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Editor's picks

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  Bowflex Blaze Home Gym

  Sports (Bowflex)
  

  Rating (44 reviews):

  (4.6/5)

  

  Tips on using the Bowflex

  First of all, I have the Bowflex Sport, which is the same as the Blaze just with different trim and labels, but which is being discontinued to Bowflex (however if you can find one they are cheaper than the Blaze).Before I get into my tips, I'll give a brief review. I've had this machine for 10 months now and I am mostly pleased with it. I started out as a computer desk nerd with no strength and I've worked up to about average guy strength - I can bench about 200 bowflex pounds now, more than twice what I started at. So it works - just don't expect the miracles they advertise. The best thing about it is that is uses a pully system which makes it extremely versatile. The worst thing is the bows, which are elastic. If you can find a machine that uses pulleys like the Bowflex but has a weight stack instead of bows, that would be best, but I don't think there is one in this price range.Now for the tips.1. The bows work by stretching, and can get... 4/5 Thomas J. Happ (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews, August 25, 2007

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  Height Issues

  Overall I am enjoying this equipment. I used a gym and personal trainer for some time a few years ago and did great. But time wasted on travel and using the locker room helped me to quit. My body's hunger to do something drove me to try a Bowflex. And I'm glad I did. This machine takes up a lot of room. I found that I am only so motivated (like many people even if they won't admit to it). The first time I folded this up and moved it out of the way, I ignored it for 1 1/2 weeks. So if you are honest with yourself and realize your motivation is questionable, make sure you have room to keep it down.These are my issues. But I have 2 complaints with the Bowflex Blaze. First, when folded up the Lat Bar does not rest on its mountings, so it likes to fall when moving the machine. Second, I am 6-4 and due to the limits of the cables and bench there are a couple of exercises I can't do properly. These include Any Lying exercise (Lying Leg Extension, Resisted Reverse... 4/5 Hard Maple "raptoro" (McCall, ID USA) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Bowflex Blaze Home Gym (Sports) Overall I am enjoying this equipment. I used a gym and personal trainer for some time a few years ago and did great. But time wasted on travel and using the locker room helped me to quit. My body's hunger to do something drove me to try a Bowflex. And I'm glad I did. This machine takes up a lot of room. I found that I am only so motivated (like many people even if they won't admit to it). The first time I folded this up and moved it out of the way, I ignored it for 1 1/2 weeks. So if you are honest with yourself and realize your motivation is questionable, make sure you have room to keep it down.These are my issues. But I have 2 complaints with the Bowflex Blaze. First, when folded up the Lat Bar does not rest on its mountings, so it likes to fall when moving the machine. Second, I am 6-4 and due to the limits of the cables and bench there are a couple of exercises I can't do properly. These include Any Lying exercise (Lying Leg Extension, Resisted Reverse... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , September 6, 2007

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  Bowflex Blaze

  I bought this Bowflex Blaze for my 16 yr old son for Christmas. I looked on Bowflex.com and their machines were as high priced as $2500. I didn't want to overspend on an expensive machine and then find it just sitting there not being used. I decided that because my son was just starting out, we would go with one of the cheaper models. There were 3 models I considered buying. They all seemed to offer alot for a beginner. After doing some online research and reading other reviews, I had considered the Bowflex Blaze, the Bowflex PR1000 and the PR3000. I noticed that the PR1000 could not be upgraded and the PR3000 could be upgraded by 100 pounds. The Bowflex Blaze became my choice because it can be upgraded twice up to 410 lbs. I also called a representative at Bowflex and discussed the different models with him. I noticed that they didn't sell any of these 3 models on their web site. He said that they will still carry replacement parts for quite a while if needed. Atleast a few more... 5/5 K. Horowitz (Calabash, NC) - See all my reviews, January 31, 2010

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  List Price: $1,099.00
  

  210 pounds of Power Rod Technology resistance (upgradable to 310 or 410 pounds)

  Lat tower with angled lat bar helps build back and shoulder muscles

  Lower pulley/squat station for working glutes, hamstrings, and quads

  Leg extension/leg curl attachment; measures 90 by 83 by 38 inches (W x H x D)

  Home gym with more than 60 gym-quality exercises for all muscle groups

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  Bowflex Ultimate XTLU Home Gym [Discontinued]

  Sports (Bowflex)
  

  Rating (20 reviews):

  (4.5/5)

  

  Make Sure You Have The Time

  Though once this piece of excercise equipment is built, it's everything the advertisements, from print to infomercial, declare. However, somewhere, I swear, I read it takes only 45 minutes to put together and just taking the parts from the 5 large boxes took well over an hour. Further, the actual installation took over two days; and I'd like to think my buddy and myself are pretty good at these things. However, as I said, once put together, this is one solid, helpful piece of excercise equipment. One more thing, be sure you have the space for it once assembled. It really is a large piece of equipment, both vertically and horizontally. Good Luck! 4/5 John Dane (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews Though once this piece of excercise equipment is built, it's everything the advertisements, from print to infomercial, declare. However, somewhere, I swear, I read it takes only 45 minutes to put together and just taking the parts from the 5 large boxes took well over an hour. Further, the actual installation took over two days; and I'd like to think my buddy and myself are pretty good at these things. However, as I said, once put together, this is one solid, helpful piece of excercise equipment. One more thing, be sure you have the space for it once assembled. It really is a large piece of equipment, both vertically and horizontally. Good Luck! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , July 19, 2004

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  Well Worth the Money

  I'm a small person, not a bodybuilder and hated free weights. However, I realized as I got older that I really needed to do some type of strength training. I'd been thinking about a Bowflex and after looking at the literature, decided I wanted an Ultimate. I purchased a used one and don't recommend that route since the seller lost some of the parts and delivered a damaged machine (long story). I was able to order the missing pieces from Bowflex, but it took forever to get them. Once I was able to use the machine, I absolutely loved it. It's especially good for me since I'm usually alone when I work out and was concerned about injury with free weights or other types of exercise/weight machines. Additionally, due to a neurological problem, I had little extensor function in one hand. Using the Bowflex, I've been able to rebuild some of the muscle tone and would highly recommend this for anyone who needs physical therapy requiring weights. I use this faithfully every day,... 5/5 delicateflower152 (Texas) - See all my reviews, September 21, 2004

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  Amazing workout "machine"

  The Bowflex is one of the most amazing machines I have ever used. With its range of exercises and a little creativity on your part, you can do just about any exercise you want to do. I completely recommend this if you don't have the time to go to the gym or if you just really enjoy working out at home.One disclaimer, don't think you can get the same results you can get from free weights. If you are an avid free-weight lifter, you can get your kicks out of maxing the leg press and perhaps even maxing the bench. The PowerRods have a tension that is proportional to the amount of bend you give them. Thus, if you do an exercise with 100 pounds of resistance, but only move the power rods through their first half of bend, you aren't getting 100 pounds of resistance. Also, when you extend the arms of the pulleys to do the wide grip bench, you decrease the amount of bend in the rods to the point where, even if you bend them all the way, you aren't getting full... 5/5 Garrett Butler (Morgantown, WV) - See all my reviews, November 8, 2004

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  List Price: $1,899.00
  Price: $600.00
  You Save: $1,299.00 (68%)

  Folds to a compact size (27 by 49 inches)

  Get a total body workout in your own home with over 90 exercises

  Five-year warranty

  Provides 310 pounds of resistance via Bowflex Power Rods--upgradable to 410 pounds

  Lat tower with angled lat bar, lower pulley/squat station, leg extension/leg curl attachment, sliding seat for rowing

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