Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym

Price: $1358.72 (Save 15%)

Where To Buy:

Fitness Level: All Levels

Warranty: 1 Year (on frame)

Average Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

My Rating: 8/10

 

~ The Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Review ~

 

Bowflex Xtreme Overview

The Bowflex brand is marketed by famous gym equipment company, Nautilus, and has been around for almost three decades now. The very first Bowflex machine – the Bowflex 2000X – came onto the market way back in 1986. Instead of using weights and pulleys, the Bowflex design utilises a series of polymer rods to create resistance when working out.

The allows you to do total body workouts without breaking the bank. Compared to other home gym equipment with the same capabilities, this Bowflex model can do just as much for a fraction of the price. The machine is quite compact and offers the capability to perform over 70 different exercises.

There is not much you can’t do on a Bowflex. It covers everything from arms, shoulders, lats, legs and abdominal crunches. Even those all-important squats.

Using patented Power Rods – which provide the resistance when training –  the Bowflex system is smooth in its range of motion without the clunkiness of heavy weights, cords and multiple pulleys. There is not as much of a sudden release of weight (or resistance) as with free weights, ensuring less chance of muscle and joint injuries.

 

What Are The Benefits?

The Bowflex Xtreme is cheaper than a weight and pulley type machine, but offers just as many (if not more) exercise options.

It has a no-change cable pulley system. This allows you the freedom and convenience to change exercises without having to change any pulleys. This saves time, keeps your heart rate up and allows you to get through your routine quicker.

Capable of more than 70 different exercises in one compact machine.

The Power Rod system decreases the risk of injuries as compared to weights and pulleys, or free weights.

Resistance ranges from 5 pounds all the way up to 210 pounds (95kg). It is even upgradable to 410 pounds (186kg ) of resistance for serious power lifters.

Comes with an owner’s manual that gives instructions for over 70 different exercises.

 

Other Features

• Lat tower
• Leg extension
• Squat station
• Ergonomic adjustable seat
• Abdominal crunch
• 5 way hand grip and ankle cuffs
• Multiple cable and pulley positions designed to change resistance angle
• Compact design for smaller workout spaces
• Owner’s manual

 

Exercises

As I’ve said you can perform over 70 different exercises with the Bowflex Xtreme 2SE. I won’t bore you by listing them all here, but pretty much every muscle in the body can be worked out with this piece of equipment; which is one of the reasons the Bowflex is so popular and receives such high customer ratings.

• Arm Exercises – 24
• Chest Exercises – 6
• Ab Exercises – 3
• Back Exercises – 18
• Shoulder Exercises – 16
• Leg Exercises – 12

 

Dimensions

• Height: 6’ 11” (211cm)
• Length: 4’ 10” (147cm)
• Width: 4’ 1” (125cm)
• Machine Weight: 185 pounds (84kg)
• Maximum User Weight: 300 pounds (135kg)

 

Workout Area Required

• Length: 96 inches
• Width: 78 inches
• Height: 83 inches

 

The Cons

In the past there have been some major recalls of the Bowflex system due to product failure, or fundamental flaws in the structure of the equipment. So far I don’t know of any such issues with the Bowflex Xtreme 2SE.

There have been just a few complaints that the Power Rods tend to lose their resistance qualities fairly rapidly.

Make sure you purchase the Bowflex from an authorised dealer such as Amazon. Otherwise your equipment may not be fully covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

 

Warranty

• Frame: 1 year
• Parts: 60 days
• Power Rods: Lifetime

 

Conclusion

I don’t personally own a Bowflex, but I have worked out on them a few times, including this model. The one I tried was close to brand new so the Power Rods were offering up heaps of resistance. I quite like the smooth, fluid motion of exercising on one of these as compared to free weights or pin weight machines.

Some of their earlier models had some design flaws and the machines weren’t standing up to the daily rigours of being used time and time again. Bowflex have ironed out those flaws now and the result is a very robust machine of very good build quality.

If you are looking for a compact piece of equipment with a fantastic range of exercises, then I’d recommend trying the Bowflex Xtreme. It doesn’t take up a lot of room, it’s tough and gets the job done. Plus, for what you get it really doesn’t cost very much. I’ve worked out on equipment that costs four times as much as the Bowflex and they don’t feel anywhere near as good to work with.

Traditionalists who just love pumping iron probably won’t be interested in a Bowflex. But if you’re more concerned about getting in shape than the ego of lifting plates of metal, then the Bowflex is perfect. It does all you need and more.