BodyCraft Xpress Pro Home Gym Review – GarageGymPro

Review Of The BodyCraft Xpress Pro Home Gym

To give the full Bodycraft Xpress Pro home gym review, I've looked at everything, from ordering to assembling to using.

I’ve broken down my own experiences into the categories below to help give you an honest insight into whether it will work for you.

My Experience Using This Home Gym

This is a pretty comprehensive home gym system that you can use to squat, deadlift, and bench press with, as well as do smaller isolation exercises.

However, I did find that the Bodycraft Xpress Pro home gym system is a bit clunky to use.

It's one of the first home gym systems to include an optional leg press station and adjustable cable arms, and these are great for doing more exercises, but if you don't have experience using them, then they can be tricky to set up.

If you're a home gym system newbie but want a premium model with all the functionality, then I'd recommend the newer Force USA G6 model instead.

It is a little bit more expensive, but purely from a user experience, it is simpler to use.

If you do go with the Xpress Pro then make sure you familiarize yourself with the Bodycraft Xpress Pro manual.

Size & Dimensions In The Home

This is one of the aspects of the Bodycraft Xpress Pro home gym system that I didn't particularly like.

It's a large and heavy machine, and at 83 x 57 x 82 inches, it will probably be too big for a small garage gym.

This is partly because it’s an older model, and newer home gym models are designed to be a bit more compact.

If space is at a premium at home then I’d recommend the Body Solid BSG 10X instead which is about 25% smaller.

If you're a fitness enthusiast who will use this a lot, it's worth finding some space for it, but if you're less experienced and only have a small gym, you may be better with a different model.

Design & Build Quality

The Xpress Pro is made well, with heavy gauge steel tubing, which seemed solid when I used it.

There's a protective coating over the metal to protect it from damage, rust, and corrosion. The seat also has a dual-layered back pad for extra comfort.

The quality is very good, but it's about what I expected with the big price tag. However, it should last a long time, and the quality shows it will make a worthwhile investment.

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Workout Stations & Versatility

I really appreciated the versatility of the Bodycraft Xpress Pro, as it allowed me to mix up my workouts a lot.

It has 6 workstations, each with a variety of adjustable heavy-duty pulleys, and supports over 100 different exercises.

To put this in perspective, the Body Solid Fusion 500, which is similarly priced, only supports about 30 exercises, and even some other premium multi-gyms can't match the versatility of the Xpress Pro.

What I really like about this the Xpress Pro is the leg press attachment which lets you do a seated leg extension, standing leg curl, squats, and other leg workouts.

This doesn't come as standard, but it lets you train your upper and lower body - making it a much more versatile home gym system.

Weight Range

The Bodycraft Xpress Pro has a standard weight stack of 200lbs, but it also has a double-up feature that changes the resistance ratio and gives up to 400lbs of resistance.

The 200lb weight stack is good for isolation exercises, and I found the double-up feature useful for compound exercises like bench presses, deadlifts, and squats.

The multi-gym is definitely designed for heavy lifting, and it's worth getting the optional leg press attachment too. This lets you lift more weight with your lower body and get a full body workout.

The Bodycraft Xpress Pro weight range is better than a lot of other home gym systems I've tried.

Similar home gym systems, which are about the same price, like the Inspire Fitness M5, aren't as good for serious lifters because you have to pay extra to get this level of resistance.

Assembling This Product

I have some experience assembling these types of products, and even I found the Bodycraft Xpress Pro home gym system quite difficult to put together.

The weight isn't an issue, because each of the parts is individually packaged, but it isn't easy to fit them together.

There is a DVD and Bodycraft Xpress Pro assembly instructions to follow, but it took me about 10 hours to build.

To put this in perspective, the Force USA G9 home gym system, which is another large and premium product, only took me about 6 hours to build.

I would allow for at least 10-12 hours minimum to build this, and if DIY isn't your thing then you may need to pay to have it set up professionally.

Price Guide

The Bodycraft Xpress Pro home gym system is an expensive option and costs around $4000. It's designed to be your one-stop shop for working out, but it is a considerable investment.

Comparable models like the Force USA G6 cost more (about $5000) but have a bit more functionality, so if you have the money then I’d recommend looking at that one instead.

If you're a beginner, then you'll get better value for money from the Marcy MWM 988(about $500) or the Body Solid BSG10X (about $1600).

That being said, the Bodycraft Xpress pro home gym system is durable and versatile- so you will get good long-term value. Plus, if you buy direct from

Bodycraft, they offer payment plans to spread the cost.

Shipping & Warranty

You can buy this home gym from a variety of places online, and Amazon is probably the simplest. Shipping should be free and it will take 2-7 days to arrive (ours took 5 days).

Bodycraft provides a lifetime warranty on their products as standard, making it easier to justify the higher cost. Just make sure you've registered your product.[1]

Pros & Cons of the Bodycraft Xpress Pro

Who Is It Best For?

