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woman using Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE home gym

Workout routines

my honest review of the bowflex xtreme 2 se home gym

By Barbara Walters

Published: 11 May 2025

So, here's the thing. I've always been a bit of a homebody. I love my comfy couch, a good book, and the occasional glass of wine. But lately, I've been feeling…blah. Like, really blah. The usual Netflix binges weren't cutting it. My jeans felt a little tighter. And frankly, my energy levels were in the basement. Something had to change. That's where the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym comes in. Or, should I say, almost comes in. It was like this massive beast of a machine arrived at my doorstep. (More on that later!)

A woman looking slightly overwhelmed by a large piece of exercise equipment | Image: Supplied

First Impressions: Holy Smokes, That's Big!

Let's just get this out of the way – this thing is HUGE. I wasn't fully prepared for the sheer scale of it. My initial reaction was somewhere between impressed and slightly terrified. Unboxing it was a workout in itself, let me tell you. My poor neighbor, bless his heart, ended up giving me a hand, which I deeply appreciated. The instructions? A bit cryptic at times – I had to watch some YouTube videos to figure out certain parts. But, I finally managed to get the whole thing assembled (mostly, anyway!), and then... I was just staring at it. Like, 'Okay...now what?'

A woman assembling a Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym, looking slightly puzzled | Image: Supplied

Putting It To The Test: My Honest Workout Experience

Okay, deep breaths. So, I started slow. Very slow. I wasn’t trying to be some sort of gym superhero from day one. The sheer amount of exercises you can do with this thing is impressive. I used the Bowflex app quite a bit to guide me. I started with the suggested beginner workouts. I have to admit that, after the first few workouts, I was actually pretty sore! This was great. I felt I'd actually accomplished something. I was sweating, I felt stronger, and most importantly, it was actually FUN. It wasn't like slogging through a boring cardio session. It really helps to have variety. I mixed it up, sometimes focusing on upper body, then lower body, and some days even doing some of the full-body exercises.

A woman using the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym, looking happy and energetic | Image: Supplied

What I Loved:

Versatility: This thing is a beast! You can do so many different exercises. Seriously, it feels like it has endless possibilities.
Space-Saving (sort of): Yes, it's big. But compared to having a full home gym, it's remarkably compact.
Workout Variety: I've used other home gym equipment, and it felt repetitive. The Bowflex really keeps it interesting.
The Bowflex App: The app is super helpful, especially for a newbie like me. It guides you through workouts, tracks your progress, and offers different training plans.

What Could Be Better:

Assembly: Let's just say, plan for a few hours. And maybe have a friend help!
Instruction Manual: The instructions could use some serious improvement. I found the YouTube tutorials way more useful.
Price: It's an investment, no doubt about it. But if you think about the cost of a gym membership over many years, it starts to feel a bit more reasonable. (At least I told myself that!),

The Verdict: Is the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Right for You?

Honestly? It depends. If you're serious about working out at home and have the space (and budget!), then I think it's amazing. It really is a total-body workout machine. If you're looking for something quick and easy, this probably isn't for you. But, if you're dedicated to fitness and want a comprehensive home gym experience without breaking the bank on a monthly gym membership then, yeah, I'd definitely recommend it. Just be prepared for the assembly process to be a bit of a saga! I ended up accidentally using a hammer to put on a bolt where a screwdriver was actually needed...oops! I fixed it of course! I was already sweating from the effort.