Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym Review

It’s not the most modern home gym on the market, but can the Bowflex Xtreme 2 still produce quality results as it did for those models in the infomercials? We got our hands on an Xtreme 2 and put it through its paces, with some interesting results.

Compact & Quick
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 is a space saving, easy to use machine. Unlike many older model home gyms, the footprint of the actual device is relatively small, and the technology is still on par with many modern creations.

We found the no-change cable system still provided much needed efficiency during our workout. Additionally, everything we needed to touch or adjust on the machine was within an easy reach of the main exercise area. No problems here.

Upgradeable 210lbs
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 comes standard with 210lbs of resistance, but is upgradeable to both 310lbs and 410lbs if you need it. This provides flexibility and customization – and is impressive given the age of the product.

Quiet & Smooth
For an older generation machine, the X2 was eerily quiet. No clanging of weight, and no creaking of support structures. The Power Rod technology still shines through in these regards and despite the well known (and arguable) variation in resistance throughout each repetition, the machine provides a smooth and flowing workout.

Strong Design
Whenever you buy a Bowflex product, no matter how old – you know that you will be investing in quality. The Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym is no exception, with a sturdy design and reinforced materials.

What We Liked About The Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym

Even though this product was invented almost half a decade ago, it still feels relatively new. No doubt if we took a similar home gym machine from the same era – from a different manufacturer – we would not be saying the same thing.

The X2 provides a solid workout, with over 70 exercises possible in different positions. The cushioning and supports felt solid, and overall we were pleased with the design and logic that the machine offered.

What We Didn’t Like About The Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym

Installation and assembly was a bit of an issue – perhaps due to the lack of caffeine consumed prior to the X2′s arrival. More likely, the issue is that products from this time period have more “bits” which need to be placed here and there.

If you have a handy man in the house – or if you are quite handy yourself, the Bowflex Xtreme 2 Home Gym should present no problems at all. But if you don’t readily know the difference between a spanner and a screw driver – perhaps a more simplified home gym would be better suited to your liking.