The Bowflex Motivator 2 and Blaze home gyms are entry-level gyms that were produced by Nautilus shortly after the company began widely marketing its products through infomercials in the mid-1990s. Both systems are designed to provide you with a full-body workout without costing as much as upper-end models such as the Bowflex Revolution. As of December 2010, neither system is sold directly by Bowflex, but they can still be purchased from third-party retailers.
Exercises
The Bowflex Motivator 2 and Blaze are very similar in the types and styles of exercises they can accomplish. Both machines are capable of just over 50 exercises using workout stations such as the bench press, lat bar, lower cable attachments and leg curl. While the Blaze has a few different exercises, such as traditional-form squats, both machines are capable of working all of the major muscle groups in your body.
Specifications
The Bowflex Blaze is slightly larger than the Motivator 2, measuring 90 inches long by 38 inches wide by 83 inches tall, compared with the latter's 84 inches long by 34 inches wide by 78 inches tall. Both machines can be folded up when not in use and will support a user up to 300 lbs. The training manual for each gym includes guidelines on how to perform the exercises, as well as a special diet and weight-lifting program designed by Dr. Ellington Darden.
Resistance Level
Both the Motivator 2 and Blaze gyms use bendable rods called power rods as their form of resistance. You can change the amount of resistance you experience for each exercise by clipping more or fewer power rods to the exercise cables. The resistance system is one area in which the Bowflex Blaze is superior. While both machines come standard with 210 lbs. of resistance, only the Blaze is upgradeable to 310 or 410 lbs. if you decide you need a more challenging workout.
Cost and Warranty
As of 2010, the Bowflex Blaze is slightly more expensive than the Motivator 2, costing around $798, compared with the Motivator's $600 or less. The warranty on the Blaze is superior, however, covering five years for the machine parts. The Motivator 2 comes with a three-year warranty, but this is only if you find a new machine, which can be difficult since Bowflex has discontinued production of the system.
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