What's the difference between Bowflex XG2 SE vs Bowflex PR1000?

[Einhander12]

So I'm pretty set on getting a Bowflex. I understand that it doesn't give you the barbell benefits for building mass. Some of these exercises are more complimentary. I get that. I'm not gonna use it to replace my free weight workout, but to add to it. And part of the reason is because all the gyms are closed down and will be for a while. I'm not gonna wear a mask while working out hard. So it's the Bowflex that I want to get. I don't want Tonal or regular exercise bands, I want Bowflex.

But what's the difference between the XG2 SE and the PR 1000? I know that the XG2 is newer. But don't they offer the same exercises?

Can you replace the weight on the PR100 from 200 to 300 or 400 or is that only available on the XG2 SE?

It takes up to 2 months to get your order for the XG2 SE. So would it be better to try to find deals for the PR1000 on Ebay or Amazon if I can get it cheaper? Or would your recommend buying from Bowflex for the extended warranty and customer support?

[radrd]

You should get something else.

[Einhander12]

You should get something else.

I already made it clear.

[ShockDaMuscles]

So I'm pretty set on getting a Bowflex.

I stopped reading right there.

[daniel327]

There's no real difference. They're both overpriced pieces of sh!t.

[thedickus]

It looks like the Bowflex PR1000 is $599 and the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE is $1499. It appears that the Xtreme 2 SE has many more places to potentially hang your clothes on than the PR1000 does. I'd spend the extra $900 for the additional clothing racks/storage space, but I've got f@#k you money. If you're on a budget I'd opt for the PR1000 and then go to Walmart and buy the Mind Reader Freestanding 11-Hook Metal Coat Rack for $16.99. They have wall mount coat racks if floor space is going to be an issue.

[DarthCholo]

There probably zero experts on this equipment here.

[Mech6]

Gonorrhea vs chlamydia

[JustTheDad]

Einhander,

You aren't going to get any serious recommendations on a bowflex here, because it's like going to a culinary website and saying, I plan to thicken my tomato sauce with either spackle or drywall mud, which do you recommend. We would suggest tomato paste, but you've decided against it.

Everyone here knows what the bowflex is, some of us have friends who have bought and sold one, or bought and thrown one out. It's an overpriced, poorly thought out machine that would have made a clever science project but makes a bad resistance exercise machine.

If you want one, buy it. Maybe you'll be the 1 in 100 person who actually likes it for more than 2 weeks. My friends had one for years and tried to like it. I tried it and it was fun for 2 minutes, but I can get a better workout with a pull-up bar, push-up handles, and a suspension trainer. After a few years of not using it because it's so annoying, my friends decided to go with P90X, calisthenics, and dumbbell exercises. I think they sold the bowflex for like $50 to a neighbor when they moved.

Sorry you didn't get the affirmation you wanted on a bowflex.

[cwcmac]

Gonorrhea vs chlamydia

At least you may have a good time getting those, not so much for a Bowflex

[Einhander12]

There's no real difference. They're both overpriced pieces of sh!t.

I had no idea bodybuilding.com featured many young and immature adults who have no substance or respect.

[urbanlifter]

My equipment journey started with a Bowflex, used it for a year solid with minimal results. Sold it for 1/3 what I paid and bought P90X with some Powerblock DB's (which led me here).

[Einhander12]

Einhander,

You aren't going to get any serious recommendations on a bowflex here, because it's like going to a culinary website and saying, I plan to thicken my tomato sauce with either spackle or drywall mud, which do you recommend. We would suggest tomato paste, but you've decided against it.

Everyone here knows what the bowflex is, some of us have friends who have bought and sold one, or bought and thrown one out. It's an overpriced, poorly thought out machine that would have made a clever science project but makes a bad resistance exercise machine.

If you want one, buy it. Maybe you'll be the 1 in 100 person who actually likes it for more than 2 weeks. My friends had one for years and tried to like it. I tried it and it was fun for 2 minutes, but I can get a better workout with a pull-up bar, push-up handles, and a suspension trainer. After a few years of not using it because it's so annoying, my friends decided to go with P90X, calisthenics, and dumbbell exercises. I think they sold the bowflex for like $50 to a neighbor when they moved.

Sorry you didn't get the affirmation you wanted on a bowflex.

I like dumbbells but I’m also at an age where I care more about working out without having stress on my joints. I love cables and variety. Many on here seem to just care about building muscle.

