| Unit | Dimensions | Possible exercises | Weight range | Weight increments | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bowflex Blaze Check Discounted Price | L:82.5" W:38" H:84.5" | 60+ | 5-210 lbs | 5 lbs | Frame: 5 years Parts: 5 years Rods: Lifetime |
The Bowflex Blaze home gym system is in many aspects similar to the Bowflex PR1000. However, it comes with several additions. For example, it includes a lat bar, its weight resistance is upgradable, and the leg attachment offers the possibility for curl exercises not just leg extensions. Due to these pluses, this particular home gym machine covers more than 60 exercises.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 82.5L x 38W x 84.5H inches (210L x 97W x 215H cm)
- Assembled weight: 195 lbs (88.5 kg)
- Max. user weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Resistance system: Power Rods
- Standard weight resistance: 210 lbs (95 kg)
- Possible exercises: 60+
- Warranty: Frame and parts 5 years / Power Rods lifetime
Frame construction
The Bowflex Blaze home gym features an extremely sturdy construction. The frame is made of steel tubing, and can support up to 300 lbs (136 kg) of user weight. All steel parts feature an anti-corrosive enamel coating, however, the machine is not meant to be stored or used outdoors. It’s an indoors fitness machine.
Even though it’s not one of the biggest and bulkiest home gym machines, the Bowflex Blaze still takes quite a bit of space. It features a footprint of 82.5″L x 38W (210 x 97 cm), and reaches 84.5″ (215 cm) high. Differently put, it won’t fit in a room with a 7′ ceiling. Also, it requires a workout area of 100″L x 78″W (254 x 199 cm) for maximum safety.
The bases of the frame have several main floor contact points, each point being capped with a rubber stabilizer foot. This way, the machine becomes very stable, without wiggling during workouts. However, in case the floor or pavement where it’s going to be placed is considerably uneven, you might consider placing it on a rubberized mat.
The frame features a folding design. In other words, the bench bar with the front base and leg attachment folds up, reducing the machine’s length by approx. 30″ (76.2 cm). Its folded footprint is 52″ x 38″ (132 x 97 cm).
The rear base of the machine features two transport wheels. These may help a bit if you want to move it slightly from its place. But due to its size and weight, this home gym system is not exactly meant to be moved when fully assembled. It weighs 195 lbs (88.5 kg), thus it’s best to assembly it on the spot where it will be in use.
One last aspect to mention here is that the machine can accommodate users up to 6’6″-6’7″ (198 – 201 cm) with no problem, for most exercises.
Bench
The bench supplied with the Bowflex Blaze machine is adjustable. The backrest offers horizontal and 45° positions, and can also be completely removed to facilitate various exercises.
The seat features a gliding system similar to the seats on various rowing machines. It can glide over the whole bench bar, offering the possibility to carry out exercises such as aerobic rowing, or leg presses. The seat’s rollers integrate heavy-duty, sealed ball bearings for prolonged life. It can also be locked onto the bar in various positions, depending on the desired workout.
Both the seat and the backrest feature 2″ of foam cushioning, offering all the comfort required for the possible exercises that can be performed on this machine. The finish on them is made of a durable type of synthetic leather.
Other parts
As we’ve mentioned above, as opposed to the Bowflex PR1000, the Blaze model features a curved lat bar attachment, which diversifies the array of possible exercises by a lot. Also, the leg attachment is slightly different, integrating elements for leg curls not only leg extensions. The leg attachment features thick roller pads for maximum comfort during exercises.
The hand grips supplied with the machine are coated with rubber as well, just as the rollers on the leg attachment. They’re actually designed for multiple grips, including standard, cuff, and foot grip. Along with the hand grips, a leg press strap is also supplied.
All pulleys on the machine integrate industrial quality ball bearings. They’re made of heavy-duty urethane material and can rotate 360°. The cables are actually stainless steel 
wire ropes, coated by a plastic sheet. They’re extremely durable, and also finished with stainless steel hooks and rings, to connect on the grips or the Power Rods.
An accessory tray is also supplied with the machine. It attaches to the chest bar, at the rear of the home gym, providing support for various small accessories such as your phone, keys, water bottle etc. It also provides support for the squat bar.
Last but not least, an exercise placard is attached to the lat tower, offering workout descriptions and instructions for the most common exercises, for quick reference.
Weight Resistance System
All Bowflex home gym machines feature an innovative weight resistance system, which uses Power Rods instead of weight stacks like the “classic” home gyms. Evidently, the Bowflex Blaze doesn’t make an exception. The maximum standard weight resistance of the machine is 210 lbs (95 kg), or 105 lbs (47.6 kg) for each side (or grip). The machine comes with the following resistance rods: 
- 2 x 5 lbs (2.26 kg)
- 4 x 10 lbs (4.5 kg)
- 2 x 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
- 2 x 50 lbs (22.6 kg)
As you can see, there’s the possibility to adjust weight resistance in increments of 5 lbs (2.26 kg), up to 105 lbs for each side.
The weight resistance capacity of the machine is upgradable. You can add rods up to a total of 410 lbs (186 kg) of weight resistance.
