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#1 Bowflex Revolution Home Gym Review

Chris L.
February 13, 2021

The Bowflex Revolution is one of the best home gyms out there thanks to SpiraFlex plate technology. This material is used by NASA for the International Space Station, and now, it makes for a great non-inertial resistance system. Your motions stay smooth as you enjoy well over 100 different workouts.

Is the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym best for you?

The Bowflex Revolution is a serious piece of equipment. You get a range of power you just can't find with other home gyms. For your arms, you can lift up to 220 pounds that turn into 440 pounds of resistance. With the leg press station, you have 300 pounds of weights that actually make for 600.

Instead of buying a bunch of different weights, you pretty much get everything you need right here. It comes with a leg extension, vertical bench press, preacher curl attachment, and so much more. This definitely isn't an entry-level model. But if you're serious about your health, it may be the only home gym you ever need.

Consider Bowflex Revolution if...

  • You need variety. There are over 100 different exercises you can try on this home gym. Plus, there are unlimited variations, so you're never going to get tired of working out on this thing.
  • You want smooth resistance. This machine is built with SpiraFlex plate technology. It offers smooth resistance through every motion you take. That means every time you're pumping irons, your muscles are engaged the entire time.
  • You like different exercise regimens. This machine is great whether you want to boost muscle, lose weight, or recovery from an injury. It truly is a gym all-in-one.

Avoid Bowflex Revolution if...

  • You're on a budget. The Bowflex Revolution comes with many different features at a cost. You should expect to spend several thousand dollars whereas other budget models, like the Bowflex PR1000, cost a fraction as much.
  • You don't want to get ripped. If you're just hoping to burn some calories and stay in shape a bit, then this machine is overkill.
  • You like a longer warranty. This machine comes with a 10-year warranty. Considering the cost, it'd be nice if it was a lifetime like you get with some of the competitors.

Bowflex Revolution pros & cons

Pros

  • Resistance levels up to 300 pounds for upper body
  • Resistance levels up to 600 pounds for lower body
  • 10 different positions for arms
  • Adjustable angles up to 170 degrees

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Large in size

What areas of the body does Bowflex Revolution target?

  • Arms: Enjoy a full range of motion with the independently-moving arms that come with 10 positions and an adjustment of 170 degrees.
  • Legs: Build muscle in your legs with the extension. You can relax more in this station by resting your elbows with the preacher curl attachment.
  • Chest: The vertical bench press allows you to work your pectoral muscles like never before.
  • Back: Perform pulldowns to work out your back.
  • Shoulders: With rear deltoid rows and standing lateral shoulder raises, you have several options for getting your shoulder in shape.
  • Core: Over time, crunches and trunk rotations can give you the abs you've always wanted.

Is the Bowflex Revolution easy to use?

There are many customer reviews saying how difficult it is to put together. There are a lot of parts that need to go together just right. You can typically pay extra to have someone assemble it for you, but it tends to cost several hundred dollars.

Once you have it up-and-running, it's a breeze to use. You can move from one station to the next without much incident.

Key Bowflex Revolution Specs

Resistance
SpiraFlex
# of Exercises
100+
Easy To Switch Exercises?
Yes
Max Weight Capacity
300 pounds
Size (Dimensions)
112" x 38" x 73"
Foldable?
Yes
Warranty
10 years

Reasons to buy Bowflex Revolution?

  1. You want to get into bodybuilding. All these features are great for someone who wants to get into lifting competitively. You can work out pretty much every muscle in your body.
  2. You want a rowing machine, too. In addition to weights, there's a built-in rowing machine, so you can get some cardio in your regimen as well.
  3. You don't want to get anything else. With a wide range of exercises, this machine's pretty much good no matter what you have in mind. There's no need for other weights unless there's something very specific you want to accomplish.

Reasons to avoid Bowflex Revolution?

  1. You live in tight quarters. When folded out all the way, the Revolution takes up a lot of space. You better make sure you have room for it.

What real Bowflex Revolution reviews say

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

What reviewers like

  1. "I found the Bowflex Revolution fitting all my needs in one machine."
  2. "I definitely have enough weight for almost every exercise."
  3. "Had it for a year now and use it daily."
  4. "After the installation, I am very satisfied with how sturdy and well built the machine is."
  5. "Quick transitions between exercises."

What reviewers dislike

  1. "The row machine was slightly disappointing, not quite what I expected."
  2. "The leg press caters to the tall."
  3. "It does take some getting used to if you are accustomed to linear movements with free weights."
  4. "It ain't cheap, and it ain't perfect, either."
  5. "The main problem with this machine is that it's hard to hit groups of muscles at once, and that's the best way to build overall strength."

Our verdict

The Bowflex Revolution is perfect for people serious about their health. You're never going to get bored as there are well over 100 exercises to try. You're definitely going to want to use all of them if you want to bulk up to look and feel your best.

It's not cheap. Paying that much for it may not be too much of a problem if the warranty was longer to give users peace of mind. Ultimately, if you're looking to replace your gym membership, then the Revolution is what you need.

Where to buy Bowflex Revolution

The Bowflex Revolution is available for the best price on Amazon. Plus, you can take advantage of Amazon's fast, free shipping!