[urbanlifter]

My recommendation if you want an "All-Inclusive' workout machine, go with the Body Solid corner Leverage gym.

[cwcmac]

I had no idea bodybuilding.com featured many young and immature adults who have no substance or respect.

I'd say your unwillingness to listen to feedback from people that are experts (not me) is the immature approach.

Here's the reality: Bowflex is not a good piece of equipment. It is built cheaply, the resistance is no good, the bio-mechanics are no good (heard, from many however never used one) and the majority of people that get them resell them for a loss or let them sit.

People think it is quality because of the prices. The price is so high due to their massive amount of marketing, not the materials, design, R&D or quality. Bowflex also cites a number of 'University studies; espousing why it is so good but do not release the studies or even which 'university' created them.

If you're looking for confirmation for a bad decision this is not the place to come. If you want feedback on what equipment suits your goals you'll get great feedback and advice if you're willing to listen.

So lets' start over: What are your goals, workout history/knowledge and do you have space or budget constraints

[radrd]

I like dumbbells but I’m also at an age where I care more about working out without having stress on my joints. I love cables and variety. Many on here seem to just care about building muscle.

There are plenty of cable-based options better than bowflex.

[ncsuLuke]

I like dumbbells but I’m also at an age where I care more about working out without having stress on my joints. I love cables and variety. Many on here seem to just care about building muscle.

What is it about free weight training that produces such stress on your joints that a bowflex would remedy for you? In most situations, strength training with free weights is the best approach and the idea that a bowflex would be better for your joints is simply misinformation.

[Duplicitous]

I like dumbbells but I’m also at an age where I care more about working out without having stress on my joints. I love cables and variety. Many on here seem to just care about building muscle.

You're missing the point. We are not opposed to Bowflex machines because they're machines, but rather because they're junk. Your money would be far better spent on a good functional trainer. It would offer you everything the Bowflex does and more and would be far better at ... well, everything. If you're hell bent on the Bowflex though, get one. It's your money.

[Detrus]

You won't get a review here besides the obvious. You'll have to do your research on Youtube. The resistance curve has to be different, Revolution probably has a more even curve than the old rod based models. It looks good as home decor compared to rods.

People here interested in such large variety of exercises look for a functional trainer. Those have weight stacks and even resistance.

[Einhander12]

My recommendation if you want an "All-Inclusive' workout machine, go with the Body Solid corner Leverage gym.

Hey that looks like a pretty cool workout machine. The only problem is there's nowhere to buy free weight plates these days.

[JustTheDad]

I like dumbbells but I’m also at an age where I care more about working out without having stress on my joints. I love cables and variety. Many on here seem to just care about building muscle.

I'm an old fart for this board too, and I drive a desk 8-10 hours a day. I bought a functional trainer to supplement my free weights, but I also have a suspension trainer and push up handles. My workouts have 10 to 15 minute pulls on the concept 2 between 3-5 exercises. Clearly mass building isn't high on my list.

If you want something to supplement dumbbells, there are far better options than the bowflex. A used high/low row/lat pull or a functional trainer would both be much better investments. Given Covid19, those may be hard to find on FB marketplace or CL, but if you aren't in a rush, I'd strongly recommend watching for those if you were actually willing to pay as much as the more expensive bow flex machine. There was a really nice machine that was not a functional trainer but which had individual handles attached the weight stack at 3 heights, and it had a bench. I almost bought one used for around 1k. The reason nobody will recommend a bowflex here is because everyone who posts here as done a lot of research and seen how many alternatives there are that nobody is aware of, and they're all MUCH better than the bowflex. If it says bowflex, weider, or golds, you can find something a lot better for less money. Promise.

Edit:
It was a tuff stuff 6 pack trainer, like new, and the owners in the DC area wanted $1500. I bought a functional trainer instead, but there are a lot of options that are better than the bowflex. If you tell us how old you are, your goals, injuries or issues, etch, you'll get better advice.

[Einhander12]

I'm an old fart for this board too, and I drive a desk 8-10 hours a day. I bought a functional trainer to supplement my free weights, but I also have a suspension trainer and push up handles. My workouts have 10 to 15 minute pulls on the concept 2 between 3-5 exercises. Clearly mass building isn't high on my list.

