The Full Bowflex Home Gym Guide – Review & Best Picks

bowflex home gym guide

Some people wouldn't trade visiting the gym for any reason, while others would give it up for no price.

And it's understandable because these sets of people either have tight schedules, or they dread the idea of being in a sweaty crowd. And the reasons can go on and on.

Interestingly, it is possible to enjoy all the benefits of a gym right in the comfort of your home. 

While there are many home gyms out there, I'll be focusing on the Bowflex Home gym series in this article. 

Bowflex is a leader in the fitness industry with a solid reputation for manufacturing reliable home gyms.

But with various options to choose from, it can be a challenge working out which Bowflex Home Gym suits you the most.

In this Bowflex Home Gym Guide, I'll make it easy for you to decide by looking at the features, benefits, pros, and cons of some of the best Bowflex Home Gyms available on the market.

Can't read to the end? Check the quick comparison guide below. 

Model

Size

Exercise No

Resistance

Bench Type

Foldable

Quick Change System

Price

Bowflex PR3000

64''L x 41''W x 83''H

50+

210 lb (Upgradable)

Vertical

Bowflex Xceed

Best For Beginners

53"L x 49"W x 82''H

65+

210 lb (Upgradable)

Vertical

Bowflex 3SE

53"L x 49"W x 83.25H"

70+

210 lb (Upgradable)

Vertical

Bowflex Revolution

Best Overall

112"L x 37.8"W x 73"H

100+

210 lb (upgradable)

Vertical

Bowflex PR1000

103"L x 80"W x 82"H

26+

210 lb

Horizontal

Bowflex Blaze

90"L x 38"W x 83''H

60+

210 lb (upgradable)

Horizontal

Bowflex

BodyTower

Best Budget

50"L x 50"W x 77''H

18+

Bodyweight

n/a

Looking for the best overall, best budget, and best for beginners Bowflex Home Gym? Here they are!

The Full Bowflex Home Gym Guide Best Picks

BEST OVERALL

Bowflex Home Gym Guide

Bowflex Revolution

Overall Rating: 3.3/5

It uses SpiraFlex technology, which provides consistent resistance. Offers 100+ exercise, therefore has more options than other Bowflex Home Gyms. Its sliding seat enables users practice aerobic rowing and leg press. This gym is undoubtedly Bowflex's most advanced. 

Pros

  • Constant resistance.
  • 100+ exercises.
  • Extended warranty.
  • Quick change system.

Cons

  • Weight can only increase by a minimum of 10 lb.

FOR BEGINNERS

Bowflex Home Gym Guide

Bowflex Xceed

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

Made from heavy-duty steel construction and very durable. Its resistance of 210 lb can be upgraded to 310 lb and 410 lb. Working out is comfortable, thanks to the quick-release seat cushioned with high-density foam. Its pulley system enables users customize workouts. 

Pros

  • Upgradable resistance.
  • Has a lat bar. 
  • 65+ exercise options.
  • Affordable.

Cons

  • No aerobic rowing function.                        

BEST BUDGET

Bowflex Home Gym Guide

Bowflex BodyTower

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

The Bowflex BodyTower Home Gym is the most affordable of them all. It offers 20+ exercises, which are illustrated. Its frame is made of commercial-grade steel, making it more durable than its price. It also comes with hand grips and sling straps for variety.                                                          

Pros

  • Has sling straps.
  • Adjustable bar. 
  • Has instructional manual. 
  • Heavy duty frame.

Cons

  • Offers only 20+ exercises.                      

The Full Bowflex Home Gym Guide Review 

Bowflex Home Gym Guide

The first home gym I'll be examining in this Bowflex Home Gym guide is the PR3000 home gym.

With its heavy duty frame construction, this Bowflex gym's durability is guaranteed. The Bowflex PR3000 allows you to carry out more than fifty varieties of exercises, which is lower compared to what the cheaper Bowflex Blaze offers.

While it comes with the regular 210 lb resistance as with other home gyms in the series, the resistance is upgradable to 310 lb. 

Some Bowflex Home Gyms like the PR1000 doesn't come with this upgradable feature. It doesn't come with any pulley system, reducing the stress of making changes during workouts. 

