Is The Bowflex Xceed Home Gym A Worthy Investment?

Bowflex Xceed Home Gym

Fitness enthusiasts who can't visit the gym for one reason or the other are beginning to realize the benefits of a home gym. 

For some of them, building a home gym means buying a barbell, pull up bar, weight plates, a jump rope, and then they throw in one or two other equipment.

But those will take up space, not to speak of costing a lot of money.

However, with a compact home gym, you could practice a wide range of exercises to work out your entire body, all without the hassles of assembling much equipment. 

One of the best compact home gyms I'll be reviewing in this article is the Bowflex Xceed Home gym, one of a series of home gyms manufactured by the giant fitness equipment maker – Bowflex. 

I'll be taking a look at its size, comfort, durability, effectiveness, and warranty so you know if it suits your workout goals, space, and budget.

In case you can't read to the end, here is a quick review of the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym.

Bowflex Xceed Home Gym

4.6 Stars Based On 4,854 Ratings

This home gym utilizes the concept of power rods and resistance bands engineered into a simple device. The concept is called power rod resistance. It comes with a spacious base and a seat that has leg attachments.

Like some other home gyms, the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym comes with a squat bar and a lat bar. Its total weight resistance is 210 lb, but it can be upgraded to 310 or 410 lb. Its power rods are sturdy and generate smooth resistance across movements. 

The Bowflex Xceed Home Gym has many parts that enable you to perform over 65 exercises that target every aspect of your body. You can perform exercises such as seated crunch, calf raises, bench press, rope push up and so much more.

 It is also a fantastic option for beginners who wants to keep fit or burn fat. It's designed for almost all heights and it's very convenient for users. 

Pros

  • You can perform over 65 exercises
  • Upgradable resistance capacity of up to 310 lb and 410 lb.
  • Max user weight of 300 lb.
  • Comes with a lat bar and squat bar.
  • Power rod resistance system.

Cons

  • Assembly tools not included.
  • No quick change system.

Takeaway

Offering the possibility to practice over 65 exercises, the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym beats other midrange Bowflex home gyms in this aspect. Its weight resistance is also upgradable to 410 lb. A squat bar and lat bar are also included, adding variety to your workout sessions. Overall, the Xceed is a solid and exceptional home gym that takes users closer to their fitness goals. 

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About Bowflex

The Bowflex company is one of the leading brands when it comes to home gyms. You may have come across them from late-night infomercials.

They've been around for around thirty-five years and are very consistent with the quality of their products.

Their unique power rod system and the new SpiraFlex technology separates them from other home gym brands out there.

The power rod technology utilizes cables with long rods that generate resistance as you flex them.

This is a lot safer, but it isn't consistent because resistance goes up as the tension increases.

However, Bowflex SpiraFlex is different, offering constant resistance as you do your reps. The SpiraFlex technology is only available in the Bowflex Revolution though.

As for the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym, the first model came into the market in 2006. There have been great improvements in the subsequent models released after the first. 

In this review, I'll focus on the latest version of the Bowflex Home Gym Xceed.

BowFlex Xceed Home Gym Overview 

Before we go into the full review, you may be wondering if this home gym is worth it.

Bowflex is one brand that offers the best home gym machines. They are known for quality, credibility, and consistency.

This machine is versatile, affordable, efficient and is an excellent option for strength builders and those who want to maintain their general body fitness. 

Its features allow smooth use and easy navigation across its different aspects. Its very compact size makes it easy to store and even use when you want to work out.

With over 65 exercise options, it's great for people who want to workout their entire body.  

Very tall people may have issues using this machine because it only accommodates a maximum height of 6"5.

As you read further, you'll discover if it's perfect for you or not.

Bowflex Xceed Home Gym Full Review

Now, let's dive deep into the Bowflex Xceed home gym.

Specifications 

Here are the specifications of the Xceed Home Gym.

Dimension

Workout Area

Resistance Type

Max Weight

Max User Weight

Exercises

Foldable

Quick Change

Price

53″L x 49″W x 82″H

96L" x  78W" x 83H"

Power Rod

210 lb (Upgradable to 410 lb)

300 lb

65+

No

No

Features

  • 65+ full-body exercises available.
  • Power rod resistance system.
  • Lat bar, squat bar and ab strap included.
  • 5lb - 210 lb of resistance available, upgradable to 410 lb.
  • Vertical bench press.
  • Maximum user weight of 300 lb.
  • Workout area is 96" x 78W" x 83H".
  • Upholstered roller cushions for effective and smooth leg extensions.
  • Exercise manual included.
  • Warranty is Frame 1 year / Power Rods 5 years / Parts 60 days.

Construction & Design

Is The Bowflex Xceed Home Gym A Worthy Investment? 1

The Bowflex Xceed Home gym is the lighter version of the 2SE Home gym. They therefore have similar construction. 

