Specifications

Features

• Gliding seat and rail for rowing exercises.
• Over 30 possible exercises.
• 210 pounds of power rod resistance.
• Lat pulldown bar.
• Seat with vinyl padding.
• Folds down for compact storage.
• 300-pound weight capacity.
• Horizontal bench press.
• Leg extender and leg curl station.
• Low pulleys with grips for more exercises.

Construction & Design

While the Bowflex PR1000 is a low-cost entry-level home gym, the quality is consistent with the excellent credibility that Bowflex has built over the years.

The framing is made of industrial-grade steel. The sturdy frame can handle up to 300 pounds or about 140 kg, and the bench can accommodate the same amount of weight as the frame, but the cushions can wear out quicker.

When fully assembled, the PR1000 measures 84 x 38 x 81 inches. As a result, you'll need a space with a high ceiling.

The device's width is determined by the rods, which cannot be folded away, so bear that in mind, and keep in mind that you will need even more room for leg curls and extensions! The suggested minimum floor area is 103 x 80 x 82 inches.

The structure is protected from wear and tear by an anti-scratch and anti-corrosive paint coating. Tension cables are constructed of high-strength braided wire.

The seat on the PR1000 is very convenient, thanks to the use of dura-firm leather padding. This material is both tear-resistant and visually appealing.

The device folds up quickly and easily but having to mount and uninstall the power rods any time you use the gadget is time-consuming.

The upholstery on the PR1000 was recently upgraded, and a media rack was installed.

This helps users secure a mobile tracker to be readily accessible, allowing them to comfortably follow workout drills.

The Bowflex PR1000 folds down to a small size for easy packing. When not in operation, it is advised that the power rods be withdrawn from the system.

Accessories

The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym, like all home gym systems, incorporates many sets of pulleys.

It also comes with a leg attachment, which is suitable for ham curls and leg extensions. Its sliding seat enables you to perform cardio, one huge feature you won't find in some higher models of Bowflex.

The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym also comes with grips and leg press belt that enables you to perform different exercises.

Resistance

The use of lightweight polymer rods to offer resistance is the most distinguishing characteristic of any Bowflex home gym.

As opposed to standard iron plates, these rods have a significant advantage in weight and compact size. This power rod has a very smooth and fluid action, preventing connective tissue damage.

The power rod mechanism works similarly to a bow and arrow. When you load the bow by pulling back on the string, it becomes more challenging to pull.

The same is true for a power rod.

The resistance is comparatively simple for the first one-third of the movement, rising during the second, third, and peaking during the last one-third of the range of motion. This is because the rod becomes even tighter at the end of the movement.

The most significant advantage of the power rod device is that it employs an elastic tolerance comparable to that of a rubber band.

Machines that use this form of resistance provide us with all of the same advantages that free weights do, including increased strength, increased muscle size, toned bodies, and, of course, a lower body fat percentage.

Bowflex power rods are constructed of composite plastic. A durable rubber coating is applied to the rods. Each rod is rated for a weight ranging from 5 to 50 pounds.

The PR1000's combined potential total weight limit is 210 pounds distributed across two sets as follows:

• Two 5 lb
• Two 10 lb
• Two 10 lb
• Two 30 lb
• Two 50 lb

This isn't much if you're looking to bulk up.

And you are unable to apply more resistance to the system as the PR1000 cannot be upgraded, unlike higher models of the Bowflex.

Bench

The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym comes with a horizontal bench that allows for a 45° and 180° (horizontal) backrest installation.

To allow rowing workouts, the backrest detaches from the seat. Both the seat and backrest have a 2′′ cushioning and are covered in solid black/red leather upholstery.

Ultimately, the bench provides sufficient comfort for the activities that can be done on this unit.

The seat assembly incorporates a roller mechanism that glides over the frame's central horizontal bar, allowing you to do leg presses or rowing exercises, for instance.

A locking pin allows it to be secured into the bar in a variety of places. Seat rollers incorporate sealed ball bearings for long life.

Warranty

If something goes wrong, the different parts of the Bowflex PR1000 are protected by different warranties.

