Total Gym vs. Bowflex: What’s the Better Home Gym?

Last Updated on May 27, 2020 by Sam Corbin

is the Bowflex or Total Gym better

Bowflex vs. Total Gym? Well, when it comes to get a great workout in the comfort of your own home, choosing an awesome home gym is one of the first steps in the process.

With so many home gyms out there, though, how can you possibly know where to start?

We’ve got some good news for you, because we’ve narrowed it down to two of the best options on the market: The Total Gym and Bowflex.

If you’re looking for home gym options that are high-quality, offer a bunch of different muscle building workouts, and are affordable, then the Total Gym and Bowflex are two of the best places you can start.

Each brand brings very different things to the table, though, so let’s do a quick comparison of both the Total Gym and the Bowflex line of home gyms, so you can decide which machine is going to work best for you.

Before we dive into each of these home gyms, let’s take a quick look at the key differences between the two:

Key Differences Between Total Gym & Bowflex

key differences between total gym and bowflex home gyms

As you can probably tell in the pictures, the Total Gym and Bowflex Home Gyms are two very different machines.

While the Total Gym provides more of a body weight workout, Bowflex offers more of the traditional approach to weight lifting, but without the weights.

Biggest Differences

  • Style of Workout: Body Weight (Total Gym) vs Resistance Training (Bowflex)
  • Size: Check the Footprint to See Which One Fits in Your Space
  • Price: Total Gym Starts at Around $529, while a Bowflex home gym Starts at Around $799

The key take away here, is this: If you’re looking for more of the traditional strength training workout, through resistance, then Bowflex is probably the machine you’re looking for.

If you want a machine that uses your own body weight for resistance, and is easier to store, then the Total Gym may be your best option.

With that in mind, let’s look at both options, to give you a better idea about which each one has to offer.

1. Bowflex Home Gyms: Our Top Pick

a guy using his Bowflex home gym

PRICE: Check latest deals at Bowflex.com here

When it comes to picking a top-rated home gym, Bowflex is pretty much always our first choice. They’ve been in the home gym business for decades now, and during that time they’ve built a reputation for building high-quality, versatile, and affordable machines.

They currently have several models to pick from:

  • Revolution (Uses SpiraFlex Technology – learn more here)
  • Xtreme 2 SE (Uses the Famous Bowflex PowerRod Technology – get the details here)
  • HVT: Their Hybrid Velocity Trainer (HIIT Style Workouts)
  • Older Bowflex PowerRod Models Available on Amazon: PR1000, PR3000, Blaze)

Bowflex Home Gym Features

  • Multiple Workout Styles and Machines to Pick From
  • SpiraFlex of PowerRod Resistance
  • No Bulky Weights to Buy
  • Smaller Footprint Makes them Ideal for In-Home Use
  • 100+ Workout Options
  • More Than 400 Workout Variations
  • Up to 600 LBS of Resistance
  • Perfect for Beginners or Advanced Lifters
  • Bulk Up or Slim Down
  • HIIT-Style Workouts Available with HVT
  • Use Bowflex App for Free Customized Workouts
  • Get World-class Customer Support from Bowflex
  • Can Also Be Used with Other Bowflex Machines – Max Trainer, TreadClimber, SelectTech Dumbbells, & More!
  • Priced Right – Financing Available

Who Should Buy a Bowflex Over the Total Gym?

A guy does arm curls on his Revolution

The Total Gym is a very unique stye of workout, and definitely isn’t for everyone. Bowflex, on the other hand, offers a more traditional gym-setting style workout, which most of us are very used to. On top of that they have lots of different Bowflex machines to choose from, meaning they have an option for almost everyone.

My advice would be this – take a look at the Total Gym in action – we have a video of how it works below. You should be able to tell very quickly whether or not it’s going to be a machine that fits your needs and workout style.

If you prefer the traditional-style home gym, though, then Bowflex is probably going to be the machine for you.

Where to Buy

Think Bowflex is going to be your best fit?

Right now is a great time to lock in some awesome deals!

2. Total Gym

Price: Check latest Total Gym deals on their official website

Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley stand next to the total gym XLS

Total Gym (read our Total Gym reviews here) is the leader in compact home gym machines, and they’re even a personal favorite of Chuck Norris, so you know they’re legit!

They’ve been around for almost two decades now, and during that time they released multiple new versions of their already awesome home gym, and now offer multi models to choose from.

The good news is, they have a variety of pricing points and workout options, so they are built to fit almost any need and budget.

Here are the models Total Gym currently offers:

  • Supreme (Entry-Level Model)
  • XLS
  • FIT
  • GTS (Their Best Model)

Total Gym Features

a woman doing leg pulls on her Supreme

  • Four Models to Pick From
  • Also Have the Row Trainer and Optional Attachments
  • Up to 12 to 22 Levels of Resistance Depending on Model
  • 60 to 200+ Exercises Depending on Model
  • 275 LB to 650 User Weight Capacity
  • Shipped to You Fully Assembled!
  • Comes with Total Gym Workout DVD
  • Smooth Workout Motion That’s Easy on Your Joints
  • Can Accommodate Any Fitness Level
  • Use Your Body Weight for Resistance
  • Can Workout Every Part of Your Body
  • Try the Total Gym for 30 Days for Just $1!

Who Should Buy the Total Gym?

The Total Gym is an awesome low-impact workout option for many folks. You can hit as hard or as gently as you want, meaning you can ease into things if you’re a beginner, or you can ramp up the resistance if you’re already in shape.

Quickly check out this video of the Total Gym to see it in action, to help you decide if it’s right for you:

Basically, if you’re looking for a versatile, low-impact machine, that utilizes body weight and multiple resistance levels, then the Total Gym may be the machine for you.

It has a small footprint, is affordable, and offers a fun and unique way to get in your daily workout.

Where to Buy

Ready to put the power of the Total Gym to work for you?

At last check, they were offering a deal where you can try it for 30 days for just $1, but I’m not sure how long it’ll last.

Comparison Summary: Our Top Pick?

Both the Total Gym and Bowflex offer high-quality workout machines, with each bringing different options and styles to the table. Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either. It just depends on the style of workout you prefer, what your budget is, and what you want to get out of your home gym.

Either way, pick the machine that fits your needs, and get started on your fitness journey ASAP. Learn More about both options below:

Learn More About Bowflex Home Gyms:

Learn More About Total Gym:


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