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Bowflex

#1 Bowflex HVT Home Gym Review

Chris L.
February 20, 2021

The Bowflex HVT is a state-of-the-art piece of exercise equipment. With daily 18-minute sessions, you can get in shape quickly with minimal stress on your joints. Plus, with a media shelf, you can partake in trainer-led workout videos right from the home gym.

Is the Bowflex HVT Home Gym best for you?

The Bowflex HVT home gym is ideal for people serious about getting into shape. With over 70 workouts to choose from, you'll never get bored. Plus, there are workouts available for different muscle groups, allowing you to focus on something different every day of the week.

The HVT is basically two devices in one. You can lift weights and get in some solid cardio. It's ideal for people in tight living spaces who may not be able to afford multiple machines. For the best bang for your buck, the HVT gives you everything you need and more.

Consider Bowflex HVT if...

  • You need the latest technology. The Bowflex HVT is one of the few home gyms with Bluetooth connectivity. You can sync it with the Bowflex app to take advantage of trainer-led workouts.
  • You want both strength training and cardio. Those trainer-led workouts include a mix of weight lifting and cardio. You can mix up your workout regimen to always keep your body on its toes.
  • You like working your way up. The Bowflex HVT was designed with people of all experience levels in mind. With adjustable programs and tailored settings, you can exercise however you feel most comfortable.

Avoid Bowflex HVT if...

  • You don't want difficult assembly. There are a lot of moving parts to this machine. You should have a friend come over to help you assemble it in an afternoon. Or you could pay someone to do it for you.
  • You don't have a ton of space. The HVT itself is relatively compact. However, the pulleys require a lot of movement, so you need to make sure you can move around sufficiently.
  • You don't want to deal with shipping. In the event you need repairs for the machine, you may have to ship the whole thing, which can be a major pain.

Bowflex HVT pros & cons

Pros

  • 70+ workouts
  • Built-in media shelf
  • Sleek design
  • Free Bowflex HVT app

Cons

  • Limited warranty
  • Difficult assembly

What areas of the body does Bowflex HVT target?

  • Arms: With a variety of pulleys at your disposal, you can give your arms a workout like never before.
  • Legs: Squats and split jumps keep your legs in shape.
  • Chest: A chest fly and forward lunge chest press, along with an assortment of other regimens, help you get your pectoral muscles in tip-top shape.
  • Back: A back row to tricep extension is just the beginning of getting your back in shape.
  • Shoulders: The handles should be at shoulder length to give you a more rigorous workout.
  • Core: The HVT offers plenty of exercises for you to get your abs in shape.

Is the Bowflex HVT easy to use?

Assembly takes a while with this machine. You need to make sure everything is just right, especially when it comes to the display screen. You want to be able to use this machine at maximum capacity.

Fortunately, the HVT makes it easy to go from one exercise to the next once it's up-and-running. The videos show you how easy it can be, making it ideal for high-intensity interval training.

Key Bowflex HVT Specs

Resistance
Tension band / rod
# of Exercises
70+
Easy To Switch Exercises?
Yes
Max Weight Capacity
300 pounds
Size (Dimensions)
65.6" x 46" x 83"
Foldable?
No
Warranty
2 years on frame, parts, and electrical, and 90 days on labor

Reasons to buy Bowflex HVT?

  1. You need to go easy on your joints. The resistance on this machine doesn't stress your muscles as much as free weights. It's a lot easier to do more reps.
  2. You want to design your own workouts. The HVT was built with customization in mind. That way you work out on your own schedule.
  3. You want bonus accessories. In addition to all the pulleys one would expect from a home gym, this model also comes with a media shelf and cooling fan. You generally only find these on cardio machines like treadmills and ellipticals, so it's a decent perk to receive.

Reasons to avoid Bowflex HVT?

  1. You're shorter. People who are on the short side may have trouble reaching some of the pulleys.

What real Bowflex HVT reviews say

We spent 18 hours scouring the web (reading over 253 customer reviews). Our conclusion? Bowflex HVT receives high praise! Our average consolidated user rating sits around a 4.6 - 4.8 (across several hundred reviews). Bowflex HVT scored higher, on average, compared to their closest competitors.

What reviewers like

  1. "[It's] great because you can switch up your routines, it holds you accountable, it tracks progress, and it never gets boring."
  2. "I love how it keeps your mind occupied while doing all of the different workouts."
  3. "I have seen more progress in the last 3 weeks working out on the HVT than I have seen in years."
  4. "My time is rather limited but the quick full body workouts at home provided the strength and cardio I need."
  5. "It's the perfect addition to [our] home gym that doesn't require too much space."

What reviewers dislike

  1. "The dial should be stronger so as not to move / or should remain at the same resistance throughout workout."
  2. "The resistance isn't as tight as I would like."
  3. "The mount for the tablet needs to be a little more sturdy."
  4. "Only complaint is the app- works well for what it is, but there should be periodic updates that put new movements into the menu."
  5. "Setting this machine up was a nightmare."

Our verdict

The Bowflex HVT is like having your very own personal trainer. It has dozens of workouts to choose from complete with videos. It pretty much takes the place of a class membership. Plus, you can perfectly tailor it to whatever you need. You find the exercises you like best and build from there.

Assembly is a hassle, and you need to make sure you have enough room for it. However, once you set all that aside, this is a phenomenal machine for the price. It's not the cheapest machine around, but compared to what you'd spend at the gym, it ends up paying for itself in no time.

Where to buy Bowflex HVT

We searched the web and found the best prices on Bowflex home gyms on Amazon. Check them out, plus enjoy fast, free shipping.