. It should have come with a list of exercises

[TheJenners]

The only way to "lose" tummy is to lose fat. You can't spot reduce. I have hard abs, but can pinch the chub on top of it.

[jetsmom]

Love my Bowflex. And don't worry about building big muscles. It would take a lot more work to do that than the average person puts into it.

You can tone all of your muscles (concentrate on core...back, shoulders, abs, chest, for most benefit riding).

Look up "six minute abs" or "abs synergism" for some great exercises that take no special equipment to work abs. You'll see results in about 10 days.

Also google HIITs. (High Intensity Interval Training). Great for boosting metabolism/burning fat. Takes only about 15 min.

[AliCat]

The only way to "lose" tummy is to lose fat. You can't spot reduce. I have hard abs, but can pinch the chub on top of it.

This. Anyone who tries to tell you that you can pick any area of your body to tone without working to reduce your overall body fat % is lying to you.

[LexInVA]

Serious diet + High-intensity exercise + Targeted exercise = What you want.

[TheJenners]

Sorry, I should have also mentioned diet, as in food plan. I run. A lot. I have a half-marathon coming up later this month. I could lose five pounds of honest fat if my diet were better.

And honestly, if my SO was interested in fixing his diet of Mexican food, Diet Mt Dew and Copenhagen, I'd eat it with him and probably lose it. Until then, I find it easier to just have that little bit of pinchable chub on my tummy and run off the extras .

[LexInVA]

I tell ya, dieting is the hardest part. Especially when you don't have much in the way of healthy options around and a late-night friendly McDonalds down the street.

[AliCat]

I tell ya, dieting is the hardest part. Especially when you don't have much in the way of healthy options around and a late-night friendly McDonalds down the street.

I agree. It really is a lifestyle change, not a diet. I get on the bandwagon but fall off hard and go off on crazy benders. My name is AliCat, and I am a junk food junkie.