The Xtreme 2 needs some recognition as a great machine!
Written: Oct 06 '04 (Updated Nov 11 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to put together; Looks great in the house; I feel results already!
Cons: The leg attachment is not the best I've ever seen
The Bottom Line: After years of wanting one, I don't know why I didn't get one sooner. Its one of the best things I've ever bought.
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| bowflexuser's Full Review: Bowflex Xtreme 2 |
My wife and I decided to buy this particular Bowflex after not wanting to go to our gym in town. The gym always had scuzzy looking people who talked about drugs in it, so we considered home equipment.
I sent off for the free dvd that explains the different things you can do with a bowflex. After weeks of debating whether or not we should get one, we did. We chose the Xtreme 2 model, because you don't have to change the cables around to do a different exercise, which is excellent!
Receiving the bowflex was great. The only problem in the shipment was that our bowflex was supposed to be delivered on September 27, but it was put in the wrong UPS truck. However, that was only 2 weeks after ordering it, and I was told it would be at least 4!
The machine came in 5 very large boxes. It took up our entire living room. However, when we opened the boxes, we found it was mainly packing styrofoam that took up the space.
I read the manual, and started to unpack the machine. The first thing I noticed was that nothing was made of cheap plastic, but it was all very solid metal and steel pieces.
The machine was a piece of cake to assemble. That was the thing I was worried about the most, was the assembly. It took me about 2 hours, but that's because we were watching tv while putting it together.
The hardest part about putting together the Xtreme 2 was the cable system. That took me about 45 additional minutes, but of course, I am not the brightest person in the world, and I was doing it by myself where it suggests using 2 people for that part.
NOW ON TO THE EXERCISES:
I have only done about 2 full workouts on the machine, but I have loved them both. I'm still learning how to do some of the exercises, but none are complicated.
My favorites so far are all the arm exercises, and the back exercises. I have really gotten a feel for the bench presses, but that's because i've goofed off on it so much I can't get a good feel for that yet.
THE ONLY PROBLEM I have encountered so far is on the leg extension attachement. Its very easy to use, but the cables attached to the pulleys are in the way.
Also, it is impossible to do a standing leg curl on the machine unless you have someone else hold the detachable seat down. Not a big problem, and its better to work out with someone else anyways.
AS FOR PRICE: Well, yeah, its pricey. But, we spend so much money on crap that we never use, so if you save just a little you'll be able to get a machine that will help tremendously. We paid $1399 for the machine and $149 for shipping. Is it worth it? Well, as I'm typing this review all I can think about is going and doing my next workout.
I WOULD NOT use the payment plan, because you'll end up paying about $1000 extra in all the interest you'll pay. Pay for it all in one chunk. Its less painful that way
UPDATE: I have been on a bowflex exercise regime for 6 weeks now. My wife and I work out together in the evenings 3 times a week. I can tell a great difference in the way my body feels and looks in this 6 week period. Unfortunately, we did not follow the recommended diet plan...and we ate what we were eating before...which was a lot of high fat high calorie junk food. Since I've been doing this for 6 weeks, and I see a dramatic difference without the diet, I wonder what the difference would be if I did the diet. So my wife and I have started the diet.
My arms have grown the most, followed by a lot of definition in my chest and legs. We did purchase the Bowflex Body Plan by Ellington Darden, which has helped tremendously as well.
One great thing: I look forward to working out on this machine. It is so easy to do. It is quick and painless. 2 sets of 8 different exercises only takes my wife and I both together a total of 40 minutes.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
bowflexuser
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Member: Lane W
Location: Guntersville, AL
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 0 members
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