About Bowflex
Are you ready to switch to beast mode? Or is “slightly sweaty mode” more your thing? Well, regardless of your fitness level or goals, Bowflex has you covered. They offer an extensive collection of exercise equipment to help you get the results you want! Designed to provide a full body workout from the comfort of your own home, the equipment is suitable for professional exercisers and fitness beginners alike.
Did you know that about 80% of Americans don’t get enough exercise? That’s a staggering number. But with the hectic pace of life that characterizes today’s world, it’s not surprising. Many people don’t have enough time, energy and/or motivation to exercise after the workday. This is where home exercise equipment such as Bowflex can help.
Trainer’s tip: The key to a healthier lifestyle (and maintaining it) is to set realistic goals and create an environment that supports your goals! Set yourself up for success! Life is hectic and unpredictable. For many, going to the gym is unrealistic. Working out at home is more convenient, possibly more fun and therefore more realistic. At home, you can watch TV, listen to your favorite podcast and/or sweat away your stress while watching your kids play or do their homework
With an impressive following of over 61.5,000 people on Instagram, Bowflex has been frequently featured by various media outlets including Healthline, Men’s Health and NBC News.
Want to get back in shape? Maybe this brand can help you do just that. Stay tuned as this Bowflex review provides readers with insight into the products, customer reviews, promotions and more to help you decide if the company is worth checking out.
Overview of Bowflex
Bowflex was founded in the “Jazzercise” era of the 1980s and was introduced as a solution for exercising at home. This sporting goods brand had the future of exercise in mind as it aimed to provide a cost-effective alternative to gym membership.
Developed by Dosho Tessema Shifferaw, Bowflex is an innovative company when it comes to developing high-tech exercise equipment.
The Washington-based company, which is part of parent company Nautilus, has won several internet trophies for its designs, including the Elliptical Reviews Best Buy Award in 2020. The company also has a blog dedicated to fitness tips and healthy lifestyle topics.
“We try our best to practice what we preach, and like you, we all have varying degrees of success. That’s why we focus on creating equipment that helps you get results as quickly and efficiently as possible so you can go about your daily life and live a healthier, happier and better life,” reads a statement from Bowflex.
Before we get into this Bowflex review, let’s look at some initial highlights you may want to know about the brand:
Highlights
- A variety of high-quality exercise equipment and home gyms to choose from
- Some models offer a digital fitness platform
- LCD screen for on-demand playback of workout videos and classes
- Offers a financing option
- A blog that features fitness tips and healthy recipes
- Many satisfied customer reviews from the internet
- Return policy does not cover shipping costs
- Very expensive
Below we present some of the most important Bowflex categories and trend products so that you can get a better idea of whether they are suitable for your fitness journey.
Bowflex bikes test
Want to ride a bike but don’t feel like going outside? Bowflex offers several bike models, such as the C6 and the Velocore, that allow you to do just that.
You probably learned to ride a bike as a child and only rode for fun. But cycling is not only fun, it also has a number of health benefits[1], such as weight loss, reducing the risk of heart disease and the risk of cancer. Below are some customer favorites in this Bowflex review for readers to compare.
Bowflex C6 Bike Review
Equipped with an LCD monitor, the C6 Bike transforms your average cycling experience into a virtual escapade. Compatibility with Peloton, Swift and the brand’s JRNY app allows users to pedal in scenic locations, such as a beautiful cherry blossom park or the winding roads of Death Valley.
Trainer’s tip: Cycling is a great and convenient way to improve cardiovascular fitness, but it’s another form of sitting … and most of us sit far too much as it is. So if you choose cycling as your cardio workout, be sure to finish your workout with a hip flexor stretch. Try the hip flexor stretch in a lunge. Place your right leg behind you. Place both feet forward and bend your knees slightly. Tilt your pelvis so that your right hip bone moves towards your ribs. Feel the stretch in the front of your right thigh. Hold the position for 30 seconds before switching legs.
