Bullworker "X5" Product Description:
Product Description
Bullworker "X5"
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
It Works
By Theo
This started out as such a short review: I bought one, I've used it, it works.But it turns out I have so much more to say...Bullworkers may have been something of a fad way back when. But a rare few fads do have real substance behind them, and this is one of them. Perhaps that's why the bullworker seems to be making a comeback.Bullworkers are probably not quite as effective as a traditional program of progressive resistance training lifting weights. But they're still pretty damn good. And they do have their own advantages, not the least of which are that they're both portable and convenient. Furthermore, many people with joint problems who find that they can no longer work out with weights report that this form of training is ideal for them. Another advantage of bullworkers seems to be that they practically last forever. I'm not speaking from personal experience here, but I have heard from people who claim to have working models that they've owned for literally 20 years.Because bullworkers are normally used isometrically, a bullworker workout can be extraordinarily quick and still very effective. If the word "isometric" is a new one for you, you might like to check out my review of Max Contraction Training : The Scientifically Proven Program for Building Muscle Mass in Minimum Time, where I go into the pros and cons of this training method in much more detail. Amazon won't let us put links to other reviews inside a review itself, but in case you're interested, I have put a link to that review in a comment under this one.One piece of advice I would give you from hard won experience is to follow the instructions that come with the product - and I'm talking about one instruction in particular. If you read the directions, you'll note that they tell you to apply only about 70% of your maximum effort when using the bullworker. Trust me: this is good advice. The problem here is that with isometric exercises your muscles can gain strength far more quickly than your tendons. So you can give yourself tendonitis if you go all out. I have heard from some people who go all out without encountering any problems, so I'm not saying it happens to everyone. But do be aware of this issue.When it comes to specific models, you might like to put some thought into which you want to get. The choice you make probably won't make a great deal of difference, but there are some twists and tweaks. I personally own an X5. The current "full sized" model is the Bow Classic. That has plastic coated cable straps with rubber grips. Apparently they're easier to hold on to, but they don't give you quite as many options as the nylon loops on the X5. If you check out the X5 product image carefully, you'll see that there appear to be two straps on each side that you can pull on. This is a bit of an illusion: on each side there's really just one strap that goes 'round in a circular loop. But the point is, if you pull on only "one" strap on any given side, you have to pull the strap out a lot further to acheive the same level of resistance. This just allows you to use the bullworker in a wider range of positions.Finally, there's the Steel Bow. The steel bow is much smaller than the other models, but smaller should not be equated with easier or inferior. It has been claimed that the smaller size gives you even more options in how you use it. One big advantage of the Steel Bow is that you can take it apart and replace the spring. It actually comes with three different springs, which obviously gives you more options in terms of resistance level.Note that these are all models made by Bullworker themselves. There are also competing models made by other manufacturers, but I think Bullworker still has the best reputation quality-wise. You should also know that there are a lot good videos on YouTube uploaded by both sellers and regular users. I encourage you to check some out so you can see the models in action before deciding what to buy.One last piece of advice: If you're serious about getting into this form of training, I strongly suggest you check out the Bullworker group on Yahoo!. There's a great deal of lively debate about the best models and training methods. You don't have to just stick with the program that comes with the device any more than you would have to with a set of weights. That doesn't mean you can't hurt yourself if you start doing stupid things, but it is possible to get creative here, and to take advantage of the fruits of other people's creativity. It's entirely up to you to decide how far you want to explore this stuff, and which methods are right for you.Good luck with your training!Theo.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
Bullworker X5
By Dr Krogen
Saw these back in the 70's and thought I would try one as it's small and doesn't take up any space. The supplied chart shows quite a few exercises but the writing is in german so you'll have to search online for something in english that explains what each exercise does. You'll be suprised at how effective this thing is as it does work. It is a bit expensive though probably because it's not widely available.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.Quality Product
By Sherlock
The Bullworker X5 is an excellent tool in developing strength. I wouldn't go so far as to say it would replace a set of weights, but, from my experience of trying both, it challenges your muscles in a way that the former doesn't.I had the predecessor to this model, and remember reading in the 'blurb' that it makes you feel as if you could 'pull trees out by the roots'. It certainly gives you a new zest for life, giving you a 'sinewy' strength, rather than bulk.As to the product, it is well made and lasts for years. The only downfall is that some of the 'easier' exercises, in which the outer ropes are used, cause you to have to centralise them repeatedly( hard to explain, but you'll know what I mean should you try it).Recommended if you can get hold of one!
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