Customer Reviews

Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym (Refurbished)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a very easy to use product. The weight does not really reach 400 lbs if you want heavy weights but it is relatively close. There are a large variety of workouts for all bodyparts. Mine came with a grip missing(not really a problem because there were three others) and the company replaced it right away. The boxes were beat up when they came but nothing was damaged. The rope attachment is virtually useless with this machine but can be used with the chain included if you really want to use it. I love doing my squats, lunges, leg curls and extensions on this machine because I have torn cartilage and feel no pain. It is a very low impact way to lift legs. I am not very good at doing rows and feel like it is awkward and that I cant take advantage of all the weight when I am doing it. Some may like it though. Changing lifts is easy because you don't have to switch cables on this machine but switching to squats, leg curls and extensions or bicep curls takes a little adding of parts but it isn't hard(They are my favorite use for this machine so it must not be too hard). Putting the machine together is not hard if you follow the directions. I put it together in one afternoon despite its multiple shipping boxes. I recommend this machine fully and think it is a great option for lifters out there who want a full gym without being away from home, the family, and paying for a gym membership.

I saw this come up and I had to give this a rating it deserved. I'll hope to expand later.

Does this come in separate boxes? Yes, about six. (I had more as I bought extra.) Does it take a while to put together? Yes, a few hours over a few days. Has it been amazing? Yes. I saw nearly instantaneous results. It's easy to use and makes working out from home a dream. I can shift between various exercises quickly and easily. I highly recommend it.

Also, I highly recommend the ab attachment, which is not included in this. It makes an ab workout easier, faster and more effective.

As a previous reviewer stated, Yes, this comes in about 6 different boxes, (I also got more boxes because I ordered more attachments). Yes, it does take about 8-18 hours of assembly (varies depending on how good you are at putting things together). When you first open the boxes and see all of the parts the task does look daunting, but the Bowflex instruction manual does a fair job of explaining how to assemble it. I am OK at assembling things, such as Ikea and Target furniture. Although, this was definitely a step up in difficulty, it isn't impossible. It does take some patience and attention to detail. Took me 3 days working 4hrs a day to complete the machine, total 12hrs. I did feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that I finished and did it alone.

I used it for a month and a half straight and after 4 weeks there were obvious results. Unfortunately I fell off the workout wagon and began to use it less and less because I just got busy with life. But if you use it it does work!

One negative, I guess, is that it is BIG, about L8'xW4'xH7' so you must have room for it. Even folded up it takes up about L5'xW4xH7'(for the exercises that you get the size makes sense)I had it in our bedroom because it was the biggest room in our old apt, besides the living room. Now we have a garage and I keep it there. It is a much better spot for it. Now that I have my own workout room, I plan on getting back on the wagon and working out with it regularly. It is a great machine that is fun to use. (For me, it is even more fun to workout with a partner).

Keep in mind that it is different from using free weights. Where free weights tend to get easier when you get to the top of your contraction, the Bowflex power rods on the other hand start off easier and get tougher towards the top of your contraction. It takes some getting used to but as you use it you will get used to it.

There are so many exercises that you can have a different workout every week. It is Well constructed, very durable, and most importantly it is effective. I payed about $3,500 for it with the ab crunch attachment and I still feel that it was money well spent. I will make my money back on this the longer I have it as compared to a gym membership for 5yrs.

So if you have the space are self motivated and want a home gym, this is the product for you. Save yourself the trouble and get the Ultimate 2 Accessory rack as well. At first I Thought I wouldn't need one but I am probably gonna get one in the next few months because the accessories are everywhere and with it they will be a lot more organized and easier to access when needed as well as store when not in use.

I had to rate this!! I have had this since mothers day (yes I am a woman, and it has been almost 2 weeks). I have been using it every other day since then. I have lost almost 10 lbs. (I am on a diet as well, so no big surprise there), but I am more impressed with the flab I am losing and the tone I am gaining. My husband is working out too, and his belly and love handles have all gone down a bit. This thing is easy to use, and really does work!! I would highly recommend getting the accessory stand, otherwise there will be pieces all over the room it is in, and they could get damaged.

