Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

Unit	Dimensions	Possible exercises	Weight range	Weight increments	Warranty
Bowflex PR1000 Check Discounted Price	L:84" W:38" H:81"	30+	5-210 lbs	5 lbs	Frame: 1 year Rods: 5 years Parts: 60 days

Home gym systems are versatile fitness machines which offer the possibility to perform a wide array of exercises. And when it comes to home gym systems, Bowflex offers several models which so far benefit from a consistent amount of positive reviews from users all over the world. These home gyms come with an innovative resistance system, but most importantly, the Bowflex home gym systems cover quite a range of prices, starting at less than $500. Differently put, for an investment lower than $500, you could replace the membership to a gym for many years, for you and your other family members.

In this post we’ll address the Bowflex PR1000 home gym, which is the most affordable of the series. Therefore, let’s see what this machine can offer.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 84L x 38W x 81H inches (213L x 97W x 205H cm)
• Assembled weight: 131 lbs (59.4 kg)
• Max. user weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Resistance system: Power Rods
• Standard weight resistance: 210 lbs (95 kg)
• Possible exercises: 30+
• Warranty: Frame 1 year / Power Rods 5 years / Parts 60 days

Frame construction

Like in most home gym machines, the frame of this Bowflex model is made of steel. Although it’s rated for users up to 300 lbs (136 kg), it features quite a sturdy construction and the bench should be able to support heavier users. However, in this case, the roller of the seat may wear down faster.

All steel parts within the frame construction are coated with anti-corrosive and scratch-resistant paint. However, the machine is meant to be installed and used indoors, even though its finish is quite durable. Temperature differences and moisture can after all, take their toll upon the components, and reduce the lifespan of the machine.

Although the Bowflex PR1000 is not exactly the biggest and bulkiest home gym system that you’ll find, it’s still not a small one either. It has an 84″L x 38″W (213 x 97 cm) footprint, and a height of 81″ (205 cm). Differently put, it will fit in a room with a 7′ ceiling, and you’ll still have 3″ (7.6 cm) to spare at the top, but it’s not suitable for rooms with lower ceilings. You’ll need a 100″L x 78″W (254 x 199 cm) workout area for this machine, for maximum safety. That’s because as the resistance rods bend on the sides, they will increase the width of the machine. Also, in case you want to carry out rowing exercises, or leg extensions, you’ll need more space length-wise.

The frame of the machine features three base stabilizers which rest on rubber feet, to protect flooring and increase the overall stability of the machine. It doesn’t feature any transport wheels, which makes it pretty obvious that it’s not meant to be moved while fully assembled.

The machine can accommodate users up to 6’6″-6’7″ (198 – 201 cm) with no problem, for most exercises.

Last but not least, the frame of this Bowflex home gym machine features a folding design. The bench bar along with the bench can be folded up, and secured to the lat bar of the machine. All you have to do is lock the bench in horizontal position, and unlock the pin that connects the bench’s bar to the main frame.

Bench

First of all, the bench of this machine is adjustable, allowing a 45° and 180° (horizontal) setup for its backrest. The backrest detaches from the seat assembly, in order to facilitate the rowing exercises. Both seat and backrest parts feature a durable, black/red faux leather upholstery, and a 2″ cushioning. All in all, the bench offers all the comfort required for the exercises that can be performed on this machine.

The seat assembly integrates a roller system, and glides over the main horizontal bar of the frame, this way offering the possibility to perform rowing exercises or leg presses, for example. It can also be locked onto the bar in several positions, via a locking pin. The rollers of the seat integrate sealed ball bearings for prolonged life.

Other parts

The Bowflex PR1000 integrates a leg attachment, featuring 4″ (10 cm) upholstered roller cushions for maximum comfort during leg exercises. This leg attachment only supports leg extension exercises, and doesn’t offer the possibility to perform leg curls.

Like all home gym systems, the Bowflex PR1000 features several sets of pulleys, made of heavy-duty urethane material, also integrating industrial quality ball bearings. The handgrips are coated with rubber foam for maximum comfort, just as the rollers on the leg attachment. They’re actually designed for multiple grips, including standard, cuff, and foot grip. Along with the grips, a leg press belt is also supplied, accessory which obviously can be used in various other exercises, not just leg presses.

The cables which make the connection between the grips and the resistance rods are steel-made, extremely durable, covered by plastic sheets.

And finally, the hooks and rings at the extremities of the grips and cables are also made of steel, with a chrome finish resistant to corrosion. These hooks and rings are solid enough to support at least 200 lbs (90 kg) of force. You’ll never have to worry about them snapping.

