bmike

cool.
simple too.

tekhna

I wouldn't reccomend a bowflex. I would think a cage, incline bench, regular bench, curved bar, straight bar, plates and dumbells is all you would ever need.

Pedal Wench

I don't get it. Why sell off the home theater? Why not keep the kick-a$$ speakers and moniter and just clear out space for the fitness gear? Nothing like spending hours on the treadmill while watching a DVD in 5.1!

SF Biker

Oh yeah that is a good idea! When I moved in to my new house there was a 17 x 17 foot room built as a theater room. I skipped the theater and put our bikes on the trainer, brought the treadmill in from the old garage, and added a stairmaster. Best move ever. Oh and the TV, you won't miss it as I went to a 31" and it is just fine. 3 bedrooms down, 2 more to go. Hmm an office and then a guest room?

BeeTL

The Concept 2 has been the ergometer of choice for competitive crew teams since I rowed in college (1985). I owned one myself for a while, a C Model. It's simple, relatively inexpensive and bombproof.

I just went to a 'learn to row' event last weekend, and they had two Concept 2's. They were there for warmup and to teach basic technique prior to getting in a recreational racing shell.

One looked like the machine I trained on in 1985 (B model?), still running strong after decades of punishment. The second was the updated model pictured on the Concept 2 site (D model).

I tried to see what crew teams use the Waterrower referenced above, but that link on the site is dead.

Also, check Concept 2 resale on eBay. That's where I sold mine. They retain an amazing resale value...

Chicocreole

Oh no doubt crew teams use concept2 and they are great machines and the industry standard

but I would rather have a beautiful hand crafted wooden machine like the waterrower for my home. Oh and look up waterrower on ebay - you won't find nobody sells them - they keep them

Chicocreole

I meant "you won't find any"

I must be the worst speller on this forum

bmike

That's the appeal for me... kind of sculptural with the water moving round. I imagine they are quieter than the fan type. Probably similar to a wind trainer vs. fluid trainer.

BeeTL

There's one thing Concept 2's aren't, and that's quiet!

blonduathlongrl

Nice room! so bright! made me want to jump in!

voltman

Get a power cage and lift the appropriate amount of weight versus using a Smith.

rjg001

Get an adjustable bench (flat and incline), dumbells, a mat for the floor and a swiss ball. Done.

Grasschopper

Well I talked to the wife and to my LBS who also happen to be a Bowflex dealer. The wife says no way does she want to go with free weights so I guess that ends that discussion. Like I said I have ~200 lbs of plates right now so I will move them in for my use and keep the cheap bench I have now (does flat and incline and really is pretty stable).

The LBS gave me a sweet deal (well quote) on the Ultimate 2 that I was looking at on eBay plus they will deliver and setup...in the end they totally kill the eBay deal so it is a no brainer. They did suggest a spin bike rather than a second trainer though..they know the cost is higher but advocated it because it would be quieter and would reduce the wear on the bikes (tires and drivetrain). We will have to think about it.

So I guess we will see how the sale of the HT goes.