The Bowflex Xtreme is a complete home gym that works every major muscle group in your body and isolates some smaller muscles, including the biceps and triceps. Retail priced at about $1,300 as of May 2010, the Bowflex Xtreme provides over 65 exercises. It is 83 inches tall, 58 inches long, 49 inches wide and supports a maximum user weight of 300 lbs.
Power Rods
Power Rods, Bowflex's trademark resistance system, offer progressive resistance. There is relatively little resistance in the early range of motion, increasing progressively as your efforts on the Bowflex handles flex the Power Rods further. The rods are fixed in a rod box at the rear base of the unit. Pulleys connect cables from the rod tips to the handles you pull or push on during your workout.
Pulleys
The Bowflex Xtreme has a total of six pulleys, located in pairs in three different positions. Switching between these pulleys accommodates various exercises. Use the squat pulleys, at the very bottom front of the frame, for exercises like squats, leg extensions and rows. The standard-position pulleys on the center cross bar are ideal for chest presses and reverse flys. The high pulleys on the lat tower work for all pulling exercises including lat pull-downs.
Seat Pads
The seat back and seat do more than just keep you comfortable as you work out. They also give you feedback on your positioning. If you feel your back arching away from the back pad, or your hips lifting up off the seat, you need to adjust your lifting technique. Likewise, if you can feel your entire back pressing against the seat back, you need to stop and adjust your form; there should always be a slight, neutral curve in your lower back.
Leg Attachment
The optional leg attachment, with padded knee and ankle bars, attaches just in front of the seat and facilitates leg extensions and leg curls.
Lat Bar
Use the 50-inch long lat bar or lat handle, included with your Bowflex Xtreme, to perform lat pull-downs and other wide-grip pull-down exercises.
