The Bowflex Xtreme 2 and the discontinued Bowflex Sport both offer progressive Power Rod resistance. The "progressive" aspect may take some getting used to, because the farther you move through the range of motion, the more resistance the Power Rods offer. If you find that you like this type of resistance and are ready to purchase a Bowflex home gym, choosing between the two comes down to picking which features appeal to you the most and deciding whether you're willing to pay the higher price for a new machine with a warranty.
Dimensions
The Bowflex Sport is actually larger than the Xtreme 2, but folds slightly smaller than the Xtreme 2 when not in use. The Sport measures 90-by-38-by-83-inches when deployed for use, and 52-by-38-by-83 inches when folded. The Xtreme 2 measures 58-by-49-by-83-inches high. The main reason for the size difference is the Xtreme 2's upright bench design, as opposed to the Bowflex Sport's more typical flat bench.
Resistance & Attachments
Both home gyms come with a standard 210 lbs. of Power Rod resistance, and can be upgraded to either 310 or 410 lbs. of total resistance. Despite the difference in their bench design, both Bowflex gyms have the same general attachments, including a leg developer for doing leg curls and extensions and a lat tower for lat pulldowns and triceps pushdowns. In terms of switching between exercises, the Xtreme 2 features a "no-change pulley system" to make switching between each exercise configuration faster and easier.
Features
Both the Bowflex Sport and Xtreme 2 have a squat station that allows you to use low pulleys for not just squats but other exercises, such as upright rows and curls. The Xtreme 2 also comes with optional preacher curl and gym-style ab attachments. The Xtreme 2 lacks two useful features that come with the Sport's flat bench, which allow you to remove the bench back and adjust the seat to slide freely back and forth on the mounting rail. You can then either attach a belt around your hips to perform leg presses while sitting on the sliding seat or use a bar handle to perform cardio rowing, as if you were on a rowing ergometer at the gym.
The Bottom Line
At the time of publication, the Bowflex Xtreme 2 retails for about $1,600. The Bowflex Sport is now discontinued, but retailed for less than $1,000 when it was taken out of production. The Bowflex Sport's larger size is balanced out by its ability to fold while not in use and, if cost is your bottom line, a second-hand Sport model is the best buy. Don't discount the seven-year limited warranty you get when purchasing a new Xtreme 2 model. The Bowflex warranty doesn't transfer to a second buyer, so if you buy a used Sport, you're on your own for any maintenance costs that crop up.
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