Bowflex Xtreme: 2 prong review

[KyleMac]

Let me preface this by saying that i generally work out with free weights in my home, using the gym for the power cage and some machines 1-2 times a week.

1) My roommate got a deal on a Bowflex Xtreme at Sports Authority for $600 after some wheeling and dealing. He brought it home in 8 boxes and it took the two of us about 2-3 hours to assemble. This particular model has 310lbs of "resistance". I briefly read through the instruction booklet and decided on a few recommended exercises, and began a 45 minute workout. One thing that is immediately noticeable is that the power rods do not represent the weight of free weights. Depending on the exercise they can be anywhere from dead on - to 30lbs lighter than free weights for the same exercise. While the machine is convenient (fits in a small corner of our unfurnished basement), it didnt put the same stress on my muscles that ordinary freeweights do. I did 2 more 45 minute exercises on the bowflex over the next few days and decided that i would leave it for my roomate to use as i was going to stick to freeweights. The one thing i did like it for was the squat attachment, once again i could squat more power rod weight than free weight, but i just upped the resistance.

2) Yesterday i decided to sit down and read the Bowflex Body Plan book and watch the instructional DVD video. This was fairly tedious and actually required some note taking (especially with regard to the DVD). The way the DVD/book detailed the exercises was completely different from the instruction manual that came with the machine. The placement of the pulleys, the placement of the body relative to the squat platform and the seat height and actual sitting positions were all different from both the instructional manual and what common sense would suggest (for instance when doing seated bicep curls one should move the seat to its highest setting, and not sit on the seat itself but plant both feet on the ground and rest the buttocks against the front of the seat and balance yourself - whereas the instruction manual says to keep the seat neutral and just sit down and lean back). After noting all of these changes, i went back for another workout. This really changed my view of the Bowflex machine. Every exercise (with the exception of the bench press) seemed to have the exact weight of my free weight workouts. I struggled to finish every third set and woke up this morning as sore as that first workout after a long time off. The stabilizer muscles arent used quite as much on the bowflex (bench/shoulder press variations), as there is really nothing that you have to balance, but after carefully watching the DVD and reading the Body Plan book, im back on board. If you are interested in a bowflex and can get one for around $600 i'd say go for it. Even if you only plan on using it on days you cant make it to the gym for whatever reason. Just make sure to get the Body Plan book and watch the instructional DVD very carefully.

[michahus]

Let me preface this by saying that i generally work out with free weights in my home, using the gym for the power cage and some machines 1-2 times a week.

1) My roommate got a deal on a Bowflex Xtreme at Sports Authority for $600 after some wheeling and dealing. He brought it home in 8 boxes and it took the two of us about 2-3 hours to assemble. This particular model has 310lbs of "resistance". I briefly read through the instruction booklet and decided on a few recommended exercises, and began a 45 minute workout. One thing that is immediately noticeable is that the power rods do not represent the weight of free weights. Depending on the exercise they can be anywhere from dead on - to 30lbs lighter than free weights for the same exercise. While the machine is convenient (fits in a small corner of our unfurnished basement), it didnt put the same stress on my muscles that ordinary freeweights do. I did 2 more 45 minute exercises on the bowflex over the next few days and decided that i would leave it for my roomate to use as i was going to stick to freeweights. The one thing i did like it for was the squat attachment, once again i could squat more power rod weight than free weight, but i just upped the resistance.

2) Yesterday i decided to sit down and read the Bowflex Body Plan book and watch the instructional DVD video. This was fairly tedious and actually required some note taking (especially with regard to the DVD). The way the DVD/book detailed the exercises was completely different from the instruction manual that came with the machine. The placement of the pulleys, the placement of the body relative to the squat platform and the seat height and actual sitting positions were all different from both the instructional manual and what common sense would suggest (for instance when doing seated bicep curls one should move the seat to its highest setting, and not sit on the seat itself but plant both feet on the ground and rest the buttocks against the front of the seat and balance yourself - whereas the instruction manual says to keep the seat neutral and just sit down and lean back). After noting all of these changes, i went back for another workout. This really changed my view of the Bowflex machine. Every exercise (with the exception of the bench press) seemed to have the exact weight of my free weight workouts. I struggled to finish every third set and woke up this morning as sore as that first workout after a long time off. The stabilizer muscles arent used quite as much on the bowflex (bench/shoulder press variations), as there is really nothing that you have to balance, but after carefully watching the DVD and reading the Body Plan book, im back on board. If you are interested in a bowflex and can get one for around $600 i'd say go for it. Even if you only plan on using it on days you cant make it to the gym for whatever reason. Just make sure to get the Body Plan book and watch the instructional DVD very carefully.

That is a good price for a bowflex considering the cost in the thousands on bowflex.com.
Edit: Did your friend get a warranty?

[Fuelish]

Just make sure to get the Body Plan book and watch the instructional DVD very carefully.

