Are you looking for a way to get in shape during this Covid-19 quarantine? Then a home gym is what you’re looking for. These gyms equipment provide a range of exercises, from bench presses to squats, and cut down on gym membership costs.
Two such products, the Soloflex and the Bowflex stand out as highly advanced and premium quality home gyms. Each of these has its own benefits, including a wide range of exercises and highly innovative technologies.
But only one can stand as the best home gym. A lot of people get confused as to whether they should buy the Soloflex or Bowflex.
And we’re here to end that confusion. Below is our in-depth review comparison between Soloflex vs Bowflex home gyms.
Table of Comparison: Soloflex Vs Bowflex
Specs | Soloflex Home Gym | Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE |
|---|---|---|
Resistance Type | Weighted Rubber Straps | Patented Power Rods |
Weight Capacity | 405 lbs | 300 lbs |
Exercise Variety | 30 (can be extended with add-ons) | 70+ |
Product Dimensions | 48 x 48 x 72 inches | 53 x 49 x 83.25 inches |
Product Weight | 176 lbs | 210 lbs to 410 lbs |
Made for Squats | 20$ | 1 Piece |
Price |
Soloflex Muscle Machine Review
If you’re the type of person that prefers workout diversity, look no further than the Soloflex. The Soloflex Home Gym offers up to 30 different workouts, including bench presses and pull-down exercises. Equipped with weight straps that can support up to 405 lbs, the Soloflex’s selling point is the incredible balance of weights.
But if you’re looking for a lower-end home gym that doesn’t cost much, then the Soloflex isn’t for you. However, consider that a home gym cuts down the running cost of a gym membership. And you can get the best Soloflex workout experience even years after you buy it.
What sets the Solo flex exercise machine aside is the number of add-ons and attachments you can use on it. You also get a light barbell along with a fully adjustable workout bench.
The Soloflex Muscle Machine is also quite compact, at a mere 4 feet wide and 6 feet tall. And setup is a breeze, although not as easy as you’d prefer.
However, if you find the Soloflex a bit costly, you can find some used Soloflex machines for sale. They just work as good as the new one.
What we like
What we don't like
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym Review
Now onto something a little more innovative. Bowflex’s Xtreme 2SE is considered as one of the best from all of their older models. It is here that you get to see the pinnacle of their patented power rod resistance system.
This is a signature of Bowflex products, save for a few newer ones. The rods are what provide the resistance you need for a decent workout. You must connect the cables to the rods you want to use and get started with your exercise.
Some people may have trouble with this new system, but after a few days, you’ll get the hang of it. They offer a smoother, more secure, and very joint-friendly workout routine.
From the manual, you can easily deduce that this home gym is designed for 70+ exercises. You also get a decent load of accessories along with it like the ab crunch shoulder harness. And to top it all off, the Bowflex home gym features a lat pull-down bar as well as a separate squat bar.
Also, to make assembly and usage easier, the Bowflex 2SE comes with a quick-change system. This means that switching cables and pulleys for the next exercise is more comfortable as compared to predecessors.
What we like
What we don't like
What Are The Differences Between Soloflex and Bowflex?
Since both fall within the same type of exercise equipment, here’s a full comparison of Soloflex vs Bowflex home gyms:
1. Resistance Type
Soloflex home gyms mostly use weighted rubber that they call “weight straps.” These are similar to free metal weights, but they aren’t as hard. So the impact is low in the Soloflex vs free weights, but the resistance will still be there.
The Bowflex, on the other hand, uses its own patented power rod technology. This system is more advanced but has a higher learning curve.
2. Exercise Variety
When it comes to exercise variety, a typical Bowflex machine offers more than other Bowflex competitors. The Bowflex offers up to 70+ exercises, whereas the Soloflex only offers 30 exercises.
But just because something is offered doesn’t mean you need it. In fact, a lot of people will just be satisfied with 30 to 40 exercises.
3. Portability
Taking a closer look at our Soloflex review, it’s safe to say that Soloflex is more portable. This is because Soloflex products use weighted rubber straps, which are small and don’t require a lot of cables.
The Bowflex, however, uses power rods that take up space. And there’s an ample amount of pulleys and cables required to hoist these rods.
4. Weight Capacity
When it comes to weight capacity, the Soloflex is better than Bowflex because it offers a higher weight limit of 405 lbs. On the other hand, the Bowflex 2 SE home gym has a weight limit of 300 pounds.
5. Brand's Models
The Soloflex company offers just one model, plus a retro version of the Soloflex Muscle Machine. However, the Bowflex manufacturer provides a variety of models with different price tags and features including the Bowflex Blaze, Bowflex PR3000, Bowflex Revolution and more.
6. Product Weight
Finally, we look at the product’s weight. Bowflex is the heavier of the two, weighing in at 210 lbs. The Soloflex, on the other hand, only weighs about 176 lbs. Lower weight will help when carrying and setting up the product.
Conclusion – Which One Should You Buy?
So the time has finally come. Which one is the better pick: Soloflex vs Bowflex home gyms?
From a practical consumer’s point of view, the Bowflex 2SE is the Editor’s Choice.
This is for a few reasons. Firstly, a majority of the users are satisfied with the wide variety of exercises. And secondly, it comes at a lower price.
Regardless of what you choose, remember to stay indoors and stay safe!