It seems like there are endless choices when it comes to buying a Bowflex, and we’re always asked here at Run Reviews to differentiate between their Max Trainers, treadmills, bikes and other cardio equipment. They offer something for everyone, and they seem to release new products more often than most other fitness companies do.
Obviously all of the Bowflex machines are designed to get you and keep you in great shape…but what’s the difference between all of their machines and which one is best for you?
We put together a comprehensive guide to the entire Bowflex lineup so you can choose which machine is right for your particular needs. Let’s get started…
Bowflex Machines in Order of Popularity – A Closer Look
Bowflex Max Trainer
By far the most popular piece of exercise equipment the company sells is the Max Trainer. Bowflex sells tons of these compact machines every year, and there are over 2.5 X as many Google searches for the Max Trainer than there are for its second biggest seller, the TreadClimber.
The Max Trainer is a hybrid machine: an elliptical trainer combined with a stepper, giving you the benefits of both, including maximum calorie burn and minimum impact on your joints. According to the company’s research, you can get a more effective workout in less time than you can on a traditional cardio machine.
Here you have the popular M6 and the top of the line M8 and Max Total 16. As you move up in the Max Trainer lineup you get more resistance levels, more built in workouts, tracking capability and enhanced features.
Prices range from $999 for the M6 all the way up to around $1,999 for the high end Max Total 16. There used to be a few Max Trainer models in the middle but those were recently discontinued.
Bowflex Treadmills
The BowFlex treadmill lineup replaced the previous TreadClimbers, which were quite popular for a long time but were phased out for some reason. Here you have the T6, T9 and T16 treadmills.
These cardio machines are competitively priced, similar to the NordicTrack T Series and Sole 63 and 65, with speeds up to 12 mph, incline up to 15% and generously sized running decks. The company recently improved the warranty coverage significantly, with lifetime coverage on frame and parts. Previous models had a paltry 3 year warranty.
Bowflex Bikes
The company recently introduced a bike lineup, featuring the C6 Cycling Bike and the more advanced Velocore 22″ bike with touch screen. These are also priced similar to comparable models from NordicTrack and Sole.
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE, Revolution and the HVT
When you think of Bowflex what typically comes to mind are the eponymous home gyms that you used to see on TV all of the time. You can still catch some infomercials from time to time, but not as many as in the old days. Although not as popular as they once were, there are still tons of people who buy these all in one units each year.
Currently you have the Xtreme 2 SE, the Revolution and the newer HVT.
The Xtreme 2 SE is the least expensive of the three and the most popular, featuring bending “Power Rod” resistance from 210 lbs. up 410 lbs., which is plenty of weight for any level of fitness. You can do over 70 different exercises, targeting all different muscle groups, and move from one exercise to the next seamlessly as you don’t have to change any cables like you did on some of the older models.
The more advanced Revolution is not as compact as the Xtreme 2 SE, but it gives you more than 100 different exercises using “SpiraFlex” plate technology. Here you have actual plates like you have at the gym rather than the bending rods on the Xtreme 2 SE.
The Xtreme 2 SE costs around $1,599 and the Bowflex Revolution costs around $2,999.
The HVT, short for High Velocity Training, is quickly becoming one of the more popular home gyms on the market. It features a cable pulley system that promises a full body workout in only 18 minutes. Whereas the traditional home gyms feature a bench that you can sit and lie down on, the HVT is a standing machine with low, mid and high cables that you use to engage the arms, legs, chest, back and core in a series of targeted movements.
The Bowflex HVT is a lot like the cable stations that you find at the gym. Those typically come with just two cable arms that you can adjust to various heights and widths. The HVT is like an advanced version of those with a console and built in workouts.
You have the base model and the HVT+, at $1,799 and $2,299 respectively.
Which Bowflex Machine Should You Buy? Here’s a Helpful Guide
The whole product line is basically split into home gyms and cardio trainers. So if you are looking for something to replace a gym membership as far as strength training, you’re looking at the traditional home gym Xtreme 2 SE and Revolution, and the newer HVT cable system.
The closest to a gym workout would be the Revolution with its unique plate system. If you want to save a little money and you’re OK with the bending rod resistance then go with the Xtreme 2 SE. Lastly, if you want a quick full body workout, without any sitting or lying down movements, consider the popular Bowflex HVT.
As far as the cardio machines, your decision is more straight forward. Now that the TreadClimbers and ellipticals are gone, you just have to choose between the Max Trainers, treadmills and bikes. That should be an easy choice for you.
Bowflex Max Trainer – Pros and Cons
The Bowflex Max Trainer is going to be more like an elliptical workout, with a step trainer cardio element added. So it’s a lot different than a traditional elliptical, and gives you a different type of workout.
As far as the pros, it is a very compact machine, has a good amount of resistance levels to choose from and 2-4 user profiles. As we mentioned, you can get a complete workout in less time, burn a good amount of calories and tone up additional leg muscles.
As far as the cons, the three Max Trainers are not as advanced as comparably priced elliptical trainers, e.g. less advanced displays, lower max weight capacities, shorter warranties. So you’re paying a bit of a premium for the uniqueness of the workout.
So it is ideal for those with limited space in their home gyms, as well as for those who like the idea of a 2 machines in 1 workout with less time required to achieve results.
Bowflex Treadmills – Pros and Cons
As far as the Bowflex treadmills, they have strong motors, nice 15% incline, decent array of workouts, grip and wireless heart rate, fans, speakers, Bluetooth, folding capability, good cushioning, high max weight capacities and generously sized belts. You also get to tap into JRNY workouts, which are similar to iFIT although not that extensive.
The only real negative used to be the frame and drive motor warranty, but now that they are offering lifetime on frame and motor, that’s no longer a determining factor.
Keep in mind that the BowFlex treadmills do feel a little tight and there is some noticeable bouncing when ramping up to the higher incline levels. However, they did feel more secure than previous versions when we tried them out, so that’s a step in the right direction.
Bowflex Machines – The Bottom Line
So there you have a breakdown of all of the Bowflex machines on the market today: the Max Trainer, treadmills, bikes, the Xtreme 2 SE, the Revolution, and the HVT.
Hopefully you now understand the differences between all of them and can make a more informed decision. Look at the features and capabilities of each one, compare that to what you can get from other top companies, and decide if a Bowflex machine is right for you.
