Staying fit takes a lot more time that most of us think. Not only do we need to workout followed by rest and recovery, we also have to change into gym clothes and drive back and forth.
That 30 minute workout can easily turn into an hour-and-a-half. The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym is a great option for someone looking for an at-home resistance training system.
What You Should Know Before Buying a Home Resistance Machine
The first thing to consider is your fitness goals. Just what do you wish to accomplish with your training regimen?
Do you wish to lose weight? Or are you more concerned with maintaining your current fitness? Do you want to develop big muscles and improve your strength?
Resistance training isn’t just about the vanity of showing off big muscles.
Strong muscles help support your frame and can make everyday tasks much easier to perform.
Resistance training can:
- Reduce risks of stroke and heart attack
- Reduce risk of hypertension
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve cholesterol levels
- Reduce chronic inflammation
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- Reduce risk of type 2 diabetes
Aside from purely physical benefits, resistance training can also improve your mood and prevent or slow down dementia.
Once you decide on resistance training, what type of machine should you buy?
There are three basic types of home resistance training systems: 1) body-weight machines, 2) tension based machines, and 3) machines that use weight stacks.
The body-weight systems use your own body to provide resistance. They have the advantage of simplicity, but they also limit the resistance to a fraction of your body-weight.
Traditional weight stacks are necessarily heavy but have the advantage that the resistance it provides doesn’t wear out.
Tension machines use an elastic material to provide resistance. They have the advantage of being lighter and less bulky, but the elastic materials will gradually provide less tension over time.
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym is a tension system. It uses a series of rods to provide different levels of resistance.
Finally, before starting any exercise program, you should first consult with a physician to ensure you can safely engage in such activity.
Introducing The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym
What makes the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym unique is its patented power rod resistance system.
You attach a series of power rods connected to handles through a cable and pulley system. The rods bend as you move the handles.
The Bowflex system has been around in various forms since 1986 and has proved effective over time.
It’s one of the most popular home gym systems around along with Total Gym and Weider Home Gym.
Pros
- Up to 410 lbs. of available resistance
- Does provide whole-body workout
- Quick change system means you can quickly shift between exercises
- Over 70 available exercises
Cons
- Doesn’t have a streaming service for exercise routines
- Only comes with 210 lbs. of resistance
- Resistance will decline over time as the tension rods wear out
Features and Benefits of the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
What makes the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym one of the more desirable fitness machines to own for your home or garage gym?
Here are a few features and benefits you’ll want to be aware of.
The Power Rod System
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym comes with 210 lbs. of total available resistance. These rods break down in the following way:
- 2 x 50 lb. rods
- 2 x 30 lb. rods
- 4 x 10 lb. rods
- 2 x 5 lb. rods
You can increase the total resistance level to 310 lbs. or even 410 lbs. by adding pairs of 50 lb. resistance rods.
These extra rods don’t come with the base model. You have to pay extra for them.
How long will the tension rods last?
That answer will depend on how frequently you use the machine, but you can expect them to last at least 2-3 years before the resistance significantly declines.
Bowflex does give their customers a lifetime warranty on the tension rods, but this warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear.
While you might have to pay to replace the rods, at least you don’t have to worry about them breaking.
Backrest
While comfortable enough, the backrest and upright seat that you use to perform exercises is a bit narrow.
It’s really not any smaller than most gym machines, but it could still feel a bit small for people with a large frame.
Available Exercises
You can perform over 70 different exercises with the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym. It includes an angled lat bar for back and shoulders along with a four-way lower pulley station for glutes, hamstrings and calves.
The lower leg station has a rather short metal arm, which means that some users might not fit well on the device. I, however, had no trouble.
It has two foam rollers that you push against with your legs which are comfortable enough that you won’t have a problem using it even against heavy resistance.
Along with the stock equipment, you can also purchase additional accessories for preacher curls and ab exercises.
While the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym does deliver a whole-body workout, some users will find that 210 lbs. is a bit limited for squats and other leg exercises.
Quick Change System
One of the problems with earlier Bowflex models was that it could take a lot of time to switch between different exercises.
The company created a quick change system to eliminate the time it took to move between exercises. The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym has additional cables and pulleys positioned so that you don’t have to re-route cables to switch exercises.
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE is only one of three Bowflex models to have this feature, along with the PR3000 and the Revolution.
This is a big improvement for the Bowflex system.
If you wanted to do circuit training or perform exercises rapidly enough that you get cardio benefit from resistance training, having to spend time re-routing cables got in the way.
