Are you on the lookout for the ultimate home gym machine? One that lets you perform full-body workouts with good resistance? Bowflex Revolution is one such home gym that we will be exploring today.
This home gym is one of the most versatile machines in the marketplace. It boasts about 100 exercise options with up to 400 variations. It offers the SpiraFlex technology that provides consistent resistance throughout movements. It comes with adjustable arms, a rowing station, a leg press, and a preacher curl attachment.
The home gym is also one of the pricier models in the market. And it can take up a fair amount of space. So you can consider it an investment for your health, but does the machine provide value for money?
Let us start with our Bowflex Revolution Home Gym review to find the answer.
Our Review of The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym
- 100 exercises for a full body workout
- SpiraFlex technology works independently of gravity to provide resistance without inertia
- Work with up to 600 lb. of resistance with the leg press station
- Vertical bench press allows a wide range of exercises and folds for storage
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While exploring home gym machines, you should consider a few primary factors like build quality, ease of assembly and use, footprint, exercise options, and price. Our Bowflex Revolution Home Gym review explores these factors and more. Let us understand if the machine will be a good addition to your home gym.
Product Specifications
| Brand | Bowflex |
| Model | Bowflex Revolution Home Gym |
| Dimension (L x W x H) | 112 x 37.8 x 73 inches |
| Workout Area (L x W) | 120 x 84 inches |
| Folded Footprint (L x W) | 55 x 38 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 414.64 lbs |
| Assembled Machine Weight | 336.2 lbs |
| Resistance | SpiraFlex – 220 lbs (Upgradeable to 300 lbs) |
| Maximum Weight | 300 lbs |
| Exercise Options | 100+ with up to 400 variations |
| Instructions Provided | Yes |
| Warranty | 10 years for parts, 90 days for labor |
Ease of Assembly
Bowflex is a brand known to provide plenty of information to users through assembly manuals, installation guides, and owner’s manuals. And it is the same for the home gym machine as well.
In the assembly manual, you will find safety instructions, tools required, a parts list, and a hardware chart. This will help you get accustomed to the assembly process, even as a beginner.
Next, you will find detailed step-by-step instructions right from unboxing to assembly. Pictures are provided for better understanding.
To start with assembly, you will additionally need a Phillips head screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, and a utility knife or scissors.
The instructions are straightforward, but considering it is a big machine with multiple parts, the assembly can take 2 to 4 hours. It would be best to get help from another person.
You can opt for an in-home assembly if you are not mechanically inclined. A Bowflex technician will set up the machine. The service is charged at $299 and is available only in the US.
Ease of Use
The Bowflex Revolution is a big machine with many moving parts and exercise stations. The machine does get easier to use with time. But initially, you may take time to understand aspects like arm placement and cable clip attachments.
To start using the machine, attach the desired amount of resistance packs. These packs have a pound rating based on the resistance they offer. For example, the resistant plates are 5, 10, 20, and 40-pound packs.
Please ensure the plates are pushed back in the shaft and the locking mechanism is engaged. One can set the resistance in a symmetrical or offset fashion depending on one’s exercise needs.
Once you figure out the placement, exercising is a smooth experience. Our research and several reviews show that switching between exercises is relatively seamless when targeting similar muscle groups. You do not have to worry about readjusting cables.
As the machine works on a pulley system, beginners must pay extra attention to their form.
If you are unsure how to proceed with the home gym, Bowflex’s owner’s manual can help. Here you can find specific exercises for the chest, shoulders, abdominals, legs, and more. The manual also has workout programs for goals like better body, circuit training, bodybuilding, and strength training.
Overall, we rate the home gym machine as easy to use but with an initial learning curve.
Home Gym Size And Dimensions
The Bowflex Revolution is not the smallest home gym available. Once the machine is assembled and ready for use, its dimensions are 112 L x 37.8 W x 73 H inches. You will have a workout area of 120 L x 84 W inches. It weighs about 336 lbs.
Owing to the machine’s versatility, these dimensions and weights are expected.
One of the best features is that the bench can be folded when the machine is unused. The folded footprint of the home gym is 55 L x 38 W inches.
