Bowflex Revolution Home Gym Review

The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym is a home workout machine that stands out from the crowd due to its unique SpiraFlex plate technology resistance system.

The SpiraFlex system was developed for NASA for allowing astronauts living in the International Space Station to perform exercises to stay fit regardless of gravity.

Fortunately, lay people too can take benefit of this technology, thanks to the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym. A major benefit of this workout machine is that it offers resistance through the whole range of motion.

Published: January 28, 2021.

Apart from this unique resistance system, the machine also features superior build quality, commercial-grade sturdiness, and outstanding versatility. These are the reasons why it enjoys admiration from users all over the world throughout the period of several years it has been around.

Bowflex Revolution Home Gym Specifications

- Dimensions when assembled: 112 x 37.8 x 73 inches (284 x 98 x 186 cm) (L x W x H)

- Footprint when folded: 55 x 38 inches (140 x 97 cm) (L x W)

- Weight when assembled: 336.2 lbs. (152.5 kg)

- Maximum user weight capacity: 300 lbs. (136 kg)

- Resistance system: SpiraFlex

- Weight resistance: 220 lbs. (100 kg)

- Exercises: 100+

- Warranty: 10 years on parts, 90 days on labor

Features of Bowflex Revolution Home Gym

Assembly

The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym comes pre-assembled from the factory to a large extent. Still, users have to assemble many of the parts and that can take two hours at least. However, the assembly is not complicated at all.

Thus, users have to attach the base plate and base tubes to the main body, then the top cover, rails, the pre-tension discs, the shaft of the resistance plates, seat, smaller backrest, rowing footplates, four-bar assembly, and then of course the leg developer, preacher plate and leg press plate, if users will use them in their exercise routine.

The manual has clear step-by-step instructions for assembly. The Allen wrenches are included as well; however, users will need their own adjustable wrenches and screwdrivers.

Construction and Frame

The frame of the Bowflex Revolution is made of heavy-duty steel. Its weight is an indication of its strong construction, sturdiness, and stability. Just like any other home gym system, the Bowflex Revolution too is not very easy to handle.

However, a convenient feature the Bowflex Revolution has and other home gyms don’t have is a set of transport wheels due to which it can be easily relocated.

Folding Design

The Bowflex Revolution comes with a folding design. Its main bar that holds the bench and seat folds up.

Footprint

The Bowflex Revolution is quite large measuring 112” (284 cm) in length and 38” (98 cm) in width. It also requires a userspace of 120″L x 84″W (305L x 213W cm), for safe operation.

However, when it’s folded, its length is decreased to 55″ (140 cm). Its arms have ten adjustment positions and when users set them up in the top position, the height of the machine becomes 73″ (186 cm). Thus, the machine can comfortably accommodate even users of height 6’5″ (195 cm) or more for all workouts.

Arms

The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym features two independently moving arms with 170° adjustment and ten position settings that allow the user to find their perfect feel. They are equipped with a set of pulleys that can spin in 360°. The pulleys are made of strong nylon material and feature industrial-grade sealed ball bearings for a prolonged lifespan and smooth operation.

The cables are made of steel and are tested for more than 2,000 lbs. Each cable is coated with PVC material so that it can deliver a smooth glide.

Bench

The machine features a multi-functional bench with a backrest having two main positions of 45° and 180°. The seat can lock onto its supporting bar in many positions. The frame of the seat is also equipped with a set of wheels to glide onto its rail and thus provides the user with the possibility to perform rowing workouts.

The seat and backrest are furnished with highly durable upholstery made of synthetic leather material. They also have a 2” thick foam cushion to provide optimal comfort during all workouts.

Together with the backrest for the large bench, the Bowflex Revolution features a smaller one too. It’s attached on the opposite side of the larger one and is meant to offer support for leg press workouts. Obviously, a leg press plate is included too.

Accessories

The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym comes with several accessories. Even the preacher curl attachment and leg developer attachment which were not present previously have been included in the newer version.

