The Bowflex PR1000 home gym (model number: 100141) is a popular choice amongst fitness fans that want a weights system at home, but there is one negative that I want to tell you about. First, let’s have a look at what this home gym can do.
The Bowflex series of home gyms (which includes the Bowflex PR3000) offer a superb total body strength workout, giving you exercises to work your arms, abs, back, chest, shoulders as well as legs and lower body muscles. The hand grips are used for several exercises, and the gym comes with four inch padded roller cushions so that its a lot more comfortable when doing leg extensions or curls.
What makes the Bowflex Home Gyms stand out, are their innovative use of the Bowflex’s patented “Power Rods” in the Bowflex PR1000 power rod home gym. These rods provide the resistance / weight for the exercises, and some people think that they actually feel as good as free weights. Unlike free weights though, you are fully supported so avoid the risk of joint pain and the inertia of free weights. By combining 1,2,3,4 or even 5 of the power rods into the cable pulley system, you vary the weight between 5lb and 210lb of resistance for the Bowflex pr1000 home gym exercises.
These power rods are rigorously tested, to make sure they are durable and will last. In fact, they come with a 5 year guarantee!
Not only do you get the usual weights routines through the innovative use of space, but you also get a rowing machine rail built in. This feature folds conveniently away when you are not using it. The sliding seat rail is also used for leg presses and seated leg extensions.
How Many Bowflex PR1000 Exercises?
I was surprised to find that this home gym offers over 30 different strength exercises. You have the usual ones, like bench press and lats pull down bars, plus a stack more. The complete list comprises of:
You can also use the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym for aerobic exercise training to help burn off the calories, or for cardiovascular warm up or cool down routines. The rowing station has a sliding seat rail. I think its a great way to incorporate an aerobic element into a home gym.
Specifications of the Bowflex PR1000
- Sliding Seat Rail incorporates a rowing system into the home gym.
- Hand grips and ankle cuffs that add variety and flexibility to your workouts.
- Workout Chart for quick reference of exercises
- 30+ exercises for power and strength training of arms, shoulders, abs, back, chest and lower body.
- Dimensions: 81 (height) x 84 (length) x 38 (width) inches
- Maximum user weight of 300lb
- Variable resistance between 5lb and 210lb using the patented power rod system that offers a similar feel to free weights without the associated risks.
- 4 inch padded rollers for leg exercises.
- Horizontal bench press
- Triple Function hand grips
- Folds for easy storage.
How much weights does the Bowflex PR1000 provide?
The Bowflex PR1000 weight stack can give you varied resistance from just 5 pounds, up to a maximum of 210 pounds by using the Bowflex Power Rods.
Requirements for the Bowflex PR1000?
Home gyms come with a few restrictions. This one has a maximum user weight allowance of 300 pounds. In addition, make sure that you have the height required to fit this home gym.
Bowflex pr1000 dimensions: Its height is around 81 inches (that’s 205 cm), a length of 84 inches (213 cm) and width of 38 inches (97 cm).
To effectively use a home gym of this size, you will need a 100 inch x 78 inch minimum workout area.
Another requirement is that the Gym will need to be assembled. While this is pretty easy, it can take a couple of hours. However, if you are anything like me, its a fun 2 hours as you get to grips with this excellent home gym.
What kind of Guarantee does the Bowflex PR1000 come with?
The Frame itself comes with a one year guarantee, while the rods are covered for 5 years. There is also a 60 day parts guarantee.
What are Bowflex PR1000 Users saying about this home gym?
One of the best places to find out what equipment is really like is Amazon. People who bought this gym have happily left reviews to help your buying decision, and the Bowflex PR1000 reviews on Amazon offer plenty of information. The users on Amazon have awarded this home gym a 4 out of 5.
Read More Reviews…
I’ll just highlight a few of the comments that people have left on popular shopping sites:
“This unit is extremely sturdy and well put together. I was a bit nervous to buy this because I have young kids I did not want to trash it. Believe me, they couldn’t! This is far too well-designed and durable.”
“The only other drawback is that there is not enough weight to work the legs. However, I imagine it won’t be too difficult to get a rod pack offering more resistance…. the drawbacks of this machine are minor and are vastly outweighed by the numerous advantages. I have combined the Bowflex workout with a daily walk, improved diet and hydration and have seen quick and dramatic results.”
“I started my workout routine today and i have to say i was blown away with how my muscles were worked and how they responded to the resistance of the power rods, let me tell you that it doesn’t take long to start feeling the burn as you go through the exercises. Some may think that the 210pds of resistance on this machine isn’t enough, but it’s more than enough to accomplish your goals for what you’re trying to do”.
“The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym is a great value for a good basic workout. Setup is fairly simple – read the directions and go to work. Good construction and the power rods are great”.
“I was somewhat skeptical of this machine at first, being a weightlifter for 20+ years, and always using free weights on my workouts. But a herniated disc in my back prompted me to look for other workout alternatives that would not put the same amount of stress on my back, and joints in general, as Father Time has not been kind to me since I have entered my 50′s..I must say I was VERY impressed with the resistance provided by the Bowflex PR1000, it gives me almost as good a workout as my weights ever did”.
The main negative comment about this machine is that the weights cannot be upgraded. With a 210lb maximum, that may not be enough for you. However, if you are just using this machine to keep super fit, then I doubt you will need more than 210lb. If you think you may want more, you might be better off going with the Bowflex PR3000 Home gym. While that one also comes with 210lb as standard, it can be upgraded to 310lb. You’ll also get more exercises with that machine with 50+ exercises instead of the PR1000’s 30+.
Where can you Buy the Bowflex PR1000?
One of the best deals around is at Amazon.com where you can often save several hundred dollars on the manufacturers recommended price, not to mention the free shipping that they usually offer.
Other Bowflex Home Gyms
Also from Bowflex:
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells – Adjustable dumbbells that replace a full rack with their innovative design.
Other Recommended Multi-Gyms
Body Solid G5S Weight Stack Home Gym
Body Solid EXM4000S Triple Stack Home Gym
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