In addition, the standing platform has transport wheels on them. So you can quickly move the machine out of the way when you need the space for other purposes. These features make owning the machine possible for users with limited floor space.
If floor space is a constraint, looking into basic home gym models, cardio machines, or free weights would be best.
Build Quality
The Bowflex Revolution is built using high-grade carbon steel. This material has a higher yield and tensile strength. Compared to standard steel, the carbon content in the material makes the machine stronger and harder.
For optimal performance, you need to perform preventative maintenance. For example, wipe down the machine using a clean damp cloth after every use. This will help get rid of sweat and other pollutants.
Bowflex recommends inspecting the machine monthly for any loose parts or nuts. In addition, check the ropes for any excessive signs of wear and tear.
Overall the build quality is superior to several other home gym models in the market.
Home Gym Versatility
Bowflex Revolution can be the answer if you can afford only a single machine for your home gym. You can get a full-body workout with the machine.
The Bowflex Revolution has adjustable arms, a variable pulley system, a hand grip, a lower pulley, a standing platform, and a leg extension attachment. As a result, you can work towards different fitness goals, like building muscle strength and endurance and improving flexibility and cardiovascular endurance.
It is one of the best versatile home gym systems on the market. You can perform 100 exercises with up to 400 variations.
Some exercises that one can perform for a full-body workout using the Bowflex Revolution are:
- Seated lat row
- Standing bicep curl
- Low back extension
- Bench press
- Leg extension
- Rear delt row and more
It is a home gym machine that can work for beginners or users with intermediate fitness levels. However, advanced bodybuilders may find the machine limiting.
Weight Capacity
As per the standard configuration, the SpiraFlex plates offer 220 lbs of resistance. You can upgrade this to 300 lbs for upper-body workouts. In addition, the leg press station can be upgraded to provide up to 600 lbs of resistance.
The maximum user weight limit is 300 lbs. Bowflex does not recommend users above the weight limit use the machine.
The resistance upgrades make it possible to use the machine long-term. For example, 220 lbs is a good weight resistance for beginners. You can upgrade and try variations to reach your fitness goals as you progress.
Price
All the good things we discussed above come at a price, and a pretty high one at that. At the time of writing the review, after the discount, the device is available at $2,299. The deal is available for US users only.
If you shop from the company’s website, you can opt for an 18-month promotional financing plan. This will bring the cost to about $128 per month.
Other companion equipment, like the 80 lbs resistance plate upgrade, is available at $149. The Bowflex tricep rope is available at $39, and the machine mat is available at $99. If you are interested in buying the accessories, consider buying them together to save on costs.
This is not a cheap home gym machine. But it is all that you will need to stay fit at home. So consider it as an investment for the long term.
Warranty
Bowflex offers a better warranty than most gym equipment brands in the market. The Bowflex Revolution comes with a 90 days warranty for labor and a 10-year warranty for parts.
You will have to register the product warranty on the Bowflex website. Keep details like serial number and date of purchase handy. Also, keep the original proof of purchase for warranty validation.
If you try to change the machine’s design or functionality or use third-party replacement parts, this will void your warranty. So best avoid such practices.
Pros And Cons of The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym
Pros
- The home gym is built using high-grade carbon steel for increased strength and durability.
- Use of patented SpiraFlex technology that offers consistent resistance throughout the range of motion.
- You can perform 100 exercises with up to 400 variations.
- It offers 220 lbs of resistance, upgradeable up to 300 lbs.
- Quick switching between exercises.
- Parts are covered with a 10-year warranty.
- Clear and detailed assembly and exercise manuals are offered.
Cons
- The home gym machine can be expensive.
- It can occupy more space than basic home gym machines.
Who is the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym Best Suited For?
The Bowflex Revolution is specially designed to be used as a home gym machine. It provides the functionality of performing full-body workouts. You can get both resistance and cardiovascular training done.
If you want to exercise from the convenience of your home, the Bowflex Revolution is a good option. The single machine can help meet your fitness goals if you can afford the space and cost.
Beginners may find it challenging to work with the machine initially. There are many moving parts, exercises, and variations to get familiar with. But once you do, it will be fun using the machine.
