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The Bowflex Xceed and PR1000 are home gym systems with a few important differences. Find out what these are and what option the smarter choice is.
Some of the main differences between the Bowflex Xceed and PR1000 are that the Bowflex Xceed has the option to add resistance rods, a squat bar, pulleys close to the ground, a slightly more compact workout area, and a somewhat more budget-friendly price.
On the other side, the Bowflex PR1000 is slightly more compact in terms of storage. It also has a horizontal weight bench and an “aerobic rower” (but you should not expect too much from this).
You will very likely prefer the Bowflex Xceed. This home gym system is better in most ways that matter.
Some potential exceptions are if you really want the horizontal weight bench, really want the aerobic rower, don’t mind the lower resistance ceiling, and don’t mind not being able to do leg exercises like squats and deadlifts.
In that case, you could consider the Bowflex PR1000.
Most important differences Bowflex Xceed vs PR1000
The Bowflex Xceed and PR1000 are two different home gyms. Because of the changes in certain areas, one or the other could be better for your personal situation.
At the same time, not all of the differences are equally important. In the first table below you can find the ones that are most likely to play a role in your decision.
| Feature | Bowflex Xceed | Bowflex PR1000 |
|---|---|---|
| Power Rod Upgradability | To 310 lbs (140.61 kg) or 410 lbs (185.97 kg) | No Upgrades |
| Squat Bar | Yes | No |
| Product Dimensions | 53″ L x 49″ W x 82″ H | 82″ L x 38″ W x 82″ H |
| Folded Footprint | Not Foldable | 44.7″ L x 38″ W x 82″ H |
| Price Category* | $$ | $$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Price category at the time of writing
Other features Bowflex Xceed and PR1000
Before choosing either the Bowflex Xceed or PR1000 you may also want to know about the smaller differences and common features. These can be important for some people and situations.
| Feature | Bowflex Xceed | Bowflex PR1000 |
|---|---|---|
| User Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136.08 kg) | 300 lbs (136.08 kg) |
| Power Rod Resistance | 210 lbs (95.24 kg) | 210 lbs (95.24 kg) |
| Quick Change System (No Cable Change) | No | No |
| Weight | 157 lb (71.21 kg) | 131 lbs (59.5 kg) |
| Transport Wheels | No | No |
| Chest Exercises | 4 | 3 |
| Shoulder Exercises | 15 | 4 |
| Back Exercises | 14 | 5 |
| Arm Exercises | 18 | 4 |
| Abdominal (Ab) Exercises | 1 | 2 |
| Leg Exercises | 11 | 6 |
| Bench Press | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Number Of Exercises* | 65+ | 24+ |
| Aerobic Rowing | No | Yes |
| Media Rack | No | Yes |
| Instructional Placard | No | No |
| Warranties** | 5 Years Power Rods Warranty, 1 Year Frame Warranty, 60 Days Parts Warranty | 5 Years Power Rods Warranty, 1 Year Frame Warranty, 60 Days Parts Warranty |
*Number of exercises mentioned in the user manual
**Warranties can vary from seller to seller
Differences Bowflex Xceed vs PR1000 explained in-depth
People who are experienced with resistance training and know their workout goals can likely make a decision between the Bowflex Xceed and PR1000 by taking a look at the differences and prices.
It is also possible that you are still somewhat unsure about why certain features matter or to what extent they should influence your decision.
Power rod upgradeability
One of the main principles of exercise, especially resistance training, is challenging your body enough. This starts a variety of internal processes that can make you stronger, healthier, and happier in the long term.
If your home gym system does not offer enough of a challenge you will not grow and strengthen your muscles at all, have to train a lot more to see the same results, and/or see results a lot slower.
That is why this first difference between the Bowflex Xceed and PR1000 is already enough for stronger indivdiuals to find out the right choice for them.
Both home gyms come with 210 lbs (95.24 kg) of power rod resistance.
The difference is that the Bowflex Xceed allows you to add Power Rod Upgrade Options to increase the resistance to 310 lbs (140.61 kg) or even 410 lbs (185.97 kg).
You don’t have these extra resistance options with the Bowflex PR1000. This home gym can still offer solid workouts for many individuals and many exercises.
However, if you plan to do any exercises where you lift more than 210 lbs (95.24 kg), the Bowflex Xceed becomes the better choice. Challenging yourself enough is an important principle of resistance training.
Winner: Bowflex Xceed
Squat bar
The next difference that definitely deserves a mention is that the Bowflex Xceed comes with a squat bar whereas the Bowflex PR1000 does not have this.
This squat bar is not necessarily such a valuable piece of fitness equipment.
