In today’s increasingly busy world, it gets harder and harder to find time to head to the gym for an hour to workout. And don’t forget the commute time it takes to go to and from the gym. Though it’s important to stay in shape (or get in shape if you’re not already), working out regularly at the gym can be a big time sucker. That’s why home gyms such as the various Bowflex models are quite popular.

But are they a good buy?

Bowflex, in particular, is quite expensive when it comes to home gyms. The models with all the attachments you need to work out your legs as well as your upper body cost $2,000 or more.

It’s true that Bowflex has a credit card you can apply for so you can get your home gym financed and pay it off over several months, or even a couple years, instead of all at once, but as with other credit card offers, you have to worry about interest rates. If you have to finance your Bowflex, you’ll be paying much more in the long run than you would if you bought it straight out.

An alternative is to check Craigslist or Ebay for used home gyms. You can often find good deals this way, though you will probably have to shop locally as most people won’t ship such a large piece of equipment. A perk of doing a local pickup, however, is that you can get a Bowflex that is fully assembled already. That way you don’t have to spend the hours initially to put the home gym together.

But let’s get back to the real issue. You know you can buy one from the company or find a used one online, but is a Bowflex worth the money?

I’d like to give a yes or no answer, but honestly it will depend on you. I’ve owned one Bowflex (and used it for several years with no problem), and I’ve tried out other models from the company as well. As far as parts and materials go, you do get a quality piece of equipment for your money. The Bowflex is more expensive than other home gyms, but it has a long track record of high quality units. If you buy a Bowflex, you know you’ll probably get a better, more durable piece of equipment than something you pick up at Sears that happens to be on special.

However, the best home gym in the world isn’t worth the money if you’re not going to use it.

That’s what you really need to ask yourself, whether you’re looking to pick up a Bowflex or another piece of home fitness equipment. Will you use it, or will it become a fancy clothes hanger stuck down in the basement?

Just as with a gym membership, a Bowflex is only worth the money if you will make use of it. If you are planning to use it regularly and you have a track record of working out steadily, then yes you will get your money’s worth by purchasing a Bowflex. They last for years and you can virtually do a whole body workout with this one machine.