Are you looking for a comprehensive home gym machine? One that has a compact design and offers exercise versatility? If yes, the Xtreme 2 SE home gym by Bowflex could be your answer.
The machine is powered by Bowflex Power Rod technology. It offers over 70 different exercises. The no-change cable-pulley system makes for seamless workout routines. Once assembled, it takes up less floor space.
The home gym lets you perform total-body workouts, but it can be a more expensive option. So should you be buying this machine? Let us start with our Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE home gym review to learn more.
Our Review of The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE 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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Our review of this home gym machine by Bowflex is crafted considering factors like design, features, usability, and performance.
| Product Specification | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bowflex |
| Model | Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE |
| Dimension ( L x W x H) | 53 x 49 x 83.5 inches |
| Workout Area (L x W) | 96 x 78 inches |
| Assembled Machine Weight | 185 lbs |
| Resistance | 210 lbs Power Rod Resistance |
| Resistance Upgrade | 310 lbs - 410 lbs |
| Maximum User Weight | 300 lbs |
| Exercise Options | 70+ |
| Instructions Provided | Yes |
| Warranty | Machine - 7 years, Power Rods - 5 years |
Ease of Assembly
Putting together the home gym can take you up to 2 to 4 hours. Bowflex is a brand that is known to provide excellent assembly instructions. You can find detailed assembly manuals and videos on their website.
The manual describes all the parts you will receive in the boxes. The directions have detailed illustrations for better understanding.
To assemble the Xtreme 2 SE machine, you will additionally need a 7/16” and 9/16” combination wrench, a Philips screwdriver, adjustable socket wrenches, and a utility knife, among others.
The instructions are straightforward, but it is a big machine with multiple parts, and it will require effort from your end. However, you can opt for Bowflex’s in-home assembly service if you are not mechanically inclined.
Ease of Use
The home gym machine is pretty easy to use. Bowflex offers an owner’s manual with exercise options for muscles like the chest, shoulders, arms, back, abs, and legs.
The exercise descriptions include information like the starting position, action to be performed, target muscles, success tips, and illustrations. You can also explore different workout routines depending on your fitness goal.
The no-change cable pulley system is a notable feature of the home gym machine. Some exercise transitions do not require you to change the pulley settings. For example, when moving from a squat to a chest press.
On the other hand, performing ab exercises would require you to change the middle pulleys, but these changes take only a few seconds.
Overall, the Xtreme 2 SE is easy to use, and Bowflex provides a wealth of information to get started.
Home Gym Size And Dimension
The Xtreme 2 SE model has a compact design. You can perform full-body workouts while the machine takes up little floor space.
The assembled dimensions of the home gym are 53 L x 49 W x 83.5 H inches, and it weighs about 185 lbs. The workout area’s dimensions are 96 L x 78 W inches.
These dimensions are comparatively good for a complete home gym solution. For example, if we consider the Bowflex Revolution home gym, its length is 55 inches, even when folded.
Home Gym Versatility
Versatility is one of the strongest features of the Xtreme SE 2 home gym. The machine comes with a standard Power Rod resistance of 210 lbs. It has a lat tower with an angled lat bar, a 4-position lower pulley station, and a leg extension.
It includes a squat bar, an ab crunch shoulder harness, single-function hand grips, and 5-way hand grips. You can explore optional attachments like a preacher curl and a triceps rope.
Using a single home gym machine, you can perform over 70 different exercises while working on your whole body. Some of these exercises are:
- Bench press
- Lateral shoulder raise
- Bent over row
- Bicep curl
- Tricep extension
- Seated abdominal crunch
- Leg kickback
Build Quality
The power rods used in the home gym are made from a unique nylon composite material. The rods also have a protective black rubber coating on top.
The multiple-pulley system is adjustable. Depending on the exercise you are performing and your physique, the slider pulleys can be adjusted to a standard, wide, or narrow position.
To maintain the machine’s longevity, Bowflex recommends using a non-abrasive household cleaner to wipe down the bench after every use. You should also regularly inspect the machine for any loose nuts or screws and the condition of the cables and straps.
Weight Capacity
The standard weight capacity of the Bowflex Power Rod unit is 210 lbs. The resistance is broken down into five pairs of Power Rods: one pair of 5 lbs, two pairs of 10 lbs, one pair of 30 lbs, and one pair of 50 lbs.
You can buy a 100-lb. Power Rod upgrade (201 to 310 lbs) and (310 to 410 lbs). You will receive one or two pairs of 50 lbs Power Rods in this case.
