Home Gyms

Unit is sold with 210lbs weight upgradeable to 410.
Customer Review: Great Home Gym
I had a gym membership that I was rarely using. I decided to give the home gym a try. I researched many different home gyms and this one seemed to make the most sense to me. I have had the Ultimate 2 for one year now. I still use it almost every other day. I work great for me; I switch up my routine every 2 weeks (six workouts) so it does not get to repetitive. I am able to work all my major muscle groups. There may not be one perfect home gym that does everything perfect, but this machine does a lot well. It is very solid and I should last a long time. It works perfect for me as I can come home from work start dinner and workout as dinner cooks. I have had many friend’s who have tried it that go to the gym 4-5 times a week and they all said they were impressed with the versatility. I would definitely purchase this product again.
Customer Review: Overall, a good home gym
If you’re expecting to duplicate a well-equipped commercial gym with the Bowflex Ultimate 2, you’ll be disappointed. If, on the other hand, you have reasonable expectations and are looking for an effective, versatile home gym, you’ll be fairly pleased.

Assembly: As other reviewers noted on this product’s page with other sellers, my boxes looked like they were dropped off at my driveway from an airplane. The boxes were crushed, ripped and had holes. But there was little damage inside, other than a few scratches in unnoticeable places. I assembled the main unit and the included accessories (i.e., leg and squat attachments) by myself, and it took maybe 5 hours of uninterrupted work. The optional equipment I purchased (ab attachment, accessories rack, dumbell stand and bench) took about another 2 hours. One person can assemble this machine, but some may need help installing the lat tower. The unit and accessories came in many boxes (I also purchased the dumbells and a bench), so take your time and follow the directions. The equipment takes up considerable space, so be certain to check the dimensions before purchasing. Keep in mind that you’ll need additional space behind the machine to permit the “power rods” to flex somewhat backward. Also, the leg attachment will add to the overall length.

Quality: The machine itself seems to be very sturdy/solid, and it looks nice. Some of the smaller parts, however, seem rather cheap. Examples: (1) the pulley wheels are plastic and have no ball bearings, just a plastic wheel rotating over a metal shaft; (2) after two months of use, the plastic balls at the ends of the pulleys (which prevent the pulley end from being pulled through the pulley) are already chewed up; and (3) there are nylon straps attached to the preacher curl bar and leg attachment (the leg attachment is also used for preacher curls), to which the cable hook is attached. This is a rather cheap design.

Power Rods: My primary reservation about this machine was the power rods. I have worked out in commercial gyms most of my adulthood (I’m 38), using free weights. I question the life of the power rods. I’m not concerned they’ll break, but I wonder how long it will be before they lose significant resistance. This isn’t a criticism, just a concern. Also, if you plan to work your legs hard, especially if you use the squat attachment, purchase the 100-lb. upgrade for the power rods. I’m about average when it comes to leg strength, and I can easily squat the entire 310-lb. standard “rack” for over 20 reps. Don’t be deceived by the advertised weight. My unit came with 310-lbs. of resistance, but I never squatted 275-lbs. for more than a couple reps at the gym using free weights/squat rack, and that was with knee wraps. I’ll be purchasing the upgrade soon.

Accessories: I am pleased with the accessories, including the leg extension/leg curl attachment, ab attachment, and preacher curl. Though it doesn’t compare to a traditional squat rack and bar, I was surprised with the quality of the squat attachment. It works better, and is more true to form, than any other home gym I’ve tried. The only problem for me is that I can’t squat quite as low as I want, since the attachment strikes a portion of the machine. This is partially a function of my height (5′ 5″), so taller users probably won’t have that problem. Also, see my comments above regarding the power rods and the nylon straps. The ab attachment works well, but you can get the same ab movement from other exercises. The accessories rack does a nice job of keeping everything organized. You’ll have a mess on your floor otherwise.

