THE BULLWORKER STEEL BOW
When I was much younger, I did heavy bench presses, parallel bar dips and even push-ups for chest development. The results were quick and very apparent. Later, I did Nautilus workouts and used similar machines at YMCAs. Chest muscles (pectorals) were easy to develop with consistent attention.
In my later years, I needed a home workout tool to maintain chest muscles. The Bullworker Steel Bow does this better than anything else I have tried.
The Steel Bow is shown below.
With the Steel Bow, we may press together the large black handles at the end in front of our chests. The resistance is provided by any of the 5 springs shown, which are inserted into the steel tube. (We may also pull apart the smaller black handles at each side for different effects).
With the Steel Bow, we have these choices of resistance:
- Isotonic – when the muscles contract as they lenghthen
- Isometric – when muscles contract with no lengthening or joint movement
- A combination of both
My preference is to do isotonic reps, while finishing with a lengthy isometric hold. Some people may prefer to do the isometric hold first and the reps next. On days when I have joint pain (or when there are time limitations), I may only do isometric holds.
For my chest, I like to hold the Steel Bow beneath my pectorals for reps/hold and then above my neck for the same. This assures complete involvement of my entire chest. The same would apply when I only do the holds. Doing slow, intense reps or holds gives me a thorough muscle burn.
Here is a short video showing the chest compression with the Steel Bow, along with the Bow Classic (a longer version of the Steel Bow). This gentleman prefers to do holds first, then reps.
Please note – women (or men) with droopy breasts may benefit from using the Steel Bow.
ANOTHER STEEL BOW APPLICATION
Bullworker products give us workout instructional booklets with the purchase of the equipment. But I like to experiment, especially with the Steel Bow. At one point, I would get on my Teeter Inversion Table and do chest compressions upside down.
I do an abdominal exercise with the Steel Bow every day. I don’t have a video, but it is easy to describe:
- I sit on a straight back chair (one from my dining room)
- I place the Steel Bow between my legs and do 20 SLOW reps, pushing down and then releasing upward
- Then I do 10 reps to my right side, followed by 10 reps to my left side
It is important to press down slowly, but to release the action even more slowly. This works out the core muscles quite well and without engaging the back, as with sit-ups or crunches. The slow release comes from my Nautilus experience – slow negatives were emphasized.
CHECK MY BULLWORKER LINK
On the side of this page is a permanent Bullworker link. The information is always current. You may easily enter the Bullworker website and get information on the Steel Bow and all other products by clicking on the red link. Some interesting price specials are available now.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I have had the Bullworker Steel Bow and Bow Classic as of about 6 years ago. These are ideal for home workouts, since they are easily put aside after being used. The Steel Bow is especially effective if we are traveling and need a workout option.
The Bullworkers are made to last. Both of mine show no signs of wear and tear. They appear the same as when I first opened the boxes.
Here is more information from an earlier Bullworker post.
Let’s build or maintain our chests! Beach weather is upon us!