The standard weight limit will work well for most beginners. If you want to focus on strength training, consider resistance upgrade.
Price
The original price for this home gym machine is $1,499. At the time of writing the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE home gym review, Bowflex’s offering price is $1,199. If you choose the in-house assembly service, it will cost you an additional $299.
You can also pay over time with monthly payments. For example, you can pay an equal monthly amount of $67 over 18 months. You will not be charged any interest if you make the complete payment within 18 months.
The Power Rod 100 lbs upgrade is available for $129.
If you are interested in buying the home gym along with the resistance upgrade and accessories, buy them together to avail a discount of up to $300.
Warranty
Bowflex offers a 7-year warranty on the home gym machine and a 5-year warranty on the Power Rods.
To validate warranty support, you must register the product warranty on Bowflex’s website. Also, keep the original proof of purchase safe.
Pros And Cons of The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym
If you are unsure if the home gym machine is the right choice or not, here are some pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros
- You can perform over 70 different exercises with one home gym machine.
- The home gym is beginner-friendly.
- The machine is powered by the Bowflex Power Rod technology.
- It offers a resistance of 210 lbs and can be upgraded to 310 or 410 lbs.
- It provides a no-change cable pulley system for seamless workouts.
- Bowflex provides a good warranty on the machine.
- The document kit includes seven free trainer-built workouts.
Cons
- Power Rod resistance can degrade over time with extensive use.
- Taller users may experience a limited range of motion.
Who is The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym Designed For?
With the Bowflex home gym, you can meet different fitness goals. For example, you can improve overall fitness or cardiovascular health or improve muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility.
If you want to exercise from the comfort of your home or office without spending time traveling or waiting in line for machines, a home gym would be an ideal solution.
With a standard resistance of 210 lbs and with upgrades of 310 lbs or 410 lbs, the home gym should suffice the needs of beginners and intermediate fitness users.
Advanced weightlifters or bodybuilders may find the resistance limiting after a point.
What Are Some Unique Features of The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym?
Here are some Xtreme 2 SE home gym features that set it apart from its competitors.
Power Rod Technology
Resistance technology is a better and safer alternative to using free weights. The machine creates less resistance when you start the exercise, going easy on your joints.
Once you progress with repetitions, the resistance gradually increases to get the most out of your workout.
Along with the no-change cable pulley system, you can go from squats to lat exercises without needing to adjust the cables.
Free Trainer-Built Workouts
As a beginner, you may not always know what exercises to perform, how to use the machine, or how to build a workout routine.
Bowflex helps overcome these challenges with its owner’s manual. Here you can find over 70 exercises, steps to perform them, success tips, and illustrations.
You also get seven free workouts built by trainers. These include a 20-minute better body, a 20-minute upper/lower body, bodybuilding, circuit training, true aerobic circuit training, and strength training.
What Exercises Can You Perform With The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym?
You can perform total-body workouts with the Xtreme 2 SE home gym. Here are some exercises according to their primary target muscles.
Chest Exercises
- Bench press
- Chest fly
- Incline/decline bench press
Shoulder Exercises
- Seated shoulder press
- Shoulder shrug
- Reverse fly
Back Exercises
- Pulldowns
- Standing low back extension
- Crossover bent over row
Arm Exercises
- Resisted dip
- Biceps curl
- Wrist extension
Abdominal Exercises
- Truck rotation
- Seated oblique abdominal crunch
- Seated abdominal crunch
Leg Exercises
- Squat
- Hip flexion
- Leg extension
The exercises mentioned above are not exhaustive. They provide a glimpse into what you can do with your Bowflex Xtreme.
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym FAQ’s
Both home gyms provide total-body workouts. The Revolution home gym offers more exercise options (100+) and includes a preacher curl attachment. However, it costs double the price of the Xtreme 2 SE and also takes up more space.
Bowflex offers free shipping as a part of its limited-time deals. In general, delivery to the contiguous US costs $149, and Alaska and Hawaii cost $424.99.
It can take the service team about an hour or two to assemble the machine. Bowflex typically schedules appointments in 4-hour windows, Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Summary
If you want to achieve your fitness goals from the comfort of your home, the Xtreme 2 SE home gym can help you do so.
With its Power Rod resistance technology, no-change cable pulley system, and accessories like a lat bar, leg extension, and squat station, you can perform over 70 exercises.
Bowflex also offers a good warranty on the machine. We hope our Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE home gym review helps you with your purchase decision.