#1 Bowflex Motivator Home Gym Review

The Bowflex Motivator 2 may no longer be manufactured, but it hasn't been forgotten. Steel construction allows it to last a long time. And over 50 different workouts that target every muscle group in the body allow you to find ample variety. Smooth power rod resistance means this is one machine that gets you to keep coming back.

Is the Bowflex Motivator 2 Home Gym best for you?

The Bowflex Motivator 2 is a great find for people who are just starting out. It contains different stations that allow you to focus on different areas of your body from your legs to your shoulders. It only goes up to 210 pounds of resistance, so it should be suitable for most people's needs.

The compact size makes it easy to find room for it. But if you need to save even more space, then you can fold it up when it's done. After you bulk up with weight lifting, you can cool yourself down by taking advantage of the aerobic rowing feature that allows you to get in some cardio, too.

Consider Bowflex Motivator 2 if...

• You need variety. The Bowflex Motivator 2 comes with 50 possible exercises. You can work out different areas of your body and mix things up from day to day so that you don't get bored.
• You want an easier time on your joints. With power rod technology, this machine offers smoother motions. As such, it's easier on your joints so that you don't have as severe of a recovery time.
• You like compactness. This model doesn't take up a ton of space. It should work well even if you live in an apartment.

Avoid Bowflex Motivator 2 if...

• You want something easier to find. The Bowflex Motivator 2 has since been discontinued. That means you can't find new models anywhere. But you may get lucky and find one used.
• You want more intense resistance rods. This machine offers resistance rods that go up to 210 pounds. If you want to lift any more than that, then you're unable to switch out the rods.
• You like getting a DVD. Some home gyms provide you with a DVD showing how to use your latest purchase. That's not the case with this model.

Bowflex Motivator 2 pros & cons

Pros

• 210-pound weight resistance
• Training manual
• Folding capabilities
• Ankle cuffs

Cons

• Discontinued
• No customization

What areas of the body does Bowflex Motivator 2 target?

• Arms: 15 different arm exercises are capable with this machine, including a pull-up bar to work out your biceps.
• Legs: It comes with a leg curl/extension station that allows you to work out your lower muscles as well.
• Chest: 6 chest exercises are possible to pump up your pectoral muscles.
• Back: Meanwhile, there are 7 back exercises.
• Shoulders: Target your shoulder muscles in 14 different ways.
• Core: Get the abs you've always wanted with a variety of core workouts.

Is the Bowflex Motivator 2 easy to use?

The Bowflex Motivator 2 is fairly simple to put together. Between you and a partner, you can probably get it moving within a few hours. With all kinds of pulleys around the machine, you can effortlessly move from one to the next without having to stop very long, allowing you to keep your heart rate elevated.

Key Bowflex Motivator 2 Specs

Reasons to buy Bowflex Motivator 2?

1. You're new to lifting. The Bowflex Motivator 2 makes for a good entry-level model. As long as you don't have any plans to become a bodybuilder, it's perfect for your needs.
2. You don't want to buy another home gym for a while. Bowflex makes home gyms that are built to last. Some people hang onto theirs for decades, so you may never need to buy another one.
3. You don't have much time to exercise. The manual claims you can get a full-body workout in just 20 minutes with this machine. For people on the go, this may be what you've been looking for.

Reasons to avoid Bowflex Motivator 2?

1. You want free weights. Some home gyms provide more versatility with free weights. These often also go higher than 210 pounds, which some trainees may prefer.

What real Bowflex Motivator 2 reviews say

We spent 18 hours scouring the web (reading over 253 customer reviews). Our conclusion? Bowflex Motivator 2 receives high praise! Our average consolidated user rating sits around a 4.6 - 4.8 (across several hundred reviews). Bowflex Motivator 2 scored higher, on average, compared to their closest competitors.

What reviewers like

1. "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."
2. "The machine is very easy to adjust between exercises."
3. "The upper body workout is great. Loads of instructions on how to do that included."
4. "The seat glides nicely over the bench rail."
5. "The metal construction is of high quality and the rods and pulleys are well made."

What reviewers dislike

1. "This model does not come with a DVD which would have been so much better than the 'poster' of exercises you get."
2. "This Bowflex CANNOT be upgraded in weight. 210 pounds is the top weight - period."
3. "The manual, however, is not as complete as it could be for the exercises."
4. "The only problem with this machine is 210 lbs is not enough resistance for my husband and my son."
5. "Other than the hassle of switching out the cables for the different parts of this Bowflex, it's not too bad for a home gym."

Our verdict

The Bowflex Motivator 2 holds up after all these years. With 50 workouts across various stations, you never get bored. Plus, it's smaller than a lot of more modern home gyms, so it isn't going to be as much of a hassle to find space for it in your home.

Don't get too excited just yet. It's been discontinued, so you may have trouble tracking one down. You can always buy used, but you never really know what you're getting. Make sure to do a thorough inspection first to make sure it's still up to par if it's been previously owned. Or you could get a Bowflex Xceed, which is most comparable to it.

Where to buy Bowflex Motivator 2

You can't find the Bowflex Motivator 2 on Amazon anymore. But you can find various other Bowflex home gyms on Amazon that come with free shipping.