Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Review – How Does It Rate?
Bowflex Max Trainer M6
$1699.00
Pros
- Hybrid Elliptical-Stair Climber
- Burn Calories 2.5 Faster Than a Typical Elliptical
- Full Body Workout in 14 Minutes
- Low Impact Workout
- Engages More Upper Body Muscles
- More Compact Than Standard Ellipticals
- Customized Workouts and Tracking with Max Intelligence
Cons
- Not a Typical Elliptical Motion
- Only 2 User Profiles
- Smaller Console Than Max Total
Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Review – Highlights:
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is the mid-range Max Trainer on the market right now. It’s an upgrade on the older M5 model (now discontinued) with a great blend of premium features for an affordable price.
The Max trainer itself is not exactly an elliptical trainer. It’s more like a hybrid elliptical-stair climber.
You get the up-and-down motion of a stair climber for your lower body – and the upper body strength training of elliptical arm bars.
The Max Trainer was specifically designed to be a fast calorie burning machine for a total body workout. It’s perfect for high intensity interval training (or HIIT).
In fact, according to tests done by the Manufacturer you can burn up to 2.5 times more calories than standard fitness equipment like an elliptical, stair stepper or treadmill. Some trial max users even burned up to 600 calories in 30 minutes – which is incredible.
Tests also showed that the Max Trainer gives you 80% more upper body activation and engages more core and lower body engaged than ellipticals.
And Bowflex even included several High Intensity Training workouts built into the machine – including their famous 14 minute HIIT workout that’s designed to get you burning maximum calories in just one 14 minute workout a day (including the post-workout calorie burn).
Console on the Bowflex M6:
The console on the M6 is backlit and easy-to-read with the calorie burn-rate meter for extra motivation. There’s a media shelf in the front of the console window for your tablet.
Bowflex has also added a top shelf above the console to hold your phone, tablet, keys, etc. which is a handy option.
You also get upgraded ergonomic grips (vs the standard grips on the M3 model) for more comfortable upper body training.
Get Personalized Workouts with the Bowflex JRNY App
Bowflex JRNY is an optional online subscription-based service you can add to the M6 model (using your tablet or phone) that gives you Smart training.
The app learns about your personal fitness level and then creates a program designed to work with you and push you further – for a more personalized training experience (kind of like having your own personal trainer).
There’s also a library of personal-trainer led workout videos you can stream if you need more motivation – or you like to have the fitness-class-at-home experience.
Want to travel the world? The JRNY library also has several world trails you can stream as you workout.
Bonus: As of this writing, if you get the Bowflex Max M6 through the Manufacturerer, you can get a Free 2-month subscription to Bowflex JRNY included.
So you can try JRNY out for 2 months for free to see if you like it. (You don’t need it to use this machine – it’s just an add-on service if you want it).
Click Here to Get A Free 2-Month Subscription to Bowflex JRNY
New 4-Minute Workout
In addition to the 14 minute HIIT workout, Bowflex has gone even further and added a new 4 minute HIIT workout to the Max M6 model this year.
This workout is designed to get you maximum results in minimum time. So even if you don’t have a lot of time to workout, you can still get results with the special 4-minute workout.
Fitness Options and Workouts on the Bowflex M6:
There are also 2 user profiles in the Max Trainer M6 (meaning it saves and stores info for 2 different users). This is convenient since you can track your workouts and you don’t have to re-enter your information every time you go to workout.
In addition to the famous 14 minute HIIT workout, there are also 9 different built-in workouts on the console you can use to spice up your routine.
So even if you don’t want to get the subscription to Bowflex JRNY you still have a fair amount of things to do on this trainer. (You can also just use the tablet holder on the console and watch TV shows or movies as you workout).
Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Review – More Benefits:
The Bowflex M6 Max Trainer also has the benefit of being more compact than other machines – it’s smaller than the standard elliptical or treadmill with a footprint of 49″ x 30.5″. So if you’re in a condo or apartment – or you have a smaller workout area it’s a great choice.
And if you tend toward shin splints, knee or back problems, the Max Trainer is a great option as it’s low impact. Studies also showed that is was 2 times easier on the joints than other fitness machines.
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 also gives you 16 different resistance levels (vs only 8 on the M3). So there’s a lot of room to grow with this trainer – you won’t top out as easily as you would on the M3 model.
Want to stay in your target heart-rate zone? No problem. There are EKG contact grips on the M6.
Bowflex Max M6 Review – Any Drawbacks?
The M6 model is not as advanced as the higher end Max Total model. It has a smaller, more basic console and there are a few less resistance levels and workout program. But then again, it’s also $1000 less – so it’s a good tradeoff.
Also be aware that in order to use the Bowflex JRNY app, you need to connect through your own phone or tablet – you can’t connect through the console as you can with the Max Total model.
Bottom Line?
If you’re looking for a more affordable Max Trainer model – with everything you need for a super-fast, high calorie-burning workout, the M6 is worth a look.
It gives you everything you need for a fast, effective, low-impact workout. While it lacks some of the entertainment extras of the higher end models, you can add on your own entertainment options if you want them (Bowflex JRNY, watch your tablet on the media shelf, etc.)
Where to Buy and Save
You can get the latest Bowflex M6 Max Trainer model direct from the Manufacturer with Free Shipping here. You can also compare it to other models, see the latest reviews and get the special offer on the JRNY membership.
Click Here To Save on the M6 Max Trainer
Related:
I have this max and I absolutely love it! lost 12 pounds so far over 3 months – not a lot for some people but for me it’s big since nothing else worked. Do you know if they will be adding any new max intelligence workouts in the next year?? Thanks! – Edwardo M