The Bodycraft Xpress Pro home gym system isn't great for beginners because the adjustable arms cable station and other features can be challenging to set up. It's also expensive and unsuitable for those on a tight budget.

It's also not great for anyone with a small garage gym because it just won't fit.

Modern multi-gyms have a more space-saving design, so they're better for replacing other equipment and weight plates.

The Bodycraft Xpress Pro home gym is ideal for:

Unique Features of the Bodycraft Xpress Pro

Weight Stack Double-Up Feature

The unique double-up feature is one of the aspects of the Bodycraft Xpress Pro that I like the most.

This gives you the ability to adjust the ratio and literally double the resistance from 200lb to 400lb, perfect for tough leg exercises, chest presses, and other compound lifts.

Fully Adjustable Seat For Comfort

I sometimes find that big tough workout stations aren't really built for comfort, but the Xpress Pro home gym system is actually really comfortable.

The double-stitched vinyl cushioning supports you during exercises, and the seat adjusts front to back quickly so you can move between exercises.

Low, Mid, and High Pulley Stations

You can definitely use the Bodycraft Xpress Pro home gym for a full-body workout, and it supports a functional training routine.

The low pulley station is perfect for back and leg lifts, the mid pulley station is great for horizontal chest press arm movements, and the high pulley station is great for shoulder press and upper body training.

The combination of the high-low pulley system helps to support full body development better than some other basic systems, which only have 1 setting.

Adjustable Arm Press Station

The adjustable arm press station on the Bodycraft Xpress Pro home system is great for shaping and toning your arms.

It has an adjustable starting point so you can lift the weight stack at a comfortable angle which stimulates growth.

It’s also great for rehabilitation exercises for those who have a limited range of movement.

Optional Leg Attachment

I love the leg attachment for this home gym machine.

The extra fitness equipment lets you train your lower body muscle groups and develop a more well-rounded physique, which is essential for any serious lifter!

Xpress Pro Home Workout Programs

The Bodycraft Xpress Pro has 11 different adjustable positions for the pulleys, so it’s all about making use of them and the various attachments.

You can do over 100 exercises, but here are some of the best for each station:

Low Pulley Station

Mid Pulley System

High Pulley System

Row Station

Leg Press Attachment

Curl Station

The multiple stations effectively remove the need for free weights and are great for sports-specific workouts. There are two different approaches I'd recommend:

The Bodycraft Xpress Pro workout chart is also useful, and a great way to get started.[2]

Comparing the BodyCraft Xpress Pro With Alternatives

BodyCraft Xpress Pro Vs Body-Solid BSG10X

The Body Solid BSG10X looks and feels similar to the Bodycraft Xpress Pro, and also offers a fair amount of versatility.

One of the main differences with the Body Solid BSG10X is that it uses a space-saving design, making it better suited for home gyms with short ceilings.

It's also considerably cheaper at around half the price of the Xpress Pro, (around $1750) so it's good for those on a budget.

However, I found the Body Solid BSG10X isn't quite as functional. It only offers 8 different configurations, and there's no leg press attachment (not even one you can purchase separately).

As a result, I found it quite more limited compared to the Xpress Pro and I couldn't use it for all my workouts.

If you're a beginner, the Body Solid model is better and can save you a lot of money.

However, if you're a more advanced lifter then you probably do need to spend a bit more on a premium multi-gym.

BodyCraft Xpress Pro Vs Force USA G6

The Force USA G6 is a premium multi-gym system built to be tough. It's slightly heavier and more expensive than the Xpress Pro (around $1000 more), but for that, you get more functionality.

The Force USA G6 supports over 150 different exercises and offers an extra 50 pounds extra on the weight stack.

It’s better for smaller home gyms because it’s more compact too, and has a more modern, innovative design that makes it simpler to assemble.

The Force USA G6 is a more complete, full gym solution that removes the need for other equipment.

It's basically a more modern version of the Xpress Pro, so if your budget can stretch a bit further, then I would say it's a better investment.

Common BodyCraft Xpress Pro Questions

Where are BodyCraft home gyms manufactured?

All BodyCraft home gyms are made in the USA.

How often should you work out on the BodyCraft home gym?

How you use the gym is up to you, but for best results, it's good to train 4-5 times a week. If you aren't using it at least 3-4 times a week, then it definitely isn't worth the expense!

What other gym equipment does BodyCraft sell?

Bodycraft sells all kinds of commercial and home fitness equipment, including ellipticals, treadmills, bikes, rowers, and accessories to support bodyweight exercises.

Summary – Is It Worth It?

I found the Bodycraft Xpress Pro good to use, but it is a legacy model. It still works well, but the challenging assembly and complicated attachments mean it isn’t great for beginners.

So is it worth the price tag?

It’s honestly very close, and while the Xpress Pro home gym is good, I would probably recommend spending a little more on something like the Force USA G6, or spending less on the more basic Body Solid BSG10X.

References: 

1. https://www.bodycraft.com/product-registration/
2. https://www.bodycraft.com/pdfs/exercise/Xpress.pdf