Bowflex Weight Bench 4.1

9.0
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Bowflex Weight Bench 4.1 Review Facts

Bowflex had been around since 1986. Though the composition of the company has changed and it has acquired other companies along the way (most notably Nautilus) Bowflex has maintained its focus on creating high quality, affordable and innovate exercise equipment.

Today we’re going to look at the 4.1  to see if we can determine whether this bench will fit just right into your gym.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros

Comes with or without media rack

Free Bowflex training app

Lightweight steel frame

Adjustable feet for users of different heights

Removable transportation wheels and foot holder

Back support that tapers down and a thick, comfy seat

Very stable

Looks great

Cons

Uncomfortable foot holders

Only for users up to six foot tall

Build Quality

Like all Bowflex products, a lot of thought has gone into how the Bowflex bench 3.1 looks because it looks great. Its design is simple to be sure, but it looks like a bench that might cost twice as much. The 3.2 is made out of the highest quality steel out there, dense and tough enough to support your every wish. The front bar stabilizers of this bench are slightly curved, so the bench itself has excellent stability. The curved stabilizers create better contact with the ground, so there's a bigger surface area that is meant to keep you from toppling over. The seat is also one part that will not wobble, no matter how hard you try, because it has four bolts that keep it anchored into place. The high-quality steel increases the maximum weight load too! The price of this bench is extremely affordable, and so it's only normal to wonder about the quality of this bench. This should not concern you, however, because the price point is not the only great thing about this bench! The upholstery was made to withstand a lot of wear and tear damage, and it will look good throughout the years. Thie upholstery has a one year warranty, so even if it does tear by some freak accident, or by no fault of yours, you can replace it easily. The frame has an amazing 15 years of warranty, giving you the peace of mind you've always been searching for, at least when it comes to purchasing benches!

The seat tapers down to adjust to the shape of your body. This design helps your body by supporting it as you handle weights that steadily increase in size. This gives you more space and a better range of movement, which are important if you want to activate your muscles the right way. The seat cannot be adjusted though, so you might find yourself sliding when in the incline position.

Size

The 3.1 does take up quite a bit of room, but nothing over the top. The bench, when fully outstretched, takes up 56” x 26” x 20”, and you will need to make sure you've got the space to house it. The bench looks quite good though, so it will fit right in, in most rooms. But the problem arises when you look at the total length of this bench. Bowflex totally disregarded their taller users, so if you're any taller than 6 feet, your head will hang down when you lay flat on it, which means that you will need to find a bigger bench if you're taller than that. The bench is also on the heavier side, weighing in at 55 pounds. This should tell you just how good the materials used to create it are. Moving the bench around is not a problem though, even if you lack the strength to pick up 55 pounds, because the bench comes with removable transportation wheels that make rolling it around a breeze. Plus, you can fold the bench and put it away when you're not using it, so you have more space to do other activities. All in all, you need to make sure you've got the place to put it in, and that you do not exceed the height limit, and you're all set!

Setup

Arguably, the worst part about getting new gym equipment is putting it all together, especially if the process is long and dull. You will need to put the 3.1 together before you begin using it because it ships in parts (which will lessen the cost of shipping though). The assembly is easy and quick though, thanks to the detailed instructions and awesome illustrations that will guide you each step of the way. Many users report that it only took them about 45 minutes to assemble the bench! There are slots and spaces on the parts that come together easily, and you won't need a whole team there to help you build it. if you want to make the job even easier though, it's better to flip the boards upside down, and then attach the frame to them, as opposed going the other way around, because this way you will know if the boards are sitting the right way on the frame or not.

Adjustability

Adjustable weight benches are all the rage these days since one single bench gives you at least three positions to work in, activating different muscles and increasing the number of exercises you can perform on one single bench. The 3.1 is adjustable, but it's one of the least adjustable benches on the market today since you can select only four different angles. Yes, the incline and decline are there, but they're not enough to properly challenge you, so this bench may actually be the best when used as a simple flat bench. The bench can support up to 300 pounds, so if you plan on lifting heavy, investing in a sturdier bench may be a good idea. You've probably noticed the addition of leg braces, and have probably wondered what these are for. When you go into the decline position, your back falls out of alignment. Having your whole body aligned when lifting weights is super important, and Bowflex was very aware of that, so they added the leg braces that will keep your back in check. However, some users report that although the braces do work, they are uncomfortable and distract from the task at hand, but they can be removed from the bench with ease, and you get to decide whether you actually need them there or not.

Comfort

As we said, The 3.1 has thick, padded seats and back support that tapers down, becoming wider near the bottom. The seats will maintain their shape and thickness throughout the years, so you won't have to worry about replacing them that much. The vinyl upholstery is gentle towards your skin, and it's not absorbent so you'll be able to clean it with ease, with just a few wipes with a wet cloth. But the tapered back support is a bit of a problem though. Bigger users report that the tapered back support is a problem when they are flat benching, but then again you will have more support when you're incline benching, so it all boils down to what you prefer.

Value

You might assume that this bench is one of the pricier ones when you just look at it, or when you feel the quality of the build. Well, you couldn't be more wrong! Bowflex created an excellent bench that is actually very affordable, costing one-tenth of the price of some of the priciest weight benches out there! You will only need to spend about 150 dollars if you want to purchase this bench, which makes it ideal for beginners who are yet to discover the wonderful world of benching. The quality doesn't suffer for the price though, as the frame supports up to 300 pounds, and it has a 15-year warranty, so you can expect this very affordable bench to last you for many years to come.

Brand

Bowflex is an extremely popular fitness brand, one which can be seen in most gyms all around the world. This company has been around for decades, with its roots starting in 1985. This is when they released their very first piece of equipment, which is when they gained the trust of the people. Their popularity steadily grew, and soon enough they had a lot of money which they spent wisely, buying a fitness brand house you may be familiar with - Nautilus. Bowflex actually changed the name of their company a few times over, until they finally settled for Nautilus, which is the name you can find their products under today. Bowflex offers great customer support, and it also gives trial periods and great warranties, and the 3.1 has a six week trial period and a 15-year warranty!

The Final Word

The Bowflex 3.1 bench is an excellent adjustable bench. It's surprisingly cheap, but remarkably well done, offering quality that will last for many years to come. The frame is super sturdy, made out of heavy-duty steel that can withstand up to 300 pounds. The seat is comfortable and the upholstery is durable, while the back support tapers down and provides support for your back no matter which angle you choose to work in. Speaking of angles, there are four different positions to choose from, and although this may be less than what most benches on the market offer today, it's still enough to effectively do over 30 exercises on them. The bench is stable and quite heavy, but the addition of transportation wheels makes moving the bench around fast and simple. The foot holders are optional, and some users do report that they are slightly uncomfy, but you can make the choice to avoid that discomfort. All in all, we genuinely that this bench will be a great addition to your gym, especially considering the price point!