Aptly named - best in class
Written: Apr 15 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Systematic assembly, high build quality, incredibly versatile, easy to reconfigure, casual to tri-athlete suitability
Cons: Fairly expensive, needs 11'x7', not really returnable, complicated for novices
The Bottom Line: If you are intermediate to experienced in circuit and resistance training and contemplating home strength systems, order one NOW. You'll be as impressed as I.
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| triantic's Full Review: Bowflex Revolution Home Gym |
For context, I am 6ָ” 235, 43 years old in excellent condition and have been circuit training with Nautilus, Cybex, Life Fitness, Hammer etc. for about 20 years (but am not a fitness professional). My initial purpose for putting together a home gym was for “Plan B” mornings where I got a late start or needed to compress my daily fitness window to catch a flight, make a meeting etc. Cutting right to the chase, the Revolution has proven so flexible and provides such an intense workout that HOME has become my primary and the gym my secondary venue. I guess I’ll still head to the club for spinning classes etc. and some occasional variety, as well as to have a membership I can use on the road.
Before deciding on the Revolution, I looked at a LOT of home weight machines made by Hoist, Vision, Inspire, Tuff Stuff, Body Solid etc. Some of these are very high quality and fairly versatile, but by the time I added all of the attachments and enough plates they wound up being cumbersome, took up more space than I had available and I could not replicate all of the movements I usually get through at the gym.
On more than one occasion, I almost gave up on the whole home gym concept. Either the cost, form factor or inadequate range of motion proved disappointing. Most often the WAF (wife acceptance factor) was excessively low. Finally, I stumbled on the Revolution when poking around home fitness manufacturers and reviews.
Initial Skepticism - Had anyone asked me if I’d ever consider purchasing equipment from Bowflex, I’d likely have snickered as a bit of a fitness snob. The whole Soloflex-Nordic Track-Bowflex-Tony Little-Thigh Master videomercial thing gave me a bit of a bias. I had also tried the rod-based Bowflex equipment and the geometry just didn’t work for me. Having said that, the unique design caught my eye, and I decided to do some research despite the commercial stigma.
Typically, I like to read at least a few professional reviews as well as many lay-consumer reviews as I can get my eyes on, especially on something that claims to be an emerging technology. I did read a bunch of reviews and did something I never do – ordered the promotional DVD knowing full well I was inviting endless sales calls. Seeing the video did positively influence my decision, however, as I grew comfortable with the Revolution, SpiraFlex plates etc.
Hopefully someone finds my review as useful as those which helped me form my decision. I’ve tried to organize my observations and advice into bullets lest I ramble on endlessly, which I’ll probably do anyway.
The Transaction – I usually don’t like to buy products which are only available from the manufacturer. There are a few Revolutions out there on eBay etc. but none come with the warranty etc. Unfortunately, lack of competion means the MSRP is, well, pretty much the MSRP. However, you CAN haggle with these guys. My approach was basically to e-mail their sales group and demand 10% off, free shipping and some free accessories. They called back and we negotiated I paid about $2700 inclusive of every available accessory plus free shipping on the lot. You will have to pay sales tax despite the eCommerce channel, though. Bummer, but unavoidable.
Assembly – Takes about 2 hours. Extremely well packaged with good instructions. I don’t recall EVER seeing such a systematic approach to consumer assembled furniture, equipment etc. Though I usually charge right into a project without reading the directions, because of the amount I spent on the Revolution I was more methodical than usual. I HIGHLY recommend reading all of the instructions through at least twice before opening the first box. Understanding the basic mechanical concepts behind the Revolution will go a long way into making the assembly quite fluid and even enjoyable.
• Pleasant surprise – the build quality of the Revolution is very high, rivaling health-club grade. I’m powerful enough to really torque on stuff like this, and it is VERY solid. There is no “give”, gaps, shakiness etc. when exercising like on so much home equipment.
• ADVICE – I would recommend against buying the Revolution if you live in an apartment or any other multi-tenant condo, townhouse etc. Sorry folks, but there is a LOT of packaging, Styrofoam and about 7 huge boxes of which you’ll need to dispose. Besides, folding it up and rolling it, while possible, would be a major inconvenience. This is not a compact unit.