In terms of features, this Bowflex bike model is equipped with dual-sided pedals, a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor and 3-pound dumbbells for added intensity. It also offers 100 different resistance levels that can be adjusted during the workout.
This Bowflex bike model is equipped with dual-sided pedals, a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor and 3-pound dumbbells for added intensity. It also offers 100 different resistance levels that can be adjusted during the workout.
The Bowflex C6 Bike, along with a free 6-month trial of JRNY, costs a total of $999.
Bowflex Velocore Bike Review
The Velocore bike is no joke when it comes to endurance training. This bad boy is equipped with 100 resistance levels and double-sided pedals. To make the workout even more intense, there are several riding styles, such as riding while lying down or standing.
Endurance training has proven benefits for health and performance. For example, regular endurance training has been shown to increase VO2 max[2]. VO2 max or maximal oxygen consumption refers to the maximum amount of oxygen a person can consume during intense or maximal exercise. The more oxygen a person can consume during high performance training, the more energy a person can produce. Maximum oxygen consumption reflects cardiovascular fitness and endurance performance.
In layman’s terms, your VO2 max is your aerobic fitness. Why is this important? A healthy VO2 max is associated with a longer lifespan, a better quality of life and a lower risk of disease, among many other benefits.
Need more incentive to exercise regularly? The health benefits of regular exercise[3] include improved sleep, increased interest in sex, stress reduction, mood elevation, increased energy and stamina, lower cholesterol and improved cardiovascular fitness.
Compatibility with the brand’s JRNY platform allows exercisers to train virtually in a variety of hot-spot locations, such as a serene mountain landscape or the Arizona desert with a 16- or 22-inch screen. This Bowflex model also comes with 3-pound dumbbells to increase resistance and cardio training.
Finally, it is equipped with a display monitor and Bluetooth connectivity to track your daily progress. The Velocore Bike with a 16″ display screen is only $1699.
Is Bowflex the same as lifting weights?
Bowflex is an incredible alternative to going to the gym. Why? Because you can get the same great workout with this one piece of equipment as you can in an entire gym. Another advantage is that no travel time is required. And how? The Bowflex machines provide resistance through a cable system – the cable system allows you to mimic movements performed with dumbbells and other fitness equipment. Think of it as a “one-stop store” for strength training.
The best thing about this “one-stop store” is that the weight can be progressively or regressively adjusted. Regardless of your fitness level, you can get a great workout.
Does Bowflex build muscle?
That is undisputed. Any exercise that requires strength can help build muscle. With this in mind, Bowflex can be used as strength training equipment to build strength.
If you are serious about building strength, we recommend the Home Gym Set and the Barbell Collection. Both offer different types of resistance that can help you on your fitness journey.
Can you use Bowflex every day?
Yes, if you are looking for a short answer. Bowflex recommends exercising with the Max Trainer elliptical trainer for up to 14 minutes per day. For the other models, we recommend training weekly to achieve results.
The training times also depend on your fitness goals, as the models can be used for both weight loss and muscle building.
The Bowflex machines have been developed using the latest technological advances and include a state-of-the-art fitness program built into the machines. This includes their treadmills, elliptical trainers and max trainers. For those who prefer to go old school, Bowflex also offers an “unplugged” category of home exercise equipment and selectorized equipment with technological strength.
Bowflex Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
After scouring the internet, I found a generally positive response to this sporting goods brand in this Bowflex review. Most of the best-selling models receive hundreds of impressive reviews.
For example, the Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym Set has a total of 1,707 comments with a proud score of 4.6/5 stars. The majority of customers found this indoor set to be versatile and practical and well worth the investment.
One elderly user gave his helpful testimonial, “I am a man in my late seventies. I have lost 45 pounds in the last year. As part of my weight loss and maintenance plan, I have been exercising 3 times a week on the Bowflex classic. Now I’ve switched to the Extreme 2S. It is more challenging, easier to use and offers more targeted exercises.