Weight Resistance System

The Bowflex PR1000 home gym features a flexible rod based resistance system. In other words there is no way to attach any weight stacks to it, as in “traditional” home gym machines. The machine’s cables attach to these rods, and as you pull the grips, the rods will bend generating resistance.

Bowflex doesn’t disclose the formula of the material used in the composition of these rods, but they’re made of an extremely durable composite material, and coated with a sheet of rubber. They’re also precision machined, and the rings that connect to the cable hooks are almost impossible to remove.

Each Power Rod generates a specific resistance, and you can connect multiple rods to a cable in order to achieve superior resistance. Each side features a set of rods with the following weight resistance increments: 5, 10, 10, 30, 50 lbs (2.26, 4.5, 4.5, 13.6, 22.6 kg). In other words you can obtain up to 105 lbs (47 kg) of weight resistance for each hand grip, a total of 210 lbs (95.2 kg).

Possible Exercises

Arm Exercises

• Triceps Pushdowns
• Triceps Extensions
• Standing Biceps Curls
• Wrist Curls

Abdominal Exercises

• Trunk Rotations
• Seated (Resisted) Abdominal Crunches

Back Exercises

• Narrow Pulldowns
• Reverse Grip Pulldowns
• Stiff-Arm Pulldowns
• Seated Lat Rows
• Seated Low Back Extensions

Chest Exercises

• Bench Presses
• Decline Bench Presses
• Incline Bench Presses

Leg Exercises

• Leg Extensions
• Calf Raises
• Seated Hip Abductions
• Seated Hip Abductions
• Leg Presses
• Leg Kickbacks

Shoulder Exercises

• Seated Shoulder Presses
• Front Shoulder Raises
• Crossover Seated Rear Delt Rows
• Scapular Retractions

The design of the PR1000 machine does not support leg curls. But on the other hand, even though the exercises sheet supplied with this home gym doesn’t cover butterfly chest exercises, these can be achieved with it. You’ll need to connect the grips to the mid bar pulley, and adjust your grip in order to create the butterfly motion. It won’t be a complete, standard motion, and will have a different feel than the motion supplied by a machine with bars for butterfly exercises, but still, you’ll be able to work the same muscles.

Assembly and Maintenance

First of all, the machine comes in a box with the following dimensions: 54″L X 34″W X 9″H (137 x 86 x 23 cm). The box weighs a bit more than 131 lbs (59.4 kg), and since it’s not exactly small, it’s best to be transported by two people. Also, since the machine is rather bulky, it’s best to assemble it on the spot where it will be used.

Overall, the assembly process is far from being difficult. The manual offers comprehensive, straightforward indications on the assembly of each part. The assembly may take a couple of hours though, as there are quite a few parts to put together. Tools for assembly are not supplied though. You’ll need an adjustable wrench and a Phillips screwdriver.

Maintenance doesn’t require much. All you need to do in terms of maintenance, is keep the machine clean, check the connection points before use, and in case you’re going to perform any exercises that involve the movement of the seat, it’s best to check if the gliding rail is free of any dirt or objects that may damage the rollers.

The Pros

• Sturdy steel frame;
• Folding frame design;
• Durable upholstery on bench, made of faux leather;
• 2-inch cushioning on bench for maximum comfort;
• 4-inch upholstered roller cushions for leg extensions;
• Versatile handles supporting three types of grips;
• Bench with two position: 45° and 180°;
• Gliding seat for aerobic rowing and leg press exercises;
• Innovative Power Rod weight resistance system, no weight stacks required;
• Industrial quality ball bearings in all moving parts;
• Over 30 possible exercises;
• Workout placard depicting various exercises, attached to the lat tower of the machine, for quick reference;
• Up to 105 lbs of resistance per arm, 210 lbs in total;
• Excellent warranty package.

The Cons

• Not an upgradable machine. This model does not offer the possibility to add extra resistance rods;
• Tools for assembly not included.

Bottom Line

The Bowflex PR1000 is a home gym system with one of the best price / quality ratios that you can find at the moment. It’s a great machine for beginners, but can also supply the required training setting for intermediate and even advanced users, since it offers up to 105 lbs weight resistance per arm (or leg), with a total of 210 lbs. It’s a machine with a sturdy construction, doesn’t require weight stacks for resistance as it uses Power Rods. It’s not exactly the most complete since it doesn’t have a lat bar, nor specific bars for butterfly exercises. However, the system covers more than 30 possible exercises, and offers an excellent value for the price.