If this were me, the decision would depend mainly on money.

You can strengthen your core with dumbbells, Bowflex, pushups/situps, yoga, pilates, and more.

All are suitable, in my opinion. Ideally you would be rich and have all at your disposal to keep it fresh (or just go to a gym that has lots of stuff, but the gym isn't for everyone....I've actually done both and both are fine). But we're not all rich, so just do some searching and find the cheapest option. Of course situps and pushups are free, but if that's too boring for you (it would be for me...and not as complete as other workouts) then go for the next cheapest option.

The CM features stylish design with rounded tubing, curved hand rails, unique upright design and space efficient footprint. It is the ideal, total body cardio piece to complement any club, studio, or home. The CM provides a complete upper and lower body workout while working every major muscle group in a single, non impact, fluid motion. Specifically designed to be 50% easier to use, the CM delivers unparalleled versatility from its space saving design and high calorie burn rate, user diversity: 4' 6" to 6' '7" in user height, to instructed work out routines and famous land mark challenges to compete against, the CM truly offers amazing results for its users.

good stuff!!

I work on a ship 1-2 months of the year. There is a small room on board that contains a treadmill and bowflex.

At first I didn't like the Bowflex, it felt.....springy or jerky when you tried to press or "lift" the weight.

After a week I changed my mind. I think I did not like it at first because I was away from weight lifting for about 2-3 months and I was a tad...ahem....weak. But results showed themselves pretty quick. Now i would recommend the Bowflex.

However, to be a tad hypocritical, just recently I bought a home gym. It's a BodyCraft Mini-Express. See this link:http://www.bodycraft.com/mini.tpl

I didn't buy the Bowflex because I did not want to feel as if I was...taken in by the info commercials plus I heard that the change over in weights was a bit of a pain. Plus it was $800 more than the Mini-Express I bought.

The guy who sold me the Bowflex said outrigght that it was a good machine. He did NOT say it was bad quality or that the tension bars would weaken over time. He did say that the change over was a tad annoying.

I'm with Koffee, I don't think that to be a bodybuilder a home machine will cut it. A machine has to fit a wide range of people, and you can't have it all in one machine. I am a pretty tall guy, with long legs and arms, many of the home gyms I tried just didn't have the range of movement for me.

However, to tone up, or keep the fat off, or to build some strength then the home gym is good.

I like mine.

Digger

I bought a cross bow also recently. I put it in my office of all places and use it there at lunch, etc. It does fold up a little so it's out of the way most of the time. I use it for the upper body stuff, but sit on my bike trainer out in the garage in the evenings for a real workout.

I bought a cross bow also recently. I put it in my office of all places and use it there at lunch, etc. It does fold up a little so it's out of the way most of the time. I use it for the upper body stuff, but sit on my bike trainer out in the garage in the evenings for a real workout.

"real workout"? You're talking about 2 different things, weight training Vs cardio

From what I've heard and have seen the Bowflex seems to be quite a reputable machine. I think it's more of the user actually using. I think a person could make 2 milk jugs a beneficial workout if we are dedicated to it.

If I were to buy a Bowflex (which I also am considering) I would demand that they give me "Bowflex Commercial Immunity" with the purchase. I am so damn sick of seeing those commercials!!!

Bare