I purchased the Bowflex Motivator in early August 2001 and received it within 1.5 - 2 weeks from the time I placed an order over the internet. I'm not one to go to the gym and workout in front of everybody... that's just not me so I had the greatest desire to set up a home gym that didn't take up too much space or the hassles of free weights and dumb bells lying on the floor, although I haven't really "lifted" before. After much debate (mostly with my bank account) I opted for the Bowflex. Although they heavily advertise the Bowflex PowerPro I was surprised to learn over the internet that they had a differenct model series call the Motivator which was more sort of a "no frills" approach to the Bowflex machine without the leg attachment. I didn't purchase the leg attachment because it added more length then I wanted on the machine - I have very limited space.

Upon arrival, probably due to the heavy weight and construction of the frame, the boxes that the Motivator came was heavily damaged but not parts were lost in the shipping of the Motivator. The box that held the Bowflex "Power Rods" was intact. I had downloaded and printed out the exercise manual and assembly manual and studied it prior to its arrival and the assembly was a snap. With tools you probably have in the house the assembly took around 40 minutes. The frame has a large cheesy adhesive (sticker) label stuck on the frame. You'd think that paying 700 bucks for this, they'd actually would print the words "Bowflex Motivator" on it.

The frame is solid (Bowflex offers a 2 year warranty on the frame and parts for the Motivator, lifetime for the Power Rods, and 90 days for the padded vinyl bench) - I don't see the frame breaking at any point in time. It is solidly constructed. However, the bench would probably wear out over time. I certainly hope that Bowflex has spare parts handy when it does wear out. The handle bars with the nylon (?) webbing would probably wear out in time as well but that's well into the future, however the padded grips would wear out in a few years. Overall, unless you're the Incredible Hulk, you'd probably work out on this well over 10 years before anything breaks, excluding the pads and the bench.

In terms of overall workout, I love this machine. I really look forward to the days I workout. My split-day routine (working different muscle groups in different days) only takes me about 30 minutes a day. I've seen the most changes on my shoulders and chest. Everyone can fit 30 minutes out of their 24 hour day to exercise, especially if you don't have to go home, change, drive or walk to the gym, B.S. at the gym... etc, etc. At home I just concentrate on the task at hand - working on getting the strength and building up the muscles for everyday life. Without the leg attachments the leg exercises are awkward and not comfortable. If you have the room go ahead and get the leg attachment.

The Power Rods are strange. It really doesn't look like much until you try to bench press them and then you will feel what they can do. I can't compare them to free weights because I've never benched free weights. In the past my exercise routines to work the chest was mainly push ups. The resistance was smooth - I didn't experience any change in resistance from start to finish, meaning the "rubber band" experience where at the start of the exercise gives the least resistance versus the end where it gives the most resistance due to the "rubber band" having the least elasticity because it has already been stretched to the limit. The rods were smooth. You can really do tons of exercise routines on it but you'd really only need a few.

As for storage, the Motivator isn't exactly small and not as compact as the Power Pro. It does fold up but it is not the easiest to move around because of the heavy metal construction of the frame. However, if there is one spot you can put it in, I'd suggest leaving it there and if you'd like fold the bench up when you're done.

I've not regretted the purchase of this machine... the only regret I have it not getting one sooner, and of course not having enough room for the leg attachment. If you get one, I don't see why you'd be disappointed.

Update: 3/1/07 - I am still using this machine. Although sometimes i don't work out for a stretch 2 - 3 months sometimes. also like when i had problems with my rotator cuff and had surgery but that was not due to the bowflex. But i've been working on out this more often than not. I'm 36, 5'3", 145lbs and am very happy to have put strength training as part of my life. Last year I also bought a treadmill but bowflex is a larger part of my exercise routine. This motivator model no longer exists but there is other more inexpensive motivator models. I have had to change the handles on it because edges have cracked but since the warranty ran out bowflex charged me like 10 bucks for the handle. I also added a lat tower that was expensive as well. one can easily spend $1000 bucks on a one year gym membership esp in NYC - I have worked out for 6 years on this 1000 bucks and still going.

1/13/2010 - wow it's been almost a decade working out on this bowflex.  i also noticed that i wrote 145lbs in 2007 - currently i weigh in about 135 - 140 - last time weighed in in the morning it was at 137.5.  i'm still going - but for the past year i've also incorporated dumbbells to my shoulder, bicep curls, and lunges.  i've also added the iron gym pull up/chin up bar but still use the bowflex for benching, some occasional preacher curls, and i also use it for tricep push downs. 

Recommended: Yes