The Power Rods are made of an extremely durable elastomer, and coated with a thin sheet of rubber. They’re also precision-machined, with the rings extremely well connected to the rods, almost impossible to remove. The ring cap of each resistance rod has its weight resistance specified on it.
The resistance system of this Bowflex home gym set is pretty straightforward. The Power Rods are lined up and connected to their specific tray, behind of the lat tower. In order to use a specific weight resistance, you must hook the rods with your desired resistance increments onto each cable, and start pulling.
Possible Exercises
Arm Exercises
- Cross Triceps Extensions
- Lying 45° Triceps Extensions
- Seated Triceps Extensions
- Triceps Pushdowns
- Single Arm Pushdowns
- French Presses
- Lying Triceps Extensions
- Standing Biceps Curls
- Seated Biceps Curls
- Lying Biceps Curls
- Seated Wrist Extensions
- Seated Wrist Curls
- Standing Wrist Extensions
- “Rope” Pushdowns
- Standing Wrist Curls
- Reverse Curls
Abdominal Exercises
- Reverse Crunches
- Resisted Reverse Crunches
- Seated (Resisted) Ab Crunches
- Seated (Resisted) Oblique Ab Crunches
- Trunk Rotations
Back Exercises
- Bent Over Rows
- Lying Lat Pulldowns
- Low Back Extensions
- Lying Lat Flies
- Lying Narrow Lat Pulldowns
- Narrow Pulldowns with Handgrips
- Pulldowns
- Seated Lat Rows
- Stiff-Arm Pulldowns
Chest Exercises
- Bench Presses
- Decline Bench Presses
- Decline Chest Flies
- Incline Bench Presses
- Incline Chest Flies
- Lying Cable Crossoveres
- Resisted Punches
- Shoulder Horizontal Adductions
Legs Exercises
- Ankle Eversions
- Ankle Inversions
- Leg Extensions
- Leg Presses
- Lying Leg Extensions
- Prone Leg Curls
- Standing Hip Extensions
- Standing Hip Extensions
- Standing Hip Abductions
- Seated Hip Adductions
- Seated Hip Abductions
- Standing Leg Kickbacks
- Squats
Shoulder Exercises
- Front Shoulder Raises
- Lying Front Shoulder Raises
- Rear Deltoid Rows
- Reverse Flies
- Standing Lateral Shoulder Raises
- Seated Shoulder Presses
- Shoulder Extensions
- Shoulder Shrugs
- Scapular Protractions
- Scapular Depressions
- Shoulder Rotator Cuffs
- Shoulder Rotator Cuffs
- Seated Lateral Shoulder Raises
- Scapular Retractions
This gym home machine does not feature bars for chin-ups and dips. However, you can replace these exercises with lat pull downs and triceps push downs. These exercises will engage basically the same groups of muscles.
Butterfly exercises are also possible to perform on this machine. However, since it doesn’t have solid bars like most machines with weight stacks, the stability won’t be the same. On the other hand, due to this fact you’ll have to focus more on the exercise, which can only improve results.
Assembly and Maintenance
The assembly of this fitness machine is not difficult, but since there are quite a few parts to be attached together, it may take a couple of hours. Since it’s a rather heavy and bulky piece of equipment, it’s best to put it together in the room and on the spot where it will be in use.
Only two Allen wrenches are supplied with the box, but you will also be needing two combination wrenches (1/2″ and 9/16″), and a Phillips screwdriver.
For maintenance, you’ll have to keep the machine clean, check and re-tighten the bolts if necessary, and make sure the rail of the seat is free of any dirt or objects that may cause damage to the rollers.
The Pros
- Sturdy steel frame;
- Folding frame design;
- 2″ cushioning on bench for maximum comfort;
- Durable upholstery on bench, made of faux leather;
- 4″ upholstered roller cushions for leg extensions and leg curls;
- Versatile handles supporting three types of grips;
- Included leg press strap;
- Lat bar attachment included;
- Bench with two position: 45° and 180°;
- Gliding seat for aerobic rowing and leg press exercises;
- Innovative Power Rod weight resistance system, no weight stacks required;
- Industrial quality ball bearings in all moving parts;
- Over 60 possible exercises;
- Workout placard describing various exercises, attached to the lat tower of the machine, for quick reference;
- Included accessory tray;
- Up to 105 lbs of resistance per arm, 210 lbs in total;
- Possibility to upgrade weight resistance up to a total of 410 lbs;
- Excellent warranty package.
The Cons
- Even though it offers the possibility to perform leg curls, it’s not extremely comfortable for this type of exercises;
- Tools for assembly not included.
Summary
The Bowflex Blaze home gym system covers a wide array of exercises, and it’s simply perfect for anyone who doesn’t have the time to go to a gym. It’s an extremely versatile machine, offering both strength and aerobic training possibilities. It comes with a standard weight resistance of 210 lbs (95 kg), but it also offers the possibility for upgrades up to 410 lbs (186 kg), thus it’s pretty much a machine for users of all levels. And finally, considering the fitness possibilities offered by it, and the fact that it costs less than $800, it’s safe to say that this machine offers excellent value for the price.