We scored 7 Bowflex home gyms across 4 quality categories and picked the 2 most worthy of your money.
I taught PE before starting Strong Home Gym, so I judge a machine on whether it gets used. Bowflex has retired most of its range, so this guide covers the best Bowflex home gym you can still buy new.
The aim was simple: find the Bowflex that gives you the most strength training for your room and your budget.
Let’s see how they stacked up…
Editor's note · updated October 19, 2026
We rebuilt this guide for 2026.
What changed:
- Four picks are gone. The PR1000, PR3000, Xceed and Body Tower are no longer sold new.
- Two picks, not six. We didn’t pad the list.
- The Xtreme 2 SE is now a Gen 2. The Gen 1 is on clearance.
- The Revolution’s ceiling is fixed. It upgrades to 300 pounds, not 600.
- New decoder for the retired models.
Related
Not sure rods are for you? Read our honest take on whether Bowflex machines actually work. To see Bowflex against cable stacks and smart gyms, try our best all-in-one home gym picks. Want something that folds flat? See the best Total Gym models.
Compare the best Bowflex home gyms
Every figure below comes from Bowflex’s own product pages, checked in October 2026.
Bowflex Revolution
Check price
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Overall | Premium |
| Rating | ||
| Resistance & strength | 85% | 84% |
| Exercise range | 84% | 90% |
| Build & footprint | 82% | 76% |
| Value | 86% | 55% |
| Resistance type | Power Rod | SpiraFlex |
| #Exercises | 70+ | 100+ (400+ variations) |
| Max resistance (lbs) | 210 (up to 410) | 220 (up to 300) |
| Footprint (sq ft) | 18 | 25.3 (14.6 stowed) |
| Max user weight | 300 lb | 300 lb |
| Warranty | 7 yr machine, 5 yr rods | 10 yr machine and SpiraFlex, 90-day labour |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
Our testing and selection process
How we assess Bowflex home gyms
We run every Bowflex roundup through the same 5 steps:
- We start as the buyer. Steve Hoyles, our certified PT, has coached clients on rod and cable machines for years. He knows when a Power Rod set feels worth the money.
- We research wide. Bowflex lists three home gyms today: the Xtreme 2 SE Gen 2, the Gen 1 on clearance and the Revolution. We put them in one spreadsheet with the four models it has retired, 7 in all. Then we pulled resistance, exercise counts, footprints, warranty terms and owner feedback.
- We score each machine with our weighted system. The data sets the ranking. Brand loyalty and this week’s sale play no part.
- We drop what you can’t buy new. A retired machine can still score well on paper, but parts and support get harder to find once a brand stops selling it.
- We get hands-on where we can and lean on owner reports from the SHG community for the rest.
You can read more about the process in our review guidelines.
How we score Bowflex home gyms
The right Bowflex fits your room and still challenges you a year in. A long exercise list matters less than either.
We grouped it into four weighted factors:
- Resistance and strength (35%) - how much load it gives you, how the resistance feels, and how far you can push before you outgrow it.
- Exercise range and versatility (25%) - how many movements it covers, how well it trains legs, and how fast you move between exercises.
- Build and footprint (25%) - frame quality, warranty, whether it folds, and how much floor it eats.
- Value (15%) - what you actually get for the tier you pay.
Resistance and strength (35%)
Resistance leads the score because it’s the reason you buy a strength machine. We look at the starting load, how far it upgrades, and how the load behaves through the rep.
The two systems feel different. Power Rods bend to load you, so tension climbs toward lockout and the hardest part sits at the top. SpiraFlex, on the Revolution, holds even tension the whole way, closer to a cable stack.
A higher ceiling counts, because a beginner turns into an intermediate faster than they expect. Here the Xtreme 2 SE wins, at 410 pounds upgraded against the Revolution’s 300.
Exercise range and versatility (25%)
A home gym has to keep you interested. We count the exercises each machine supports, but we weight the useful ones harder: a proper leg station matters more than five near-identical arm angles.
