The Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym (also often referred to as the Bowflex Extreme 2 and Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE) is Bowflex’s best selling model and among the most popular fitness products on the market today. Before deciding if this is the right machine to go with let’s take a closer look at its benefits, specs and possible drawbacks.

What is the Bowflex Xtreme 2?

This is an all in one home gym that uses Bowflex’s famous power rod technology that let’s you work virtually every muscle in your body without risk to your joints. The Xtreme 2 also brings a huge advance over it’s first incarnation with it’s new “no change cable pulley system” which let’s you cut down your workout time and keep your heart rate. This is Bowflex’s best selling gym for a reason.

Over 70 Different Exercises

The Bowflex Xtreme 2 is designed with over 70 exercises. Let’s take a look at what you can do with the machine:

Chest Exercises

• Bench Press
• Chest Fly
• Decline Bench Press
• Incline Bench Press
• Decline Chest Fly
• Incline Chest Fly

Shoulder Exercises

• Crossover Rear Delt Rows
• Crossover High Rear Delt Rows
• Reverse Fly
• Crossover Reverse Fly
• Seated Shoulder Press
• Front Shoulder Raise
• Shoulder Extension
• Shoulder Shrug
• Scapular Protraction
• Scapular Depression
• Lateral Shoulder Raise
• Seated Forearm Lateral Shoulder Raise
• Shoulder Rotator Cuff (internal)
• Shoulder Rotator Cuff (external)
• Crossover Seated Rear Delt Rows
• Scapular Retraction

Back Exercises

• Good Morning
• Standing Low Back Extension
• Bent Rear Delt Row
• Crossover Bent Rear Delt Row
• Seated Wide Lat Pulldowns
• Narrow Pulldowns w/ Lat Pulldown Bar
• Narrow Pulldowns w/ Hand Grips
• Reverse Grip Pulldowns
• Crossover Wide Pulldowns
• Crossover Narrow Pulldowns
• Pulldowns
• Stiff Arm Pulldowns
• Standing Shoulder Pullover w/ Hand Grips
• Crossover Seated Lat Rows
• Seated Lat Rows
• Reverse Grip Pulldown with Lat Bar

Arm Exercises

• Triceps Pushdown w/ Hand Grips
• Triceps Hammer Pushdown
• Triceps Pushdown w/ Lat Pulldown Bar
• Single Arm Pushdown
• Triceps Extension
• Cross Triceps Extension
• Hammer Triceps Extension
• “Rope” Pushdowns
• Seated Biceps Curl
• Standing Biceps Curl
• Concentration Biceps Curl
• Hammer Biceps Curl
• Barbell Biceps Curl
• Reverse Barbell Biceps Curl
• Seated Hammer Biceps Curl
• Reverse Curl
• Triceps Kickback
• Hammer Triceps Kickback
• Arm Opposition Push-pull
• Upper Body Opposition Push-pull
• Wrist Extension
• Wrist Curl
• Resisted Dip

Abdominal Exercises

• Seated (resisted) Abdominal Crunch
• Seated (resisted) Oblique Abdominal Crunch
• Trunk Rotation

Leg Exercises

• Leg Extension
• Squat
• Calf Raise
• Single Leg Calf Raise
• Standing Hip Extension (knee bent)
• Standing Hip Extension (knee extended)
• Standing Hip Abduction
• Standing Hip Adduction
• Leg Kickback
• Hip Flexion
• Dead Lift
• Stiff Leg Dead Lift

Compact Unit

While having a home gym definitely has its perks, there is the obvious issue of space especially for those who do not have a large house. Bowflex addresses this problem by creating a home gym that is packed with enough features to ensure progress, yet small enough to fit in tight quarters.

The device measures 4 feet, 8 inches in length, 4 feet, 2 inches in width, and stands 6 feet, 11 inches tall. The total workout area is a mere 7×6 ft, which is definitely workable even in small apartments.

7 Year Warranty

Bowflex offers a pretty solid 7 year limited warranty on the machine. By limited they mean the warranty is void if you yourself bust the machine. On top of that the power rods themselves have a lifetime warranty.

Product Features

210 lbs Power Rod Resistance – One of the hallmarks of Bowflex  home gyms are their ability to provide the benefits of free weights, without all the extra inertia that can cause joint pain or premature fatigue. The 210 lbs resistance comes standard but it can be upgraded to 310 and/or 410 lbs, depending on your needs.

Seamless Exercise Changes

The Bowflex Xtreme 2 is designed to provide seamless workout changes as users don’t have to worry about adjusting cables whenever they want to shift from one exercise to another. This is a huge upgrade from previous versions and puts the Extreme 2 se above most other home gyms based on this feature alone.

Safe and Stable Build

The Bowflex Xtreme 2 is built in an “X” shape position. This stance allows it to be incredibly stable without taking too much space.

Incredibly Simple Set Up

Most home gym set up and installations can lead to tufts of hair torn out and you gasping for air, beaten and splayed out on your basement floor surrounded by crumpled sets of instruction booklets. Not so, we are happy to say with the Bowflex Xtreme 2!

The set up instructions are clear and to the point and you’ll have the machine in between an hour or two…

Quiet Machine

The use of power rods instead of “clanky” free weights leads to a quiet machine that will let you use the machine without driving your family completely nuts. Always a plus if you can manage

Other Features:
•Lat Tower with Angled Lat Bar
•4-Position Lower Pulley/Squat Station
•Leg Extension
•Abdominal Crunch Shoulder Harness
•Ergonomic Adjustable Seat with Polyurethane Cushion
•5-Way Hand-Grip/Ankle Cuffs

Consumer Reviews

Let’s take a look at some quotes from some reviewers who have left comments about the Xtreme 2:

“I am overall very pleased with product. Set up directions could’ve been better diagramed/written. I use this machine almost every day and stopped going to the gym. Between this and my bicycle trainer, I am set. Very happy.” (TK, Colorado)

This next user talks about the ease of the machine on your joints:

“Using Xtreme 2 SE three times a week and loving it.I find this a fantastic change from free weights: there is no inertia (just progressive resistance) so I never jerk the weight. My joints like this too.Changing between exercises and resistance level is very fast and I am evenly baked in 30 mins.I combine this with yoga and running and couldn’t be happier.” (Bionic Pete, New Jersey)

This next user talks about how well it works for both female and male users:

“Did some research before purchasing this machine, and am completely satisfied we chose this one. Both my wife and I use it for strength training. It’s challenging enough for me yet not overwhelming for her. There are so many exercises available, you don’t feel like your workout is in a rut. Already seeing positive results after a month. Can’t wait to see what we look like after six months!” (DAC519, Woodland Park, CO)

Drawbacks

Customers are almost unanimously positive in relation to this particular machine but there are some possible drawbacks that should be taken into account before you dive in and make the purchase.

• This isn’t necessarily the best choice for hard core trainers and bodybuilder types. You may need to opt for a more heavy duty machine that can provide more resistance.
• Connected to the above point, if you are a high level trainer who is into high intensity workouts you would be wise to go for the 100 lbs upgrade.
• Doing squats can be a bit tough for taller people due to the fact that you need to get quite low to get under bar.
• Preacher curl requires a rerouting of pulleys (the only pulley change needed on this machine)
• The double pulleys sometimes flip around and get tangled, but this is a quick and easy fix and isn’t a big deal.

Verdict and Recommendation

This is the best selling home gym on the market for a reason. It offers over 70 exercises and is super easy on the joints. Throw in the new no change pulley system and this is a winner. We still like the new Bowflex Revolution spyra flex system better but this is priced more competitively and is a fantastic option.