Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym Review

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym is an outstanding workout machine because it has some features that are really different and better than its precursors and competitors. This machine is especially useful for beginners because it’s very much versatile and offers more than 70 exercises to a lifter.

It’s a great revision over older models such as Bowflex Blaze and Bowflex PR1000, but doesn’t include the fold down bench.

Updated: March 14, 2020.

Features of Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym

Construction

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym has heavy-duty steel frame that ensures long-term durability. It also has an adjustable, ergonomic seat equipped with polyurethane high-density foam cushion. The machine comes with a lat bar, squat bar, ab training strap and 5-way hand-grip/ankle cuffs (Regular Grip, Ankle Cuff, Non-Grip Cuff, Shoulder Cuff and Foot Cuff).

Versatility

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym is one of the most versatile home gyms available today. As mentioned earlier, it offers the user more than 70 exercises, which is sufficient for any user looking for full-body exercise or muscle-specific workouts. The only thing lacking is a bench; but chest and back workouts can be performed in the seat, so, that’s not a big issue. The maximum weight capacity of the machine is up to 300 pounds, so it can accommodate almost all sizes of users.

With Bowflex Xtreme 2SE, users can focus on every muscle group including arms, shoulders, chest, abs, lats and legs.

The machine is equipped with an ab pulley bar and abdominal crunch shoulder harness for building strong, well-defined abs, an angled lat bar and lat tower to develop shoulder and back muscles, 4-position lower pulley/squat station for building hamstrings, glutes and calves, a leg extension to build strong, muscly legs, and two hand grips. An ab attachment and preacher curl can also be bought for even more workouts.

Here are the examples of main muscle groups and workouts that users can perform with Xtreme 2SE to obtain a full-body workout:

- Shoulders: Shrugs, delta raise, press

- Arms: Bicep curls, triceps pushdown

- Chest: Decline press, incline, flat

- Back: Lower back extension, row, lat pull-down

- Core: Oblique crunch, ab crunch, trunk rotation

- Legs: Curl, kickback, leg extension

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Exercise Manual

A very comprehensive exercise manual is included in the package of Xtreme 2SE. It includes seven trainer-designed workouts such as workouts for aerobic as well as anaerobic conditioning, bodybuilding and strength routines and body shaping routines.

This manual is helpful for those who are new to exercise or who want to work on specific muscles, or have specific fitness goals.

Power Rod Resistance

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym comes with the Quick Change Power Rod System and its power rod resistance is same as other models i.e. the standard 210 lbs. If that much resistance is not enough for users, they can upgrade to 310 or 410 lbs. by buying the extra rods. Typically 210 lbs. will be adequate for a new lifter or a person who just wants to maintain himself; in short, the standard resistance should not be a big problem.

The power rods work smoothly while pushing and pulling rather than giving sudden stops or jerky movements like the ones with smith-style machines or weight stacks.

Another nice feature of the power rods is that users get resistance with force and transfer of the exercise movement. Thus, with each movement, the exercise is doubled and so, with Bowflex Xtreme 2SE, users start getting results quickly.

The weight of the power rods is less than the weight of standard home gym; hence there is no inertia or risk of joint pain and the machine can be transported much more easily. Another benefit of power rods over weighted discs, experienced by those who have kids in their home is that there is no risk of children getting their heads hit by a dropped weighted disc; young kids are not able to reach the rods. Thus the power rods are highly safe for households with kids.

Probable Drawback of Resistance System: Bowflex praises the power rod resistance system of their Xtreme 2SE since it offers resistance all through the motion. This means that users will feel the effort while pressing and releasing or pulling and releasing. However, there’s an issue with this system that with a continuous bending movements, the rods eventually lose elasticity and there is a reduction in resistance. Several users have complained that after only two years of use, there is a significant reduction in the resistance. Plus, although Bowflex give a lifetime warranty on the power rods, normal wear and tear is not covered under this. So, users have to purchase new rods on their own should they lose their resistance.

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Size

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym is one of the most compact models by Bowflex. Therefore it has no fold down bench due to which a little space is saved. Still it is quite huge. The machine itself is 53” long, 49” wide and 83.25” tall, whereas its full workout dimensions are 8’ long and 6’ 5” wide.

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Assembly

Assembly of Bowflex Xtreme 2SE is quite straightforward. A couple of Allen wrenches are provided to help users in the assembly; however, users may also need some screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches and perhaps a rubber mallet of their own. If users are good at this kind of work, they may take about 3 hours. But if they are not, they may even take around 5 hours.

Ease of Use

Regardless of users’ fitness level, Bowflex Xtreme 2SE is easy to use. The manual that comes with the machine has thorough descriptions of how to set up the machine and also of seven trainer-designed exercises, which are useful for those who are not previously experienced with workouts.

A specialty of Bowflex which makes their exercise equipment pieces easy to use is their pulley system which doesn’t have to be changed. Multiple workouts can be performed easily through their power rod system without having to reconfigure the entire machine. Thus users can do a chest press and then a squat without having to rework weights and devices. This is especially useful for those who perform some sort of circuit work because a lot of their time is saved. However, according to users of Xtreme 2SE, although cables don’t need to be changed between workouts, handholds do have to be changed.

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Warranty

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE comes with a massive 7-year limited manufacturer warranty for the machine whereas, the power rods have a lifetime warranty.

Pros of Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym

- Power rod resistance of 210 lbs.Resistance is upgradable to 310 and 410 pounds.

- Versatility – more than 70 exercises

- Excellent stability during all the pushing and pulling

- Smooth movements of exercise which are very easy on joints

- Comprehensive exercise manual

- Massive 7-year warranty for the machine and lifetime warranty for the power rods. Again, normal wear and tear of the resistance rods is not covered with the warranty.

- Prompt and helpful customer service

Cons of Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym

- Experienced users may find the standard 210 lbs. of resistance of Bowflex Xtreme 2SE inadequate - upgrade to 310 and 410 pounds.

- Power rods may lose elasticity and thereby resistance after 2-3 years of constant use and this normal wear and tear is not covered by the warranty. Users have to purchase new rods on their own in such a condition.

- Assembly is complicated and time-consuming for people not used to DIY activities - in that case, order a certified technician to assemble it for you.

- Some users may find the machine expensive - don't worry, there are home gyms that cost more, much more :)

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 table lists some of the most popular Bowflex home gym models:

When being compered with other Bowflex home gyms, Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym features resistant rods that can be upgrade to 410 pounds, it is medium weight home gyms and requires medium size workout area.

Also, it offers large number of exercises, allowing one to change the exercises and workout programs, avoiding the stagnation and preventing the boredom.

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Bottom Line

Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym is a great exercise machine for those who are new to exercise and are looking for a machine that can give them multiple kinds of exercises at the comfort and privacy of their home, although for seasoned gym-goers the resistance provided by the machine may not be adequate.

It provides 70+ exercises which make it versatile. Bowflex also provide financing options and a massive warranty that ensures the machine will last long.

For more reviews and recommendations, check Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym Amazon link (link opens in the new window).