Quick Summary
Definitely a top pick among the Bowflex family of home gyms, the Revolution is a full-tilt workout machine. Priced at $2,899 with optional upgrades, the machine utilizes the space age SpiraFlex technology to deliver a complete body workout, increase strength, and keep one on track with their fitness goals. SpiraFlex technology was created to help astronauts at the International Space Station stay in shape, and now Bowflex has incorporated it into the Revolution. Using lightweight interlocking plates, SpiraFlex provides fluid reps and a great workout.
Ranked at the top of the popular Bowflex line of home gyms, the Revolution is a heavy-duty trainer with over 100 exercises and a 220-pound resistance capacity to mix things up and provide a great variety of intense workouts. An additional 80 pounds of resistance can be purchased from Bowflex, as well as additional triceps rope, mat, and leg press with up to 600 pounds of resistance for just $100 more.
Designed to afford up to 100 exercises with 400 variations, the Bowflex Revolution can effectively hit every muscle group in the body at any level of fitness. Equipped with a leg press station, preacher curl attachment, vertical bench press, and leg extension, users can easily add floorwork with dumbbells and kettlebells into the mix for a perfect workout.
Specifications
| Model | Bowflex Revolution |
| Rating |  90.4% |
| List Price | $2,899 |
| Best Price | $2899 Special includes 80 lb upgrade, tricep rope, mat and free shipping for $2,999 |
| Type | Spiraflex |
| Max. Weight | 220 or 300 lbs depending on configuration |
| Exercises | 100+ |
| Seat | Bench (Adjustable) |
| User Weight | 300 lbs |
| Dimensions | Length: 9' 4" Width: 3' 2" Height: 6' 1" |
| Workout Area | 10' x 7' (L x W) |
| Legs |  |
| Abs | |
| Curls | |
| Pulldown | |
| Rows | |
| Accessories | - Resistance Plate Upgrade - Accessory Rack (sold separately) - Training Software - Machine Mat 7'11" L x 3'2"W (sold separately) |
| Warranty | Parts: 10 years Labor: 90 days |
Rating:
Our Rating
90.4/100
A nifty piece of equipment for sure, we see the Bowflex lineup of home gyms as an either/or proposition. For folks that like this style of workout and resistance, the Bowflex Revolution is ideal. People seeking free weights and barbells are clearly looking elsewhere. That said, we know the value of resistance training and this type of cable/pulley is perfect for those seeking low impact strength training. The machine itself is solid and has a great warranty, but the price of $2,899 does offer one pause. When comparison shopping with other units, if sticker price is an issue, consider the rest of the Bowflex family of gyms here.
Pros:
- Highly praised Spiraflex resistance.
- Heavy-duty home gym with solid warranty of 10 years on the machine, 90 days for labor.
- Solid 220 pounds resistance with an 80-pound upgrade.
- 100+ exercises available and 400 variations.
- A versatile trainer also offers a number of useful accessories.
Cons:
- Not the most compact home gym (10′ x 7′ workout area).
- Pricey piece of exercise equipment.
- In-home assembly is offered at $299 and might be required by some.
Full Review
Unlike more traditional machines which involve stacks of weights or plates, the Bowflex family of home gyms utilize Power Rod and SpiraFlex technology which doesn’t involve gravity. This eliminates inertia completely. Inertia is the momentum of the moving weight, and every lifter knows what it is to “use” that movement as a bit of a cheat, or swing. The upside to Bowflex’s system is that there is no cheating, nor is there any significant stress on the tendons or joints.
To this degree, the numerous benefits of resistance training can be achieved. As hypertrophy requires the breakdown of muscle fibers so as to be built back bigger and stronger, the Bowflex Revolution is a ready partner. With 220 pounds of resistance, one can easily flush their muscles with oxygen-rich blood so as to achieve this goal. Resistance training has been proven time and again to not only build stronger muscles and increase metabolism, but reduce body fat and increase HDL.
Every component of the Bowflex Revolution home gym is designed to provide a complete and comfortable workout for the entire body. While the machine does come across as requiring a large workout area of 10′ x 7′, it does fold to a relatively compact size at 4’7″ x 3’2″. We would guess users would also have additional fitness toys to go along with this unit, perhaps the Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells, meaning sufficient space is a must. This is a beast of a Bowflex made for users who are looking to become beasts themselves.