Customer Service: Nice people, but woefully inept. For my accessories rack, 4 “washer hooks” were missing from the box. Customer service would not overnight the hooks to me, but rather I had to wait about 10 days to get them. When received, they sent me a bag of bolts, but no hooks. I called again, and had the hooks “expedited,” meaning about 7 days. This time, they only sent 2 of the 4 hooks. Another call to customer service resulted in a delivery 5 days later of 12 hooks. The reps were always friendly and apologetic, but the service itself was unimpressive.

The Workout: This is a versatile machine. There are many exercises you can do for each muscle group. Some of the advertising is a little misleading. For example, you can do incline, flat or decline bench press. What the advertising doesn’t say is that the only difference between the 3 is where you finish the exercise (in other words, where your hands are when you complete the repetition: high for incline, straight for flat, and down for decline). The same is true for cable flies and a couple other exercises. Here’s some general comments:

Pros:

Easy to switch between exercises.
For the most part, the movements are relatively smooth.
The power rods provide good resistance at the end of the exercise (when the rods are flexed the most).
The user’s manual includes a couple of effective exercises I haven’t seen or done before.
As another reviewer noted, you can “make up” exercises. After about 2 months of use, I’ve “made up” about 6 exercises not included in the manual.
The unit is solid, structurally sound and looks nice.
This unit has the most important feature, in my view: You can get a good and varied workout which delivers nice results.

Cons:

For many exercises, the power rods don’t deliver enough resistance during the initial stages of the movement. (Tip: if you find that the power rods don’t flex enough for a particular exercise, try moving the chest bar pulleys and lat tower pulleys to the outside settings: this will start the exercise with more tension on the power rods).
For some exercises, the cable is too short. I hook up a chain (about 8″) with the included cable hooks for these exercises.
The squat attachment should go lower before it “bottoms out.”
The machine should include more resistance, such as making the 100-lb. upgrade standard.
It takes a little time getting used to the power rod resistance and you have to make some adjustments to your form to get the most out of the exercises.

As a final matter, I also purchased the 90-lb. dumbells (and stand). These not only add variety to your workout, but, in my view, will add to your results. They’re not a necessity given the versatility of the BU2, but are a nice addition.

If you’re male or female, young or older, and whether you’re looking to tone up or gain significant muscularity, you’ll probably get the results you’re looking for with the Bowflex Ultimate 2. .

Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym We took the Xtreme and improved it. The Lat Tower adjusts to two positions, plus the longer squat frame gives you 4 adjustable positions. In addition, the Xtreme 2 lets you change exercises more quickly and easily with no cabl .

The warm-up is followed by 45-minutes of back, shoulder, and bicep work. Exercises include dumbbell row reverse grip, dumbbell one-arm row, band t-back squeeze, barbell pullovers, modified back extensions, prone back side rotations, dumbbell overhead presses and side lateral raises, band lateral & front raises, dumbbell rear fly, band rear delt raise, barbell curls, dumbbell curls, concentration curls (whew! the biceps are burning already!), dumbbell curl-up wrist turn lower down, dumbbell hammer curls, dumbbell wrist curls. Alhough viewing a list of exercises may appear standard, you will love the muscle-confusion and challenge this workout delivers. All this work is followed by a well-deserved stretch.
Customer Review: Great workout!
This is a great workout for someone trying to add some strength and some curves. I can already see a difference in my biceps and shoulders! I just recently began doing Cathe’s workouts in the last 6 months and I love it!
Customer Review: Excellent upper body routine….
Here is another installment in Cathe Friedrich’s Gym Style series, this time focusing on Back, Shoulders and Biceps. Clocking in at under an hour, this routine gets a lot done in little time. For this workout you will need a barbell (dumbells as also be used), assorted dumbells, a resistance band and step or bench are also used.

After a simple warmup, you will start with back work. Here you will see reverse dumbell rows, then you will move into one arm rows followed by a seated T-back squeeze using a resistance band. Finishing out the back set are barbell pullovers and some unweighted lower back exercises.

