Bowflex PR1000 Power Rod Resistance Home Gym
Last updated: November 29, 2023
The Bowflex PR1000 is a complete home gym that allows you to get a full-body workout all with one lightweight and convenient machine.
The key to how the Bowflex PR1000 offers resistance for you to train with is in its Power Rod technology. These rods are connected on one end to a cable that you use to bend the rods, essentially offering the resistance of a heavy-weight workout but with much lighter technology.
With multiple pully positions, you can define the angle of resistance that you get from the rods. The horizontal bench allows you to perform chest presses as you would on a normal weight bench, while the overhead pullies let you pull the load down to perform a variety of back exercises.
Along the same horizontal bench is a rolling seat that allows for rowing exercises as well, which are a great cardiovascular workout that incorporates many groups of muscles.
A leg attachment allows you to work your quads and hamstrings for lower-body work, while there are numerous options for exercising your biceps, triceps and shoulders simply by using the pully system to your advantage.
The amount of resistance that you can achieve from the Bowflex PR1000 is up to 210 pounds.
The bench seat folds up for compact storage, taking up approximately 86″ in vertical height when in its collapsed position.
For a user-friendly feature, they have added a media rack that can hold your tablet or smartphone. Following along with workouts that Bowflex creates or even just following your favorite digital exercise routine, this media rack places your screen directly where you are able to use it the best.
The padded handles that you grab onto to perform your exercises are easy on your hands and they offer a natural rotation that allows you to have neutral grips and practice safe and healthy ranges of motion.
This home gym system will let you pull weight down from above, use a leg attachment for hamstring and quad work, dial in an adjustable bench that allows you to hit all the angles of your chest and even has a sliding bench seat for rows. With the added perks of a tablet or smartphone holder and a bench that folds up for convenient storage, this is a highly versatile and effective home gym. The Bowflex PR1000 is a complete home gym that allows you to get a full-body workout all with one lightweight and convenient machine. The key to how the Bowflex PR1000 offers resistance for you to train with is in its Power Rod technology. These rods are connected on one end to a cable that you use to bend the rods, essentially offering the resistance of a heavy-weight workout but with much lighter technology. With multiple pully positions, you can define the angle of resistance that you get from the rods. The horizontal bench allows you to perform chest presses as you would on a normal weight bench, while the overhead pullies let you pull the load down to perform a variety of back exercises. Along the same horizontal bench is a rolling seat that allows for rowing exercises as well, which are a great cardiovascular workout that incorporates many groups of muscles. A leg attachment allows you to work your quads and hamstrings for lower-body work, while there are numerous options for exercising your biceps, triceps and shoulders simply by using the pully system to your advantage. The amount of resistance that you can achieve from the Bowflex PR1000 is up to 210 pounds. The bench seat folds up for compact storage, taking up approximately 86″ in vertical height when in its collapsed position. For a user-friendly feature, they have added a media rack that can hold your tablet or smartphone. Following along with workouts that Bowflex creates or even just following your favorite digital exercise routine, this media rack places your screen directly where you are able to use it the best. The padded handles that you grab onto to perform your exercises are easy on your hands and they offer a natural rotation that allows you to have neutral grips and practice safe and healthy ranges of motion. The Bowflex PR1000 is a complete home gym that allows you to get a full-body workout all with one lightweight and convenient machine. The key to how the Bowflex PR1000 offers resistance for you to train with is in its Power Rod technology. These rods are connected on one end to a cable that you use to bend the rods, essentially offering the resistance of a heavy-weight workout but with much lighter technology. With multiple pully positions, you can define the angle of resistance that you get from the rods. The horizontal bench allows you to perform chest presses as you would on a normal weight bench, while the overhead pullies let you pull the load down to perform a variety of back exercises. Along the same horizontal bench is a rolling seat that allows for rowing exercises as well, which are a great cardiovascular workout that incorporates many groups of muscles. A leg attachment allows you to work your quads and hamstrings for lower-body work, while there are numerous options for exercising your biceps, triceps and shoulders simply by using the pully system to your advantage. The amount of resistance that you can achieve from the Bowflex PR1000 is up to 210 pounds. The bench seat folds up for compact storage, taking up approximately 86″ in vertical height when in its collapsed position. For a user-friendly feature, they have added a media rack that can hold your tablet or smartphone. Following along with workouts that Bowflex creates or even just following your favorite digital exercise routine, this media rack places your screen directly where you