Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym

Unit	Dimensions	Possible exercises	Weight range	Weight increments	Warranty
Bowflex PR3000 Check Discounted Price	L:64" W:41" H:83"	50+	5-210 lbs	5 lbs	Frame: 1 year Parts: 60 days Rods: 7 years

The Bowflex PR3000 home gym features a slightly different construction from the PR1000 model. First of all, the PR3000 doesn’t have the gliding seat thus, it doesn’t offer the possibility to perform rowing exercises. On the other hand, it features a higher amount of pulleys, and due to this fact, it opens up a wider array of exercises. In fact, this home gym machine allows you to perform over 50 exercises.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 64L x 41W x 83H inches (163L x 104W x 211H cm)
• Assembled weight: 157 lbs (71 kg)
• Max. user weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Resistance system: Power Rods
• Standard weight resistance: 210 lbs (95 kg)
• Possible exercises: 50+
• Warranty: Frame 1 year / Power Rods 7 years / Parts 60 days

Frame construction

The Bowflex PR3000 features a steel frame, sturdy enough to support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg). All its steel parts are double coated with anti-corrosive and scratch resistant paint.

Since it doesn’t integrate elements for aerobic rowing exercises, this Bowflex home gym is approx. 20″ shorter in depth than the Blaze model. It has a footprint of 64″L x 41″W (163 x 104 cm), and it’s 83″ (211 cm) tall. Now, considering that it’s almost 7′ tall, you might have problems setting it up in a room with a 7′ ceiling height. Thus, to avoid any related issues, it’s best to assemble it and use it in a room with a higher ceiling. Also, even though it has a smaller footprint than other home gym sets, it still requires a wider use area. You’ll actually need a 100″L x 78″W (254 x 199 cm) workout are for it to benefit from a correct leg extension during leg exercises, and to make sure the Power Rods won’t scratch the walls when they bend.

The PR3000 doesn’t have a folding frame as other models. However, the seat and leg attachment can be completely removed, in order to allow you to perform exercises such as triceps pushdowns, squats or kickbacks.

The machine features a compact base, which integrates a foot platform for various exercises. Due to its total weight (of 157 lbs), it’s quite stable, and shouldn’t wobble or move during exercises. Also, due to this fact it’s best to assemble it in the room where it will be in use, as it’s not exactly a machine meant to be transported when fully assembled.

Finally, the frame does include a lat tower and comes with a lat cross bar with pulleys attached to it. However, the gym system doesn’t include a lat pulldown bar. So, in order to do pulldowns, you’ll have to use the supplied hand grips. The option of a pulldown bar attachment is available though.

Bench

The bench of this machine doesn’t allow adjustments for 180° position exercises. However, the seat can be locked onto the support rail lower or higher from the floor, in order to accommodate users of all heights, or provide a more comfortable posture for certain exercises. The seat can also be removed completely, in order to facilitate squats or any other exercises that require standing up.

Both the seat and backrest feature a faux leather upholstery, with a 2″ cushioning, offering excellent comfort. The faux leather material is quite durable and should last for many years of use if treated with care.

Other parts

As opposed to the PR1000, the Bowflex PR3000 comes with several sets of extra pulleys which open quite a few more exercises. The pulleys are designed to rotate 360°. They are made of heavy-duty nylon material, and integrate industrial quality, sealed ball bearings for a prolonged lifespan. The cables supplied with the machine are actually stainless steel wire ropes, coated by a solid PVC sheet, and finished with chromed hooks and rings.

There are two sets of grips supplied with this Bowflex home gym: simple and adjustable. They offer various types of grips, including standard grip, hand cuff grip, foot grip, ankle grip and shoulder grip. Their handles are padded with a thin sheet of rubber foam for a comfortable grip and to prevent any damage to the hands.

The PR3000 includes a leg attachment. However, as opposed to the Blaze model, this only offers the possibility to perform leg extensions, and not leg curls. This part features 4″ roller cushions for all the comfort required during exercises. Just as the seat, the leg attachment can be removed.

One last accessory to be mentioned here is the exercise placard attached to the lat tower. It’s a neat element to have, as it offers the possibility for quick reference on various exercises that can be performed on this machine.

