Is the Bowflex Ultimate Worth the Investment?
The Bowflex Ultimate is the flag ship model for the Bowflex home gym series, but compared to
the Extreme it is quite pricey.
What do you get for the extra investment?
How is the Ultimate different than the Extreme? How can those differences impact the
results you get from working out with Bowflex?
To answer these questions; below we have information on how the Bowflex Ultimate is different
than other models, how it can be more effective for you, and special tips that can help you save
$199 or more on your purchase.
How is the Bowflex Ultimate Different?
When looking at the Ultimate vs. the Extreme - the first thing that will jump out at youis that the Ultimate has a horizontal adjustable seat, while the Extreme has a vertical fixed seat. This has 3 major advantages:
1. The Ultimate’s horizontal seat detaches which enables you to do squats. (Note: squats are a difficultexercise, if you've never done them before start with a light weight.) 2. If you are not comfortable doing squats the Bowflex Ultimate has another benefit. The seatunlocks and allows it to freely move on the bench rail. With this feature you can do leg presses. The leg press isn't as effective as squats, but it is a good substitute. 3. The free (unlocked) seat has another feature. You can do aerobic rowing. For warming up orcooling down after a workout it works very well. 4. Unlike the Bowflex Extreme, the Ultimate folds up and has wheels for moving.
How these Advantages Can Benefit You
The ability to do leg exercises such as squats, leg presses, and seated calf raises, is verysignificant. While doing leg extensions and hamstring curls arehelpful for toning your legs. Squats and leg presses will tone your entire legs in one exercise(including glutes!). Squats, for example, not only exercise your thighs, but your calves, abdominals,and your core muscles (which improves balance and strength). Also the feature of being able to do both rows (to tone the inner and lower back) andcardiovascular rowing can be valuable. Especially if you don’t want a room full of equipment. Finally, being able to move your Bowflex is a bonus. Exercising while watching TV or listening to music cangive you an extra boost and add to your enjoyment. When your done, just roll itback into storage - rather than having it be part of your living room decor.
- SPECIAL Motivation TIP –After an extended layoff it sometimes can be challenging to get working out again. Tip 1 – Send a reminder to your body. Do a set of: pushups, curls, etc. not a full workout, just do a set of something to get your blood pumping. Tip 2 – Create a new Bowflex workout. Your body can get “bored” with your Bowflex routine. Change out your old Bowflex exercises for all new ones for each body part.
Pros & Cons to the Bowflex Ultimate
Pros +Squats - enables you to develop and tone your legs from top to bottom. They also developyour "core" (stabilizing) muscles.
+Adjustable Cables - allows you to exercise your muscles from different angles andenables the Ultimate to adjust to any body type. +Quick Cable Changes - enables you to train quickly which shortens your workout, andburn more calories. +10 Year Warranty - Bowflex has very good customer service and has been in businesssince 1988. +High Grade Carbon Steal Frame - has been reinforced for added strength. +Moveable - folds up and has wheels for moving. +310Ib - 310Ib standard should be plenty of resistance for most people. Youcan also upgrade to 410Ib for you super heroes out there . Cons
-Free Squat - squats can be tricky at first - especially if you aren’t used to them. Start witha light weight, keep your head up and butt low. -$1899 - it's not cheap, but on the other hand, it's not cheaply made either. -Rows - when doing rows a person has to put their feet on the ground instead of againstfoot rests. This is fine for lighter resistance, but won't work at higher weights. -No Leg Hold Down - again, for lighter weights this is no big deal, but if a personhappens to use heavier resistance for lat pull downs etc. it can be an issue. -No Padded Bar - no padded bar for squats. At heavier resistance (300Ib plus) the barcan start feeling uncomfortable. -$199 Shipping - $199 for shipping is priceFy, but we can show you a way around this! 
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What other visitors have said
What experiences have others had with their Bowflex, see below.
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