Obviously, according to the title and the star count, you can tell this will be a positive review. Since childhood, I've had home gyms, and so I know something about them. I've also belonged to pay-monthly gyms, and have used the huge, free gyms at college, as well. So I have some experience with all the available options for personal workouts. With that said, I've been nothing but impressed with this Bowflex machine. The weight bars, or bows, allow for double the workout, because there is tension in both the pulling of the weight and in the return. Most other machines only provide this amount of tension in the pulling. Therefore, with the Bowflex, you are getting double the workout. That's why the company guarantees a much shorter workout time needed in order to achieve the same effects as other workout machines, including free weights. I don't know exactly how accurate these guarantees are. I would have to run some very expensive, time-consuming tests to verify their results, but I have been satisfied. After a short, 20-min. workout on the Bowflex, I feel like I've been working free weights for over an hour. It really is that good. As for price, I think all workout equipment is overpriced, but if you are wanting a Bowflex, go to Sears. They have deals on them regularly, and we found ours even cheaper because they were making space for newer models. Overall, this machine is excellent and recommended.

daw334

Wilmington, NC

I got the Bowflex Xtreme SE 2 to repalce my gym membership so I could workout at home. The workouts are great, your muscles are continiously working to control the push and return of plastic/ rubber numbered poles and i do not need a spoter for lifting heavier weight. Its also great like free weights I can add and subtract the amount of resistance with the designated weight poles. There are many different workouts with the Boflex workout booklet (chest, legs, back, arms, shoulders). Moreover, the Boflew Xtreme SE 2 has recommended workout, types of food needed for building muscles. There are a few downsides to the Boflex Xtreme SE 2, with free weight I feel I build muscle faster whereas the Boflex makes more leaner muscle. Its not a good idea to leave designated weight poles hooked up to the pulley system because the poles lose resistance factor in my opinion. Lastly, Boflex does not give me the sense of exhausted peaceful satisfaction after a workout like I feel with free weights.

ryanworden

Hebron, MD

There are those that say that one can not get a great body at home. Bowflex is unfortunately known for its "cheesey" commercials that seem to promise a bodybuilder's level of fitness by working out very little. These claims are ludacris, but this machine really does provide results. It does take some time becoming comfortable enough to figure out how to use it. However, once one figures out how to get the most out of the Xtreme SE 2, a great workout is easy. I never got vascularity, density, and all around definition with traditional weights like I have with my Bowflex. For intense mass building, I still recommend the use of free weights. There are some muscle groups that the Bowflex Xtreme SE 2 does not access. This is why I purchased the Select Tech dumbells and they have been a worthwhile investment. We also own a Treadclimber just to show you how big of a Bowflex believer I am. I do not train with anything else. One more positive thing about a Bowflex home gym is that they allow one to do so many exercise so if one variated their workout lineup, it is impossible to "plateau."

jolution

Cleveland, MS