It does come with one exciting feature though - the quick change system, which is designed for smooth and swift changes. With that, you can easily switch to another exercise conveniently. 

Though this model isn't suitable for aerobic rowing exercise, you can carry out curls and leg extensions, and there are attachment for ab workout and preacher curls. The upholstered roller cushions makes the leg extensions and curls comfortable to practice. 

It comes with a solid vertical bench press. However, it doesn't come with a squat bar. Some other accessories included are ankle cuffs and an instructional manual to add more flexibility to your workout sessions. 

Warranty is one of the most important aspects of a product, and that's why the Bowflex PR3000 is an excellent option to consider because its rod comes with a warranty of seven years, and its frame comes with a one-year warranty.

One downside of this machine is that it isn't foldable. That isn't much of a deal breaker as it is compact and not as large as some Bowflex Gyms. 

Pros

  • It has an adjustable resistance capacity of up to 310 lb.
  • ots of exercise options.
  • Seven-year warranty on rod & one-year warranty on frame.
  • It comes with an exercise manual.
  • Swift changes during exercises.
  • Suitable for curls and leg extensions.
  • Compact.

Cons

  • It doesn't come with a squat bar or media rack.
  • Not foldable.

Takeaway

Its compact size is an excellent option for those who are trying to minimize space. The quick change system allows you to easily change exercises and the resistance is upgradable. A mid-priced home gym, I think it comes with just the right features. 


Bowflex Home Gym Guide

Like all Bowflex Home Gyms, the Xceed is also made of heavy-duty steel frame, making sure durability is nothing to worry about.   

It comes with a vertical bench press like the PR3000 and 3SE, which means it isn't as long as some Bowflex Gyms with horizontal benches.

While the vertical bench is easy to get on and off, a disadvantage is that you can't perform aerobic rowing exercises. 

The power rob resistance capacity is the standard 210 lb, like other Bowflex home gym models. Amazingly, its resistance can be increased to 310 lb and even 410 lb.

The different parts of this model can be modified to suit your workout program. Its size is compact enough for small workout spaces.

Working out for long hours on the Bowflex Xceed is also comfortable due to the adjustable quick-release seat cushioned with high-density foam. 

You can perform over 65 exercises with this model, and amazingly it's not so expensive.

Some exercises you can practice with it include abdominal crunch, trunk rotation, single-arm push-down, standing low back extension, and a lot more. The added squat bar, ab training strap, and lat bar also offers more workout options. 

Another excellent feature of the Bowflex Xceed is the pulley system that allows for a customized workout.

That can be a downside though as you'll have to set it up for different exercises compared to other Bowflex Gyms that have quick-change systems. 

It is also compact like the Bowflex PR3000, making storage easy and less stressful. It's pretty affordable compared to other Bowflex home gym models.

Despite all its amazing exercise options, the downside to using this home gym is that it can't be used for aerobic rowing exercises and not foldable. 

Pros

  • Doesn't take so much work out space.
  • Quite affordable for the number of exercises it offers.
  • Comes with a lat bar. 
  • Has a vertical bench.
  • Upgradable resistant capacity to 410 lb.

Cons

  • No quick change feature.
  • Not foldable.

Takeaway

With a workout station and a unique resistance system that provide effective workouts, this home gym deserves a place in your home. Like other Bowflex home gym models, it is also very affordable. The fact that you cannot carry out cardio exercises may be a slight disadvantage. But all in all, it's a good investment.

Bowflex Home Gym Guide

The Bowflex Xtreme 2SE is an high-end model with several functional upgrades over some models.

First, over seventy exercises can be performed with the Bowflex Xtreme 2SE, which is higher than others except the Bowflex Revolutions that allows users practice over 100 exercises. 

Another interesting feature is its free trainer-built workout regimen for working out the upper body and lower body.

Bodybuilding, strength training, aerobic and anaerobic routines are also in the manual.

Its bench press is vertical and so the aerobic rowing feature is not available. 

While its power rod  resistance capacity is the regular 210 lb, it is upgradable to 310 lb and 410 lb. it has a quick-change system that makes it easy for you to switch between exercises. 

