Overview & Ratings
The neighbourhood gym comes with a lot of downsides. There’s the pricey monthly membership and the yearly commitments. Or the lengthy commute which not only cuts into your free-time, but also leads to the age-old battle of choosing between the healthier option of walking to the gym, or the time-saving drive and adding those minutes to your workout. Before you know it, you have more excuses for skipping the gym than you do reasons to actually go and get your workout in.
The solution to these challenges is the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE! The Xtreme 2 SE is another fantastic home gym machine in the Bowflex family with a number of features that make it stand out from the crowd. The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE features a vertical design which not only offers an expanded range of upper body workouts, thanks to the Lat Tower, but also doubles as a space-saving measure for the square-footage limited fitness enthusiast.
For those who like to get down low, the Squat Station and Leg Extension are great options for getting in that lower body workout. The Xtreme 2 SE packs a lot of punch for such a compact machine, and its unique design offers 70+ exercises to target the body, from lats to calves.
Based on our extensive analysis, we rated this product a solid 9.5/10. Read on to learn more about what aspects of the Xtreme 2 SE we couldn’t get enough of, but in the meantime, check out this Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Review Video for an overview of the machine and its capabilities.
Features and Specs
Intro
Dimensions
- Machine: 4’ 5" L x 4’ 1" W x 6’ 11.25" H
- Total Workout Area: 8' L x 6' 5" W
Features
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE is truly a complete home-gym-in-one becausethanks to of great features like:
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Power Rod Resistance
Unlike your parents’ home gym which came with barbells and loose weights that take up space, the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE uses Power Rod Resistance technology to incorporate the weight resistance into the design of the machine. The Power Rods give you a smooth workout performance that is easier on the joints than free weights, but the upgradable resistance (starting at 210 lbs) allows you to customize your workout to suit your fitness needs.
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No-Change Cable Pulley System
No need to stop your workout to reset the machine! With the No-Change Cable Pulley System, you can quickly adjust the cables to swapgo from arm exercises, to legs, and everything in between, without your heart rate dropping and your muscles cooling off.
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Trainer-Built Workouts
Included in the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE are 7 workouts crafted by personal trainers to help you make the most of your workout. There are a series of three 20-minute exercises to target different areas of your body, as well specialized routines for aerobics, strength training, and so much more!
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Lat Tower
The Lat Tower was specifically designed to target those hard-to-reach areas. Using the Angled Lat Bar, you can build your shoulders and back with ease.
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Squat Station
The integrated pulley system allows you to quickly move from the top of the machine to the Squat Station to target your quads, glutes, and hamstrings for a fierce leg day workout.
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Ergonomic Seat
A challenging workout doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable one, which is why the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE comes equipped with an ergonomic and adjustable seat to help you maintain your form.
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Warranty
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE comes with a 7-year guarantee on the machine, and a lifetime warranty for the Power Rods!.
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Shipping & Assembly
Assembly
Amazon offers free shipping on the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE.
Shipping
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE ships in 4 boxes and requires no special tools for assembly.
Exercises
The innovative use of the Power Rods and Pulley Systems enables the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE to offer over 70 different exercises. Combined with the 7 trainer-built exercise programs, it has never been easier to build a complete workout plan with only one machine.
The Xtreme 2 SE has several features that will help you achieve your fitness goals. First and foremost, there’s the Lat Tower which gives the machine its vertical design, allowing you to target your shoulders and back muscles. The Ab Crunch Shoulder Harness takes advantage of the Lat Tower structure to provide a seated abdominal workout position for tightening your core. From this seated position, you can also target your leg muscle groups with the Leg Extension.
Finally, the Lower Pulley and Squat Station provides an innovative way to convert the Xtreme 2
SE into both an erg machine and squat rack to really target your core and glutes/upper leg muscles. Switching between the different exercises has never been faster or easier—simply reach for the next handle or re-clip the cables to shift gears without losing your stride!
Check out this Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Workout Routines Video for examples of some Bowflex Xtreme 2 workouts.
Our Likes
The Bowflex 2SE is a phenomenal total exercise machine and there’s a lot to love about it, but several aspects of this home gym really stand out and deserve special mention.
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A True Home Gym
The versatility of this machine is astounding. Bowflex claims that the Xtreme 2 SE can deliver over 70 exercise combinations which means that you can craft a total body workout without having to invest in several machines, or sets of weights, etc. UAnd unlike working out onwith other many “home gyms,” Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE exercises are lower-impact due to the combination of the weighted Power Rods for resistance, and the unique pulley system tothat eliminateeliminates any of jerking motions associated with free weights that may causecan cause injury.
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Tall Butand Mighty
The vertical design deserves its own shout-out. The vertical profile of the machine takes up less real-estate in your home, meaning you won’t have to dedicate a whole room of your house to fitness—you can put your Bowflex Xtreme 2 home gym in the corner! Additionally, the presence of the Angled Lat Bar means that the upper portion of the machine is dedicated to some serious back and shoulder workouts, further expandingadding to the fitness possibilities offered by the Xtreme 2 SE.
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Personal Trainer at No Extra Cost!
