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Whether you're trying to get in shape, increase muscle strength and size, boost overall health, or simply looking for a new way to work out, a Bowflex home gym is an excellent addition to your fitness routine. Aside from all the time you'll save commuting to the gym and waiting to use equipment, exercising at home also increases the likelihood you'll actually stick to your workout plan.
A Bowflex home gym is an investment, but it's also a versatile and incredibly worthwhile piece of equipment that targets all muscle groups with one machine. Bowflex has several home gym systems, but the Xtreme 2 SE and Revolution are the top two models.
Wondering if the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE or Revolution is a better fit? The ACTIVE Reviews Team broke down everything you need to know in this Bowflex home gym review to help you decide which weight-training equipment is best for your exercise needs.
A Quick Look at the Bowflex Home Gyms
Bowflex is one of the most recognized names in fitness equipment. Starting in 1986, Bowflex has produced countless versions of resistance machines designed for total-body workouts you can do from home. Since its inception, Nautilus, the company that owns Bowflex, has added weights, stationary bikes, ellipticals, weight benches, and more to the Bowflex lineup.
The Xtreme 2 SE and the Revolution reflect the innovation, high-quality craftsmanship, and functionality that Bowflex is known for. At the high end, the Revolution is the best Bowflex home gym available. It's designed with a revolutionary resistance system that provides continual resistance throughout the entire range of motion, making it an ideal machine for anyone wanting a gym-quality experience. However, it does come with a steep price, so it may not be the best system for people looking for a budget Bowflex home gym. Fortunately, the Xtreme 2 SE Bowflex home gym is more affordable and still provides excellent full-body results.
There are a few key differences between the Revolution and the Xtreme 2 SE, but the most notable is the resistance system. The Revolution uses SpiraFlex resistance plates, which provide full resistance throughout the entire range of motion. In contrast, the Xtreme 2 SE uses Power Rod technology that produces more tension at the end of the movement. The Power Rods feel more like free weights or dumbbells, whereas the SpiraFlex is more linear and feels similar to using a plate-loaded machine but without the bulk. Read on to learn more about these two home gym systems.
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
SPECS
- Footprint: 83.25"H x 53"L x 49"W, workout area 96"L x 78"W
- Weight: 185 lbs. assembled machine weight, 300 lbs. maximum user weight
- Resistance: 210 lbs. of Power Rod resistance, upgradable to 310 lbs. or 410 lbs.
- Number of exercises: 70+ resistance exercises
- Storage: Vertical storage, does not fold
- Bench style: Upright
- Warranty: 7-year manufacturer limited warranty, Power Rods lifetime
Footprint
The Xtreme 2 SE Bowflex home gym has a slightly smaller footprint than other Bowflex equipment, making it a smart choice if you have limited space and need to keep the machine in one place. The recommended workout area is 96 inches long by 78 inches wide when in use. Additionally, you may want to place the unit in a room with higher ceilings to avoid limiting your range of motion during standing exercises.
Weight
The Xtreme 2 SE is one of Bowflex's lighter systems. Fully assembled, this home gym only weighs 185 pounds. However, it's still a good idea to have two people when moving the Xtreme 2 SE and you should get a machine mat to protect your floors.
Resistance
The Xtreme 2 SE standard configuration is 210 pounds, which includes one pair of 5-pound rods, two pairs of 10-pound rods, one pair of 30-pound rods, and one pair of 50-pound rods. This should be enough resistance for beginners and intermediate fitness levels, but more seasoned exercisers looking for heavier resistance may want to purchase additional Power Rods, which increase the resistance to 310 or 410 pounds. Each Power Rod upgrade costs $129. The Power Rods and cable system generate resistance when you pull against a rod with tension. The tension gradually increases as you progress through the move, challenging the muscles through the entire range of motion, similar to the amount of tension you experience when using a resistance band.
Number of Exercises
With the versatility to perform over 70 exercises, the Xtreme 2 SE system is designed with an easy-to-use multiple pulley system that allows you to move from the lower body to the upper body without changing cables. Included with the system are the squat bar and ab-crunch/shoulder harness attachment. You can purchase the preacher curl and gym-style ab crunch attachments separately. You also get a lat tower with an angled lat bar for back and shoulder exercises, a leg extension attachment, and a four-position lower pulley squat station to work your quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
The five-way hand grip and ankle cuffs that come with the system allow you to customize the angle of resistance with each workout. The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE owner's manual lists all possible exercises with detailed instructions and pictures, with the number of moves per body part.