Shoulders are next, these are hit well with a combination of dumbell and resistance band exercises. Here you will see seated overhead presses, standing lateral raises including a bonus set with the band, front raises with the band, and rear deltoid raises again an extra set with the band.

Biceps are last, these are hit extremely thoroughly and from all angles. Starting with barbell curls working the length of the bicep, then you will do dumbell partial reps working the belly of the bicep, bottom half first, then the top half. Next you will do seated concentration curls which work the peak of the bicep, a very slow count is used here which makes them pretty tough. To finish out the bicep segment you will do hammer curls and an exercise where you curl up and twist down, working the length again plus the forearms. Finally you will do some wrist curls which get the forearms some more.

This is probably my favorite in the Gym Style series as hard as it is. Very thorough and challenging, guaranteed to whip your upper body into shape. There are also shorter premixes if you don’t have time to do the full workout which is a nice option. Four and a half stars for this one. .

The 4-minute warm-up is followed by chest work of push-ups, dumbbell presses, chest flys, dumbbell incline chest presses, dumbbell incline flys, and barbell close-grip presses. The tricep work consists of dips, dumbbell lying extensions, dumbbell seated extensions, dumbbell cross-body extensions, a bonus “band burn” of cross-body extensions, dumbbell kickbacks, and another bonus “band burn” of kickbacks. The 4-minute stretch feels SO GOOD after all that! You’lll need a full sized step, adjustable barbell, various weighted dumbbells, and a medium tension resistance band to do this workout.
Customer Review: Feel the burn!
This workout is great! My chest and triceps are shaking after every workout that I can barely lift my arms over my head. I have only used the workout once a week for approximately a month and I already notice strength gains and definitions!
Customer Review: Tough upper body workout….
This is another installment in Cathe Friedrich’s Gym Style series, here the focus is on Chest and Triceps. This workout clocks in at just under 50 minutes, and is extremely thorough in working these areas. Equipment used in this workout are dumbells, barbell, a step or a bench, and a resistance band.

You start with a simple warmup, then you dive right into chest work with drop sets of pushups, 72 to be exact, starting with 16, then 14, then moving down until you get to the last 2 which are done in a 4-4 count. Next you will do several sets of dumbell chest presses and pec flies, first done on a flat surface, then moving into an incline position. Finishing out the chest portion and transitioning into the tricep portion are close grip barbell presses. In the tricep portion you will see tricep dips, lying extensions, seated french presses, cross body extensions which are done with one arm and in a lying position. She also uses a resistance band for these too add a “bonus burn”, following this are tricep kickbacks, again adding a bonus set using the band to finish them off. This set has a nice variety of exercises, plus she uses various tempo counts to keep things interesting.

Overall a very complete and thorough workout for the muscle groups represented, this one is bound to really shape up the upper body as the previous reviewers have stated. There are also premixes with shorter options on those time crunched days which is a nice plus. Anyone looking for an upper body challenge will not be disappointed here, 4 and a half stars for this one.
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The Bowflex Blaze Home Gym with Power Rod Technology is a serious piece of fitness equipment. If you’re searching for a way to look and feel better, the Blaze will give you fast results, with just 20 minutes a day, three times a week. The Blaze offers over 60 gym-quality exercises that work all your muscles groups, and with 210 pounds of Power Rod resistance (upgradable to 310 or 410 pounds) this device offers plenty of room for strength-training growth.

