by Gary Patterson |
Last Updated: June 3, 2021 Table of Contents
About Bowflex Rowing Machines
With quarantine and lockdown restrictions, you may have struggled with finding ways to stay active. This review will introduce you to Bowflex, a gym equipment brand bringing fitness into your home. Their key products are Bowflex Rowing Machines that double as Bowflex Home Gyms, allowing for a great variety of full-body exercises for any workout intensity. If you are looking to invest in a home gym, read this review to see if Bowflex would suit your needs.
Bowflex’s story started in 1986. While other brands focused on developing weight machines for gyms, Bowflex Rowing Machines aimed to bring gym-quality equipment through your home’s door. Created by a mixed group of people interested in fitness, including professionals, beginners, and casual athletes, Bowflex’s products are designed for anyone seeking to embark on an exercising journey from the comfort of their home.
The Best Bowflex Rowing Machines
While Bowflex creates many workout tools, this review will focus on the best Bowflex Rowing Machines that are also Bowflex Home Gyms.
The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym and Rower is one of their top-line products. While all Bowflex machines aim to provide resistance exercise without inertia and joint damage with the Bowflex Power Rod, this machine has the unique feature of SpineFlex technology. With a great variety of features and a sleek design, the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym and Rower is both the best and most expensive Bowflex Rowing Machine.
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym and Rower is another top product. Although it is still an expensive item, it costs significantly less than the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym and Rower. Using Bowflex’s Power Rod Resistance technology, it has varied weights, allowing for customizable resistance exercises and quick changes between workouts.
One midline product is the Bowflex Blaze Home Gym and Rower. It is significantly more affordable than the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym, but it has fewer features too. However, it also uses Bowflex’s Power Rod Resistance technology, allowing you to exercise all your muscle groups.
Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and Rower is a bottom line but the cheapest model. It has the least number of workout options, but it is the only model under $1000. Like the Bowflex Blaze Home Gym, the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and Rower also uses Bowflex Power Rod technology.
Before we delve into each Bowflex Home Gym and Rower, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the brand.
Pros
- Bowflex Home Gyms are also Bowflex Rowing Machines, allowing for a great variety of workouts
- Powerflex Rod and SpiraFlex technologies enable resistance exercises without the inertia or joint strain
- All parts include a warranty, ranging from 5 to 10 years depending on the model
- Bowflex retailers sell Bowflex machines; the availability is not restricted to the Bowflex website
- Monthly financing options are available depending on the model
Cons
- Additional in-home assembly cost of $299.00
- A facility in the United States may ship items, which would incur extra customs fees or taxes
- Standard shipping from the Bowflex website is listed as $299.00 but subject to change without notice
- Delivery is not available to P.O Boxes or international destinations
- Bowflex’s website no longer sells specific models; you would need to purchase from Bowflex retailers instead
Bowflex Revolution Home Gym and Rower Review
First up is the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym. With over 400 variations, it is designed to work with every major muscle group, which is particularly beneficial for reaching strength level and fitness goals. Additionally, it can easily switch into the Bowflex Revolution Rower, allowing for both cardio and strength conditioning workouts.
The features of the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym allow for full-body exercises. It includes SpiraFlex Technology, providing resistance without inertia, allowing for over 100 exercises with unlimited variations. As well, the Freedom Arms provide 10 positions and 170-degree adjustments. Also, the Leg Press Station can allow for up to 600 lbs of resistance, and the Preacher Curl Attachment allows for abdominal and leg workouts. The included weight pack has 220 lbs of resistance, and the gym has an optional upgrade to 300 lbs. Additionally, there is a Vertical Bench Press and a Leg Extension.
The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym’s standard configuration is 220 lbs, but it can withstand up to a maximum of 300 lbs. The workout area is 305 by 314 cm, and the dimensions of the full model are 248 x 97 x185 cm.
Pros
- 400 variations allow for a diverse range of workouts; including cardio, strength-training, isolated muscle groups, and full-body
- SpiraFlex is a unique feature in place of the typical Bowflex Power Rod
- Quick change system enabling easy transitions between exercises; no cable change
- It is foldable and allows for aerobic rowing
- It has 10 years warranty on parts and 90 days on labour
Cons
- It is expensive, costing $3,849 on the Bowflex website
- Unlike the Bowflex Power Rod, the Spiraflex cannot be upgraded to greater than 210 lbs; however, it is upgradable to 300 lbs and 600 lbs for the leg press
- It is a larger workout machine
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym and Rowing Machine Review
Next is the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym. It is more affordable than the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym, costing $1,999 instead. It does not require cable changes, letting you change exercises more quickly and easily, but it can still be used as the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Rower as there are active pulleys on the squat pulley frame.