The preacher curl attachment features upholstery and cushion just like that of the seat and backrest and has 5 height adjustment positions.

The leg developer too has amply padded rollers and supports, offering optimal comfort for all workouts.

There are two handle grips as well. They contain two D-rings that help the user adjust the length on their straps, so as to adapt them accurately to the user’s arm length.

Plus, there are two-foot harnesses with which users can perform numerous types of leg exercises. They contain attachment rings on multiple sides.

Resistance System

As mentioned earlier, the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym features a unique SpiraFlex resistance system developed for NASA’s astronauts living in the International Space Station to stay fit even without gravity.

This system provides resistance through the full range of motion. This resistance technology is a non-inertial system that offers the feel of gym-quality plate-loaded exercise machines while eliminating their bulk and weight.

This exceptional state of the art resistance technology consists of two resistance packs, one on each side, and involves wrapping a heavy-duty elastic strap around a coil in increasing degree of tightness as the resistance discs rotate when the cables are pulled.

The coil is enclosed in a small canister and resembles free weight plates, but weighs just a few pounds. This hi-tech system makes the Bowflex Revolution lightweight, portable, quiet and safe.

Weight Discs

The Bowflex Revolution comes with 4 sets of weight discs with adjustment possibilities of 5, 10, 20, and 40 lbs. (2.2, 4.5, 9.0, and 18.1 kg). These discs are similar to dumbbell weight plates but each of them weighs only a few pounds. However, when assembled into the resistance system of the machine, they modify the resistance of the springs, helping them produce the desired amount of resistance on each one of them.

Users can combine these discs in various ways so as to benefit from various weight resistance increments. For example, they can add 20 lbs. and 10 lbs. discs on each side of the machine to get the benefit from 30 lbs. of weight resistance for each arm. They can even form an off-set weight if they want. For example, they can load one side with the 40 lbs. disc and the other with 40 and 5 lbs. discs to get more resistance on one side.

Users can adjust the resistance easily. They just have to place each plate on its shaft, matching the holes, and revolve them to lock it in place. They can change the resistance in less than a minute. Since the discs are not heavy like traditional weight plates, users won’t have to handle heavy loads while adjusting the resistance.

The included weight discs offer the total resistance of 220 lbs. (100 kg) with 110 lbs. (50 kg) on each side. Users can upgrade to a total of 600 lbs. (272 kg).

Exercises

With all the weights, adjustments, and settings, the Bowflex Revolution enables users to perform over 100 different exercises with up to 400 variations that involve the entire body, and so, there is something for users of all strength levels, workout routines and fitness goals.

Some of them are:

Arm Exercises - French press - Standing French press - Triceps pushdown - Cross triceps extension - Lying triceps press - Lying 45° triceps extension - Cross triceps extension - Rope pushdowns - Standing biceps curl - Standing hammer grip curls - Preacher curl - Seated biceps curl - Reverse curl - Lying biceps curl - Seated wrist curl - Standing wrist curls - Triceps kickback - Reverse grip triceps pushdown - Seated wrist extension - Standing wrist extension Chest Exercises - Chest fly - Bench press - Lying cable crossover - Resisted punch - Incline chest fly - Decline chest fly - Standing chest press w/ alternating shoulder movement - Standing chest press - Incline chest press - Decline chest press - Standing incline chest press - Standing incline chest press w/ alternating motion - Standing decline chest press - Standing decline chest press w/ alternating motion - Standing chest fly - Standing incline chest fly - Standing decline chest fly - Standing single arm chest fly Leg Exercises - Lying leg extension - Leg extension - Prone leg curls - Standing leg kickback - Standing hip extension - Standing hip flexion w/ knee flexion - Ankle inversion - Ankle eversion - Dorse flexion - Calf raise - Hip abduction - Hip adduction - Standing hip internal rotation - Standing hip external rotation - Standing hip flexion - Leg press - Lying hip internal rotation

