The Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym – An Entire Gym in One Machine

One of our favorite designs, the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym, has everything you need for a complete resistance workout. Its big 310-lbs of resistance is provided by smooth motion Power Rods which are designed to mimic the feel of free weights, but without the stress on the joints that can occur with dumbbells and barbells.

The Gym

All Bowflex models are backed by a 6-week Fitness Results Guarantee if you follow their well-designed home workout program. With 95+ exercises available, the full specs on the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym include:

• 310 lbs (140 kg) of Power Rod® Resistance (upgradeable to 410 lbs)
• Leg Curl/Leg Extension Attachment
• Lat Tower with Angled Lat Bar
• Preacher Curl Attachment
• Integrated Squat Station
• Built-in Rowing Machine
• Built-in Adjustable Pulley
• No Change Cable Pulley System
• Max user weight – 300 lbs / 136 kg
• Dimensions – 92"L x 46"W x 82"H
• 12-year Limited Warranty
• Accessories included – 5-way hand grip/ankle cuffs, Leg press belt, manual, workout DVD

Optional Accessories / Upgrades: Foot harness ($25), Machine Mat ($99), Ab Crunch ($169), Power Rod 100-lb upgrade ($99).

The Buzz

Bowflex home gyms offer two types of resistance: the original Power Rod units, such as the Ultimate 2, and the SpiraFlex® plates which are found on the Revolution series. New buyers frequently ask if the rods are safe, and if they are effective for strength training. They are on both counts. You can flex them for years without them breaking down, and Bowflex backs them with a Lifetime Warranty Free Replacement Offer. As for the max weight, trainers point out that 310 lbs is enough resistance for most users (save money and don’t upgrade to 410 lbs). To operate, simply hook one or several of the Power Rods to the cable pulley system to increase resistance.

Compare Bowflex® Home Gyms Here and at Amazon

If you read a home gym review or two on the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym you will see that most users are well satisfied with their gyms after they get used to the power rods as the resistance source. If you have not worked with cable machines before it can feel a bit awkward at first since it has a different feel from traditional weight stacks. In addition, you’ll appreciate that this is a no-change cable system so you can switch from one exercise to the next quickly and easily. That is especially important in order to achieve the “just 20 minutes a day, three-times-a-week” exercise schedule goal.

Our Take

The Bowflex Ultimate 2 passes our checklist for a full home gym workout including: a leg press, a squat station, preacher curl station, mid-pulley rowing station, lots of fun abdominal crunches (seated, reverse, and resisted reverse -- and that’s without the $169 ab crunch attachment), and a number of exercises we hadn’t quite thought of. The sale price of $2,499.00 can seem steep but for what you get, the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym gives you a complete workout. Highly Recommended.

Show me other Bowflex Home Gyms

Return from Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym to the Home Gym Reviews Index Page