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym and Rower now includes an ergonomically designed adjustable seat and Ab Crunch Shoulder Harness. It has Bowflex’s patented Power Rod technology at 210 lbs of Power Rod Resistance Standard, allowing for resistance exercises without the inertia or the risk of joint pain.
You can upgrade this to 310 lbs or 410 lbs. Additionally, the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym has a Revolutionary No-Change Cable Pulley System, allowing changes from squats to leg workouts without needing to change cables.
It also includes a Lat Tower with an Angled Lat Bar, a 4-Position Lower Pulley/Squat Station, a vertical bench press, and a Leg Extension, all allowing for more than 70 exercises. Additional attachments include a Squat Bar and 7 free trainer-built workouts. You can choose to add a Preacher Curl and a Gym Style Ab Crunch.
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym and Rower is 135 x 124 x 211 cm with a compact design. The workout area is 244 x 196 cm, the assembled product weight is 185 lbs, and it can withstand a maximum of 300 lbs.
Pros:
- No need to change cables allow for quick changes between exercises, keeping the heart rate up and saving time
- 7 free trainer-built workouts are included
- It allows for aerobic rowing
- It has 7 years warranty on parts and a lifetime warranty on Power Rods
Cons:
- Fewer exercise options than the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym
- Need to purchase additional attachments
- It is not foldable
Bowflex Blaze Home Gym and Rowing Machine Review
Then there is the Bowflex Blaze Home Gym. This is a full-featured workout machine, similar to the Bowflex PR1000 Rower. Unfortunately, this model is not sold on the Bowflex website. Bowflex stopped manufacturing the Bowflex Blaze Home Gym, but Bowflex retailers still sell it. The price on Best Buy is $1,299.
The Bowflex Blaze Home Gym and Rower allows for 60+ exercises for the full body. It has the Bowflex Power Rod with 210 lbs of resistance and the possibility to upgrade to 310 lbs or 410 lbs. There is also a sliding seat rail, allowing you to perform aerobic rowing and leg presses. As well, multiple cable and pulley positions would enable custom workouts. It includes a lateral bar, squat bar, horizontal bench press, and triple function hand grip/ankle cuffs. Like the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym and Rower, the Bowflex Blaze Home Gym includes 7 free trainer-built workout regimes.
The Bowflex Blaze Home Gym and Rower stands at 229 x 97 x 211 cm with a workout area of 254 x 198 cm. The assembled machine weight is 191 lbs, and it can hold up to a maximum of 300 lbs.
Pros:
- Midrange product, more affordable pricing at $1,299
- Folding bench and wheels allow for easy storage
- Allows for aerobic rowing
Cons:
- It does not have a quick-change system
- No longer manufactured; can only be purchased from Bowflex retailers
- Fewer exercise options at 60+
- Since it is not sold on Bowflex, it does not include warranty information
Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and Rower Review
Finally, there is the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym. This machine is designed to help strengthen abdominal, arms, chest, back, shoulders, and lower body muscles while adding some cardio training. It can also convert into the Bowflex PR1000 Rower.
The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and Rower includes over 25 strength training exercises and a built-in rowing station. It has the Bowflex Power Rod with up to 210 lbs of resistance. The Adjustable Weight Bench feature with multiple cable pulley positions allows you to change the resistance angles.
It can be folded, used as an aerobic rower, and function as a horizontal bench press. Like the other two home gyms, it includes 7 trainer-build workouts. Unlike the other home gyms, there is also a built-in media rack and two additional training videos.
Once assembled, the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and Rower stands at 213 x 96 x 208 cm.
Pros:
- Lowest cost at $799 on Best Buy
- Includes a media rack
- It is foldable and allows for aerobic rowing
Cons:
- No longer sold on Bowflex’s website; you would need to purchase from a Bowflex retailer
- Least exercise options at 25+
- Cannot upgrade the Power Rod Resistance
- No quick-change system
- Since it is not sold on Bowflex, it does not include warranty information
Which Bowflex Rowing Machine is Best For You?