No need to craft your own Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE workout plan, simply choose from 7 trainer-built workouts designed to complement your regular fitness routine. There are three 20-minute workout plans for upper, lower, and full-body workouts. For daily maintenance, there is the 2-minute better body workout. CThe cardio enthusiastenthusiasts will enjoy the true aerobic workout and work up a quick sweat with the circuit training anaerobic plan. Finally, the strength training and bodybuilding workouts wouldare be great for those looking to bulk up quickly. Whatever your fitness goals may be, the trainer-built workouts are designed to keep you on track!
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Quick Change
The greatest aspect of the Xtreme 2 SE is how easy it is to use and to switch between weight levels. No more interrupting your workout just to struggle with weights and barbells—with your Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE workouts, the switch is as easy as re-positioning the cable or clipping on another Power Rod to up the ante. This is fantastic for serious fitness enthusiasts who want to keep an elevated heart rate and reduce rest time between sets. Aworkouts. Ind it’s also great for preventing accidental injuries due to tweaking a muscle group while adjusting the weights.
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Low Impact Workout
The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE minimizes the impact of your workout on your joints and muscle tissues by employing an innovative series of pulleys to do the awkward lifting for you. It, leavingleaves you free to focus on the resistance and weight of your workouts, and not your aching knees.
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Targeted Equipment
No Bowflex Xtreme SE review would be complete without mentioning these special features! This Bowflex comes loaded with special equipment designed to target certain muscle groups and make a true full-body workout possible. In addition to the Angled Lat Bar for upper body exercises, the Ab Crunch Shoulder Harness, Leg Extension Bar, and Lower Pulley/Squat Station all facilitate exercises that target specific muscle groups all over your body and help you build muscle from all angles.
Our Dislikes
While the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE may look like a perfect home gym on paper, there are a few potential drawbacks that are worth mentioning. The Xtreme 2 SE may be uncomplicated to use, but it can be a bit complicated to take care of this machine. The Power Rods are designed to be clipped to the cables to add resistance to your workout, but if left clipped eve n when not in use, that same resistance can begin to take a toll on your machine. Some userusers report that their Power Rods begin to feel like they’ve lost tension over time. To avoid this, simply unclip your Power Rods when not in use to allow them to relax back into shape and extend their lifespan. Another common grievance among Xtreme 2 SE users is the unboxing and assembly of the machine. While it’s true that the assembly doesn’t require any special tools or devices, it does take time and it would be worth your while to set aside an afternoon in order to set your machine up and running all in one go. The machine also has its limitations. While the Xtreme 2 SE seems to be able to readily accommodate tall users, with many users over 6 feet tall reporting being able to use the machine with ease and achieving a full range of motion, the machine does have an upper weight limit of 300lbs. This limit may be a deterrent for users who are at the start of their weight-loss journeys, though it is certainly a fantastic machine to revisit at a later date. These three comments are the main concerns that are most frequently voiced by users, but this Bowflex Xtreme 2 review trusts that with a few extra steps on the part of the user (whether it be maintenance, assembly, or preliminary weight-loss achievements), these concerns are completely manageable!
Our Verdict
Affordability, versatility, and durability are all reasons why the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE home gym is the best machine on the market today. This machine was crafted with the consumer in mind and its space-saving design and user-friendly build make it easier than ever to fit a complete total body workout plan into your lifestyle.
Additionally, the ease-of-use of this machine and accompanying trainer-built workout plans means that even the most novice user can master this machine with ease. The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE home gym is fabulous for beginners and regular gym-goers alike and can serve as your first and only point of fitness or as an excellent complement to a fit and healthy lifestyle.
The adaptable nature of the machine ensures that every user can get the benefit they seek, either through a customized workout plan that takes advantage of the innovative Power Rod and Pulley Systems, or using the attachments, like the Angled Lat Bar and Preacher Curl (sold separately) to get an intense, targeted workout every time.
The possibilities really are endless with the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE and the overall adaptability of this machine means that it is the perfect all-around home gym for users of all fitness backgrounds. Rather than investing in a gym membership, fitness classes, and complicated single-use home equipment that you’ll never use, you can get it all with the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE! Also check out Best Home Gym Equipment Reviews 2018.
Price & Shop
Question & Answers
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Q. How easy is the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE assembly?
A. The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE can be readily assembled without any special tools and takes around 3-4 hours to fully assemble. The machine can be easily disassembled for transporting to another room, etc.
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Q. What is the difference between the dimensions of the Bowflex 2SE and the “workout space”?
A. Due to the unique, compact design of the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE, the main unit itself takes up very little space. However, in order to maximize what the machine has to offer, the area around the body of the machine will need to be able to accommodate the full flex of the Power Rods and the maximum extension of the cables.
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Q. What is the weight resistance of the machine?
A. The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE comes standard with 210lbs of resistance. However, it is fully upgradeable to 310lbs and 410lbs of resistance.
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Q. Are there any additional attachments?
A. Yes, the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE has the optional attachments of a Preacher Curl and Gym Style Ab Crunch fixtures.
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Q. Where can I find the Bowflex Xtreme 2 for sale?
A. You can find the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE for sale at Amazon.com.
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Last updated on June 26th, 2019
Andrea Holstein
Andrea Holstein is a Canadian runner, yoga practitioner, and fitness class enthusiast living in Toronto. After a lifetime of competitive sports involvement, her sports pursuits these days are suspended while she completes her college diploma. Andrea still keeps active through frantic sprints for public transit and hunting for deals on stylish fitness clothes to wear once her gym membership is renewed. Her brain gets the greatest workout these days writing health and fitness articles for the web.