If you want something to supplement dumbbells, there are far better options than the bowflex. A used high/low row/lat pull or a functional trainer would both be much better investments. Given Covid19, those may be hard to find on FB marketplace or CL, but if you aren't in a rush, I'd strongly recommend watching for those if you were actually willing to pay as much as the more expensive bow flex machine. There was a really nice machine that was not a functional trainer but which had individual handles attached the weight stack at 3 heights, and it had a bench. I almost bought one used for around 1k. The reason nobody will recommend a bowflex here is because everyone who posts here as done a lot of research and seen how many alternatives there are that nobody is aware of, and they're all MUCH better than the bowflex. If it says bowflex, weider, or golds, you can find something a lot better for less money. Promise.

Edit:
It was a tuff stuff 6 pack trainer, like new, and the owners in the DC area wanted $1500. I bought a functional trainer instead, but there are a lot of options that are better than the bowflex. If you tell us how old you are, your goals, injuries or issues, etch, you'll get better advice.

Well I looked into the functional trainers. Those are nice machines that I have used at the gym, but I think they take up a lot more space, which I may not have.

I looked into the Leverage Corner machine. Looks pretty cool, though might be a bit big. And the other issue is there's nowhere to buy weight plates. Also, the Bowflex has ways of doing unique exercises such as flys, reverse flys, and 2 armed cable rows. You cannot do those exercises on a machine that only has a lat pulldown and a low cable row.

So for instance if I'm working my biceps, I might want to do a few sets with dumbbells and then maybe a few sets with some kind of cable. If I'm doing chest, I might want to do push ups or some dumbbell presses, and then some exercises on a cable machine whether it's a bowflex or a function trainer. See I can do a few sets of free weights for chest, but I feel so much better finishing with cables. Unfortunately most cable machines don't let you perform a 2 arm fly.

[Stasher1]

Gonorrhea vs chlamydia

At least you may have a good time getting those, not so much for a Bowflex

Similar process, really. Every single Blowflex buyer gets bent over and plowed deep and rough. They get to repeat the process when they try to sell it.

[DarthCholo]

Well I looked into the functional trainers. Those are nice machines that I have used at the gym, but I think they take up a lot more space, which I may not have.

I looked into the Leverage Corner machine. Looks pretty cool, though might be a bit big. And the other issue is there's nowhere to buy weight plates. Also, the Bowflex has ways of doing unique exercises such as flys, reverse flys, and 2 armed cable rows. You cannot do those exercises on a machine that only has a lat pulldown and a low cable row.

So for instance if I'm working my biceps, I might want to do a few sets with dumbbells and then maybe a few sets with some kind of cable. If I'm doing chest, I might want to do push ups or some dumbbell presses, and then some exercises on a cable machine whether it's a bowflex or a function trainer. See I can do a few sets of free weights for chest, but I feel so much better finishing with cables. Unfortunately most cable machines don't let you perform a 2 arm fly.

Fly's and reverse fly's are good accessory movements but not "must haves" worth comprising by getting Bowflex. That leverage machine hits all the core stuff with out going full free weights.

You seem to be fully set on Bowflex and I'm sure there are people happy with them. They have crap resale and while all prices are inflated right now. long term free weights will still retain at minimum half their value. The Bowflex will not.

You can find bumper plates direct pretty regular now if you follow the big players.

[Einhander12]

Fly's and reverse fly's are good accessory movements but not "must haves" worth comprising by getting Bowflex. That leverage machine hits all the core stuff with out going full free weights.

You seem to be fully set on Bowflex and I'm sure there are people happy with them. They have crap resale and while all prices are inflated right now. long term free weights will still retain at minimum half their value. The Bowflex will not.

You can find bumper plates direct pretty regular now if you follow the big players.

You are right. I didn't know about this leverage home gym. Not sure if I have room for that, so I'll measure it out. Yes you're right that the chest flys are not must haves.

No I was pretty set on the Bowflex but after seeing the picture of the leverage machine, now I'm not so sure. I used to have a leverage machine for the bench press. This has it all though, plus the cables.

Gosh this is a tough one now..

[Einhander12]

I'd say your unwillingness to listen to feedback from people that are experts (not me) is the immature approach.

Here's the reality: Bowflex is not a good piece of equipment. It is built cheaply, the resistance is no good, the bio-mechanics are no good (heard, from many however never used one) and the majority of people that get them resell them for a loss or let them sit.

People think it is quality because of the prices. The price is so high due to their massive amount of marketing, not the materials, design, R&D or quality. Bowflex also cites a number of 'University studies; espousing why it is so good but do not release the studies or even which 'university' created them.

If you're looking for confirmation for a bad decision this is not the place to come. If you want feedback on what equipment suits your goals you'll get great feedback and advice if you're willing to listen.