Storage
Unlike other Bowflex Home Gym machines, the Xtreme 2 SE does not fold. Because it stores vertically, it's designed to save space so that you don't have to fold it down or roll it into another room for storage.
Bench Style
The Xtreme 2 SE bench is vertical, allowing the system to remain compact and able to fit in tight spaces. But this means it's not adjustable, limiting the number and type of exercises you can perform.
Warranty
The Xtreme 2 SE comes with a limited warranty. This includes seven years on the machine and a lifetime on the Power Rods. You must be the original purchaser of the Bowflex home gym to use the warranty. The warranty does not cover damage from someone over 300 pounds using the machine, normal wear and tear, use in commercial settings or damage due to failure to follow instructions or warnings. Nautilus also has a six-week satisfaction guarantee and will refund the purchase price, less shipping, and handling, if you are not 100 percent satisfied within the first six weeks.
PROS
- 6-week satisfaction guarantee
- Compact machine designed for anyone with limited space
- Versatile home gym with 70+ different exercise configurations
- Reasonably priced compared to similar equipment from competitors
CONS
- Does not have an adjustable bench
- Additional Power Rods needed to increase resistance
- Power Rods can lose tension over time and need to be replaced
Bowflex Revolution
SPECS
- Footprint: 73"H x 112"L x 37.8"W, workout area 120"L x 84"W
- Weight: 336 lbs. assembled machine weight, 300 lbs. maximum user weight
- Resistance: 220 lbs. of SpiraFlex® resistance, upgradable to 300 lbs., leg press station works with up to 600 lbs. of resistance with upgrade
- Number of exercises: 100+ resistance exercises with up to 400 variations
- Storage: Foldable with arms raised, machine is on transport wheels for easy moving and storage
- Bench style: Vertical/multi-position bench that adjusts to flat and incline; adjustable seat and sliding seat rail allow for rowing and cardio exercise
- Warranty: Machine 10 years, labor 90 days
Footprint
The Revolution Bowflex home gym is a big machine that requires a large floor space to perform all exercises. More specifically, the specs that come with the Revolution recommend a workout area of 120 inches long by 84 inches wide when using the machine. To avoid limiting the range of motion during standing exercises, you may want to place the unit in a room with higher ceilings.
Weight
The Bowflex Revolution is a heavy piece of equipment that will likely require a few people and a moving cart to transport to its destination. Fully assembled, the machine weighs 336 pounds. The good news is, once it's put together moving it is simple (more on that later).
Resistance
The Revolution comes with Bowflex's SpiraFlex® plate technology which works independently of gravity to provide resistance with inertia. This plate technology comes in packs that resemble free-weight plates you might see at the gym. The plates are assigned a pound rating based on resistance, including 5, 10, 20, and 40-pound packs. The 5-pound packs are permanently attached to the machine, but you can add the other plate packs to meet your resistance needs. If you want to jump from the standard 220 pounds of resistance to 300 pounds, you'll need to purchase additional SpiraFlex® resistance plates, which include two 40-pound weight plates, for $99. The leg press has a 2:1 resistance ratio, which gives you 600 pounds of resistance with the added plates.
Number of Exercises
The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym gives you the freedom to perform over 100 exercises and over 400 total variations. Plus, you can switch quickly between exercises with less setup time than most home gyms. The independently moving adjustable Freedom Arms come with ten settings and 170-degree adjustment, allowing you to position them at the right height and angle needed to perform several upper-body exercises. The leg extension/leg curl attachment increases strength and builds stamina in the lower body, and the alternate seat back that attaches to the back of the sliding seat locks into place so you can do the leg press exercise.
The Revolution comes with different attachments, including two hand grips, two foot harnesses, and a squat harness that connects to the cables in the squat pulley frame. It also comes with a leg extension attachment and preacher curl attachment. You can purchase additional attachments like the lat tower, ab attachment, and accessory rack. The Bowflex Revolution owner's manual lists all of the possible exercises with detailed instructions and pictures, with the number of moves per body part.
