Going to the gym has been part of the routine of many individuals who want to keep themselves fit and healthy. But sticking to a workout routine can sometimes be tough.
With home gyms, you can exercise anytime you want in the comfort and safety of your home. Not only that, but home gyms are also a more affordable alternative to paying gym membership fees.
If you're interested in building your home gym, the first step is to look for the right gym equipment to invest in. Two of the most popular home gym equipment on the market today are the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym.
In this article, we'll compare the features of the Bowflex PR1000 and Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE home gyms.
PR1000 and Xtreme 2SE: Main Differences
Both the PR1000 home gym and the Xtreme 2SE home gym use a power rod resistance system. However, what separates the Bowflex Xtreme 2SE is that you can increase the resistance level of the machine by adding extra rods. Compared to the Bowflex PR1000, the Xtreme 2SE home gym is also less bulky, making it ideal for smaller spaces.
About Bowflex
Bowflex is a fitness training equipment brand from Nautilus, Inc. For over three decades, Bowflex has released an impressive line of home gym models, including the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym and Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym.
Before deep-diving into the key selling points of both home gyms, here's a quick overview of PR1000 and Xtreme 2 SE.
Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym
The Bowflex PR1000 is a lightweight and foldable exercise machine that offers a full-body workout routine. It also comes with Power Rod resistance technology and a media rack that can hold your smartphone or tablet.
Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym
The Bowflex Xtreme 2SE home gym is a newer, more versatile version of older models such as the Bowflex PR1000 home gym, Bowflex Xtreme SE, and Bowflex Blaze. The 2SE also uses Bowflex's patented Power Rod resistance technology, which provides the benefits of free weights exercises but with a lesser risk of injury or joint pain.
Specs Comparison: Bowflex PR1000 vs Bowflex Xtreme 2SE
Bowflex PR1000 | Bowflex Xtreme 2SE |
|---|---|
 |  |
Resistance: Power Rod Resistance 210 lb. | Resistance: Resistance 210 lb., upgradable to 410 lb. |
Bench Press: Horizontal | Bench Press: Vertical |
Squat Bar: no | Squat Bar: yes |
Folding: yes | Folding: no |
Aerobic Rowing: yes | Aerobic Rowing: no |
No. of Exercises: 26+ | No. of Exercises: 70+ |
Dimensions: 84” L x 38” W x 81” H | Dimensions: 53” L x 49” W x 82” H |
When choosing a home gym, you need to consider several factors, including your budget, fitness goals, the machine's ease of use, and the space you have at home. Let's now find out which Bowflex model will meet your criteria.
Design
The Bowflex PR1000 home gym is a compact unit that features an overhead pulley and mid-pulley system, both of which have adjustable angles of resistance for arm exercises and training your upper body muscles. It comes with a rolling horizontal bench built for bench press exercises and cardio row workouts. It also has a steel frame, and it can accommodate a maximum user weight of 300 lbs.
The Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym features an angled lat tower, a pulley squat bench station, and a no-change cable pulley system that allows transitioning between exercises without re-configuring the machine. It also has a shoulder harness for working out abdominal muscles safely. Just like the PR1000, the maximum user weight the Xtreme 2SE can handle is 300 lbs.
Power Rod® Resistance
The power rods of the Bowflex PR1000 offer resistance from 5 to 210 lbs., which makes it easy to do resistance training exercises if you're a beginner.
The Xtreme 2 SE offers more variety if you’re looking for higher resistance or tension. It comes with the standard resistance of 210 lbs. from power rods. However, an upgrade is optional, allowing up to 310 or 410 pounds of resistance.
Number of Exercises
The PR1000 Bowflex Home Gym lets you perform 25 different exercises, training your shoulder muscles down to your leg muscles.
The number of exercises the Xtreme 2SE offers is over 70 different exercises for toning and strengthening each muscle group. While it doesn't have a cardio row seat, the different components of the Xtreme 2SE, like its lat and pulley systems, can provide the cardiovascular workout you need.
Bench Press
The Bowflex PR1000 has a sliding horizontal bench press. You can adjust the tilt of the seat from a 45 to 180-degree set-up. It doubles as a cardio row seat for burning up calories and performing cardio warm-up and cool-down exercises.
The Xtreme 2 SE is a compact model, so instead of a fold-down bench, it has an ergonomic seat with an adjustable backrest.
Attachments
The PR1000 home gym has a leg attachment for exercises targeting the hamstrings, quads, thigh, hips, and calf muscles.
Besides a leg attachment, Xtreme 2 SE offers an optional preacher curl attachment for arm exercises and toning your biceps. It also has an optional gym-style ab attachment.
Dimensions
The dimensions for the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym are as follows: 84” L x 38” W x 81” H. Meanwhile, the Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym has the following dimensions: 53” L x 49” W x 82” H.
Warranty
The PR1000 comes with a one-year warranty for the frame; for parts, 60 days. Meanwhile, for power rods, the warranty is five years.
In the case of the Xtreme 2 SE, warranty for the frame is seven years; for machine parts, 60 days. Its power rods come with a lifetime warranty.
Price
Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym starts at around below $1,000. Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym, on the other hand, averages somewhere around $1,500.
What People Are Saying about Bowflex PR1000 vs. Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE
Both the PR1000 and Xtreme 2 SE are favored by many fitness and health enthusiasts because both machines provide different exercise options and are safer than exercising with free weights. Flexible payment options are also available if you're not keen on making a one-time purchase.
Final Thoughts:
So which home gym wins the battle?
The answer ultimately depends on your preferences. If you're looking for a more affordable option, the PR1000 is a practical choice because, at a lower price, you can already enjoy 25 different exercises. The Xtreme 2 SE is a good option if you're working in a smaller space and you're looking for more versatility and upgradability.