The Revolution leads here, with 100+ exercises, a leg press and a rowing mode. The Xtreme 2 SE covers 70+ with a leg extension and a squat station. Its no-change pulleys mean you never re-thread a cable between moves. Friction between sets is what kills a home session, so that counts.
Build and footprint (25%)
A Bowflex has to earn its floor space. We score the frame, the warranty, and the real space it needs once you’re moving.
These two swap places depending on when you measure. The Revolution’s bench and rail fold up to 56 by 37.5 inches when you’re done, which is smaller than the Xtreme’s frame. In use it’s the bigger machine, though, and at 336 pounds it weighs nearly twice as much.
My tip: measure your ceiling as well as your floor. The Xtreme stands 83.25 inches tall, so a low basement can rule it out before floor space does.
Value (15%)
Value weighs what you get against the tier you pay. The Revolution sits a full price tier above the Xtreme 2 SE, so it has to do a lot more to score well here. We weight value lightest, because with a Bowflex the resistance system and the room it takes should lead the decision.
Bowflex prices move with its sales, but the tier gap between these two holds.
Find the perfect Bowflex home gym for you
Overall | Premium | Retired models
Here’s how the two machines stack up on our overall score:
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
Best OverallQuick specs
- Power Rod resistance, 210 lb, upgradeable to 310 or 410 lb
- 70+ exercises, no-change cable pulley system
- Leg extension, 4-position squat station and curved lat bar
- 53” x 49” frame (about 18 sq ft), 83.25” tall, 174 lb
- 7-year machine warranty, 5 years on the Power Rods
The Bowflex that gets the most right for the most people. The rods upgrade to 410 pounds, it trains your whole body, and you never change a cable.
Our take
What I like
- The no-change pulleys are what owners mention most. You go from a press to a row to a curl without re-clipping anything, so a 30-minute session stays 30 minutes.
- Steve likes the 5-pound steps on each side for new lifters. Adding one rod is a small enough jump that form holds up on the next set.
- I like that the seat base lifts out completely. Standing cable work, like woodchops and upright rows, gets room of its own instead of fighting a fixed seat.
What I don’t
- Owner reports keep flagging the space it needs in use. The frame is compact, but you train around it, and Bowflex’s listed workout area comes to about 9 by 12.5 feet.
- Stronger lifters feel the rod curve. The top third of a press is far harder than the start, so the rated pounds won’t match what you’d move on a bar.
Pros & cons
Pros
- 410 lb upgraded ceiling, the higher of the two Bowflex home gyms, so the frame grows with you.
- Leg extension, squat station and curved lat bar in the box, so legs and back get proper stations.
- 7-year machine warranty, plus 5 years on the Power Rods.
- 174 lb, about half the Revolution’s weight, which makes it easier to get up stairs or move later.
Cons
- No flat bench, so flat pressing isn’t possible out of the box.
- The 310 and 410 lb upgrades are extra purchases, not included.
- At 83.25 inches tall, it won’t suit a low basement.
Read more about the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
Most people who want a Bowflex should buy this one.
The Power Rods start at 210 pounds, which covers a beginner and most of an intermediate’s training. That works out at 5 to 105 pounds per side, in 5-pound steps. When it gets easy, you add rods to reach 310 or 410 pounds, so you buy the frame once and grow into it.
Make sure you get the Gen 2.
| Gen 2 (current) | Gen 1 (clearance) | |
|---|---|---|
| Frame length | 53 in | 63 in |
| Width and height | 49 x 83.25 in | 49 x 83.25 in |
| Resistance | 210 lb, up to 410 | 210 lb, up to 410 |
| Warranty | 7 yr machine, 5 yr rods | 7 yr machine, 5 yr rods |
| Listed price | Same | Same |
Bowflex listed both at the same price when we checked, so the clearance tag doesn’t save you anything. I’d take the Gen 2 and its 10-inch shorter frame.
