At first glance, the Bowflex Motivator 2 and Bowflex Blaze are nearly identical. In fact most Bowflex home gyms, even the discontinued Motivator 2 and the Blaze, which is readily available in retail outlets but no longer available directly from the manufacturer, offer a similar range of features. Minor design differences and a few variations in specifications are the biggest differences between these machines.
Resistance
Both the Bowflex Motivator 2 and Bowflex Blaze use Power Rod technology for resistance. Power Rods, classified as "progressive resistance," may take some getting used to because the resistance increases steadily as you move through the range of motion. Both machines come with a default 210 lb. of Power Rod resistance, ranging from 5-lb. Power Rods to 50-lb. Power Rods. You set the resistance by selecting a combination of Power Rods you clip to the pulley cables. You can purchase additional 50-lb. Power Rods to upgrade to a total of 310 or 410 lb. of resistance for the Bowflex Blaze.
Features
The relatively spare Motivator 2 has most of the same features you'll find on the Bowflex Blaze. These include a leg lever attachment, low, mid-level and high pulleys and a lat tower. Features you'll find on the Blaze but not on the Motivator 2 include an extra set of rollers on the leg attachment so you can do leg curls while lying on the bench instead of standing, a squat platform and squat bar beneath the bench, and a workout placard mounted at eye level.
Adjustments
Both Bowflex gyms have adjustable benches that shift from a flat position to a 45-degree incline. In flat position, the bench shifts forward and back to accommodate various reach lengths, and you can also remove the bench back entirely. A half-turn in the knob locking the seat to the rails allows the seat to slide freely; combine this with the mid-level pulleys to transform either Bowflex home gym into a rowing machine for a cardio workout.
Specs
Both the Motivator 2 and Blaze have a maximum user weight capacity of 300 lb., and require 100 inches by 78 inches of free space to both place the home gym and operate it safely. At 78 inches long by 34 inches wide by 84 inches high, the Motivator 2 has a slightly smaller footprint than the 90 inch by 38 inch by 83 inch Bowflex Blaze. Both gyms fold for storage, and weigh 210 lb. and 195 lb. respectively.
Pricing
As of December 2010, the Bowflex Motivator 2 sells for under $1,000 when you buy secondhand or as a discontinued purchase. The more readily available Bowflex Blaze has an MSRP of about $1,100, but regularly sells for under $1,000 as well.
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