A Bowflex can build muscle, especially for beginner weight lifters. If you're an experienced lifter though, the Bowflex isn't going to kick you out of a muscle-building plateau. The reduced force curve, limited exercise options and the lack of resistance will be too restrictive to build a lot of muscle.
Can you get ripped with a Bowflex?
You can't just say “Bowflex”. They have an array of products, from machines to adjustable dumbbells. But no product will make you ripped. Only you can make yourself look the way you want to, with or without expensive equipment.
How long does it take to see results from a Bowflex?
Close friends and family will begin to notice changes by four weeks and everyone else will notice by six to eight weeks. Once people notice results, they tend to stick with their goals.
Is a Bowflex the same as lifting weights?
The machine supports your body and allows exercise in only a specific range of movement, so exercises tend to isolate specific major muscles and not require secondary stabilizer muscles to do as much work. This means the Bowflex is less effective than free weights for exercise through functional movements.