Where do the no-change pulleys matter most? On a busy evening when you’ve got half an hour. There’s no bar to load and no cable to unhook, so the small hassles that talk you out of training at home mostly vanish. Steve rates that as the real reason home machines get used instead of gathering dust.
It isn’t perfect. With no flat bench, flat pressing is off the menu, and a heavy squatter will want more than rods can give. For most people building general strength, that day is a long way off.
It leads our overall score:
Bottom line
The Xtreme 2 SE is our top pick for three reasons:
-
The highest ceiling Bowflex sells. Start at 210 pounds and climb to 410 without buying a new machine.
-
It flows. No-change pulleys keep a session moving, which is what keeps a home gym in use.
-
It fits real homes. About 18 square feet of frame, at a mid-tier price.
It might be for you if… you want one machine that trains your whole body and won’t be outgrown for years.
It’s not for you if… you already lift heavy on a barbell, or you want the smoothest resistance going. Look at the Revolution.
Bowflex Revolution
Premium PickQuick specs
- SpiraFlex resistance, 220 lb, upgradeable to 300 lb
- 100+ exercises, 400+ variations
- Leg press, rowing mode and 10-position Freedom Arms
- 97” x 37.5” (25.3 sq ft), stows to 56” x 37.5”, 336 lb
- 10-year machine and SpiraFlex warranty, 90 days labour
The smoothest Bowflex: astronaut-developed SpiraFlex resistance, a leg press and rowing mode, and the widest exercise range here. It tops out at 300 pounds, though.
Our take
What I like
- SpiraFlex feels the same at the bottom of a rep as at the top. Owner reports call it the closest thing Bowflex makes to a gym cable stack, and people coming off rods notice it on the first set.
- The Freedom Arms are Steve’s favourite part for pressing. Ten positions let you press or pull on a line that suits your shoulders, which a fixed rod gym can’t match.
- I like that it folds up when you’re done. In a room that doubles as an office, that’s the difference between a gym and a permanent obstacle.
What I don’t
- It’s heavy to live with. At 336 pounds it isn’t going anywhere once it’s built, so put it together in the room it will stay in.
- Strong lifters run out of road sooner than you’d expect from a premium machine. The upgrade stops at 300 pounds, so someone pressing heavy on a bar will find the top end light.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Integrated bench with an inclined seat back for bench pressing, which the Xtreme 2 SE lacks.
- 100+ exercises and 400+ variations, the widest range here.
- Leg press, rowing mode and preacher curl built into the frame.
- 10-year warranty on the machine and the SpiraFlex packs.
Cons
- A full price tier above the Xtreme 2 SE.
- Labour is covered for just 90 days, so later repair visits cost extra unless you buy a protection plan.
- The biggest in-use footprint here, at 112 by 62 inches.
Read more about the Bowflex Revolution
If budget isn’t the deciding factor, this is the Bowflex to look at.
It does everything the Xtreme does and then goes further on how the load feels, though not on how much. SpiraFlex uses spiral-shaped resistance packs instead of bending rods. The upshot is even tension through the whole rep, closer to a commercial cable stack than anything else Bowflex makes.
That matters more than it sounds. Power Rods pile most of their resistance onto the back half of the movement.
The catch shows up in two scores. It costs a full tier more than the Xtreme, and it tops out at 300 pounds to the Xtreme’s 410. You’re paying for how the resistance feels and for the extra stations, so it only makes sense if you’ll use them.
It suits anyone who has tried rod resistance and wants something smoother, or wants a leg press and a rower in the same frame.
Measure twice before you order. Bowflex lists a 148 by 134-inch workout area, about 12.5 by 11 feet, so it needs more clear floor than the Xtreme, though it folds to 56 by 37.5 inches afterwards. Ceiling height is less of a worry than on the Xtreme, since it stands 72 inches tall, or 82 folded.
It leads our exercise range score:
Bottom line
The Revolution is the smoothest-feeling Bowflex, with the widest exercise range. You pay a premium for it, and it stops at 300 pounds.