As stated in its specifications, it weighs approximately 157 lb and measures 53″L x 49″W x 82″H when assembled, which isn't large compared to some other Bowflex gyms like the Revolution.

And at 82" high, The Bowflex Xceed Home Gym will fit perfectly into a space that's 7" high. The weight is perfect as it gives it stability, preventing it from wobbling when you're working out.

Also, its workout area is 96″L x 78″W, making for an unhindered workout. 

This machine is made of heavy-duty steel construction complete with red, black and red paint finish that is resistant to corrosion, making it very durable.

It features a seat that's adjustable for users of varying height positions. However, the backrest cannot be adjusted.

Working out while seating is very comfortable as the seat and backrest are padded with 2" foam. Both are also very durable as they are made with very quality vinyl material.

It doesn't come with stabilizers you can adjust, but it comes with rubbered pads you can fix under the base for safety and balance.

Some people like to fix the base of their fitness equipment directly to the floor, but it may be challenging if you get this model because it doesn't have an anchor point or channels for attachment to the floor.

But really, there wouldn't be any need to fix it to the floor as the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym is stable during exercises.

You can carry out workout activities that require you to stand up, thanks to the plates located at the anterior of the frame.

Resistance

The Xceed Home Gym makes use of Bowflex's innovative power rod resistance system, which is different from home gyms that utilizes weight stacks as a form of resistance. 

This machine makes use of bendable power rods that need force to move them. The primary reason these power rods are Bowflex Home Gyms' highest selling point is that it is actually a lot lighter and easy to move compared to regular heavyweights.

The power rods are made from high-quality elastomer and have rings that are attached to hooks.

Like other Bowflex Home Gyms, the total resistance of the power rods is 210 lb in two sets.

Each set has 105 lb divided into two 50 lb, two 30 lb, four 10 lb, and two 5 lb.

While some Bowflex Home Gym's resistance capacity can't be increased and others can only be upgraded to 310 lb, the Bowflex Xceed's resistance capacity can be increased to 410 lb.

Exercises

Finding a home gym that can perform lots of exercises is the real deal today. And this is one of the reasons why Bowflex is one of the leading brands on the market.

 Their range of exercises is matched only by Total Gym machines, which I've reviewed extensively. 

Like other Bowflex models, the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym enables you to perform lots of exercises due to its accessories and attachments.

Its series of pulleys categorized and positioned as upper, middle, and lower, with their wide range of movements and associated cables, make this very possible.

With this home gym, you can carry out over 60 exercises. The upper pulley enables you to carry out activities like lat pulldown, high rows, e.t.c.

For chest exercises, the middle pulley comes in handy. Amazingly you can also use it to perform exercises like flys, crunches, etc. And like anyone would guess, the lower pulley works together with the leg developer.

Here are specific exercises you can perform with Bowflex Xceed Home Gym:

Chest Exercises: Chest fly, bench press, incline chest fly, etc.

Arm Exercises: Reverse curl, wrist curl, wrist extension,  arm opposition pull-up, triceps extension, single-arm push-up, cross triceps extension, triceps hammer push down, resisted dip, concentration bicep curl, etc.

Shoulder Exercises: Scapular retraction, cross over, rear delt rows, reverse fly, seated shoulder press, cross over high rear dealt rows, shoulder extensions, lateral shoulder raise, scapular depression, scapular protraction, shoulder shrug, shoulder rotator cuff, etc..

Abdominal Exercises: Trunk rotation, seated abdominal crunch, seated oblique abdominal crunch, etc.

Back Exercises: Seated lat rows, stiff arm pulldowns, pulldowns, reverse grip pulldowns, bent rear delt row, standing low back extension, cross over bent rear delt row, reverse grip pulldown with lat bar, etc.

Leg Exercises: Squat, hip flexion, leg extension, calf raise single leg raise calf, leg kickback, standing hip abduction, standing hips extension.

Bowflex Xceed Home Gym

Bench

Unlike some other Bowflex models, it comes with a vertical bench instead of a horizontal bench, making it easy to get on and off.

Also, with the vertical bench, you wouldn't need to strain your back so much, making this model very ideal for those with back issues.

A horizontal bench usually consumes space, and that's why they are foldable.

Since this model comes with a vertical bench, it means it wouldn't take so much space.

Despite the fantastic features of this vertical bench, one drawback is that it doesn't have cardio rowing features.

Weight Capacity

It has a total mass user weight of 300 pounds. One of the ways to know the build quality of a home gym is to check its weight capacity. The 300 lb of the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym is an indication that this machine is very sturdy. 

Parts and Accessories

It comes with lots of accessories such as the D-handles, lat bar, squat bar, ab harness, leg developer, 4" foam rollers, all fixed in for exercise effectiveness.

Its pull-up bar allows you to pull from a height higher than your head, which is excellent for your back muscles.

