I got an e-mail asking for advice regarding the Ultimate 2 by Bowflex. I had reviewed the Ultimate but the reader couldn’t find a review by me of the 2. So I decided to do a formal review because others may be wondering what the differences are between the Ultimate and the Ultimate 2. I will be comparing these models to help you make an informed decision.
Let me make it clear that like all fitness equipment models come and go. You may find some great deals online on the Ultimate. I have no problem with a great deal. The problem is that warranties are usually not transferable so unless you get the Ultimate at a great price keep that in mind. Bowflex is one company that will only honor the warranty of the original purchaser. The retail price of the Ultimate was $1600. I am sure you can now find it for less. The 2 sells for $2300.
Details about the Bowflex Ultimate 2 and how it is used:
There are many different types of machines. The ones you may be most used to use stacks. That means the weights are stacked one on top of the other. A pin goes into the amount of weight you want whether it is 20 pounds or 200. You may also have experience with machines that use resistance digitally or benches where you put on plates to give you the amount of weight you want.
The Bowflex Ultimate 2 and the Ultimate use what are called Power Rods. Both machines come with 310 pound of resistance. More resistance can be had with a $99.00 upgrade. This will give you up to 410 pounds. The way the rods work is that they are hooked to a cable pulley system. You can hook one, two, three, four or all of the Power Rods to the cable pulley system and go from as little as 5 pounds all the way up to either 301 or the upgraded resistance. Both machines work exactly the same.
Changing resistances is fairly easy on the Ultimate machines. I stand up to change the bows. This takes a bit longer than just pulling a pin out of a stack and putting it into another weight but it takes less time than putting plates on a bar.
What you get:
You will get a standard bench that is attached to the bows. The bows stand up rather than go across as you may have seen in other machines. This is the reason you have to stand up to change resistances.
The bows are flexible. The pulley system is designed to change the angle of resistance. This means that I can do a chest press fairly easily with the bows in a bent shape. In my opinion though, I’d much prefer to do a chest press with dumbbells or a bar with plates on it. I don’t feel the same kind of workout with many of the exercises on the Ultimate machines that I do using a more traditional piece of equipment. But that is just me. I have received many e-mails from people who love the Bowflex machines and have come to like them more and more as I use them and review them. I’ve come a long way since my first Bowflex review!
First major difference: No matter what the pictures look like the Ultimate is a basic machine. Think of a car without any options. Many pictures of the Ultimate have accessories on them which are not standard. The lat tower is one of those features that will cost you $200 on the Ultimate but comes with the 2 including the lat bar. This is a bar which attaches to the top pulley and I use to work my back.
Second major difference: As above the Ultimate does not have a leg attachment. The leg extension on the 2 works all areas of my legs – quadriceps with leg extension exercises; my hamstrings with hamstring curls- just to name two popular exercises. This is another $200 additional accessory on the Ultimate which comes with the 3. Both machines have a comfortable bench. I have no problem with the comfort of the machines.
Third: The 2 comes with a preacher curl. I love this feature. It is a great way for me to work my biceps. Both machines come with workout handles. These are not metal which you may be used to if you’ve seen other machines or work out in a gym. They are made of material. They aren’t my favorite handles but if you have young children around they are safer than metal. They won’t hurt if one decides to throw a handle at you! I used these handles to do bicep curls and flyes which work my pectoral (chest) area.
They both come with a straight bar which is used for the low pulley/squat station. Basically the station is the bar. This does work but if you are used to traditional squats to work your legs this feels very different. For someone just starting out it is a fairly safe way to do squats. However if you are used to squats using free weights you may be very disappointed with the Bowflex machine’s “squat station.” Squats are a very effective exercise for the entire leg. I love doing them and as a woman who does not put a lot of weight on my shoulders I have been very happy with the Bowflex machines.
With both machines you will get a quick-reference workout poster, a training manual and instructional video. This is not all that unique anymore either. A lot of equipment comes with videos however I’m not putting the Bowflex down for including this, just not jumping up and down. If you don’t have a trainer, using any type of machine without learning how can be hazardous to your health! The 2 comes with an additional workout DVD which gives you a 20 minute exercise routine. This is nice if you need motivation. Of course you need to have a DVD player near your machine.
And please talk with your doctor if you are just starting an exercise program.
Bowflex claims that you can do over 90 exercises on the Ultimate 2 versus 80 on the basic model. These 10 exercises are not the reason you should buy one over the other. Many of the exercises are very similar but are called by different names. For example a seated wrist curl is listed as a separate exercise from a standing wrist curl. This is the same exercise whether I am standing or sitting so take the 80 or 90 with a grain of salt.
Both have a built-in rowing machine. At one time this was a unique feature but it is now fairly common on machines. If you are very strong you may not feel the rowing capacity on the Bowflex up to par. In addition I am really careful using the rowing machine. It can be really hard on shoulders and until you’ve had a rotator cuff injury you don’t know how bad they can be. So in spite of this unique feature, if you love to row and are young, this is really nice. If not it may be a waste of money.
The 2 measures 6 feet 10 inches high by 7 feet 8 inches long by 3 feet 10 inches wide. The 2 is considerable larger than the Ultimate. Remember we are looking at a bare bones basic machines and one that is equipped with attachments. The Ultimate 2 is 10 inches higher, 2 1/2 feet longer and almost 2 feet wider than the Ultimate.
They both fold and roll.
There is a 12-year limited warranty on the 2 which is 2 more years than on the Ultimate. The bows have a lifetime warranty.
More thoughts::
The Ultimate originally would have cost you $2000 with the accessories. You can now find it for much less. If the machine you are buying comes with the accessories and it is under $500 I’d grab it. You won’t get a warranty but for that kind of money personally I’d go with the basic machine.
I would not buy the basic Ultimate. My rating of it was 3 stars and a not recommend. The Ultimate 2 is a nice machine and offers all you’ll need in a piece of equipment. In spite of some bodybuilders telling me they don’t like it I know others who do. I would recommend this machine for anyone except children who should be kept out of harm’s way.
Bowflex is made by Nautilus. I feel you get a lot for your money with the 2. Enjoy.
I hope you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Please feel free to leave me a question, comment. Thanks for reading. jo
Note below:
June 21, 2005
Nautilus is recalling its Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym. One end of the leg extension cable can release from the guide pulley and swing around, potentially striking the user or a bystander.
Nautilus is aware of one incident in which the leg extension cable released, and one incident in which the squat attachment cable became disengaged. No injuries have been reported.
This recall involves the Bowflex Ultimate 2 home gym, which is an exercise machine equipped with pulleys, tension rods and other equipment to permit the user to select from among a variety of exercise routines. The name "Bowflex" and the model name "Bowflex Ultimate 2" are on the front of the lat tower and the sides of the main upright frame structure.
Nautilus Inc. through direct sales to consumers and through specialty fitness retailers nationwide from June through December 2005 for about $2,300.
Owners are being sent a free kit, including a pulley bracket and a cable retainer assembly. Each of these items can be easily installed with a small tool that is included in the kit. Consumers should stop using the leg extension, squat attachment or abdominal attachment until the kit is installed.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2006/bowflex.html
This has been rectified but if you have a machine made before this press release please get the kit.
Low montly payments of $38.00! Our top selling Power Rod home gym The Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym is a total-body solution that delivers everything yo...More at Bowflex Catalog
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