It might be for you if… you want silky resistance plus a leg press and rower in one frame, and the price doesn’t scare you.
It’s not for you if… you want the best all-round value or the highest ceiling. The Xtreme 2 SE does most of the job for far less.
What happened to the PR1000, PR3000, Xceed and Body Tower?
Bowflex discontinued them. When we checked in October 2026, bowflex.com marked the PR1000, PR3000 and Xceed as discontinued, with no way to buy. The old Body Tower link landed on a general strength-machines page.
The brand’s old owner filed for bankruptcy in March 2024, and Johnson Health Tech bought Bowflex that April. It has since cut the range to two home gyms.
| Model | What it was | Sold new? | Buy this instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xtreme 2 SE (Gen 2) | Current Power Rod gym, 210 lb up to 410 | Yes | Our top pick |
| Revolution | SpiraFlex gym, 220 lb up to 300 | Yes | Our premium pick |
| Xtreme 2 SE (Gen 1) | Previous generation, 10 in longer | Clearance only | The Gen 2, listed at the same price |
| Xceed | Mid-tier Power Rod gym, 210 lb up to 410, 65+ exercises | Discontinued | The Xtreme 2 SE |
| PR3000 | Power Rod gym with a vertical bench press, 210 lb, 50+ exercises | Discontinued | The Xtreme 2 SE |
| PR1000 | Entry-level rod gym, 30+ exercises, rowing station, folds for storage | Discontinued | A Total Gym for a cheap fold-away machine |
| Body Tower | Bodyweight tower for dips, pull-ups and rows | Page removed | A power tower |
| Xtreme SE, Blaze, HVT | Older Bowflex home gyms | Discontinued or no longer listed | The Xtreme 2 SE |
The Xtreme 2 SE covers most people who wanted one of the retired rod gyms. It uses the same Power Rods as the Xceed and PR3000, upgrades as high as the Xceed did and lists more exercises than either.
Two old buyers need a different answer.
- The PR1000 sold on price and a bench that folded away. A Total Gym is the closer match now, and our best Total Gym models guide covers the FIT Anniversary Edition, which folds flat for storage.
- The Body Tower was a calisthenics station, not a cable gym. Our best power tower picks do the same job for dips and pull-ups.
If you’d rather skip rods altogether, the MAXPRO and the Total Gym FIT in our best all-in-one home gym guide both pack away small.
Spotted a retired model second-hand? Check the rods for softening and run every cable through its full path. Then price it as if there’s no warranty, because parts get harder to find once a model is gone.
Power Rods, SpiraFlex and who a Bowflex is for
A Bowflex trades plates and a weight stack for resistance built into the frame. There’s nothing to load and nothing to drop, which is why these machines suit a house better than a garage platform.
Power Rods
Power Rods are composite rods that bend as you pull. Hook up more rods and you get more resistance, and the tension climbs toward the end of each rep. They’re simple to live with and cover most people. The Xtreme 2 SE uses them, as did every retired model except the Body Tower.
SpiraFlex
NASA flew the same spiral-pack technology in an early space station exercise device, and on the Revolution it gives even tension through the whole movement. It feels smoother than rods and costs more, but tops out at 300 pounds. Only the Revolution uses it.
Who should buy a Bowflex
Beginners, returners and anyone chasing general strength in a small space are the core buyers, and they’re well served.
The honest limit is at the top. The Xtreme 2 SE caps at 410 pounds upgraded and the Revolution at 300, and both load a rep differently from a barbell.
If you already move serious weight on the big lifts, a Bowflex will feel light, and you’re better off with a rack and plates. For everyone building toward that point, it’s a good way to train at home. We dig into the trade-offs in our look at whether Bowflex machines actually work.
Other Bowflex machines we considered
The Xtreme 2 SE Gen 1. It’s on clearance at bowflex.com, but at the same listed price as the Gen 2. We scored it and left it out, because there’s no reason to pick it over the newer, shorter frame.
