A lot of hype surrounds modern exercise machines, as seen in infomercials. There are so many to choose from, and while the various systems offer different exercises, they all promise the same thing: the body you’ve always wanted, as well as an overall improved lifestyle.

However, there is a hurdle to overcome: some systems may not be practical for the way a person wants to exercise.

Nautilus has been producing Bowflex systems for approximately 20 years as of this writing, and these systems are extremely popular. However, they are not cheap, so be prepared to part with a considerable amount of money when you buy a new machine. While the company has a trial period and will refund your money if you’re not satisfied, they won’t refund shipping costs, which can be huge for products the size of exercise machines. Therefore, it can be useful to test the product you are interested in, if possible, before buying it.

Is there any merit to a home workout machine? Only if it is used as directed, at the specified frequency and if it is kept as a habit. That’s what most consumers simply won’t do. One reason could be that exercise is never enjoyable or convenient enough to become a likely habit. Another could be laziness. Another might be that the equipment is so big and cumbersome that it takes up too much living space, which breeds resentment and would actually be more useful if the person went to the gym to use it.

Bowflex has a system that mimics traditional dumbbells by using multiple plates with built-in tension coils, as opposed to barbells. When purchased new, this system, the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym, comes with 220 pounds of discs and is capable of performing around 100 exercises. How many people will actually take advantage of the 100? Probably very few. Most will probably do the basics: bench, leg extensions, curls, etc. It can definitely do some good, although there’s no real feeling of weight balance because everything runs via two pulleys. The Bowflex Revolution works with resistance, so it’s not as specific a workout as you’d get with free weights or a machine with a high bar.

Revolution is not for tall people either. Those taller than 6 feet will most likely find it too small. There just won’t be enough extension to do proper leg presses, for example.

There are advantages and disadvantages to any piece of equipment, and no product is completely perfect. The Ab Lounge, for example, is highly coveted for what it can do to strengthen your abs, but some people find it so comfortable that they end up using it as a chair to watch TV instead of working out. It is good that it is comfortable, that is the point, so that it is comfortable to do crunches, but that comfort can indicate to some that they need to relax instead of exercising. Therefore, it is impossible for every machine to be a winner for every person.

The bottom line: do your homework and take advantage of opportunities to try equipment before you buy it. You know yourself better than the infomercial writers, so do what’s best for you and works for your ultimate fitness goals.