Built for users up to 6’6 tall, this home gym utilizes the SpiraFlex® Technology designed for NASA astronauts to use while in space. Independently moving The Freedom Arms® can be worked into 10 different positions with 170-degree adjustments. Built with 220 pounds of resistance, the machine be upgraded to 300 pounds with a full 600 pounds then available for a leg press. Considering the design of the cable/pulley system, this level of resistance should be sufficient for most athletes of any level. The big benefit is the safety features and low impact on joints and tendons. There’s no danger of falling weight plates or need or a spotter here. Additional components include the preacher curl attachment, vertical bench press, and leg extension.
Workouts
The Bowflex Revolution home gym includes over 100 exercises providing up to 400 different variations making your workouts literally limitless. The Bowflex Revolution utilizes exercises for weight loss, performance training, strength building, heart rate training and recovery from injury. This machine offers hundreds of ways to get you ripped.
What we really like about the Bowflex Revolution is how easily it lends itself to High Intensity Interval Training with bodyweight floorwork. If one really wants to earn the burn, consider the following quick drill:
- Superset 5 sets of 25 push-ups with 5 sets of 10 incline chest flyes
- Superset 5 sets of 12 leg extensions with 5 sets of 12 leg curls
- Superset 5 sets 12 bicep curls with 5 sets of 12 triceps press-downs
This strength of this type of machine’s workouts is going to lean heavily toward higher repetitions. There’s no question that the 220 pounds of resistance which comes with the standard model is sufficient for most people. That said, if one wants to upgrade to 300, there’s no limit to what one can do in terms of training. As a rule, one would want to aim for increasing the number of total sets, say from 3 x 10 to 5 x 10, and in that way expand work capacity. Another key concept with this gym is that of Time Under Tension (TUT). Consider that the body doesn’t know whether it’s lifting 220 pounds or 100. It simply responds and adapts to the pressure. This means the longer a muscle is under tension, the more hypertrophy can occur. Over-training occurs when one attempts to exceed the point of diminishing returns. The good news about the Bowflex Revolution is that it would be difficult to injure oneself here.
Features
The Bowflex Revolution home gym is built with resistance features for every part of your body. The Freedom Arms allows you to move your arms in 10 different positions while adjusting angles up to 170 degrees. Utilize the leg extension to increase strength and build muscle in your legs. Whether using the preacher curl for biceps, or the chest flyes for upper body, the machine has a great diversity of offerings. Take advantage of the vertical bench press to complete a wide variety of exercises. Burn even more calories with the built-in rowing machine.
Bowflex Revolution not only provides multiple cable and pulley positions, but also features five different hand-grip ankle cuffs increasing flexibility in your routine. Rest your elbows on the preacher curl attachment to add ease of use when working your abs and legs. The machine in its standard configuration can hold up to 220 pounds of resistance. However, customers can purchase an extra resistance plate upgrade which brings two 40-pound weight plates to the game and increases the maximum up to 300 pounds, or 600 pounds for the leg press.
Questions & Answers
- Does the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym have a limit on the user’s height?
The manufacturer advises the machine works best with users between 4’6″ and 6’6″ tall. - What is the minimum ceiling height needed for the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym?
The manufacturer recommends a minimum ceiling height of 7′. - Is the Bowflex Revolution Home Gym noisy when in use?
No. One of the big benefits to the Power Rod technology is that it is very quiet relative to the clanging of metal weights.
Warranty & Guarantee
The Bowflex Revolution features a 10-year warranty on parts and a 90-day warranty on labor.
Conclusion
You’ll never get bored when working out on the Bowflex Revolution home gym. The flexibility of having 100+ exercises at your disposal makes the Bowflex Revolution a popular buy. This is a strength training resistance machine designed for those looking to add bulk without using traditional free weights. There’s easily an entire gym’s worth of training options packed into this machine just waiting to be unlocked. There aren’t really any cardio options though. This is a specific machine for a specific type of user. Those desperate to feel some burn will get what they are looking for. Others should look elsewhere. If the machine cost is a barrier, keep in mind that Bowflex offers financing at $162/month. Either way, a good deal for sure.
Rating: 90.4/100
Where to Buy
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