New Review - Bowflex Revolution XP Home Gym
The Bowflex Revolution XP Home Gym has just about everything I would want in a home gym. It's incredibly small, so it's perfect for the miniscule exercise space I have (it's only 5'5" x 3'2"), it operates with pulleys/cables so you work each side of the body independently and it's so easy to adjust, even I (as a very impatient exerciser who hates adjusting things) didn't get frustrated when moving from exercise to exercise.
This type of machine isn't for everyone, especially if you don't like this type of resistance, which is kind of like cables or a sophisticated version of resistance bands. Plus, there is a definite learning curve when figuring out how it all works. But, if you're looking for something new and you don't have much space, the XP might be a good choice for you. Find out more in my review and, if you have one, leave a comment and let us know what you think.
Comments
I have a bowflex revolution that I purchased a year ago. I love it and I noticed fast muscle growth with it. mainly because you have resistance in 2 direction. Something that most people don’t do correctly with free weights. I say this because most people (even I did it)use all the strenght pulling the weight towards them, but relax more when going back to the starting position of the exercise. It is here where you loose out on some additional strenght training / building. The Bowflex Revolution XP is designed to give resistance in both direction giving you more of an exercise, hence more or quicker muscle gains.
I will say certain exercise are difficult, but the trade off is worth it in the end and that is the key, the end result. Plus like you said, space is saved and you can easily move it from floor to floor because its easy to assemble and disassemble (and not a million lbs to move)..
If your thinking about a home gym, this is the best one of the them all.
I love my bowflex its so easy to use and I saw great results!!!!!!!!
The Bowflex is horriby overpriced for the exercise value. Most folks will be better served to invest in a good set of weights and a weight bench or a small universal which can be purchased at 10-25% of the Bowflex cost.
I bought the new Bowflex Revolution XP recently (got it with the free shipping offer in Canada
). I definitely agree that there is a very high learning curve with this machine. But after 3-5 good sessions, the changes and adjustments became second nature. What I appreciate most is the tremendous flexibility and adaptability of this machine. I will admit that it can be annoying at first because there is basically an infinite number of positions, so doing exercises correctly necessitates focus and certainly some trail and error.
But if you can get through that initial phase, I think you will love this machine as much as I do. I disagree that most people are best served with regular weights and a weight bench. My reasoning goes like this:
I used to use free weights with an adjustable bench. The combination of dumbells, a bar bell, the bench and a bar for pull ups actually took up MORE room than this Revolution XP. The set of weights was MUCH heavier and considerably more time consuming to move (either within the home or to a new residence). And using free weights resulted in more noise as weights would “clang” while I changed them or especially if I dropped a weight - neighbors in an apartment will never here the Revolution XP as it is virtually silent.
But by FAR the greatest advantage with this Bowflex is the type of resistance and the safety that it affords. With free weights, if you are training alone, you have a choice - work below your maximum potential or inevitably get hurt. To make it blunt, you NEED a spotter if you’re going to work with free weights.
With this Bowflex, you can work your muscles to failure, but not get hurt! Drop the handles - go ahead - they’re not ever going to crush your toe, land on your neck or so much as make a loud noise as they hit the floor.
Max yourself in a benchpress with a barbell and see how much fun that is without a spotter! I’ll save you the trip to the hospital - DO NOT do this without a spotter! But max yourself on the Revolution XP and you’ll be fine. Just remember your breathing and don’t give yourself a hernia.
Finally, the constant resistance of the Spiraflex plates is different, feels a little odd at first, but very effective. Zero momentum and remarkably smooth.
To sum up, this is NOT a regular Bowflex. It doesn’t use the “Power Rods” and this one truly is NOT a gimmick. When people said free weights were better than Bowflex, I used to agree. So long as you could be safe, free weights were cheaper and better. Free weights are still cheaper, no question there, but this Revolution XP does so many things right that I have to recommend it over free weights as a home gym.
A few years ago, I was an avid user of the Bowflex and I really saw the results. I used it a few times a week and it was a great, quick workout. I live in the Midwest, so it was a perfect way to stay fit in the winter weather. Once it turned nice, I found it was hard to stick to it because I just wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather (we only have a few months to enjoy it!). A friend introduced me to the Rowbike and it is a great workout! I love being able to get the toning results like I did with the Bowflex, only in the beautiful outdoor weather…I use it a few times a week now and like the fact that I don’t have to be an exercise buff to get the results. I have been using the Rowbike for about two years now. Definitely recommend checking it out! I think their web site is just rowbike.com, but if you Google the word Rowbike it will just come up.
The ‘Revolution’ series of Bowflex has been of interest to me. I don’t like the using the name since it doesn’t sport the traditional varying resistance of Nautilus machines based upon Arthur Jones’ tradition… but they’re calling dumbbells and treadmills ‘Bowflex’ now so it seems to have ceased all meaning anyway.
I compared the ‘Revolution XP’ to the ‘Revolution’ that preceded it. The XP has a lower maximum weight. So, if you have the space for it, and the money, it seems better to stick with the first one.
That being said, the new one seems to have some exercises available that the old ones doesn’t, like the lat tower. Although personally, I don’t see the need for a lat tower when you can pull each side together for a similar enough effect.
The squat bar is very appealing though, that’ something Revolution should have had, instead of being limited to a leg press.
Apparently the maximum resistance is a problem no matter what Bowflex you use, I’m surprised they didn’t make it much higher. It would mean they could sell a lot more plates after all.
All I can say is this is an amazing machine. After one heck of a nightmare with other machines the Bowflex Revolution has finally met my fitness goals. I have had the Revolution since August 2006 and am very familiar with it and I love it. I loved my bench and free weights, but you usually need a spotter to max out otherwise you risk hurting yourself. After my free weights I went to the Crossbow and the Crossbow Platinum from weider. I had my original crossbow about 1 year and I hated the inconsistent feel of the bows compared to free weights.
I eventually upgraded to the Crossbow Platinum with the built in personal trainer. That machine was ok and worked for about 2 years before the electronics console completely stopped working and my machine would not calibrate properly. After having 2 cheap machines I ended up going with the Bowflex Revolution. I am about 5′11″ and this machine works great. It is a little strange at first but after a week or so you get the hang of it. The workouts are harder because you truly are getting an even constant resistance both positive and negative making exercises that may have been easier on other machines or free weights feel much harder on the revolution. This machine makes you use all those extra muscles that you would not ordinarily use. The machine has over 100 exercises with 400 variations, along with a CD-ROM personal trainer and DVD that shows you how to properly use this machine and perform each exercise. This is an expensive machine, but after my experience with two cheap machines the Bowflex Revolution is well worth it. The 10 year warranty and the
results I have seen are just an added bonus. For people who are independent and don’t always have time to go to a gym this is well worth the monthly payment which is comparable to a GYM membership in itself. The customer service from Bowflex is top notch compared to the rude customer service I got from Icon regarding the Crossbows. I truly believe you get what you pay for and I can truly say this is one great well built machine and one of the best investments I have made toward my health.
I have always worked out in gyms. I have been using the bowflex revolution for over a month. It is providing me with a a better pump that I had with free weights. i would recommend this product.