Bowflex Tips

Reviews on Bowflex Power Pro XTLU Bowflex Power Pro XTLU: A Less Expensive Alternative To The Ultimate The Bowflex Power Pro XTLU is the highest end model of the Power Pro line. It's about $400 cheaper than the Bowflex Ultimate, which is my fa...

Reviews on Bowflex Xtreme XTLU Home Gym Bowflex XTLU 6/18/07 Bowflex Xtreme XTLU Paid $899.00 free shipping and 100 LBS upgrade From Bowflex.com I live in NC and purchased the XTLU on a Fri...

This is a review for the Bowflex Power Pro XTLU which currently lists on their web site for around $1600. However, if you ask about specials sometimes you can save several hundred bucks or let you step up into the next model up for just a few dollars more. For example we got free shipping and got a coupon for an additional discount on the XTLU model when I ordered their video from their web site. If you have made up your mind about getting one then make sure you ask about all the specials they have available.

Overall we are happy with ours but its all that the marketing would lead you to believe and could be improved. I think it�s a good machine and can be cost/time effective fitness option. I will address the good and bad in my review.

The actual review:

There are three basic levels of Bowflex equipment: Motivator, Power Pro, and most recently the Ultimate. The Ultimate was not available when I got ours 2 years ago and it represents their �everything� model. Essentially, the Motivator is their stripper model is not as well padded or as substantial as the Power Pro. It can do many of the same exercises but just does not feel as good. I have not used the Ultimate but I have seen one and it looks quite a bit improved over the Power Pro XTLU (the former highest end machine). The letter after the type of machine such as �X� or �XTL� and so on refer to the level of equipment that is included in the package. The more letters the more stuff that comes in the package. The Power Pro XTLU was their top of the line when we got it approximately 2 years ago. Believe it or not we are still using it 3-5 times a week between my wife and I. We go the Power Pro XTLU because it was packaged with a Bowflex squat attachment, the t-bar/foot harness bundle, a lat tower attachment, the leg attachment and a built in rowing machine. Its supposed to allow you to do 75 exercises but I�ll address that later.

The good:

1) Well, it works if you use it and stick to a healthy diet. Both my wife and I do simple work outs that do not make use of the �systems� they provide in the included package. You can get your heart rate up and get a decent work out in about 20 minutes. The squat attachment works remarkably well once set up properly and the bar is nicely padded.

2) Fast changes. The reason you can get a work out in 20 minutes is that you can change from one exercise to another very quickly. The exception is the squat attachment which takes some time to set up because you have to remove the leg extension attachment. I can switch from chest flys to the lat bar pull down in about 20 seconds. The switch to bicep curls in about 20 seconds. I really like that most exercises can be set up in under 30 seconds (moving slowly).

3) Variety. You can do a great variety of the exercises if you want. I don�t do most of them and stick to about 6-8 main ones. Many of the exercises do not feel natural to me so I don�t do them.

4) The power rods hold up well. The resistance is still pretty good and I have not noticed a change in the quality of the resistance provided.

5) Its safe. You have to do something really silly to hurt yourself.

6) Plenty of weight. We have the full 400lbs of rods but you don�t really need them unless you plan on doing leg press or squat work.

The average:

1) Its not calibrated very well and resistance that he power rods provide is not linear. Sometimes I like to feel studly and figure out how much I can press, bench, curl, and so forth yet the weight on the Bowflex does not translate to �real� weight. If this is not a concern of yours then its not a knock on the machine. The power rods offer good resistance but its not linear. At the start of the motion before getting into the meat of the flex the resistance is low and then near the end of the flex the resistance is high. Its not really and bad thing but if you are used to free weights its annoying for a while.

2) Assembly instructions. They are fair but need more pictures and detail. It takes several hours to set up all the components of the XTLU from boxes to completion.

3) Assembly quality. They need better quality control. Some things have sharp corners and some of the plastic pieces are not well machined. It also seems like some of the nut/bolt combination should be larger.

4) Shipping. Its shipped in several boxes that do not always arrive at the same time. You basically get your new toy and then cannot assemble it until the rest of the parts arrive.

5) The pulley system. It works pretty well but it needs work. Sometimes the connecting line jumps off the track and is extremely annoying. There are also these little rubber stopper behind hand grips that tend to slide down and make the movement notchy when they go through the pulley.

6) Its expensive. Not crazy expensive but $1500 is a lot for a home gym.

The bad:

1) Its big. If you get the XTLU which comes with the all the leg attachments including the squat attachment�.well its even bigger. You basically need an entire 10-12� wall free + about 10-12� perpendicular to it so you don�t feel stuffed in. I suppose that�s basically the size of a small bedroom or den. This is a bigger issue if you work out with someone. Its just way bigger than it looks on TV!!!

2) Things need to be tightened frequently. Every few months everything seems to get a little loose and then I have to tighten it up again.

3) Some components cannot stand up to daily use over time. The hand grips on ours are getting frayed after 3-5 days a week (20 minutes at a time) of use. Some of the padding is also showing some wear but still works well after 2 years.

4) Its simply not as natural as free weight and does take a few weeks to get used to.

I�m giving the Bowflex Power Pro a luke warm 3 stars because its got good and bad points. Perhaps if I had not used free weights extensively in my youth then I would like the movements of this machine better. Still, its probably the best home gym that I have used but that does not mean its great. I�m a little surprised at all the other glowing reviews because this machine is clearly not for everyone. If you are just looking for some strength training that you can do at home the Bowflex will work. If you are seriously into weight training or don�t like working out on machines, its unlikely that you will like it.

Reviews on Bowflex Power Pro XTLU The ultimate workout machine!!!! I've been buying aerobic equipment for 12 years and I could never seem to find what I like. That all changed when I bought the Bowflex Power...

Bowflex Ultimate Xtlu Official Website Brand:BowflexFitness Type:Other Personal Fitness Products • Weight Training EquipmentSports Type:Personal FitnessWeight Training Equ...

Reviews on Bowflex Power Pro XTLU Bowflex XTLU- Feel the Power Being a workout enthusiast for many years and having worked out on many different types of gym equipment, I have to rate the Bowflex as one ...

Bowflex Xtreme XTLU Home Gym Brand:BowflexFitness Type:Weight Training EquipmentSports Type:Personal FitnessWeight Training Equipment Type:Home Gyms Details...

Bowflex Xtreme Xtlu Gym Brand:BowflexFitness Type:Weight Training EquipmentSports Type:Personal FitnessWeight Training Equipment Type:Home Gyms • Weight Tra...

Reviews on Bowflex Ultimate XTLU Bowflex Ultimate XTLU (used) review I have had my Bowflex for a little over 2 months now. I bought it used on Ebay for only $421. It was a local auction so I did not even hav...

Reviews on Bowflex Ultimate XTLU Bowflex Ultimate XTLU Review

Reviews on Bowflex Ultimate XTLU BOWFLEX ULTIMATE XTLU - Another Bowflex