The Bowflex Revolution is one of the most unusual looking pieces of fitness equipment I’ve used. In addition it is one of the most innovative machines I’ve used. It s very modern looking with little resemblance to other machines by Bowflex. You’ll be paying in the $2500 range for this piece so let’s see if I think it is worth the money. Bowflex is made by Nautilus.
About the Revolution and how it is used:
In many of my reviews I explain the different types of machines. Very briefly- there are stack machines, where 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.
You may know Bowflex as the company that uses power rods. This is not so with the Revolution. This is where the Revolution becomes a machine like no other. Again briefly I will explain the technology behind it to understand the resistance. The Revolution uses what is called SpiraFlex technology. This means that resistance is created within small plates that look like plates you might put on a bar to do chest presses but are small and light. So I got the feeling of using the exact same weight as I might if I put 40 pounds on a bar to do preacher curls (a biceps exercise) without having to lift two 20 pound weights.
Ok a bit more because I really want you to get it. The Revolution comes with plates that gave me up to 220 pounds of resistance; 440 pounds of leg press resistance both of which are upgradeable to 300 and 600 pounds.
I had 14 plates from which to choose. The Revolution comes with 4 plates that “weigh” (i.e. offer resistance of) 10 pounds; 4 at 20 pounds each; 2 at 40 pounds each and 4 at 5 pounds each.
I wanted to do leg extensions. I took two 40 "pound" weights and put one on each side of the machine. The back of the machine, that is the part farthest from the leg extension, has rods on which the plates go. The 40 pound weights are small and light. They do not weigh 40 pounds. It is only until they go onto the machine and I started doing leg extensions that I felt 80 pounds.
The plates aren’t made of metal. They are made of composite materials. Once I lifted my legs the resistance takes place. In some ways you might think of it as gravity based. In any case this works and is an answer to my complaint about having to lift 45 pound weights on to plate machines.
Since there are no metal parts used I found the Revolution to be much quieter and smoother than some plate loaded machines I’ve used.
What you get:
You will get an upholstered bench made of polyurethane and then fused to a high grade PVC. This is used in the car industry and resists moisture, cracks and tears. The bench feels the same as other Bowflex machines but nicer. I found a nice pad for my head and a built in support for my back.
It has high and low pulleys which would have allowed me to do over 100 exercises. I really liked the fact the pulleys are independent of each other. For example I did a triceps kickback with the cable which I often do at the gym with a handle on a cable. The Revolution works the same way.
Handles comes with the machine. I clipped them onto the top pulley and used just one at a time to work each arm while standing. The arms on which the pulleys attach (In the picture they look like antennas shaped in a V.) move into 10 different position so I really could work my muscles from all angles. The arms can be moved closer or further apart for example so I could do a lat pull down for my back. This felt a bit unusual because I am so used to a bar on a lat tower but I found it as effective once I got used to pulling down with the handles.
I liked the rowing ability on the Revolution. It works the same as those on other Bowflex machines but because of the SpiraFlex technology I found it to be very smooth and gave me the feeling of more resistance than I’ve gotten with the bows.
The Revolution folds and rolls. There is a 10-year limited warranty on the machine.
The Revolution measures 73 inches high by 112 inches long by 63 inches wide. Folded it is 55 inches by 37 inches. This is a large machine. You will need space for it- particularly in length.
My Final Thoughts:
The Revolution is more expensive than many of the bow machines. I have never been a huge fan of bow machines though over time I have gotten to like them more and more. The Revolution is different. If you want a machine that doesn’t use bows and allows a variety of exercises with a multitude of positions and angles then I would highly recommend the Revolution. I really liked the machine. A couple of cons for me were the lack of a traditional lat tower and a traditional squat station but both exercises can be down.
One gripe I’ve heard by many is that some machines don’t give you enough resistance when doing leg presses. The Revolution should meet your needs.
If you have not exercised, are a women over 50 or a man over 40 or have a medical condition please talk with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Feel free to leave me a question or comment especially if I haven’t covered something you are wondering about.
Low monthly payments of $45.00! If not satisfied, return within 6 weeks. Over 100 exercises with up to 400 variations. Designed to work every major bo...More at Bowflex Catalog
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