The cardio machines. Bowflex’s treadmills, ellipticals and Max Trainers aren’t home gyms, so they sit outside a strength roundup.
SelectTech weights and benches. Bowflex’s adjustable dumbbells and the 5.1S bench are good kit for free-weight training, which sits outside this list. Our best adjustable dumbbells and best folding weight bench guides cover them.
The bottom line
For most people, the best Bowflex home gym is the Xtreme 2 SE. It has the higher ceiling at 410 pounds, a full exercise range and no-change pulleys, at a mid-tier price. Buy the Gen 2, since the clearance Gen 1 costs the same.
If money isn’t tight and you want the smoothest resistance with a leg press and rower built in, get the Revolution. Just know it stops at 300 pounds.
If you came for a retired PR1000, PR3000, Xceed or Body Tower, the decoder above shows what to buy instead.
There are two things to do now:
- If you want to give the machines another look, click here to skip back to the table.
- If you want to put a pin in it, bookmark this page and come back. We keep it updated, fresh, and relevant.
Stay strong.
Bowflex home gym FAQs
Are Bowflex home gyms worth it?
Bowflex home gyms are worth it for beginners, returners and anyone training for general strength in a spare room. There are no plates to load and nothing to drop. The limit is the top end. The Xtreme 2 SE tops out at 410 pounds upgraded and the Revolution at 300, and rod pounds don’t feel like barbell pounds. If you already lift heavy, buy a rack instead.
Is Bowflex still in business?
Yes, Bowflex is still in business. BowFlex Inc. filed for bankruptcy in March 2024, and Johnson Health Tech bought the brand and its assets that April. The home gym range has shrunk since. The Xtreme 2 SE, now in a second generation, and the Revolution are still sold new through bowflex.com. The Xceed, PR3000, PR1000 and Body Tower are discontinued.
Did Bowflex discontinue the PR1000?
Yes, Bowflex has discontinued the PR1000, along with the PR3000 and Xceed. All three show as discontinued on bowflex.com, and the Body Tower page is gone. The Xtreme 2 SE is now the entry point to Bowflex’s home gyms. For a cheaper machine that folds away, I’d look at a Total Gym instead.
Bowflex Power Rods vs SpiraFlex: what is the difference?
Power Rods and SpiraFlex differ in how the load feels through a rep. Power Rods are composite rods that bend, so tension climbs toward lockout. SpiraFlex, used on the Revolution, was developed for astronauts and holds even tension the whole way, more like a cable stack. SpiraFlex feels smoother, though it tops out at 300 pounds against the Power Rods’ 410, at a premium price.
What is the difference between the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Gen 1 and Gen 2?
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Gen 1 and Gen 2 differ mainly in size. Bowflex lists the Gen 2 frame at 53 inches long and the Gen 1 at 63, with the same width and height. Both start at 210 pounds, upgrade to 410, cover 70+ exercises and carry the same warranty. The Gen 1 is on clearance at the same price, so I’d buy the Gen 2.
Can you build muscle with a Bowflex?
You can build muscle with a Bowflex, up to a point. Tension plus steady progression drives growth, so beginners and intermediates see real gains. The catch is the ceiling. The Xtreme 2 SE caps at 410 pounds upgraded and the Revolution at 300, and the resistance curve differs from free weights. If you already move heavy loads on a barbell, you’ll plateau.
Do Bowflex Power Rods wear out?
Bowflex Power Rods wear out slowly, if at all. On the Xtreme 2 SE, Bowflex covers them for 5 years, separate from the 7-year machine warranty. Owner reports across our community show the odd rod softening after years of heavy use, which changes the feel more than the safety. Rods are sold on their own, so a tired one is a cheap fix.
Which Bowflex home gym is best for a beginner?
The Xtreme 2 SE is the best Bowflex home gym for a beginner. It starts at 210 pounds, upgrades to 410, and the no-change pulleys mean you learn the movements without re-threading cables. The Revolution feels smoother through the rep, but it costs a full tier more, so most beginners don’t need it.
