What Buyers Should Know Before Getting a Bowflex Revolution

by Harry
(Pennsylvania)

What you should know.

1. Be prepared to wait
Two to three weeks for the Bowflex Revolution to arrive. It took even longer for the accessory rack to arrive.

2. Be prepared for missing parts
We were missing a hardware pack and the tension shaft - the large horizontal bar that holds the spiraflex plates in place. That is a big part. I did not expect to be missing large parts.
Also one hardware pack was in a different box than expected based on the instructions.

3. Be prepared for damaged parts
The seat cover on ours had a tear on it

4. Plan for Assembly Time
If you receive all the parts plan at least 3 to 4 hours to assemble the unit.

If you don't receive all the parts (like me) plan not only an initial one to two hours to start assembly and discover which parts you are missing but plan on HOURS of calling, follow up and discussion with support representatives.

Also, when the tension bar arrived it got stuck upon insertion half-way through the machine. After two sessions on the phone with a rep. it turns out that the bar was catching on a plastic ring around the hole for the shaft of the main unit. When I applied more pressure the shaft went through but shattered the plastic ring -- so, another call to customer service and more waiting for parts.

5. Customer Service is not Open on Weekends
They are open 6am-5pm Pacific Time Monday to Friday.
If you are like me and really only have time on weekends to work on home projects then this is very inconvenient. Especially if you are missing parts and need to call them.

6. Plan to have a friend help with assembly
Some parts are heavy or awkward and for most people you will the assistance of a second person - as inidicated in the assembly manual.

I ordered my Bowflex Revolution on December 13, 2007.

Today is March 1, 2008 and I still don't have all the parts I need to complete assembly.

It's a good thing that I didn't cancel my gym membership.

This is not what I expected for $3000 and I am disappointed.

I only hope that when I finally get it assembled the workouts are worth it.