However, it is the part where it becomes clear that you don’t have the ability to do important compound lifts like squats and deadlifts with the Bowflex PR1000.
The Bowflex PR1000 still allows you to do a form of leg presses with a belt and other leg exercises.
However, squats and deadlifts are nice additions to resistance training workout routines for many people. The Bowflex Xceed does allow you to do these movements.
Winner: Bowflex Xceed
Bowflex Xceed and PR1000 exercises
The user manuals of both the Bowflex Xceed and PR1000 come with exercise examples. You can find how many exercises are listed for each body part in the table with other features.
One reason why these numbers are not in the most important differences table is that these manuals do not include all the options out there. There are other exercises and variations you can do with each machine.
Additionally, having more exercise options does not necessarily result in more muscle growth and strength increases.
Someone who only does weighted squats can build more or less just as much leg muscle as individuals who do weighted lunges, step-ups, and pistol squats.
So the Bowflex Xceed may have 14 shoulder exercises in the manual and the Bowflex PR1000 only has 4. However, not considering the resistance options, the PR1000 can help you grow and strengthen your shoulders a lot too.
That being said, as mentioned before, the Bowflex PR1000 does not offer the greatest leg workouts due to the lack of pulleys close to the ground. You can do a leg press with a belt but this is not ideal for really training your leg muscles.
On the other hand, you may like the horizontal weight bench of the Bowflex PR1000. This is more convenient than the vertical bench of the Bowflex Xceed if you want to use other equipment options like dumbbells.
Winner: Bowflex Xceed
Price
At this point, most people will prefer the features of the Bowflex Xceed. However, when choosing a home gym its price typically matters too. This aspect may change your preference.
The exact price difference will depend on where you get your home gyms and can change over time. That being said, at the time of writing, the Bowflex Xceed is a decent amount more budget-friendly than the Bowflex PR1000.
Something to note is that extra resistance rods for the Bowflex Xceed do require an extra investment.
Winner: Bowflex Xceed
Dimensions
There are also some small differences in dimensions between the Bowflex Xceed and Bowflex PR1000. These are relatively small but could make a difference for people with limited workout space.
The Bowflex Xceed takes in 53″ L x 49″ W x 82″ H (134.6 cm L x 124.5 cm W x 208.3 cm H). When it comes to workout space, Bowflex recommends a 96″ L x 78″ W (243.8 cm L x 198.1 cm W) surface area.
The Bowflex PR1000 has slightly bigger dimensions at 82″ L x 38″ W x 82″ H (208.3 cm L x 96.5 cm W x 208.3 cm H) with the bench down. This leads to a recommended workout space of 103″ L x 80″ W (261.6 cm L x 203.2 cm W).
However, you can fold up the bench of the PR1000. This leads to a more compact construction of 44.7″ L x 38″ W x 82″ H (113.5 cm L x 96.5 cm W x 208.3 cm H).
In short, the Bowflex Xceed is slightly more compact to use. This can be useful for small workout spaces.
Because of its foldability, the Bowflex PR1000 offers slightly more compact storage. This can be helpful if you want to use your workout space for other purposes too.
Winner: Bowflex Xceed during usage
Winner: Bowflex PR1000 during storage
User reviews
When comparing two similar products from the same brand like the Bowflex Xceed and PR1000, the feature and price differences are often enough to find out what option is the best for you.
Even so, user reviews sometimes uncover unexpected downsides and trends in quality issues. In the case of the Bowflex Xceed and PR1000, the reviews are very similar.
Some people note that these home gym devices will not be the same as a gym workout. At the same time, it can be effective anyway.
Additionally, there are some exceptional mentions of the resistance rods losing resistance after a few months. The resistance of the rods will also not be as consistent as something like a cable machine.
In the case of the Bowflex PR1000, you want to keep in mind that the aerobic rowing is not that impressive. It is definitely a long way from actual rowing workouts.
That being said, overall, customers are still really happy with both the Bowflex Xceed and PR1000. Customers tend to be satisfied with how many body parts you can work with so little space.
Is the Bowflex Xceed or PR1000 better for you?
In short, the Bowflex Xceed has power rod upgradability, a squat bar, pulleys close to the ground, a more compact workout area, and a price that is a decent amount more budget-friendly.
The main benefit of the Bowflex PR1000 is that it is slightly more compact in terms of storage. It also has a horizontal weight bench and an “aerobic rower”.
However, as customers note, you should not expect too much from the rowing.
Most people will prefer the Bowflex Xceed. Individuals who really want the horizontal weight bench and aerobic rower and don’t mind the lower resistance ceiling and lower number of leg exercises could consider the Bowflex PR1000.
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