are able to use it the best. The padded handles that you grab onto to perform your exercises are easy on your hands and they offer a natural rotation that allows you to have neutral grips and practice safe and healthy ranges of motion. The Bowflex PR1000 is a complete home gym that allows you to get a full-body workout all with one lightweight and convenient machine. The key to how the Bowflex PR1000 offers resistance for you to train with is in its Power Rod technology. These rods are connected on one end to a cable that you use to bend the rods, essentially offering the resistance of a heavy-weight workout but with much lighter technology. With multiple pully positions, you can define the angle of resistance that you get from the rods. The horizontal bench allows you to perform chest presses as you would on a normal weight bench, while the overhead pullies let you pull the load down to perform a variety of back exercises. Along the same horizontal bench is a rolling seat that allows for rowing exercises as well, which are a great cardiovascular workout that incorporates many groups of muscles. A leg attachment allows you to work your quads and hamstrings for lower-body work, while there are numerous options for exercising your biceps, triceps and shoulders simply by using the pully system to your advantage. The amount of resistance that you can achieve from the Bowflex PR1000 is up to 210 pounds. The bench seat folds up for compact storage, taking up approximately 86″ in vertical height when in its collapsed position. For a user-friendly feature, they have added a media rack that can hold your tablet or smartphone. Following along with workouts that Bowflex creates or even just following your favorite digital exercise routine, this media rack places your screen directly where you are able to use it the best. The padded handles that you grab onto to perform your exercises are easy on your hands and they offer a natural rotation that allows you to have neutral grips and practice safe and healthy ranges of motion. The Bowflex PR1000 is a complete home gym that allows you to get a full-body workout all with one lightweight and convenient machine. The key to how the Bowflex PR1000 offers resistance for you to train with is in its Power Rod technology. These rods are connected on one end to a cable that you use to bend the rods, essentially offering the resistance of a heavy-weight workout but with much lighter technology. With multiple pully positions, you can define the angle of resistance that you get from the rods. The horizontal bench allows you to perform chest presses as you would on a normal weight bench, while the overhead pullies let you pull the load down to perform a variety of back exercises. Along the same horizontal bench is a rolling seat that allows for rowing exercises as well, which are a great cardiovascular workout that incorporates many groups of muscles. A leg attachment allows you to work your quads and hamstrings for lower-body work, while there are numerous options for exercising your biceps, triceps and shoulders simply by using the pully system to your advantage. The amount of resistance that you can achieve from the Bowflex PR1000 is up to 210 pounds. The bench seat folds up for compact storage, taking up approximately 86″ in vertical height when in its collapsed position. For a user-friendly feature, they have added a media rack that can hold your tablet or smartphone. Following along with workouts that Bowflex creates or even just following your favorite digital exercise routine, this media rack places your screen directly where you are able to use it the best. The padded handles that you grab onto to perform your exercises are easy on your hands and they offer a natural rotation that allows you to have neutral grips and practice safe and healthy ranges of motion. The Bowflex PR1000 is a complete home gym that allows you to get a full-body workout all with one lightweight and convenient machine. The key to how the Bowflex PR1000 offers resistance for you to train with is in its Power Rod technology. These rods are connected on one end to a cable that you use to bend the rods, essentially offering the resistance of a heavy-weight workout but with much lighter technology. With multiple pully positions, you can define the angle of resistance that you get from the rods. The horizontal bench allows you to perform chest presses as you would on a normal weight bench, while the overhead pullies let you pull the load down to perform a variety of back exercises. Along the same horizontal bench is a rolling seat that allows for rowing exercises as well, which are a great cardiovascular workout that incorporates many groups of muscles. A leg attachment allows you to work your quads and hamstrings for lower-body work, while there are numerous options for exercising your biceps, triceps and shoulders simply by using the pully system to your advantage. The amount of resistance that you can achieve from the Bowflex PR1000 is up to 210 pounds. The bench seat folds up for compact storage, taking up approximately 86″ in vertical height when in its collapsed position. For a user-friendly feature, they have added a media rack that can hold your tablet or smartphone. Following along with workouts that Bowflex creates or even just following your favorite digital exercise routine, this media rack places your screen directly where you are able to use it the best. The padded handles that you grab onto to perform your exercises are easy on your hands and they offer a natural rotation that allows you to have neutral grips and practice safe and healthy ranges of motion.
