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Gone are the days when you had to pay a monthly or yearly fee to use fitness equipment at a commercial gym. People neither have time nor patience to wait for their turn and use a piece of gym equipment that has been used by hundreds of people before them. Today, it is more about working out at home, which is more feasible when one has to deal with a busy schedule.
If you are thinking of doing the same, ditching the idea of heading to the gym for a workout session at home, it is time you consider purchasing a home gym. When it comes to home gyms, there is one brand name that comes to mind, and that’s Bowflex. The company manufacturer top-class gym equipment. The two most popular home gyms by this company are the Bowflex Revolution and Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE. Both of these models offer a dynamic range of benefits and are appropriate for particular scenarios.
Before you make your final decision, make sure you thoroughly analyze both models and see which one best fits your needs and requirements.
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
- Cheaper than the Bowflex Revolution
- Does not require cable changes when transitioning from one exercise to the other
- Can easily fit in compact spaces
- The Power Rod system provides a similar feeling as that of using free weights
- It does not come with a bench
- It does not offer a feature of upgradable resistance
Another model Bowflex that is gaining popularity in the world of home gyms is the Xtreme 2 SE. It supports a full-body workout without the cable change-overs. Transitioning from one exercise to the next is very simple with the Xtreme 2 SE. From chest to legs, this home gym is a top-ranked model in the full-body home gym category. It comes with a Power Rod® system, which eliminates the risk of joint pain while giving a feeling as good as free weights. The resistance rods provide smooth resistance while both push and pull movements. With its amazing features and praise-worthy specifications, this home gym by Bowflex has acquired a wide fanbase in the market.
Bowflex Revolution
- Supports more than 100 exercises
- SpiraFlex Technology provides resistance through the range of motion the machine offers
- Comes with a vertical bench press and a preacher curl attachment
- Has a leg press station
- Provides a feature of upgrading the resistance
- It is expensive as its price exceeds $1600
- It cannot fit in compact spaces as it requires a large workout area
Out of the two most loved and admire home gyms by Bowflex, Revolution is one that many gym enthusiasts are raving about. It uses the SpiraFlex® plate resistance system. The system allows this home gym to provide resistance through the entire range of motion. It offers two arms that support independent movements with up to 10 settings. In addition to this, the arms are adjustable up to 170˚. It is well-built and supports a wide array of exercises, which is not a feature you can get with other home gyms. It is one of the most advanced home gyms and is a very respected piece of fitness equipment within the fitness industry.
Comparing the Two Most Popular Gyms in the Market
You must know precisely how these two models by Bowflex are different, as it will help you make the right choice. Let us start with a brief spec comparison of these two home gyms. Both machines offer a wide array of exercises, but the Revolution takes the lead by providing the users up to 100 exercises in comparison to Xtreme 2 SE’s 70. The Revolution home gym is a heavy-duty machine that comes with 220 lbs of resistance that is upgradeable 300 lbs. It features an advanced SpiraFlex® plate resistance system. On the other hand, the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE supports 220 pounds of resistance and comes with a Power Rod® system.
The Xtreme 2 SE is one of the most compact machines in the market. Even though it does not support as many exercises as the Revolution, it is a perfect piece of fitness equipment for small gyms and can easily fit in apartments with limited space. The workout area required by this machine is 8 feet x 6 feet and 5 inches while the Revolution requires an area of 10 feet x 7 feet. Moreover, with this machine, you do not have to worry about changing the cable, which is what you will have to do in any other home gym you choose. Bowflex revolution is the perfect option for you if you are looking for a vertical bench press in a home gym as the Xtreme 2 SE does not offer a bench to the users.
Another factor to consider when choosing a home gym is the warranty. Top-quality fitness equipment does not come cheap. Therefore, it is wise to look at the warranty that the manufacturer is offering. Talking about machine warranty, Revolution takes the win once again. It comes with a 10-year machine warranty while Xtreme comes with a 7-year warranty. However, Xtreme 2 SE’s resistance system, the Power Rods come with a lifetime warranty.
| Name | Features | Rating | Price & Reviews | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE | 4.7 / 5.0 | Amazon Reviews | |
 | Bowflex Revolution | 4.8 / 5.0 | Amazon Reviews |
Conclusion
Now that you know the key differences between the two top home gyms available in the market, you can make the right decision. These machines are expensive, which is why you need to invest your money in the right place. Both these are powerful options, but in the end, the decisive factor is your needs and requirements.
The article has been researched & compiled by the Editorial F5F Team, a group of experienced fitness & health writers.