It doesn't wear out quickly because its frame is made from steel construction, and its seat is made from high-density polyurethane. It is very durable and can survive frequent usages without breaking down.

Its resistance is smooth and doesn't create disturbances that are likely to occur when pulling weights and it comes with a 7-year warranty on the frame, and the rod comes with a lifetime warranty.

While it is packed with excellent features, it is quite expensive. If you are on a budget, this may be a huge turn-off for you.

Pros

  • Over 70 exercises can be performed.
  • It comes with a strap for ab training.
  • Impressive warranty.
  • Workout regimen included.
  • Upgradable resistance.
  • Very durable.

Cons

  • Usually does not provide an aerobic rowing option.
  • Expensive.

Takeaway

The fact that the model is well-built and so sturdy makes it one of the most popular Bowflex home gym models out there. Its weight of 185lbs does not affect its stability, and it remains rooted all through your work sessions. With an impressive warranty and excellent features, this home gym is worth its price. 

Bowflex Home Gym Guide

As its name suggest, the Bowflex Revolution home gym is the most advanced model of the series. It is also packed with more features than other models.

A notable feature is the departure from the power rod resistance system. It instead makes use of the SpiraFlex technology. First designed for use in space, SpiraFlex makes working out without relying on gravity perfect. 

Hence, the resistance system doesn't rely on gravity, This modification allows this model to give you the same resistance all through your movement.

The SpiraFlex discs have the standard resistance of 210 lb which can be upgraded to 310 lb. For the leg press station, you get a huge 600 lb of resistance.   

It also has a quick change system like the Xtreme 2SE and PR3000 models. You can perform over 100 exercises, which is heads and shoulders above what other models offer.

With the huge options, you'll be able to hit every major muscle in your body with this model. 

This machine is large though.  You need a space of around 120'' long, 84'' wide, and 83''  tall. Thankfully, it is foldable, which helps minimize space and makes storage easy.

While it has a vertical bench press, the sliding seat makes it possible for you to aerobic rowing and other exercises. It is a bit compact in that it doesn't take so much space.

It's the only Bowflex home gym model that comes with a 10-year warranty. You rarely get quality products with this much extended warranty.

Given the extended warranty, features and new tech, it's no surprise that the price is huge. It is not surprising that it is the most expensive Bowflex home gym on the market today, but I'd say that this machine is worth every dollar. 

Pros

  • Has a quick change system.
  • Over a 100 exercise options.
  • 600 lb of resistance for the leg press station.
  • Offers consistent resistance during workouts. 
  • Foldable.
  • Suitable for cardio row. 

Cons

  • It's very expensive.
  • Resistance upgradable to only 300 lb. 

Takeaway

With its excellent features, it's clear that the Bowflex Revolution is the most advanced of the Bowflex home gym models. So it isn't surprising that it costs a lot more than others. If you have ample workout space and money to spend, this machine is the best.

Bowflex Home Gym Guide

The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym is one of the most affordable home gyms of the Bowflex series. Though its price can be very deceiving, this machine comes with some fantastic features. 

With this home gym, you can perform about 26 exercises, including leg curls - this is attributed to its upholstered roller cushions that are about four inches. It can be used as a rower, especially for those who want to carry out majorly cardio exercises.

It has a max resistance of 210 lb, and unfortunately, it cannot be upgraded, limiting options for weight lifters.

You can work out while listening to music as this home gym comes with a media rack that allows you to safely place your phone or device.

It usually comes with an owner's manual that has about 24 exercises illustrated, making it easy for you to get the best out of this machine.

It's by far one of the first Bowflex home gym models that gets people's attention due to the affordable price.

It may not have all the latest designs and technology, but it does a good job helping users burn off calories and stay in shape.

Pros

  • Very affordable.
  • It gives you the aerobic rowing option.
  • Has a media rack.
  • Foldable.

Cons

  • Limited exercise options.
  • Maximum resistance capacity of 210 lb.

Takeaway

Despite its reasonable price, the Bowflex 1000 has features that accelerate your journey to fitness. If you want an effective home gym that won't strain your finances, then the Bowflex PR1000 home gym is your best bet.