We looked at the top Home Gyms and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Home Gym you should buy.
Product Details
From The Manufacturer
The Bowflex PR1000 home gym helps strengthen your muscles and add a bit of cardio training to the mix with over 25 strength exercises and a built-in rowing station. With up to 210 pounds of Power Rod resistance, this versatile machine helps work the abs, arms, chest, back, shoulders, and lower body.
Our Expert Consultant
Stephanie Mansour
Certified Personal Trainer, Health and Wellness Expert
Certified Personal Trainer, Health and Wellness Expert
Stephanie Mansour, host of “Step It Up with Steph” on public broadcasting, has been coaching women for over a decade on how to lose weight and make it last. She has a Bachelor of Arts in communications with an emphasis on women’s studies and psychology from the University of Michigan. She holds certifications in life coaching, personal training, yoga and Pilates.
Expert Reviews
What reviewers liked
The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym markets itself as being able to provide over 30 different exercises. The exercises hit every major muscle group with upper, mid-range and lower pulleys.
Using the Bowflex PR1000, you can expect to perform as many as 30 different exercises with as many as 210 pounds of resistance.
I also really liked the seat on the PR1000. Bowflex uses this premium durafirm leather padding which is comfortable, tear-resistant, and won’t wear out. It’s nice to sit on and provides good support for the back during your workouts.
The best feature of the Bowflex PR1000 home gym is the folding option that allows you to store your equipment in a small space, particularly if you don’t have much room in your house or apartment.
One of the positives that comes with the Bowflex PR1000 are its various warranty perks. Bowflex power rods come with a five year warranty, and can be replaced due to any durability, or wear and tear issues.
- Bar Bend
The rods offer you a distinct advantage, as you can perform high-impact moves without issue and go from low to maximum resistance quickly. Also, the rolling seat gives you more exercise options and helps you to safely perform.
We love the overall built-quality and impressive design of the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym.
Finally, I also like the fact that it can easily be folded away when not in use, and comes with a 1-year warranty on the frame and a 5-year warranty on the Power Rods in case anything goes wrong.
Another clever design feature that makes storage much easier when not in use is the foldable seat rail. By simply lifting the rail up at the front, the bench and rail can be folded vertically and locked in place at the seat rail bracket, reducing the amount of floor space required.
The Pr1000 is not difficult to assemble. With the help of the instructions manual and a few tools and screwdrivers, the entire process can take between 2-3 hours if one person is assembling the entire machine.
The resistance is completely good for the body because it doesn’t pose any risks and injuries found from free weights. It could feel even better than traditional weight lifting. You don’t have to worry about your joints experiencing fatigue found from ordinary free weights.
The weights are easily adjustable, and the simple hooking unhooking mechanism for Power Rods make it a lot more comfortable to increase or decrease weights. The rods are labeled so you’ll always know which one to use.
The PR1000 cable component is excellent for working out stabilization muscles that may not be as activated with free weight exercises, since the cables provide constant tension throughout each movement.
- MMA Life
It is also great for people who are tight on space, as the folding feature will give you the extra space that you will love.
The Bowflex pr1000 Home Gym comes with a built-in rowing machine for a two in one experience. Rowing is one of the healthiest sports that can be done aside from swimming. This is because rowing is a non-impact sport with help gently strengthen your joints and tissues.
The PR1000 offers an abundant number of exercises that allow you to get in a full-body workout. One important thing to keep in mind is that all these exercises are done using its double cable pulley system.
Both seat and backrest parts feature a durable, black/red faux leather upholstery, and a 2″ cushioning. All in all, the bench offers all the comfort required for the exercises that can be performed on this machine.