Feature Details:

• Number of Exercises: 60
• Power Rod Technology Resistance: 210 pounds (upgradable to 310 or 410 pounds)
• Lat tower with angled lat bar helps build back and shoulder muscles quickly
• Lower pulley/squat station enables you to do squats and build your glutes, hamstrings, and quads
• Leg Extension/leg curl attachment helps develop strong, muscular legs
• Sliding seat rail allows you to perform aerobic rowing and leg presses
• Triple function hand-grip/ankle cuffs
• Multiple cable/pulley positions enable custom workouts
• Dimensions: 90 inches long by 38 inches wide by 83 inches tall
• Folded Footprint: 52 inches long by 38 inches wide
• Workout Area: 8 feet, 4 inches by 6 feet, 6 inches

Multiple Machines in One Device
The Blaze home gym is similar to having a whole resistance training gym tucked right into your den. Bowflex’s lat tower with angled lat bar helps build back and shoulder muscles quickly, and the lower pulley/squat station enables you to do squats and build your glutes, hamstrings and quads. In addition, the Blaze is equipped with a leg extension/leg curl attachment that helps develop strong, muscular legs, and the sliding seat rail allows you to perform aerobic rowing and leg presses to improve your cardiovascular health. And instead of different handles for every exercise, Bowflex has designed triple-function handgrips and ankle cuffs with multiple cable/pulley positions that encourage custom workouts. But if custom workouts isn’t your cup of tea, Bowflex also includes a workout placard that steps you through the famous Bowflex 20-minute workout.

Power Rod Technology
Bowflex Power Rods give you resistance, or weight, that feels as good as or better than free weight lifting — but without the inertia or risk of joint pain that is almost always associated with free weight strength training. Power Rod units are precisely manufactured under the highest quality control measures, then sheathed and tested four separate times to ensure quality and durability. Bowflex is convinced that the Power Rod units are so strong that you simply can’t wear them out. You can flex them repeatedly, but they won’t lose their resistance or break. In fact, they’re so strong, Bowflex has given the Power Rods a no-time-limit warranty. If you can wear the Power Rods out, Bowflex will replace them for free.

The Key to a Better Body
strength training is when you perform exercises with resistance to build muscle strength. Strength training is not running on a treadmill, riding a stationary bike, or using a ski or rider machine. Although these types of aerobic machines use “resistance” to increase cardiovascular workout intensity, it is still not the same as strength training. strength training is, essentially, weight lifting. But don’t be discouraged; you don’t have to get bulky muscles if you don’t want to. With Bowflex Blaze you can shape and sculpt your muscles to make your body look the way you want. It just takes persistence and dedication.

Why does strength training work better than aerobics for getting fit and losing fat? Because the more muscles you have on your body, the higher your metabolism rate, and the more calories you burn. Muscle also creates the shape of your body — muscle is what makes you move, it’s what gives you energy and strength. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should abandon your aerobic exercise — cardiovascular exercise is necessary for a healthy body — but the combination of aerobic and strength training will help you achieve your fitness goals. Muscle acts as your body’s fat burners. It’s the stuff that makes you active and makes you burn calories. If you want to lose fat, you need to strength train with the Bowflex Blaze to add muscles, burn calories, and look fantastic.

What’s in the Box?
Bowflex Blaze home gym, lat bar, leg extension/leg curl attachments, triple-function handgrips and ankle cuffs, 20-minute workout placard, and owner’s manual/fitness guide.

Manufacturer’s Warranty
Five-year limited warranty on commercial quality construction and lifetime warranty on Power Rods

Customer Review: Amazing product, quick shipping!
Once set up, this Bowflex works wonders. I can’t see why anyone would need the more expensive one. It is a good idea however to get the added weights for it because 210 pounds isn’t much for even a 115 pound woman to press with her legs on this machine (it is very smooth and allows for easy movements). The shipping was super quick too. The setup time was pretty lengthy though, taking about 1.5 - 2 hrs total, and you really need to get the hang of switching the equipment to do the next exercise fairly quickly (for the first little bit I would have to look up the next exercise and figure out how to switch the equipment over to do it, and by then my heart rate went back down etc.).

