Bowflex or universal weight set?

Question

I am 21 years old, have a bad back but still enjoy lifting weights for 20-30 minutes. I am finding out that I can't do anything standing, and that pull ups are extremely bad, along with bench press. So, I'm thinking of buying something that I can do my exercises sitting. What do you think is the best option? I'm not limiting my options to anything in particular. I want the CHEAPEST weight / resistance set possible. Ideas?

Answer 1

The cheapest resistance equipment you can use is: your own body.  Seriously.

Look up "dynamic tension" and you will find that the safest, easiest, cheapest way to build and tone your muscles is by using the opposing muscles during contraction.  For instance, if you are trying to build your chest muscles up, pull your arms to the middle while keeping your back muscles tense and allowing them to slowly move forward.  Then move your arms backward slowly while keeping your chest muscles tight.  Just do a set of 20 of these and you will be amazed at how much of a workout you can get in the middle of your living room while watching cartoons or football.  Always remember to BREATHE on the contraction.

One of the greatest benefits of dynamic tension is that you are far LESS likely to cause yourself damage or injury due to over-exertion.  If you spend money on any machine other than free-weights, the motion will be linear and the small muscle contractions required to maintain balance simply won't happen and you will have greater difficulty getting the "cut" look.  But if you save the money all together and use your own body to build and tone itself, your results will increase greatly.  Then you can spend the cash you saved on some good quality food and vitamin supplements!

One last thing: if you are trying to lose fat, stay away from whey protein and soy products.  Your body treats soy pretty much the same way as estrogen, which triggers the body to store fat.