Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym Review – Is this the BEST midrange home gym

Specifications 

Here are the specifications of the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym.

Features

• Over 50+ exercises.
• Power rod resistance system.
• 5 to 210 lb of resistance which is upgradable to 310 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 that displays over 26+ exercises.
• Warranty is Frame 1 year / Power Rods 7 years / Parts 60 days.

Construction & Design

Weighing over 157 lb, the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym is a sturdy piece of equipment that won't wobble as you exercise.

Its sturdiness is in no small measure due to the heavy-duty frame construction designed to support users that weigh up to 300 lb. 

For added durability, the frames are coated with paints that reduce oxidation and resist scratches.

The red and black finish also adds an attractive look to the machine.

While the frame does not have a lat pulldown bar, it has a lat cross bar with pulleys, giving you exercise variety.

If you're keen to practice lat pulldowns, you'd have to make use of the handgrips included.  

With a workout area of L 96" x W 78" x H 83", users of different size have enough room to work out in.

The downside to its large workout area is that it requires ample workout space. For instance, the ceiling height should be above 7" as the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym is about 7" high.

Unlike some other models, the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym is non-foldable. And that's because its workout platform is vertical. So the design is already space-saving.

Exercises

Like I said, the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym enables you to work out your entire body.

With over 50 exercises, you get to tighten your core, build strength, tone muscles, and get fit.

The Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym offers different exercises to work out your upper and build some muscle mass.

You'd find specific exercises that target the upper body. You can also work out the calves, hamstring, and other parts of the lower body using this machine.

However, you won't be able to use a squat bar and practice aerobic rowing exercises as this gym comes with a vertical bench.

While I know that some Bowflex Home Gyms offer 80 and even 100+ exercises, 50+ is enough for most people.

Another great thing is that 26 of these exercises are pictured in an exercise manual. The manual includes pictures of 4 arm exercises, 3 chest exercises, 2 ab exercises, 4 back exercises, 6 shoulder exercises, and 7 leg exercises.

These illustrations are very detailed and will enable you to have varying workout options.

However, it would have been great if they included workout DVDs with videos of these exercises, just like you have with Total Gym Machines.

Some of the exercises you can perform with the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym include:

• Lateral shoulder raise
• Narrow pulldowns
• Tricep pushdowns
• Hip adduction and hip abduction
• Calf raises
• Leg kickbacks
• Hip extensions
• Narrow pulldowns
• Leg extension
• Curl, and kickback
• Tricep pushdowns
• Hip adduction and hip abduction
• Ab crunch
• Trunk rotation
• Oblique crunch
• Calf raises
• High delt rows
• Chest press and decline chest press

Quick Change System

Yes, the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym features quick change system.

This system is only available in two other Bowflex Gyms - the Revolution and the Bowflex Xtreme 2SE. 

The system makes working out easier, plus you can practice more exercises as you do not have to adjust the pulley position after each exercise.

With some other models, you'd have to stop in between activities to change cables and pulleys, which is downright time-wasting and can lead to loss of motivation.

This feature is a step up from some other comparable models like the Bowflex Blaze.

However, the Bowflex Home Gym PR3000 had to pay for it by having fewer exercise options.

Resistance

One of the unique features of Bowflex Home Gyms is their resistance system.

 Rather than using old-fashioned resistance systems, the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym uses power rods that work by applying more tension as you flex them. The power rods are connected to the cables. When you pull the handles, the rods bend, giving the resistance you need.

One thing a lot of users love about the power rod resistance system is that it allows them work out without injuring themselves, making it perfect for those who are recovering from injury or those who suffer from one pain or the other.

In terms of the resistance capacity, you get only 210 lb, distributed across 10 rods divided into 2 sets. So you have 5 lb, 10 lb, 10 lb, 30 lb, and 50 lb in each set.

I admit that that is not enough if you are in for some serious workout. But this capacity is pretty much the standard with Bowflex Home Gyms. 

However, there are two extra spaces for two 50 lb rods. So with the PR3000 Home Gym, you can upgrade the resistance to 310 lb.

For me, Bowflex would've scored a lot of points if their standard resistance is 310 lb. 

To avoid quick wear and tear of the power rod, you should maintain them by aligning them straight and using the rod strap to bind them together.

With regular maintenance, the rods will last for years. This is because they are made of very durable elastomer.

A thin sheet of rubber material also coats the rods for added durability. Even if they don't last as expected for any reason, you have a 7-year warranty that protects you.

Bench

The Bowflex PR3000 Home gym comes with a vertical bench, which is excellent especially for people with mobility issues. Due to that, aerobic rowing isn't available.

The bench is very comfortable though, thanks to the leather upholstery and a 2" cushioning.

To enable you to practice squat and other exercises that require space, the seat is removable.

The bench can also be locked to a higher or lower position on the support rail so users of varying heights can be comfortable while working out.

Weight Capacity

The Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym has a weight capacity of 300 lb, which is the standard with home gyms manufactured by Bowflex, no exception.

For me, 300 lb (136 kg) is high enough to support a wide range of users.

The weight capacity also indicates that this machine is pretty sturdy or it won't be able to accommodate users that weigh that much.

Ease of Use

The Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym is pretty easy to use for fitness enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned gym rats.

The minimal features of the home gym make it very easy to work out with and adjust to.

The quick change feature is also a huge relief as it enables users to work out without changing pulley positions.

Another reason the Bowflex PR3000 is easy to use is its exercise manual containing pictures of 26 exercises you can quickly perform.

Parts and Accessories

The Bowflex PR3000 comes with an exercise manual that is attached to the frame of the home gym. With it, you can easily check various exercises you want to perform.

Another attachment that's included is the leg attachment that enables you to practice leg extensions.

However, you cannot perform leg curls, unlike when using the Bowflex Blaze. For maximum comfort during exercises, the leg attachment comes with 4" roller cushions.

Also included when you buy the Bowflex PR3000 are simple and adjustable grips. So you can be comfortable while working out, the handles of the grips have rubber foams.

This also protects your hand from any damage. With these grips, you'll be able to perform standard grips, ankle grips, shoulder grips, foot grips, and handcuff grips.  

Additional pulleys are also supplied with this home gym, which offers you the option to practice more exercises.

These pulleys are very durable and will last for years due to the materials they are made of, such as ball bearings, sealed ball bearing of high industrial quality, and heavy-duty nylon materials.

Assembly

Like other Bowflex models, the Bowflex PR 3000 is not preassembled.

However, setting it up shouldn't be a hassle as it comes with an instruction manual that's precise and easy to follow, not just some illustrations you'd find complex interpreting.

The illustrations are also large, so you'd know exactly what you need to do next. And for each step of the set-up, all the hardware and parts you need are included.

The company also adds a couple of tools to aid assembly, but you might need some of your own tools.

Having an adjustable wrench and screwdrivers make putting the various pieces together a lot easier.

If you are assembling the Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym yourself, it will take you only about 2 – 3 hours to set it up if you follow the instructions.

However, getting help from someone else will reduce the assembly time.

Warranty

The Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym comes with a one-year warranty on the frame, 60-days on the parts, and 7 years on the power rods.

While these warranties are not the best out there, they still trump the warranties of most other products. 

If your machine develops any manufacturing issues within the timeframe, you can be sure they'll replace the item for you.

That said, it would have been great if the 60-days warranty on part is longer.