Most users stated that the machine was a cost-effective solution compared to expensive gym memberships. Others were satisfied with the results as the Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym provided an intense workout that helped them build muscle.
On Amazon, the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym Set receives 4.3 out of 5 stars. Based on 134 total reviews, several buyers found that this product helped them get a full body workout. Some customers mentioned that the equipment was very smooth-running and offered adequate resistance.
One honest reviewer shared, “The assembly looks daunting when you take it out of the box. It was very easy to set up, just time consuming. The exercises are great for the upper body. Good for chest, back, arms, shoulders and abs. The legs are a little lacking, but that’s nothing you can’t do yourself.”
Is Bowflex Worth It?
Is a Bowflex worth it? From what we’ve seen so far, this sporting goods brand offers more than just an intense workout. Most of their exercise equipment comes with a range of useful features.
These include the LCD monitor, heart rate monitor and the internet-famous JRNY app. We also liked the space-saving design of some models, such as the SelectTech 552 dumbbells, which do not require dumbbell attachments.
Users can also work out alongside a virtual trainer by streaming their on-demand classes. Not only is this a cool feature, but it can also help with motivation. Customers can also access the blog, which contains a wealth of helpful articles on fitness tips.
If you’re looking for a solid workout plan without committing to an expensive gym membership, Bowflex is the ideal solution for you.
Bowflex Promotions & Discounts
In this Bowflex review, we found out that there are a variety of special offers that are only available for a limited time:
- Max Trainer® M9 – Free Mat + Free Shipping
- Max Trainer® M6 – free shipping
- Bowflex® VeloCore™ Bike
- 22″ Console – Free Mat + Free Shipping
- 16″ Console – Free mat + free shipping
- Bowflex® C6 Bike – Free shipping
- Bowflex® Treadmill 22 – Free mat + Free shipping
- Bowflex® Treadmill 10 – Free mat + free shipping
- SelectTech® 552 Dumbbells – Free shipping
- SelectTech® 552 Dumbbells – $25 off + free shipping with the purchase of SelectTech® 552 Dumbbells, SelectTech® Dumbbell Rack and a Stowable Bench 5.1S
- Bowflex® 840 Kettlebell – free shipping
Where to Buy Bowflex
Customers can purchase the products at bowflex.com. You can also find them at selected retailers such as:
- Amazon
- Canadian Tire
- Best Buy
- Walmart
- Sport Chek
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
FAQ
Does Bowflex offer a trial period?
Bowflex offers a free trial period for its JRNY app. Please note that this ultimately depends on the training device in question. The C6 Bike, for example, can be tested free of charge for 6 months.
Does Bowflex have a lifetime warranty?
In this Bowflex review, it was determined that this depends on the specific training device. The Velocore Bike, for example, has a frame and parts warranty of up to 2 years.
What are the shipping costs for Bowflex equipment?
For some Bowflex models, delivery is free, e.g. the SelectTech 552 dumbbells. Customers can view the shipping costs for specific items during the checkout process.
How long does it take to deliver a Bowflex?
For American and Canadian customers only, this brand offers a home assembly option for the buyer to choose. In terms of delivery times, some orders may arrive late due to COVID-19.
To monitor the status of your package, customers will receive a tracking number in their confirmation email. Unfortunately, this Bowflex review found out that they do not offer international shipping.
Can I return my Bowflex?
Are you not satisfied with your Bowflex 552? The brand offers an 8-week window for customers to return their orders. Products must be intact and in their original packaging to be eligible for return. Unfortunately, the associated shipping costs are not covered.
According to the company’s policy, customers who have subscribed to JRNY cannot request a refund. However, this may be different in certain situations. To initiate the return process and obtain more information, buyers must contact Bowflex customer service.
Contacting Bowflex
For questions not related to this Bowflex review, you can contact the company at:
- Phone: 800-216-9028 Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. PST
- Email: customerservice@bowflex.com
Customers can also get help through the chat feature on the company’s website.