I have had my Ultimate 2 for a couple of weeks, after a month of research. What a well made piece of equipment. This unit requires a lot of space, even folded its large and it's heavy. I asked a buddy who is a trainer and is in the fitness business and this model was the most recommended for home use. I had a chance to checkout the (flimsy and cheap looking) Bowflex PR1000 Home GymBowflex PR3000 Home Gym/3000 at Academy Sports there is no comparison In my opinion. I am so glad I didn't take the chance on any other machine. I bought mine on Craig's list in new like condition for 1050.00 with Ab Crunch(6 or more of them in my area listed). The guy that I bought it from said it took him 2 afternoons to assemble it and I believe him. There are so many deferent exercises I did have to buy the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Instructional DVD + Workout to see all its potential.

The Bowflex Ultimate 2 Is great machine. I have had mine for a little over 3 months now and I use it every day. The facts are if you use it you will get the results you are looking for. My job is very demanding on my time so driving to a gym is out of the question. I bought all the attatchments that can go with it(there are a few) and the rod rejuvenator. The rejuvenator does help. It keeps the rods strait. The dvd is very helpfull in understanding the bowflex and its execises. That said the workout on it does not work for me but it guided me to create my own. You can get the same workout with this bowflex that you can at a gym. Here are the pro's and con's of the bowflex. Pro's: Contruction is extremely good and durable, it's cables and rods so it's more safe to work out by yourself then it is with free weights (this was a big deal for me) I can do squats and bench presses without having to worry about getting a bar back in a cradle. It folds up and can be rolled around which is good because this thing is quite large and heavy. Make sure you measure and have enough room. I would say you need a 10 foot long by 7 foot wide by 7 foot tall area to use this bowflex. You will want to put it together in the room you plan to use it. Hallways and doorways are not really an option when its assembled. Assembly for me was easy (I am a mechanic). Con's: It's big.
Is it worth it? That depends. If it stays hidden for eternity or may become a really expencive clothes hanger then no. If you are serious and will use it then yes.

Like others have said already, the Ultimate 2 comes in many boxes and it takes some time and patience to put together. This machine is not light, it consists of many thick aluminum pieces - frankly it is a full workout in its own right just to assemble it. Your best option is finding some help to put it together.

Once the hard part of assembly is over you'll see right away that the weight of the machine is where it really shines. Its platform is solid and since it is heavy it really provides for a nice sturdy workout. The amount of exercises for both upper and lower body is quite astounding for a home gym - and moving between workouts is easy since you don't have to change cables like you do on most other Bowflex machines.

The accessory rack should be considered a must purchase, as many of the accessories are large, heavy and awkward; they don't easily sit on the ground so you'll want the rack to store them. The ab cruncher is by far the most awkward accessory, it is heavy and has a tendency to flop and swivel around while you move it. Getting it on and off the Bowflex can sometimes be a challenge, and if you're not careful you can easily pinch a finger or bruise a shin.

But don't let any of this discourage you - the results of this machine are phenomenal. Just make sure you use it properly - resistance training is definitely different than free weights. Take the time to learn how to pace yourself (about 3-4 seconds for each repetition) and make sure you resist as much on the way down as you did on the way up - for the power rods will resist equally both ways. Once you get over the installation and get used to the awkward accessories, this machine will change your body and your life.

I've had my eye on this piece of equipment for a couple years and finally purchased it last month. I own other Bowflex products (the SelectTech dumbbells, stand, and bench) and I'm a fan of their quality. Shipping was quick and received the machine within a week. It did come in 7 boxes and many parts. It took me approximately 6 consecutive hours to assemble which didn't bother me so much, but I'm pretty handy with assembling things and enjoy that kind of thing. I was disappointed in the power rods. If you hookd up the 50lbs rods, the beginning of the move starts out too easy and as you complete the move the resistance increases as the power rod bends, creating inconsistance resistance throughout each move. I feel the standard gym machines provide better workouts with consistant weight resistance throughout the whole movement. The only other issue I had was with the leg attachment. The seat that mounts onto the base is not very stable. I found that when lifting your legs towards the top of the movement the seat tended to tip forward slightly disrupting your balance. Leaning back slightly prevented this.

After 4 weeks, I decided to return it before the 6 week return period elapsed. Beware! You are responsible for return shipping cost ($465 I ended up paying, not including about $120 in shipping material). It took 8 packages to ship all the parts back, and good luck finding a box larger than 48" to ship 3 of the largest parts! It was very stressful and time consuming to return!!!

i bought a bow flex from nautlis, because it was cheaper, WRONG thing to do , it came 3 weeks late and in 6 boxes with lots and lots of parts to put together, ( i am still putting it together and all i want to do is use it!!!!!