Most Affordable: Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and Rower
The best Bowflex rower for affordability is the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and Rower. At $799 on Best Buy, it is the cheapest model. While it has the least amount of exercise options, it would still allow for a full-body workout.
Most Expensive: Bowflex Revolution Home Gym and Rower
The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym and Rower is definitely an expensive machine. On Bowflex’s website, this machine is listed for $3,849. However, if you are looking for the most exercise options with SpiralFlex technology, then this machine would suit your needs best.
Best Value: Bowflex Blaze Home Gym and Rower
The best Bowflex rowing machine for value is the Bowflex Blaze Home Gym and Rower. Even though Bowflex’s website no longer sells this machine, it is still available for $1,299 at Best Buy. It is foldable and includes 60+ exercise options. However, it does not have the Quick Change system, so if you prefer switching faster between exercises, then the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym and Rower could be a worthier investment at $1,999 on Bowflex’s website.
Are Bowflex Rowing Machines Worth it?
This review on Bowflex Rowing Machines finds that: yes, they are worth the price! Especially with the pandemic and lockdown restrictions, gyms are inaccessible, but staying cooped at home all day is draining.
It is also difficult to build a home gym from scratch. Imagine trying to figure out all the individual equipment without accidentally buying the same part twice. Fortunately, Bowflex Home Gyms and Bowflex Rowing Machines come with a complete set of workout equipment.
The versatility and wide range of features on Bowflex Rowing Machines allow for a variety of workouts suitable for anyone looking to exercise their body.
Unfortunately, the machines are costly. Even the cheapest model would cost nearly $1000 after taxes and shipping. However, if you are looking to invest in a home gym, Bowflex is a trusted brand with quality machines that can cater to your workout desires.
Our Conclusion
Bowflex’s Home Gyms and the best Bowflex Rowing Machines have a long history and an abundance of positive reviews from previous customers. That being said, it is still a more expensive brand. If you want to invest in a home gym for extensive use, then Bowflex is for you.
It also saves you stress from having to worry about buying different equipment since you can use Bowflex Home Gyms and Bowflex Rowing Machines for cardio, strength training, full-body, and isolated muscle group workouts.
On the other hand, Bowflex’s high costs can be deterring. If you are just dipping your toes into working out and you don’t have the budget to spare for an entire home gym, then the costs of the machine, assembly and shipping can be a major drawback.
What is a rowing machine?
Bowflex Rowing Machines activate the full-body, targeting the quadriceps and glutes, deltoids and lats, and abdominal muscles. They can be used by anyone looking to work out their whole body, balancing cardio and strength training. It will definitely work up a sweat and burn plenty of calories!
While the four products in this review are called home gyms, they are rowing machines too. The Bowflex Revolution Home Gym can be easily shifted into the rowing position. Unlike the other machines, the resistance used here is the Spiraflex instead of the Power Rod. It was initially designed for NASA’s zero-gravity exercises. Additionally, the Revolution has inbuilt footplates custom-made for rowing exercises. Since the handles are lower than chest height, the pulling motion comes from a lower place compared to traditional rowing.
The Power Rod is still an effective resistance technology. In the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym, the Power Rod technology provides an intense workout to build strength and work on cardiovascular fitness. The Bowflex Blaze Rower has a sliding seat on the rail, and you can grab the handlebars. By resting your feet on the support bar of the lat tower, you can perform the leg-rowing movement. Also, the Bowflex PR1000 Rower is nearly identical to the Blaze home gym for aerobic rowing purposes.
Is there a Bowflex Rowing Machine discount?
Right now, Bowflex is not offering any discounts on their Bowflex Rowing Machines; however, this is subject to change seasonally.
Where can I purchase Bowflex Rowers?
Bowflex Home Gyms and Bowflex Rowing Machines can be purchased from their website and assorted partner retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.
How to contact Bowflex?
We hope you enjoyed reading about some of the best Bowflex rowers on the market, and that you found all of the information you came looking for. Bowflex can be reached on their website’s click to chat option, through email, and on Facebook from Monday to Sunday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST.
For customer care, you can call Bowflex at 800-605-3369 between Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm PST and on Saturday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm PST.