Agreed on The Bowflex Body Plan book by Ellington Darden ....excellent resource, well worth it for Bow owners (of any model, well, at least for the PowerRod ones - exercises can be "adapted" as needed). Granted, the "weight"/resistance isn't pound for pound, as is constantly ragged on, but, hell - it's for reference only in terms of gauging workouts/gains on the particular machine ..... not for testosterone-fueled "bragging rights" about how much one can lift...LOL....who cares ? I love my Ulti XTLU .... I'm a small framed cyclist, so it suits me just fine (other than maxing out leg exercises @ 410 "lbs" , but, can always do one legged, and can always add "bands" to further increase resistance - I have a .pdf file on this, somewhere...). The Bow may not be a "bodybuilding" machine, but it is more than adequate for working out and getting fitter/stronger ....
Peace, folks....

[michahus]

Agreed on The Bowflex Body Plan book by Ellington Darden ....excellent resource, well worth it for Bow owners (of any model, well, at least for the PowerRod ones - exercises can be "adapted" as needed). Granted, the "weight"/resistance isn't pound for pound, as is constantly ragged on, but, hell - it's for reference only in terms of gauging workouts/gains on the particular machine ..... not for testosterone-fueled "bragging rights" about how much one can lift...LOL....who cares ? I love my Ulti XTLU .... I'm a small framed cyclist, so it suits me just fine (other than maxing out leg exercises @ 410 "lbs" , but, can always do one legged, and can always add "bands" to further increase resistance - I have a .pdf file on this, somewhere...). The Bow may not be a "bodybuilding" machine, but it is more than adequate for working out and getting fitter/stronger ....
Peace, folks....

I have the same kind of bowflex you have. I haven't maxed out on any of the rod resitances. I can notice more enrgy and strength since i began to workout on it. I don't get the body plan book, because I already know how to workout and have a pretty good idea on how I should eat. How long have you had your bowflex? see any results?

[KyleMac]

I was fooling around with my bowflex today and decided to attach the squat bar to the pulleys on the main frame and attempt to do a "bar" bench press. This actually worked! The bar does not have any slack like the handles and when placed in front of the chest has a lot of resistance on it already. This can be quite tricky, im a skinny guy 6' 180, so i was able to lift the bar over my head and in front of my chest. Works great for incline and decline as well as normal bench. Finally I can do a bar bench press on the bowflex Xtreme, don't know why i didn't think of this earlier.

[michahus]

I was fooling around with my bowflex today and decided to attach the squat bar to the pulleys on the main frame and attempt to do a "bar" bench press. This actually worked! The bar does not have any slack like the handles and when placed in front of the chest has a lot of resistance on it already. This can be quite tricky, im a skinny guy 6' 180, so i was able to lift the bar over my head and in front of my chest. Works great for incline and decline as well as normal bench. Finally I can do a bar bench press on the bowflex Xtreme, don't know why i didn't think of this earlier.

I like the xtreme.

[Smokeeater]

If anyone posts that after using a Blow Flex that they now play in a rock band with their new BLOW FLEX body, I'm going to throw up .

[michahus]

If anyone posts that after using a Blow Flex that they now play in a rock band with their new BLOW FLEX body, I'm going to throw up .

after using bowflex, I play in a rock band with my bowflex body lol

[fnscrewit]

Bowflex must be the most loved and hated exercise equipment company out! I think people just like the idea of having other ways to lift weight like bowflex and leverage systems. Is this all to trick our selves into lifting with enjoyment? I own the Bowflex 552s (because i got them at a deal and they were alot cheaper than a set of hex) and have used their systems and the only thing that is better is the saving of space. If you have the space why bother, we all know if you read this forum on how it feels about the system.
Free weights and Knowledge = Huge Gains

[michahus]

Bowflex must be the most loved and hated exercise equipment company out! I think people just like the idea of having other ways to lift weight like bowflex and leverage systems. Is this all to trick our selves into lifting with enjoyment? I own the Bowflex 552s (because i got them at a deal and they were alot cheaper than a set of hex) and have used their systems and the only thing that is better is the saving of space. If you have the space why bother, we all know if you read this forum on how it feels about the system.
Free weights and Knowledge = Huge Gains

Their ads were kind of appealing to me. but I never thought i would own a bowflex cause of my bad credit and lack of cash. one day i was working out on my gold's bench that i paid 80 bucks for at walmart and a good friend of mine who owned a bowflex called me up and said, hey man, you like bowflex? I said, Idk, then he asked me if i was willing to take it off his hands as long as I kept making payments, I said sure. It was put together at his house, but he had never used it. I didn't have to pay him anything, just had to take over payments and keep making them, or he would take it back. good deal with the measly income i get.

[Fuelish]

I didn't have to pay him anything, just had to take over payments and keep making them, or he would take it back. good deal with the measly income i get.

...sounds like a deal, if l you use the machine Still tryin' to understand the hate of Bowflex, 'round here ......doing something (even if regarded as "inferiior" by some/many) is better than doing nothing. Please, quit the hating - it gets noone anywhere

[itsallgood]

...sounds like a deal, if l you use the machine Still tryin' to understand the hate of Bowflex, 'round here ......doing something (even if regarded as "inferiior" by some/many) is better than doing nothing. Please, quit the hating - it gets noone anywhere

If someone asks for an opinion they are more than likely going to get it.

[joe447]

FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS BUY BOWFLEX

[Fuelish]

FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS BUY BOWFLEX

Wow .... funny .... and oh, so original ....