Weight Resistance

First of all, just like the other Bowflex home gyms, this particular model features the same Power Rod weight resistance system. It doesn’t require any weight stacks like most machines in commercial gyms. The resistance is given by a set of Power Rods. The machine’s cables attach to these rods which bend as you pull the handles, generating resistance.

The machine comes with a standard set of Power Rods of the following weight resistance:

• 2 x 5 lbs (2.26 kg)
• 4 x 10 lbs (4.5 kg)
• 2 x 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
• 2 x 50 lbs (22.6 kg)

Differently put, the standard rods supplied with the machine offer a total resistance of 210 lbs (95 kg). The resistance can be adjusted in increments of 5 lbs (2.26 kg) and up to 105 lbs (47.6 kg) for each side. However, the rods’ tray features two extra slots for two more 50 lbs (22.6 kg) rods, thus you can upgrade its maximum weight resistance range to a total of 310 lbs (140 kg).

The Bowflex rods are made of an extremely durable elastomer, and coated with a thin sheet of rubber material. There’s very little chance for them to break, and even so, they’re under warranty for 7 years for this machine. They’re also precision-machined; the rings to which the cable hooks attach are almost impossible to remove from the rods.

Possible Exercises

The Bowflex PR3000 supports more than 50 exercises. Some of the exercises that you can perform on this machine are:

Arm Exercises

• Triceps Pushdowns
• Triceps Extensions
• Triceps Kickbacks
• Seated Biceps Curls

Abdominal Exercises

• Seated (Resisted) Abdominal Crunches
• Trunk Rotations

Back Exercises

• Narrow Pulldowns
• Reverse Grip Pulldowns
• Stiff-Arm Pulldowns
• Standing Low Back Extensions

Chest Exercises

• Bench Presses
• Decline Bench Presses
• Incline Bench Presses

Leg Exercises

• Hip Flexions
• Leg Extensions
• Squats
• Standing Calf Raises
• Standing Hip Extensions (knee bent)
• Standing Hip Adductions
• Standing Hip Abductions

Shoulder Exercises

• Crossover High Rear Delt Rows
• Lateral Shoulder Raises
• Seated Shoulder Presses
• Shoulder Shrugs
• Shoulder Rotator Cuffs (internal)
• Shoulder Rotator Cuffs (external)

As we’ve mentioned above, the leg attachment doesn’t offer the possibility to perform leg curls. Also, since the bench doesn’t have a 180° setting, you cannot perform presses with your body positioned horizontally.

Butterfly exercises are possible on this machine. However, the butterfly presses won’t have the stability and the feel of the ones offered by a machine with bars specific for such exercises.

Assembly and Maintenance

The Bowflex PR3000 home gym machine is not too difficult to assemble, but due to the many parts, it may take a couple of hours. The manual offers step-by-step instructions for the assembly. However, only the two Allen wrenches required are included. You’ll need your own adjustable wrench and a Phillips screwdriver.

For maintenance it’s a good idea to unhook the Power Rods from the cables, so that they remain in straight, upright position. Other than this, you’ll just have to make sure that all the bolts and joints hold well together, and re-tighten them if possible.

The Pros

• Sturdy and stable frame, with most parts made of steel;
• Extremely durable pulleys, with sealed bearings for a prolonged lifespan;
• Durable upholstery on seat and backrest, with 2″ cushioning for maximum comfort;
• Leg attachment included;
• Lat tower included;
• 4″ cushioned rollers for the leg attachment;
• Two sets of handles, offering various types of grips;
• Innovative Power Rod weight resistance system, no weight stacks required;
• Up to 105 lbs of resistance per arm, 210 lbs in total;
• Upgrade possibilities up to 310 lbs of total weight;
• Workout placard depicting various exercises, attached to the lat tower of the machine, for quick reference;
• Over 50 exercises available;
• Easy to assemble;
• Quiet operation;
• Excellent warranty.

The Cons

• Not all tools for assembly are included;
• Doesn’t offer the possibility to perform leg curls;
• Pulldown bar not included.

Summary

The Bowflex PR3000 is an excellent home gym machine for anyone who doesn’t have the time to attend a gym. It has a weight resistance capacity of 210 lbs, with the possibility to upgrade to 310 lbs, thus being a machine for users of all levels. And finally, considering that it offers the possibility to perform more than 50 types of exercises, it offers an excellent value for the price.