The Bowflex Revolution XP Home Gym: Outstanding Free Motion Functional Training

The Bowflex Revolution XP Home Gym uses SpiraFlex® technology to duplicate the feel of free weights in over 90 exercises. Users have a choice between the XP design, a compact upper-body machine, and the full-size, full-body Revolution machine.

The Gym

Aside from the SpiraFlex® Plates, the other unique feature of the Bowflex Revolution XP Home Gym is the patented Freedom Arms that lock into 10 different positions from straight up to straight down and various angles in between. It also comes with a squat harness to build your glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps, and an optional lat tower. To ensure your complete satisfaction with this home gym, Bowflex offers a 6 Weeks Fitness Results Guarantee.

• 200 lbs (90.72 kg) of Resistance (upgradeable to 280 lbs)
• Leg Curl/Extension Station
• SpiraFlex® Plates
• Freedom Arms™ – 10 positions, 170° adjustable
• Max user weight – 300 lbs / 136 kg
• Dimensions – 64"L x 38"W x 73" H
• 10-year Limited Warranty
• Accessories included – handgrips, foot harness, squat harness, manual, workout DVD

Optional: Lat Tower, Ab Crunch Pad, 80-lb upgrade.

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The Buzz

The high-tech SpiraFlex® Plates are the core of this little beast. Inside the plate-like disc, tension is created by a heavyweight rubber strap wound tightly around a coil. Resistance is kept constant throughout the entire range of motion. You have never felt anything like it; the Revolution XP is certainly not like the traditional Bowflex home gyms that use Power Rods for resistance. Those power rods don’t kick in with the stated resistance until they are fully contracted (or bent), so this next generation of Bowflex systems, offering constant resistance, will eventually replace the original power rod machines.

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Let’s cover the limitations first: home gym reviews remark that the squat rack is too tall on this compact gym. That is, it’s okay for tall people but others will need the aid of a short platform in order to get a squat depth below parallel. Also, the standing leg curl feels odd but if you hate leg curls anyway, this won’t be an issue for you. The Bowflex Revolution XP Home Gym isn’t really advertised to give a full-body workout so whatever leg work it gives you will have to do. Now for the goodies: the leg extension is a comfortable fit and the squat harness (padded vest) will nicely hit your core and legs. In addition, the resistance operation is incredibly smooth, it’s easy to change from one setup to the next, and the DVD and manual offer a wealth of diet tips and exercise procedures.

Our Take

We like the Bowflex Revolution XP much better than the clunky Revolution design. This home gym is compact (5'5" x 3'2") and offers great variety and flexibility. It is great for upper body training and working the stabilizer muscles, as well as easy to adjust, great value, and just an outstanding free motion functional trainer. The lat tower isn’t necessary (just set the Arms to the top position), and the $79 ab cruncher is redundant (the Bowflex Revolution XP has a back pad that works fine), so we don’t recommend you get either of those options. The legwork is okay; you can do squats and lunges which will make up for the lack of a leg press, and the low pulley station & ankle strap will allow you to work inner/outer thighs. For $2,499, the Bowflex Revolution XP Home Gym rates as a Good Buy.

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