Moving quickly between exercises is also important if you’re trying to maximize calorie burn.
Even with the quick change system, you will still have to occasionally move pulleys and re-route cables on the Xtreme 2 SE. Lat exercises and ab exercises are two main areas where you will have to switch things around.
User Weight Capacity
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym can support users up to 300 lbs. This is typical for many home exercise gyms.
Assembly
Building the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym can be a lengthy process. The machine comes with a lot of available parts and cables that have to be strung correctly to work.
The delivery package includes Allen wrenches, but you will need your own screwdrivers, socket wrenches and cutting tools to finish the job.
However, you can avoid all of this by paying for in-home assembly.
The Bowflex’s assembly instructions are pretty clear and easy to follow. I didn’t have any real difficulty putting it together, but it took me a lot of time.
I spent over three hours building the thing, and I would be surprised if some users took even longer.
I can’t imagine assembling the Bowflex Xtreme in less than two hours unless you’re pretty darn handy.
Storage
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym doesn’t fold or collapse. Once you set it up, you’ll have to leave it set up.
The machine measures 53″ x 49″ x 83.25″ so you’ll need a fair amount of space to house it.
Warranty
Bowflex backs the Xtreme 2 SE with a seven-year warranty on the frame and a lifetime warranty on the rods. However, as mentioned above, this “lifetime” warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear.
This means you will have to pay for replacement rods if you want to maintain the resistance level over a long period of time.
What Others Are Saying About the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym
Of the 1190 customer reviews at Bowflex’s web page, 771 rated the Xtreme 2 SE five-stars and only nine gave it a one-star rating. Overall, users reviews averaged 4.6 stars.
Review #1
Paul C. said the Bowflex Xtreme helped him get back in shape after decades of not working out at age 57.
Review #2
Kat bought the Bowflex Xtreme to help rehab her shoulder, and she uses the machine every day.
Review #3
“Going strong at 50” says he appreciates the Bowflex system because no he doesn’t have to wait to use equipment at the gym.
Alternatives
It doesn’t hurt to take a look at what other options are available to you when evaluating if the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym is the right home gym for you. Here are a few I thought might be worth mentioning that offer a comparable experience.
XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine
If you’re looking for a traditional weight-stack exercise station for your home, you can check out the XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine.
The XMark Functional Trainer Cable Machine is a training station like you will find in many gyms.
It has dual 200 lbs. weight stacks connected through a cable and pulley system to handles for each hand.
The main advantage here is that each arm works separately so you don’t develop unevenly.
Pros
- Resistance doesn’t decline over time
- Offers a wide variety of attachments to allow a wide variety of routines
- Two independent weight stacks so a strong “side” won’t bear most of the load
- Sturdy and well-built
Cons
- Whopping 827 lbs. shipping weight
- At 35.5″ x 71″ x 84″ it requires a lot of space and clearance
- Cost. This machine costs more than the Bowflex Xtreme
Marcy Smith Machine Cage System
If you’re looking for many of the benefits of free weight training but with the security of a Smith machine, you can consider the Marcy Smith Machine Cage System.
The venerable Smith Machine is another piece of equipment you’ll find in most gyms.
It provides cable and pulley stations for independent arm exercises, multiple racks for squats and bench press routines, and a high bar which allows you to perform pull-ups and chin-ups.
Pros
- Smith machine safety that still provides many of the benefits of free weights
- Provides a whole-body workout
- Gym quality machine for your home
Cons
- Costs more than Bowflex Xtreme
- Doesn’t come with weights. You need to buy them separately
- Will require you have room for both the machine and a lot of weight plates
Body-Solid EXM3000LPS
If you’re looking for a home gym that multiple people can use at once, then you should consider the Body-Solid EXM3000LPS.
This is a gym-style machine with a traditional pin and weight rack resistance system.
The machine includes two 210 lbs. weight stacks, seven workout stations and can be used by up to three people simultaneously.
Pros
- Can be used by three people at the same time
- Durable build quality similar to gym machines
- Resistance stacks don’t wear out
Cons
- Costs more than Bowflex
- Massive 947 lbs. delivery weight
- Requires strong flooring to support
- Takes up 91″ x 73″ x 83″ of space
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for all of this at a reasonable price that will provide a whole-body resistance workout without taking up much space or requiring you to find room for stacks of weight, then the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym can help.
You’ll save the hassle of getting ready and driving back-and-forth to the gym, which can help you find the time to cram in workouts.
And you don’t have to take up a massive amount of space in your home.
