Customer Reviews

Bowflex Motivator 2 Home Gym [Discontinued]

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have owned this bowflex for 2 weeks, and I am very, very impressed. We have owned a "gravity edge" and have worked on a "Solo Flex" before, and after seeing this bowflex, we can understand why the machine has stayed popular for so long.

First, the assembly wasn't too hard. It took me and my 13-year-old daughter about an hour and a half to put it together. I was relieved when I saw that the machine is very ruggedly built. Note that I said VERY ruggedly built. It would be hard to trash this machine without trying very hard.

Second, the machine is very easy to adjust between exercises. Adding or removing weight is a piece of cake, which is a relief after so many pinched fingers and long waits on other machines. Changing the bench position is just a tiny bit tougher to master than changing weights. There are occassions when you have to attach different pullies from the lat tower or the leg extension attachment. This takes a couple of times to get used to, and then it's no problem, either. I can change the machine from the leg extension position to the bench press position in just over 30 seconds.

Third, the program is great and very easy to understand. It focuses on using heavy weight and 1 set per exercise, and has an easy way for you to figure out which weight you should be using for each exercise. The program was explained well enough in the machine's manual, but I bought a book called "The Bowflex Body Plan" when I ordered my machine, and I'm glad I did. You don't have to have it, but it explains more about the program to help you buy into it. It also has several routines that go beyond the initial six weeks plan... for those of us that are optimistic about wanting to continue past six weeks.

I am a house parent for a girls' home. We have six girls living here with us, and all but one jumped right into our "bowflex club" with me. We all have workout logs and are doing our routines three times per week. So far we've been doing it for two weeks and nobody has dropped out. That has surprised me. The workout routine for the first two weeks takes around 15 minutes to complete, so nobody has time to get bored.

What's great in all this is that over the last two weeks, all 9 of us that are involved with the bowflex have gotten considerably stronger. Muscles are starting to show up on just about everybody, which is really keeping everyone excited. I've already had people I know ask me if I'm losing weight, most likely because my thighs have really tightened up already. We're all looking forward to how we'll progress. Since next week is our third week, we'll be adding new exercises to the routine, too.

I'm very glad I bought this machine at Amazon.com. Not only was it $200 cheaper than other places, but it got to my house in only 4 days, too. The only surprises we've had in this whole experience were good. We're very pleased.

We got this for our teenage son for Christmas - we all use it and we like it. I don't find it "jerky" or difficult at all - we used to have a Body Solid Pro Smith machine, but it was too big for home use and we ended up donating it to our kids school athletic department.

The only problem with this machine is 210 lbs is not enough resistance for my husband and my son. I purchased the upgrade to 310, but there is no way we can see to attach the rods to the Motivator 2 machine... I plan to check with Bowflex, but according to the information we've found on line, the Motivator 2 seems to be the only unit unable to upgrade - I WISH they would have made that clear, it would have influenced our choice and we would have went with a different unit.

Bought to help lose *baby weight* after having my first child, I love it. Its much more affordable than the typical bowflex yet it still has every exercise I would want for a fraction of the cost. Folds up nicely, is a little bit taller than I guessed but over all a great exercise buy!

Are you tired and fat and want to get in shape? So was I (I know I sound like an advertisement, but it's true). Back in the day I had no clue about eating right and getting in shape. I bought this and used the (once) included guide to eating right and working out. Unfortunately this unit no longer comes with that!

The day I put it together I threw away all my junk food and told myself I would eat better. I ate 1500 calories a day and worked out a half hour every other day. No cardio AT ALL. In under a year I dropped 89lbs. Probably 35lbs within the six week challenge. Using just the Bowflex. Did I gain muscle? Yes, but if that's ALL you want, this might not be for you. I'm sure you can gain a lot of muscle with this if you ate the correct amounts of food and had a good plan.

Will a barbell and dumbbells works just as good? Probably. In fact, if you're goal is to build muscle, i'd reccomend that first. A Gym membership is even better. I have no problems suggesting this product though if you prefer to exercise at home and need something to get started. It did the job for me.

I originally bought the Power Pro model. That didn't have the LAT tower and once sold for over a grand. This model comes with even more and is now much cheaper. I've recently upgraded to this model and it's just as good, if not better.

My husband & I purchased this to get back into shape. I love the ease with which you can change out the weights & the fact that you get computerized help with your workouts. I'm lucky, I don't have to fold mine up, but that is also a very nice selling point. Much lighter than 210 pounds worth of weights, this is a good choice if you're going to be moving in the future & still want a great workout.

This is a nice unit, full of exercises that really do help. I've owned it a few weeks and worked out on it religiously and I can really start to see great changes in my body.

The bad news: The 210 pounds of weight resistance it provides was quickly outgrown, and I didn't know this was the ONLY model Bowflex makes that is NOT upgradable. Oh, I bought two sets of extension rods, only to find out you can't put them anyone without making "modifications" to the machine. I added on two of the rods bringing it to 310 pounds total (which is good because my bench press is already 270 - a month ago I couldn't bench press my keyboard), but I see I will outgrow this system in less than a year.

For light workouts this is probably a great system, but if you're interested in continuing to build muscle mass and strength as far as you can, this is one to steer clear from, simply because you can't upgrade it easily (and not at all, unless you're probably voiding the warranty).

I am very pleased with this product. Assembly and setup was very easy and the directions were quite good. Fit and finish are excellent. Use of the Bowflex has proven to be as easy as any exercise equipment could be. Change between setups is quick and easy and the progressive rod resistance gives a very good workout. I would recommend the product to anyone.

My wife and I are mountain bikers and wanted a small profile home gym for working only upper body groups to complement our cycling. This unit has proven ideal for that. The "limited" weight option that some folks complain about (210#) will never be an issue with us. Assembly went smooth with all parts being in the boxes and the instructions adequate. I'm impressed with the build quality of the unit -- much better than anticipated.

I live in an appartment with limited space. Since this machine can be folded up, and moved around fairly easy, and weighs less than the typical Machine , Due to the lack of Iron weights I find it more suitable than others.

The Bow Flex Motivator is a GREAT home gym. I have owned mine for several weeks now and already have results. It was easy to put together--but it helps to own a socket set--though it can be put together with the keys that are included and a wrench. One of the outstanding features of this gym is the fact that it causes both positive and negative resistance which creates within the muscles the type of resistance needed to produce a well toned muscle. This is not found in all home gyms. What impressed me about this gym also is how well constructed it is. The seat glides nicely over the bench rail. The metal construction is of high quality and the rods and pulleys are well made. I don't think the person who critized the Motivator 2 in his review actually actually owns one --to me its a great gym and it is a lot better than waiting for equipment at the local health club.