So lets' start over: What are your goals, workout history/knowledge and do you have space or budget constraints

Alright so I made a new thread for getting an alternative to the Bowflex, since I'm off that train for now. I thought they were all just hating on the Bowflex for no reason because maybe they thought they were too good for it, but I get it now. So my goals are pretty much to train without a lot of strain. I like the combination of dumbbells, cables, and even some heavy resistance on certain machines. Barbells have always seemed to hurt me. Right now I'm really into cycling, hiking and stair climbing. I'm a pretty stocky guy and I used love working out with heavy weights like crazy. I've only trained at the gym on and off over the last several years, but I want to get back into it at home. I'm not interested in trying to maximum my strength and size at the expense of hurting my joints. But I still want to workout about 3 days a week in my storage room that has some space. I was thinking that the Bowflex would be the perfect thing to use since it has so many exercises, but after seeing the Leverage Machine, I'm realizing that it might be better since it has cables in addition to all the compound movements. As far as budget, I really don't want to spend much more than 2 or 3 grand. I wouldn't spend like 5 thousand to buy a machine. I know that I'll have to purchase weight plates in addition to the machine if I get it. So I'm highly considering it now.

[pcake]

cables are much better imo than bowflex. i currently use a valor fitness BD-62 for a lot of my exercises, but years ago, i actually owned a bowflex - after using it, i didn't care for it. for one thing, the rods soften in hot weather, stiffen in cold - i called bowflex support to be sure of this - and you can find yourself working with very different resistance using the exact same rods.

for another thing, i found the bowflex hurt my joints more than free weights or cables. that's actually why i sold it and got back to weights - each motion develops more resistance at the ends of your motions, so if you have just a little momentum going or you're in the zone, you may not notice you're going "heavier" than you mean to be.

and moving the resistance rods in and out to change resistance is a surprising amount of hassle. it's much quicker and easier for me to just reach to the plate tree and get more plates than it was to maneuver around my wall and the rods. i don't miss the bowflex at all.

[Hutrapper]

As has already been stated, Bowflex is kind of a punchline on here. Far from being immature these guys are trying to keep you from wasting your money on something you will not end up liking or using. If other stuff is not available, and bowflex units are...that should be a bit of a hint.

A functional trainer and multi adjustable bench would be better bet given how you say you would like to train.


Or if I could jump on the bandwagon a bit, get a Bowflex, an Ab Doer and a Tony Little Gazelle while you are at it.

[rlundregan]

You are right. I didn't know about this leverage home gym. Not sure if I have room for that, so I'll measure it out. Yes you're right that the chest flys are not must haves.

No I was pretty set on the Bowflex but after seeing the picture of the leverage machine, now I'm not so sure. I used to have a leverage machine for the bench press. This has it all though, plus the cables.

Gosh this is a tough one now..

FWIW, I think the Bowflex is actually harder on joints because they have sort of a herky-jerky motion......A leverage gym is a better idea, but you are right, it will take a lot of space. A decent Functional Trainer will have a much smoother motion and take less space.

[Einhander12]

Today was an interesting day. I ordered the Powertec Leverage Machine and I also tried out a Bowflex Extreme 2 SE. My friend owns one. I have been curious about the Bowflex for a while and I thought maybe if the machine feels good, I'll buy one someday to use in conjunction with my Powertec. But he had storage boxes stacked up on the Bowflex, so it was hard to get in a workout. He didn't really want me using it because of all the storage, but I snuck in a few reps.

I got to tell you, it was NOT good.. now granted I only used 2 rods on each side. I went for some tricep pushdowns. The resistance felt very weak. Are those rods supposed to weigh 50 pounds each? I was quite disappointed. I felt like it wasn't really giving me that smooth eccentric resistance that I imagined. I even questioned if the machine was broken.

Maybe the rods are old, but I was so surprised at how underwhelmed I felt using the machine. I felt that at the very least, it would feel as good as a cable machine at the gym. But not even close, it almost felt like it was a toy. But like I said, I only used 2 rods on each side. Maybe when you use all the rods, you'll get some kind of a challenge. But I honestly feel like resistance bands are smoother. Even with light resistance bands, you feel it on the eccentric motion.

Anyways, I'm rambling. It was a disappointment. I know what it's like to load up a small amount of weight on a cross trainer or cable crossover. Now I know what it's like to load up a couple rods on the Bowflex. And the Bowflex does not feel like I'm doing too much.