Bowflex Home Gym Guide

The Bowflex Blaze Home Gym is another machine with plenty of features to offer. It is similar to the PR1000 but comes with upgraded features. 

Bowflex Blaze offers the opportunity to perform more than 60 exercises, unlike the PR1000's 26+.  

A exercise manual shows users how to perform all of these exercises. It also comes with a maximum resistance capacity of 210 lb. However, this can be upgraded to 410 lb if the standard capacity is too little for you. 

It features a lat bar, squat bar, bench press that's horizontal, triple function handgrip, an aerobic rower, and leg extensions. Suffice to say, this model offers full-body workouts.

Its pulleys are mid-range, yet they can help you carry out a good number of chest exercises and even exercises that target other significant parts of your body.

The focus of the upper pulley is to target your shoulders and back. Then the leg curl is fit your hamstrings and quads. 

Similar to the PR1000, there's no quick-change system, so you'd have a bit difficulty switching in-between exercises.

This model also doesn't have a media rack. In its place is an exercise manual that guides you through various exercises. 

When it comes to fixing the parts after purchase, you have nothing to worry about because assembling this model doesn't take so much time due to its free attachable parts.

Pros

  • Over sixty exercise options.
  • Upgradable resistance capacity up to 410 lb.
  • You can use the bench as a rower.
  • Comes with a squat bar.
  • Has a lat bar. 

Cons

  • The cables have to be changed when you want to change exercises.

Takeaway

This model allows you to perform a good number of exercises, and for a lot of people, it has replaced their gym visits.  It is reasonably priced and offers some versatility compared to some other models. 

Bowflex Home Gym Guide

With the Bowflex BodyTower, you can perform just twenty exercises. However, it allows you to choose your workout intensity due to its bar, which is horizontal and features seven layers of adjustment. 

You can perform exercises like pull-ups and chin-ups, triceps dips, and some other activities with this machine.

One notable feature of this home gym is that it doesn't have a resistance system, unlike other models. It instead uses your bodyweight as resistance. 

It cannot be used for cardio exercises as it doesn't come with cardio rows. However, this model comes with sling straps and hand slings that offer a lot of exercise options. 

If you exhaust all the exercises you know, there's a workout placard that shows you how to practice Squat, Pull Up, Crunch, Raised Bridge, Chin up, Vertical Knee Raise, Tricep Dip, and Raised bridge. There's also an illustration of an additional 8 workout activities in the user manual. 

The Bowflex BodyTower is very sturdy due to its steel base. It is also the most affordable of all the Bowflex Home Gyms.  

Assembling this device is easy. There are diagrams to follow and the instructions are well-written, making it easy if you're putting it together yourself.

One downside of this machine is its low height, which may be a turn-off for tall people. 

Its frame comes with a five years warranty and the parts are backed by a one-year warranty. 

Pros

  • Five years warranty on the frame.
  • Maximum user weight of 300 lb.
  • Adjustable bar. 
  • Easy to assemble. 
  • Amazingly affordable. 
  • Comes with hand grips and sling straps. 

Cons

  • You can't carry out cardio workouts.
  • Just 20 exercises. 

Takeaway

If you want a simple home gym at a very low price, then the Bowflex body tower is a good one for you. It provides you with the opportunity of twenty different exercises, and I think it's perfect for not-so-tall people who want to practice few exercises to keep fit. 

Final Thoughts

There you have it! The full Bowflex Home Gym Guide!

I've examined all the features, benefits, and downsides of all Bowflex home gyms models. 

While all the home gyms are pretty good, I believe some stand out because of their features. 

The Best Overall is the Bowflex Revolution because it offers the best features and simplifies working out. 

For the Best Budget, I pick the Bowflex BodyTower - it's the cheapest you can get. 

While the Best For Beginners model goes to the Bowflex Xceed for its combination of comfort, excellent features and reasonable price. 

I hope with this Bowflex Home Gym Guide, you have a pretty good idea of which home gym works best for you. 

Got questions? Drop them in the comments section below. 

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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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