Abdominal Exercises - Trunk rotation - Standing trunk rotation - Reverse crunch - Seated abdominal crunch - Seated oblique abdominal crunch - Standing oblique crunch - Kneeling low to high trunk rotation - Kneeling “Wood chop” Shoulder Exercises - Seated shoulder press - Standing lateral shoulder raise - Rear deltoid rows - Standing shoulder press - Standing shoulder press w/ alternating motion - Front shoulder raise - Standing front shoulder raise - Shoulder shrug - Shoulder extension - Scapular protraction - Scapular depression - Scapular retraction - Seated lateral shoulder raise - Standing shoulder extension - Standing cablecross rear deltoid row - Standing rear deltoid row - Reverse fly cable cross - Lying front shoulder raise - Shoulder internal rotation w/ 90° of abduction - Shoulder external rotation w/ 90° of abduction - Shoulder internal rotation w/ full shoulder adduction - Shoulder external rotation w/ full shoulder adduction Back Exercises - Seated lat rows - Standing wide angle lat row - Lying lat fly - Narrow pulldown with hand grips - Stiff arm pulldown - Standing lat row high pulley - Standing lat row low pulley - Standing single arm lat row low pulley - Standing single arm/single leg lat row low pulley - Standing lat row alternating motion-low pulley - Standing low back extension - Seated low back extension - Lying shoulder pullover - Wide pulldowns - Reverse grip lat pulldown

Note: each of these exercises has few variations...

Maintenance

Maintenance of the Bowflex Revolution is not much. All a user has to do is regularly check the machine for any loose nuts and bolts and signs of damage.

They’ll have to tighten the loose nuts and bolts and replace the damaged parts on time before any accidents take place.

Pros of Bowflex Revolution Home Gym

- Strong sturdy frame made of heavy-duty steel

- State of the art innovative SpiraFlex weight resistance system which require no traditional heavy and bulky cast iron weight plates

- Quick weight adjustment without the hassle of handling heavyweight plates

- Up to 110 lbs. of resistance per side, i.e. 220 lbs. in total

- Resistance can be upgraded to up to 600 lbs. in total

- Extremely durable pulleys with sealed ball bearings for a long lifespan and smooth working

- Independently moving arms ten positions and adjustment up to 170°

- Seat and backrest offer optimal comfort with 2” thick foam cushion and durable upholstery

- Gliding seat providing the possibility of full-motion rows and leg presses

- Leg press plate included

- Leg developer included

- Preacher curl included

- Handle grips and foot harnesses included

- Two-position bench – 45° and 180°

- 4” cushioned rollers for the leg attachment

- More than 100 exercises can be performed

- Quiet operation

- Easy assembly

- Easy maintenance

- Decent warranty

Cons of Bowflex Revolution Home Gym

- No possibility of standard squats or deadlifts; thus if users want to work out muscles involved, they’ll have to perform different workouts

- May not be a great choice for power-lifters who may need more weights

Best Bowflex Home Gym Models

Bowflex manufactures several very similar home gym models, which differ in design, number of exercises, size, price, etc.

The following comparison chart lists some of the most popular Bowflex home gym models:

Bowflex Revolution Home Gym offers a large number of exercises, allowing one to change the exercises and workout programs, avoiding stagnation, and preventing boredom. However, all these features come at a certain price:

Bottom Line

The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym is labeled as a “home gym”. However, its quality of construction and components matches with that of gym grade equipment. It’s highly versatile and offers the possibility to perform more than 100 workouts.

Its unique feature is the SpiraFlex resistance system which offers the required resistance without involving the traditional heavy and bulky weight plates. Although this machine may not be the perfect choice for professional bodybuilders or powerlifters, it’s able to offer a wide range of quality workouts even to pros, and thus can do the job of not all but many gym exercise machines in one place.

Lastly, although it’s not an exactly inexpensive machine, its quality, sturdiness, versatility, included a range of accessories, and possibility of 100+ workouts give users an excellent value for money.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym Amazon link (link opens in the new window).