A definite buy though, I use it almost every day and going to the gym just doesn’t compare anymore! (except for cardio).
Customer Review: Awesome product very smooth
The Blaze came in one large box and after reading the reviews about how hard it was going to be to put together I was a little worried, being a woman that is handy it was a breeze my kids even helped they had no problem doing some of the work themselves (they can’t even follow lego directions). I bought this for my husband for Christmas and he loves it he says its the smoothest, best equipment he has ever used. Don’t let the assembely scare you - you are only going to put it together once anyways! This was an awesome gift and we are all using it - the rowing part is so cool. This is a great home gym we have it in our garage it is a great place for it - it doesn’t take up much room out there. The shipping company was even awesome, working around my husbands schedule so he wouldn’t be here when it came. Thank you we Love it! .

Tote your yoga mat and other gear in style with this fashionable, eco-friendly gym bag. The bag, which is made of recycled fabric, holds a number of items–such as a change of clothes, sports gear, and personal items–thanks to its large main compartment and internal pockets. The unique window compartment, meanwhile, accommodates shoes or wet clothes, a must when changing after a sweaty workout. And users will love the elastic band on the bottom, which holds your yoga mat without taking up space in the body of the bag.

About Gaiam
Gaiam was created as a lifestyle company with the vision that, given a choice, people would choose a lifestyle that is healthy and life enhancing, for themselves, their families and the Earth. The Gaiam lifestyle is a vote for individual health as well as the future sustainability of the Earth’s resources. Gaiam strives to provide customers with alternatives to traditional products by offering natural, eco-friendly or healthy versions that compare with the style, quality and price of conventional products.

Gaiam’s goal is to become the trusted source and unifying brand for Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) participants. They understand that the opportunity to affect people’s lives with information and products is both a privilege and a responsibility. Gaiam believes in the concept of Conscious Commerce, the practice of making purchasing decisions based on personal values and beliefs. It takes into consideration all the aspects of our lives and the impact we have upon the planet. Research indicates this concept appeals to approximately 50 million people in the U.S. alone. Gaiam’s strategy in delivering the distinctive quality for which they are known is to partner with experts in health/wellness, eco-living and personal development to develop proprietary products that meet our customers’ needs with meaningful solutions.

The name GAIAM is a fusion of the words Gaia (the name of Mother Earth from the Minoan civilization in ancient Crete), and I am reminds us that we are all interconnected with the Earth, the air and water, and very much a part of this living system that sustains us all.

Customer Review: Great design, great bag
This may be the best gym bag I’ve ever owned. What I like best about it is that, while it holds everything I need (with room for more), its vertical design makes it comfortable to carry. When I had a regular gym duffle, it stuck out awkwardly from my side and I felt like I was taking up the room of two people when I was on an elevator or similar crowded situation. The Gaiam bag fits snugly by my side, and the fabric has a nice feel. There are all kinds of pockets, both inside and out, to help organize whatever you’re carrying. Well worth the price!
Customer Review: Wonderful Bag!
I found this bag to be the perfect size for the gym. It fits a change of clothes, shoes, etc. It also has several lined pockets perfect for toiletries and a lock. It is much easier to get on a packed train for my commute with this bag compared to my old gym bag.

Another nice feature-the bag has a wonderful texture and sturdy handles. If you wear it on your shoulder, the straps will not slip off. .

A performance pant that will help kick start your workout, the adidas® Adilibria Gym Kick women’s pant features adidas® ClimaCool® moisture wicking fabric technology that draws perspiration away from your body to keep you cool and dry. The engineered mesh at the hips and across the back delivers excellent ventilation and breathability. .

The RUSSELL ATHLETIC® 5-Inch Jersey short for women features a soft cotton construction with a covered elastic waistband, outside self-fabric drawcord, and 5-inch inseam.
Customer Review: Worth about half the price …
Since I’ve purchased Russell Athletic apparel before, I know that their togs are very basic (okay for ’round the house). They shrink - buy ‘up’ a size or two. So these shorts are about what you can expect … except they would be more appropriately priced at $5.99 or $6.99 tops.