Storage
The Revolution is foldable and on wheels, for easy transport to store in a corner or other location. Plus, you can remove the leg extension to make a smaller footprint for storing. This is a nice feature if you have a small workout space and need to move the machine each time you use it.
Bench Style
The Revolution has a multi-position weight bench that works in two positions: flat on the seat rail or at a 45-degree angle. Plus, it has an adjustable seat and sliding seat rail for performing rowing exercises.
Warranty
The Revolution comes with a limited warranty. This includes 10 years on the machine and the SpiraFlex® resistance packs and 90 days on labor. You must be the original purchaser of the Bowflex home gym to use the warranty. The warranty does not cover damage due to someone over 300 pounds using the machine, normal wear and tear, use in commercial settings, or damage due to failure to follow instructions or warnings. Nautilus also has a six-week satisfaction guarantee and will refund the purchase price, less shipping and handling, if you are not 100 percent satisfied within the first six weeks.
PROS
- Allows you to perform a high number of exercises and variations
- 6-week satisfaction guarantee
- Ability to perform aerobic rowing workouts with slidable seat
- Bench is adjustable between flat and incline
CONS
- May be too large for smaller living spaces
- Expensive, plus additional costs for attachments and extra weight plates
Final Thoughts on Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE and Bowflex Revolution
Ultimately, deciding on which Bowflex home gym to buy comes down to your needs, preferences, and budget. Both machines are well-built and deliver excellent results. However, the Revolution offers more versatility, and we think it's a better fit for people transitioning from the gym to working out at home, but it does require a larger footprint and a bigger budget.
So, if you need a compact home gym that saves on space and on costs, the Xtreme 2 SE is the clear winner, especially since it costs about $1,300 less than the Revolution. However, the Revolution comes with a much better warranty than the Xtreme 2 SE—10 years compared to seven years. Additionally, some people may prefer the feel of the SpiraFlex® plate technology or the Power Rod technology, which could affect their choice.
| Features | Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE | Bowflex Revolution |
| Resistance | Standard 210 lbs. of Power Rod resistance, upgradable to 310 lbs. and 410 lbs. | Standard 220 lbs. of SpiraFlex resistance, upgradable to 300 lbs., 600 lbs. for leg press |
| Number of exercises | 70+ | 100+ |
| Warranty | 7-year manufacturer limited warranty, Power Rods lifetime | Machine 10 years, labor 90 days |
| Foldable for storage | No | Yes |
| Notable features | Lat tower with angled lat bar, no change cable pulley system | Independently moving Freedom Arm system, plate-loaded system |
| Sliding seat for cardio and rowing | No | Yes |
| Price | $1,299 | $2,599 |
Why Trust Us?
The ACTIVE Reviews Team is made up of fitness experts that include athletes, coaches, and certified trainers who bring their years of knowledge and experience to each review. More importantly, each member of our team is a fitness enthusiast. Fitness may be our job, but it is also our passion. Therefore, we strive to bring you products that we trust and would personally use.
FAQs about Bowflex Home Gyms
Which model of the Bowflex Home Gym is the best?
The best Bowflex home gym model is the one that meets your lifestyle, space, budget, and fitness goals. It's also the one you will use regularly. That said, the current top-of-the-line Bowflex home gym on the market is the Revolution, with the Xtreme 2 SE coming in second. Additionally, Bowflex has older home gyms like the Blaze that are smaller and more affordable available through retailers like Amazon and Dick's Sporting Goods.
How much do Bowflex Home Gyms cost?
The Bowflex Home Gym prices vary widely based on the model, with the most expensive costing up to $2,600 and the less expensive models typically costing between $800 and $900.
Does a Bowflex Home Gym help you build muscle?
Adding resistance to your workout helps stimulate muscles to grow. A Bowflex home gym challenges your muscles to grow in size and strength with resistance from the Power Rod system or SpiraFlex® plates. However, the amount and type of resistance are only one part of the muscle-building puzzle. You also need to commit to a regular workout routine that includes a minimum of 2-3 days each week of resistance exercises for all the major muscle groups.
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