Bowflex Item ID: #145Bowflex Revolution FT Home Gym
WAS
Product Information:
Item DescriptionThe Bowflex Revolution FT home gym is a smooth, versatile, and compact piece of equipment in the Bowflex arsenal. The Revolution is distinguished by the company’s SpiraFlex resistance technology, which provides a polished, consistent resistance through the entire range of motion–a principal ingredient in developing lean, strong muscles. The versatility of these lightweight interlocking plates lets you quickly and easily adjust the resistance on the Revolution from 10 to 200 pounds for upper body workouts (which can be upgraded to 280 pounds). The machine duplicates virtually every exercise from your local gym, with Freedom Arms that adjust 170 degrees to work muscles from various angles. The machine also includes a leg press plate for your lower body, along with a five-position foot harness. All told, the Revolution supports more than 90 exercises, including a comprehensive core and abs workout. Other details include comfortable hand grips and a DVD workout video. The Revolution measures 65 by 38 by 73 inches (L x W x H) and offers a weight capacity of 300 pounds. Key Features :
What’s in the Box? Manufacturer’s Warranty
Item Reviews5 Responses to “Bowflex Revolution FT Home Gym”Leave a Reply |
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I recently bought, installed and used this machine for a workout. First of all, the smoothness of the Amazon (free) delivery was praiseworthy. It arrived in 4 boxes, one of which was enormous. The entire package was intimidating to even look at, so it took me a day or two to muster up the patience and will to set the machine up. The setup took only about 3 hours from start to finish and the manual was detailed, bringing one up to the finished product in about 20 steps. Many of the steps sounded like they had remedied problems faced by other customers in the past. (Such as the tangling of the internal cables, as the machine I got came with plastic straps to prevent tangling.) When I was done with the setup (and cleanup: what a mess of paper and styloform), I did my first workout, focusing on the chest. What is impressive is that the resistance is very even and you are less able to use momentum to finish the rep. To give you some background, I have been working out at least thrice a week for the past 11 years, so I don’t consider myself a beginner. (I am 150 lb and can bench up to just under 200 lb.) But the movement surprised me enough that I was unable to do the 25 lb a side (50 lb total) chest fly, even though I can easily manage that (and more) with free weights. I have read many reviews about how this machine is not for serious bodybuilders. Perhaps. And I am certainly not a bodybuilder. But if you are a fitness buff or gym rat who enjoys daily workouts (5 times a week), then this machine might surprise you. If you apply very strict form (at least 2 seconds concentric and 4 to 5 seconds eccentric), I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed.
I purchased this on clearance at Sam’s for $200. At that price, I couldn’t pass it up. I’ll just give a few pros and cons.
PROS:
1. Easy to use
2. Much smoother and consistant than older models
3. Huge variety of exercises that are easy to switch between (simply adjust the swing arms)
4. Smaller footprint so it’s not a monstrosity.
5. Manual actually has some decent workouts with varying levels of difficulty and they are well rounded.
CONS:
1. No bench….right now, that’s not a big deal, but when you up the weight for chest, stability in standing becomes an issue.
2. 200lbs of resistance….again, right now, no big deal, but squats and bench will eventually surpass this. The additional 80 lbs of weight is roughly $150 on its own.
3. Other reviewers mention the bands coming undone…I’ve yet to experience this but I could see why this would be a con.
In the end, a great product that I would have no problem spending $500 on. I’m not sure about $1500, but I got it on clearance. BTW, some Sam’s still have it clearanced for $200 or $300, just check the website and enter your local store to check.
I just received my Bowflex Revolution FT and it is a good product. Well made and easy to assemble. Footprint in reasonably small so it can be used in smaller areas. It is very quiet during use and quick to change weights and positions. My only concern is that this equipment is made in China. I wish U.S. companies would make their products in the USA since so many Americans are out of work and need jobs.
I bought this item as a combination with the 1090 dumbells and the 3.1 bench. Ok back to the FT itself. Putting it together was fairly easy, the nuts and bolts are all seperately marked (an excellent touch I thought). When it was just about done and ready today….comes the bombshell…..There IS NOTHING in the assembly or user manual to explain what happens if the inner cable on the pully wheels inside, and the straps for the weight “wheels” go out of sync, ir the inner cables get all tangled. 3 HOURS it took and lots of internet research to discover how to rectify this problem. Which included me taking off the sides (note also, you will need a VERY long thin philips head screwdriver to get one of the screws out as its a really deep hole in the side) and top. Having to remove the 5lb plates for the spiraflex weights, pull out the tension knob, move the inner wheel clockwise and also make sure the “bands” were straight down (not angled) and tight. AND making sure the “counter weights” were rested on the springs inside (not the red plastic) Then replacing the plates and sides…..FINALLY got it all working.
BUT CMON over 1,400 for a fitness machine that is OBVIOUSLY great once working, but has no information AT ALL on this problem????? which is a VERY common issue. Which could have been explained both on the video, or a few sentances in the assembly/user manual
Having said that, now its all working, the system is INCREDIBLY smooth (albiet a little bit of flappy noise from the plastic that protects the bands on the wheel, but doesnt deter from the workout)
It is important to follow the 4 second in 4 second out to get the most out of the system, but it really is incredibly space concious and versatile.
Would have been a definate 5 but for the problem I had during assembly and setup
I have enjoyed using the bowflex revolution. One complaint, the left side came in off track and tangled. It was a pain to take that whole side apart to fix it, but it has worked great since.