Customer Review: Great shorts
Comfortable! 100% cotton! Economical! Easy to order! I bought two pairs of these shorts at a swanky sports outfitters store 2 or 3 years ago and realy liked them. When I went back to get more that store didn’t carry them (or almost anything else cotton) anymore. I was realy disappointed. Then I was on-line looking for some workout pants for my father and noticed the name “Russell” which gave me the idea to buy them on-line. There was just what I wanted and all kinds of discounts. And I didn’t have to do a lot of driving or walking to get them. .

Need a compact, easy-to-use home workout apparatus? Turn to the Creative Fitness door gym deluxe package, which invites you to perform chin-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, and many other exercises. The door gym is equipped with a pair of close-grip handles attached to the center of a workout bar. When you want to perform chin-ups or pull-ups, simply hook the door gym’s unique curved arm onto the molding of your doorframe, which will use your body weight to create a cantilever effect. As a result, the device will bind securely in your doorway without a single screw, letting you position the device for immediate use in seconds. Once you’ve installed the door gym, you can perform four different styles of pull-ups to work the back, shoulders, and biceps. Plus, it’s guaranteed not to damage your doorway, unlike many permanent chin-up bars.

The door gym goes beyond the average pull-up bar in other ways, however, thanks to the close-grip handles. The handles let you position your palms to face each other as you pull, isolating the muscles within the middle of your back to help build size and strength, while also conditioning the primary muscles responsible for keeping the spine erect for better all-day posture. Nothing on the market offers such a variety of hand positions, creating a back workout that’s never boring. As a bonus, you can position the door gym on the floor to perform push-ups, leg lunges, or sit-ups.

The door gym deluxe package–which includes a pair of ab loops and a broad-reach bar for performing pull-ups with a wider grip–is designed to fit residential (framed) doorways from 24 to 32 inches wide, and can be extended up to 45 inches with an extension. The door gym requires the following door dimensions: 1.5 to 3.5 inches for the face molding around the door; 0.25 to 0.75 inches for the molding distance from the wall; and 4.25 to 6.25 inches for the wall thickness. The door gym supports up to 300 pounds.

Customer Review: Great Door Gym
this is a great door gym, it works as advertised. Easy assembly and fits on most doors like it says it does. It’s a really good space-saving equipment. I’ve been using it as a chin up and pull up bar and have noticed improvements in my arms and chest.

The only thing I didn’t like about this product is the extra ab loops and broad reach bars, they’re pretty useless! Save your money & just buy the door gym without the extras.
Customer Review: Horrible
Creative Fitness Door Gym Deluxe Package
Pretty horrible. I’m 190lbs, and this joke just wasted the time that it took to assemble. Will be returning…………… .

Turn any door frame into your own gym. Looking for a quick workout while you are at the office that does not require much time or space? Interested in turning your home into your own personal gym, without spending thousands of dollars and without trying to find extra room in your house? Turn just about any standard door frame into a fully supported gym with the easy to assemble and even easier to use EZ Up Chin Up Bar! The gym that is EZ to get to : Are you finding yourself too busy to get to the gym on a regular basis, but still want to perform and get the benefits of gym quality exercises, either at home or in the office? The EZ Up Chin Up Bar is the portable, powerful, personal and effective exercise machine that can give you the workout you want, whenever and wherever you want it. If you have a door frame, you now have your own gym with the EZ Up Chin Up Bar! What you get - EZ Up Chin Up Bar, assembly instructions and exercise guide.
Customer Review: Works great.
Works great for pull ups on any door jam. Still haven’t figured the right setup for using it for sit ups. Instructions are lacking but, luckily, there is a picture on the box to show how it is supposed to look once it’s assembled.
Customer Review: Is just OK
It is what you see. However, make sure your door frame is high enough and has no contiguous doors/walls at least 3 feet away. Pretty resistant! I weight 180. I guess is a good buy for the price. EASY to assemble and got shipped quick! .