You can easily pull these bars either from a standing or sitting position. It comes with a set of shin guards that keeps your feet in a fixed place so your whole body won't get pulled up when you are pulling from a seated position.

When you want to work out your upper legs in a seated position, you can carry out leg extensions using the provided padded leg attachment.

It comes with a strap for ab crunches utilizing the resistance of the power rod to make your exercise supper effective.

The Bowflex Xceed Home Gym also comes with a total of 8 pulleys which are made in such a way that they can move in all directions accommodating lots of exercise movements.

Of eight pulleys, you can adjust two pulleys by fixing them to bars at the end of the machine, allowing you to carry out exercises like front presses or fix them to smaller bars slightly higher than the seat for exercises like ab crunches.

These adjustable pulleys are supported by the lateral bar, which has four attachment points.

You can easily change the angle of resistance with this pulley, depending on the muscle you want to work out.

This machine is so compact that it was built to combine the seated position and the different angles of the pulley to fit in a small space, yet can be used to carry out multiple exercises.

Assembly

All Bowflex Home Gyms require assembly and the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym is no exception.

It comes with lots of pieces that may look a bit overwhelming, but one of the good things about Bowflex machines is the instructional manual they come with. 

The manual is filled with all the precise steps you need to take to put this machine together.

That said, you can assemble the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym yourself in about 3 hours, but it will be a lot faster if you get help from another person.

Maintenance

Like every other equipment or machine, the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym needs some form of maintenance.

Maintenance is key because it can determine the longevity of any equipment, so as excellent as the Bowflex Xceed home gym is, it still needs to be maintained.

In this case, you should separate the power rods from the cable, which will keep them in a straight position.

The home gym also comes with a strap for binding the rods together, helping to keep all the rods safe.

For organization and neatness, your grips and cables can be slipped through the strap. Also, always check the bolts to make sure they are in place in the joints. 

As soon you are done using the bench, you can clean it with a mild cleaner.

Safety

The Bowflex Xceed Home Gym is considered safe.

Several reviews from users show that this machine is completely safe. Of course, accidents can happen, but as compared to the usual accidents you can experience with heavier machines, this is quite safe.

You wouldn't have to worry about weights falling on your legs or even the safety of young children.

The storage system also protects young ones when they're around the machine. It also has safety measures carefully stated out in its manual. 

Warranty

Warranty is one thing you should consider when getting a home gym.

Most excellent fitness products have fantastic warranties because their manufacturers have complete confidence in their products.

However, It doesn't mean you wouldn't get quality products that have less warranty.

For the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym, the frame comes with a 1-year warranty, while the rods are backed by a 5-year warranty. The parts have a 60-day warranty.

I have to admit that the warranty isn't great for a mid-range gym.

This warranty is similar to that of the lower-priced PR1000. Is Bowflex trying to tell us that the Xceed Home Gym and the PR1000 have the same power rods?

Anyway, it would have been better if the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym came with a better warranty.

Pros & Cons

All Bowflex home gyms are exceptional. But even the very best fitness equipment have areas that can be improved on. Now, let's take a look at what's great about the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym and its drawbacks. 

Bowflex Xceed Home Gym

Pros

  • 65+ exercises.
  • 210 lb resistance capacity.
  • Comes with lat tower.
  • Upgradable resistance to 410 lb.
  • Features a squat bar and ab strap.
  • 5-year warranty on power rods and 1-year on frame.
  • Comfortable and adjustable seat for users of all heights.
  • Comfortable and faux leather upholstery. 
  • Multiple pulley system.

Cons

  • No quick change feature - requires changing pulley system before an exercise.
  • All tools for assembly not included.
  • Not foldable.

Get The Bowflex Xceed Home Gym If:

  • You weight 300 lb or less.
  • You want to workout with 410 lb of resistance.
  • You are not keen to practice aerobic rowing.
  • You have a workout space that's at least 7'' high.
  • You want to practice 65+ exercises. 
  • You don't mind changing the pulley system before another exercise.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! The Bowflex Xceed Home Gym Review. 

Overall, the Bowflex Home gym is a definition of quality at a budget-friendly price.

With its over 65 exercise options, you can carry out more workouts than all Bowflex Home Gyms, except the 2SE and the Revolution.

All Bowflex gyms come with the standard 210 lb resistance capacity. But the Xceed's resistance capacity can be upgraded to 410 lb.

The adjustable seat is also a plus. Users as tall as 6'5'' can comfortably workout.

The only major downside for me is its lack of quick change system. And the Bowflex Xceed Home Gym makes up for it in lots of other ways. 

With its high-quality steel construction, this home gym is an investment that'll last years. And a very affordable one at that - it's the cheapest of the mid-priced Bowflex Gyms.

Do I recommend this machine? 

Absolutely. 

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naem

Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical science and extensive experience working in the health and dietary supplement industries

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