The machine is backed by a one-year warranty, which is a very fair deal for a home gym this affordable.

A five-year warranty covers the power rods. However, regular wear and tear are not covered.  

While the power rods are made with high-quality elastomer, they are vulnerable to lose their elasticity and strength over time according to many user reviews.

A 60-day warranty covers other parts, which isn’t great.

But like I said, the PR1000 is a budget gym and most affordable gym equipment usually have poor to fair warranties.

Weight Capacity

When buying workout equipment, you must remember to consider weight capacity.

It not only tells you whether or not it is ideal for your weight, it also gives you an understanding of how sturdy the product is.

Higher weight capacities indicate that the component is more durable or heavy-duty.

The PR1000 has a max weight capacity of 300 lb, which is excellent and similar to the weight capacities of other Bowflex home gyms.

Ease of Use

The PR 1000 has been around for quite a long time, and many consider it to be one of Bowflex's essential pieces of equipment.

It's a simple machine, which makes it very easy to use for people who have never used a system like this before.

This is why, instead of their more sophisticated devices, such as the Revolution, this machine is generally recommended to rookies.

The PR1000 is perfect for anyone who just wants to get in shape, lose some calories, and have some fun while doing so.

The device has a simple interface that is simple to grasp and configurations that can be adjusted to meet the needs of a novice, which will guide them through each workout.

It is also excellent for staying in shape. You won't have to spend time readjusting and relocating because the settings can be quickly readjusted to your skill level.

Exercises

As far as entry-level home gyms go, the Bowflex PR1000 has a lovely variety of workouts.

Bowflex estimates that the unit can do over 30 exercises, but as with most fitness equipment, the choices are almost limitless with a bit of ingenuity and innovation.

Of the 30+ exercises, 24 are pictured in the owner's manual – 5 arm exercises, 4 chest exercises, 2 ab exercises, 3 back exercises, 4 shoulder exercises, and 6 leg exercises.

Furthermore, since the bench section can be adjusted to 45° inclined and flat positions, you can use the system to do various free-weight exercises. Nonetheless, here are few workouts you can perform, organized by body parts:

Chest: To work the pectoral muscles, set the bench to an incline position and do bench raises, or chest presses.

The region of the pecs being worked more vigorously can be determined by the angle of your arms.

The mid-section of the pec will be performed the most vigorously if your arms are angled at 90 degrees with your torso. Angle your arms upwards to work the upper portion of your pecs the most intensely and downwards to work the lower part of your pecs the most intensely.

Back: To do seated pulldowns or standing straight arm pulldowns, place the Bowflex PR1000's handles in the high position and the low post to perform upright rows and seated rows.

Both of these movements work the primary back muscles, especially the lattisimus dorsi, trapezius, and rhomboideus, and to a lesser degree, the deltoids.

Abdominal: The PR1000 helps you perform trunk rotations, resisted oblique crunches, resisted reverse crunches, and resistant crunches with the handles in the low position. These movements, when performed together, will include an intensive abdominal exercise.

Arms: The Bowflex PR1000 allows for a wide variety of arm exercises. Here are a few examples:

You should do lying tricep extensions or standing and standing or laying bicep curls on the triceps and biceps. You can also do shoulder presses, and front shoulder raises when standing or sitting with the deltoids.

Legs: the Bowflex PR1000 has a very restricted variety of leg exercises. In theory, you can do a lot, but you can just do a few in practice. Leg extensions for your quadriceps and leg raise for your gluteus maximus are the most important.

Assembly & Maintenance

The PR1000 is delivered in a packet. It is pretty simple to set up. A step-by-step instruction manual is included with your order.

.According to users who have assembled the unit, it is not difficult to put together. But it can take up to 90 minutes to 2 hours to fully assemble, depending on your DIY skillset.

Sadly, installation supplies are not included, and you would require a wrench and a screwdriver to hold it together.

Thankfully, it comes with a detailed instruction manual to help you put it together.

Maintaining the PR1000 is simple. It is not difficult to keep the unit running. All that is needed is to keep it clean by cleaning it down regularly and to ensure that the gliding seat is free of dirt.