We do really like how the Bowflex PR1000 Homy Gym uses power rod technology to provide you with up to 210 pounds of resistance. The fact that you get so much resistance without all of the added weight of weight stacks or free weights is definitely a big bonus.
- Fit & Me
The resistance system of the Bowflex PR1000 is a unique one. It is made up of rods and cables that could be hooked Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym Reviewup on any of the rods depending on the level of resistance you want.
One thing we do like, however, is that it folds up for easy storage. The process of folding and unfolding it is pretty quick and easy too, so it’s not much of hassle to do it before and after each workout if necessary.
The PR1000 is a great choice for almost anyone looking for a decent full-body workout in the comfort of your own home.
The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym is one of the best home gyms available. Priced at just under $400, it’s certainly affordable for those wanting to get in shape on a budget.
If you are space saver and want to a space saver home gym machine Bowflex PR1000 is surely perfect for you.
The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym is one of the most versatile pieces of exercise equipment for home use. Solid and heavy-duty, it comes with several detachable parts, including a horizontal bench press that can be rotated to use as a decline or incline bench.
Ideal for beginners and intermediate users
The Bowflex PR1000 uses their patented resistance system called Power Rods. This is a unique feature of this machine and makes it stand out in front of other Home Gyms. Using this feature is pretty easy.
- Near Fox
Likewise, this is one of the most affordable Bowflex models available in the market today.
It’s made of high caliber and overwhelming obligation materials to make it solid and sufficiently solid notwithstanding for a 300 pound person. It is anything but difficult to utilize and it works unobtrusively.
What reviewers didn't like
First, it might never be an issue for you but the resistance can’t go above 210 lbs. and it cannot be upgraded like other Bowflex models.
The warranty is rather limited, only protecting the frame for one year and the rods for five years.
Not a good choice for those looking to build major muscle
A couple customer complaints about misleading weight readings
This machine may not be the best for the advanced strength athlete, but it definitely holds its own for providing a simple and versatile workout approach.
- Bar Bend
A bit large and heavy, so it may not fit in small apartments or rooms.
The resistance cannot be upgraded beyond 210 pounds.
With regards to the negatives, the only real drawback is that 210 lbs is literally the maximum resistance available. No more rods can be added and it is not possible for the machine to be modified or upgraded in any way.
Limited range of exercises for working your hamstrings
Not many instructions for doing different exercises
For any guy looking to gain more weight, this can be a problem. It may not be enough weight in order to really get into bodybuilding.
The maximum power rod resistance is 210 lbs, not the best for advanced muscle builders.
Many people experienced weight-lifters may wonder if the PR1000 is upgradable. The answer sadly is no.
- MMA Life
You can not upgrade this model to any additional weight
The only valid criticism of the Bowflex pr1000 is that the bench press is not as sturdy as it should be, a fact which will bother many who are used to sturdy bench presses when lifting.
Tools for assembly not included.
While the Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym does allow for over 30 different exercises, there are other mid range models out there which allow for over 50, 60, or even 70 exercises. The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym is not ideal for really serious weightlifters because of this.
- Fit & Me
First, the resistance system cannot be officially upgraded to more than 210 pounds weight, even though I have seen someone who has upgraded to 410 but at owners risks though.
If you are looking to do serious bodybuilding, or otherwise stack on muscle, then this machine probably isn’t right for you.
The PR1000 has a maximum weight limit of 300 pounds, so you will want to keep that in mind before making the purchase.
The machine weighs 400 pounds and requires multiple people to move it
The resistance level is not perfect for an advanced level of fitness lovers.
The resistance of 210 lbs is considered a bit low if you are in it for the long run.
- Near Fox
A major concern for some people who own this machine is that it’s maximum resistance level of 210 pounds is not enough for serious bodybuilders and appeals only to casual fitness enthusiasts.
While PR1000 Fitness Equipment gives full body work out, its resistance for doing your legs is not that viable. A few clients might think about its size as a drawback however it can likewise go generally considering the quantity of activities it can offer due to it.
View our Home Gym buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.