Bowflex provides good learning resources as well. For example, if you are new to using gym equipment, you can use the manual to understand exercises and their target muscles.
For example, if your goal is to build general fitness, Bowflex has a 20-minute workout designed, complete with exercises, sets, reps, and frequency. Similarly, you can find workouts for upper/ lower body, bodybuilding, circuit training, and more. So again, this can be a handy tool for beginners.
Intermediate-level fitness users can also use the Bowflex Revolution. You can upgrade the resistance packs as required. However, the resistance can not be enough for bodybuilders after a point.
What Are Some Unique Features of the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym?
The Bowflex Revolution is packed with innovative features. Using the existing attachments, you can try different variations of exercises and target different muscles.
SpiraFlex Technology
This is a technology that was developed for NASA. It works independently of gravity to provide users with a non-inertial resistance. It gives you the experience of working out with gym-quality plate-loaded machines minus the bulky weight.
You can feel the resistance throughout the movement. This leads to a better burn and workout experience. The machine has 5, 10, 20, and 40 lbs resistance packs. In addition, you can purchase 80 lbs of resistance packs separately.
Freedom Arms
The machine comes with independent moving arms called the freedom arms. They can be placed in 10 different positions and adjusted up to 170°.
This allows you to set the arms as required depending on the exercise movement. For example, for a tricep pushdown, you can place both arms straight, pointing upwards. On the other hand, for a lying bicep curl, you can place both arms straight but pointing downwards.
Rowing Ready
Resistance training should also have a cardiovascular component for a complete workout. With the Bowflex Revolution, you can add an aerobic element to your routine with the rowing station.
You must remove the bench, then unlock and lock the seat in an out position. This will let the seat move freely during the workout. Next, sit on the seat facing the resistance packs. Hold the hand grips and start the movement by extending your knees.
What Exercises Can You Perform Using the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym?
There are up to 100 exercises that you can perform using the Bowflex Revolution. You can train different muscle groups or perform one-sided exercises by setting an offset resistance.
Here are some exercise options depending on the muscles you want to train.
Chest Exercises
- Bench press
- Chest fly
- Resisted punch
- Lying cable crossover
- Incline chest press
Shoulder Exercises
- Rear Deltoid rows
- Standing lateral shoulder raise
- Front shoulder raise
- Scapular protraction
- Shoulder extension
Back Exercises
- Standing wide angle lat row
- Seated lat row
- Lying lat fly
- Stiff arm pulldown
- Seated low back extension
Arm Exercises
- Triceps pushdown
- French press
- Rope pushdown
- Standing biceps curl
- Preacher curl
Abdominal Exercises
- Standing trunk rotation
- Reverse crunch
- Seated abdominal crunch
- Kneeling low to high trunk rotation
Leg Exercises
- Leg extension
- Leg kickback
- Standing hip extension
- Ankle Eversion
- Leg press
The exercises mentioned above are not exhaustive. They provide a glimpse into what you can do with your Bowflex Revolution.
Bowflex Revolution Home Gym FAQ’s
You can build muscle with Bowflex Revolution, provided you stay consistent with training and follow a proper diet. Focus on perfecting exercise forms before increasing resistance.
You will need a minimum height clearance of 6 feet 1 inch to use the Bowflex Revolution home gym machine.
Preacher curl, leg press, handle grip, low row foot plate, standing platform, foot harness, leg press seat back, and large seat back are all included with the Bowflex Revolution.
The Bowflex home gym model is built using high-grade carbon steel. The parts are covered under a 10-year warranty. The machine should last for years, considering you perform routine maintenance activities.
Summary
The Bowflex Revolution can be your one-stop solution for home gym needs. It lets you work out your entire body with up to 100 exercises and 400 variations.
Bowflex offers a detailed instruction guide and an owner’s manual. This makes it easier for beginners to assemble and start using the machine.
The machine boasts patented SpiraFlex technology that provides a gym-quality experience at home. In addition, it includes other features like freedom arms, leg press station, preacher curl attachment, and a 5-position foot harness.
The home gym model is expensive but provides value for money. We hope our Bowflex Revolution Home Gym review helps you arrive at a purchase decision.