Space Requirements – Bowflex says you need 9ָ”x5ַ”. This is very conservative. I think you need about 11’x7’ to maneuver around the unit, change configurations etc. Good news: if you have a low ceiling (my finished basement is only 7’ high, the Revolution is perfect. I think you could use it with less than 6ֺ” of clearance.
Customer Support – one of the factors that compelled me to take a chance on the Revolution was the fact that Bowflex is owned by Nautilus, a name I’ve come to trust over 2 decades. Interestingly, Bowflex’ sales and support personnel actually work for the company, and I found them to be helpful, accessible and responsive. One of the tabs on a 40lb resistance plate was either broken during shipping or maybe because I did not lock it properly on my first use. One phone call with almost no hold time resolved this issue – a replacement was Fedexed out, no questions asked.
• ADVICE – support hours are pretty much bankers hours – if you happen to be mechanically declined – try to put yours together when technicians are available
The Workout – the Revolution is basically an articulated cable cross with an inclinable bench, sliding seat and leg extension and press attachments.
• Resistance – I’m pretty much the strongest non-body builder, non-power lifter I know - former college football player etc.. There’s PLENTY of resistance. I seriously doubt many people need the 80lb upgrade, including me except maybe for the leg press.
• Motion – resistance is consistent, fluid, full range and challenging. It is easy to change muscle group isolation on similar movements by changing either the position of the arms or the inclination of your torso. I’ve never used a single piece of “universal” equipment which can boast such flexibility.
• Advice – if you have never used circuit training equipment and a cable cross you will probably find the Revolution complicated at first. Be patient and watch the DVD – it is really quite good. Once you understand the geometry and your own physiology and kinesiology, you’ll be able to reconfigure the machine smoothly and quickly and be surprised by how many movements you can execute in about an hour.
• Efficiency – I’ve figured out how to keep the interval between movements under 1 minute even after reconfiguring and adjusting resistance. This is accomplished by thinking ahead and planning the sequence of your movements, i.e. when the arms are down, do bench or military press then curls, then move the arms to horizontal for fly type exercises, and finally straight up for lat pull downs, tricep extensions etc. Organize your plates heaviest inside to lightest outside and leave them on. I’m certain most folks can use the 20’s on the inside and put everything else on the spindle in descending order without the 40 lb plates until you do leg press, which I recommend at the end of the circuit. I’ve bee doing Shoulders and Arms, Chest and Abs (inclined), hams, quads and preacher curls, and finishing with leg press.
Summary – the mere fact that I actually wrote this review is indicative of how passionate I am about the Revolution. Even I’m surprised by my enthusiasm. Yes, it is expensive – but so are the alternatives. Besides, beyond your fitness and quality, nutritious food and water, what could be a more justifiable expenditure? On pricing – look, if you have never worked out before I would caution against ANY home equipment. More than likely it will end up as an expensive, dust collecting coat rack or in a garage sale. Novices should get to a club, get a trainer and commit to themselves that they’ll get their butts to the gym at least 4 times a week for 3 months. The habit, routine and addiction kick in about then – most folks bail at about 5 weeks. After 90 days, you’ll be familiar with machine geometry and resistance training and be dedicated enough to either continue your membership or invest several thousand dollars in something like the Revolution.
The Revolution is a serious machine for people who are serious about fitness. Its hard to spend 3 grand on something you’ve never touched or used. Read the reviews and get that promo DVD. Haggle with the sales people. Unpack carefully and TRY to store all of the cardboard and Styrofoam in case you want to send it back, but caveat emptor – returning one of these would require Herculean effort. If there is a missing or broken component, I’m confident they’d quickly remedy the situation. Bottom line – this is one of the best home fitness systems on the planet, but if you’re not committed to self improvement, take a pass because more than likely your stuck with this thing once it arrives.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
triantic
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Member: Clayton LiaBraaten
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Happily married father of 4. Technology executive. Lifelong athlete. Renaissance geek. Audiophile.
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