Bowflex Revolution XP

As popular as the Bowflex brand of machine may be (viz., the original Power Rod technology version), people have a love-hate relationship with the company because of the nature of the resistance - either you like or dislike exercising on a Bowflex. Fundamentally, there are 'dead' spots and areas where the tension seems a bit extreme. This occurs because of the nature of the Power Rod, in that the less it is bent, the less resistance, and the more it is bent, the more resistance. A prime example is the lat pulldown: toward the point of stretch, there is almost no resistance, but once moving past the half-way point, toward full contraction, the tension becomes extreme. Furthermore, in order to accommodate the extreme demands in the most contracted half, the overall resistance has to be low enough, which then makes the stretched half almost pointless in performing. Although the pulldown is one of the 'extreme' examples in this design fault, and many other exercises, such as the chest press, feel more even, this fault exists nonetheless.

However, that's a thing of the past. The new spiral technology of the Revolution series now provides very even resistance - surprisingly even in that those who have tried the machine at the IART facility are surprised that it's a Bowflex. From pulldowns, to rows, to chest presses, to side raises, trainees will experience very even resistance, but of a greater quality than can be achieved through pulley machines and most other cam-based machines. The reason? The resistance still is rubber based (heavy bands encased in plate-like disks that lock onto the machine's center housing), and because of it, as you contract a muscle there is a superior negative pulling effect on the muscles. The end result is a very deep inroad from very few sets, and with better effect than previous Bowflex machines.

The upper body movements are some of the best we have experienced, and the arm exercises in particular seem to burn and hurt to an unusual degree - which is a good thing if you're after optimal results, but perhaps a bad thing if you're not a serious exercise enthusiast. However, that is meant as a humerous dig at the Revolution's quality as opposed to a negative aspect to this machine. The diversity of the machine is a plus, as it allows you to rotate the cable arms at various positions throughout its 180-degree ROM (from straight up, to straight down, and several angles between). This means being able to custom-tailor various exercises and to allow training at different angles not possible with older Bowflex models.

Although the machine comes with an optional lat tower and ab crunch pad, neither are necessary. Simply keep the work arms in the uppermost position, and sit on the seat in the lowest position and you receive plenty of stretch. The possible ab exercises are exceptional and can be done with the back rest/pad provided. Factor in the fact that you require far less operating room (no Power Rods bending 6-7 feet across), and you have a machine worth its money.

Perhaps the biggest drawback, at least with the XP model pictured above (we did not try the full Revolution version) are the leg exercises. The leg extension is not bad; it is adequate and similar in feel to the previous Bowflex versions. The standing leg curl also is not too bad, although a bit much friction or drag for our liking. The squat and lunge exercise necessitates the wearing of a padded vest, which is very comfortable, easy to put on, and a far superior method and design over previous Bowflex squatting methods (e.g., bending under a bar and trying to position it on the upper back while trying not to strain the lower back). However, unless a person is close to 6.5 feet in height, the range of motion of both squats and lunges is limited to the top half of the movement. at 5 feet 9.5 inches, I have to stand on a six -inch platform to achieve a squat depth only a bit below parallel. Someone shorter would find the squat pointless.

Overall: The new spiral flex technology is worth moving toward. The XP provides great upper body training for any sized individual and in a small package with resistance quality that rivals older Bowflex models and possibly superior to cable-based equipment. However, unless you are tall enough to make use of the lunges and squats, the machine leaves a bit to be desired in regard to leg training.