Are you looking for a challenging cardio machine to meet your fitness goals? You may want to consider the Bowflex Max Trainer M5. This highly efficient machine gives fitness enthusiasts a full-body and high-intensity workout.
This machine pushes you right to the limits. However, all your efforts will be worth it as the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 burns calories rapidly. It burns around 2.5 times more than you achieve on a treadmill!
It is, however, expensive. Are you wondering if this intense machine is worth your investment? Our Bowflex Max Trainer M5 review brings you the answer. Read on to know all about this challenging cardio machine.
Our Bowflex Max Trainer M5 review outlines its key features, usability, pros, cons, and much more. We bring you a better insight into this cardio machine to help you make your decision. Let’s dive right into it!
How We Made This Review
We do our best to bring you the most credible and reliable product reviews. We made this Bowflex Max Trainer M5 review after thorough research. We have spoken to industry experts as well as fitness experts to know their experience and thoughts on this cardio machine.
Along with the experts, we have discussed the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 with fitness enthusiasts and customers. This gave us a better understanding of the usability of this machine.
We have also tried our hand at this cardio machine. We must say, these were some intense workout sessions!
We put together all our experiences and findings along with the expert and user reviews into this Bowflex Max Trainer M5 review. Read along to know more.
Things to Consider Before Buying
The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 combines the movements of the stair stepper along with the elliptical. It gives you a low-impact workout that burns more calories within a short span.
Are you considering buying this cardio machine? You have to consider the following factors before you make your decision:
Cost
Cost is an essential factor to consider before you make any purchase. The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is expensive. It is among the highest-priced cardio workout machines available in the market.
With the price of this cardio machine, you can get a high range of fitness bike or treadmill. For a fitness bike or treadmill, you will generally know well ahead if you prefer such kind of workout. It may not be the case with the Bowflex Max Trainer M5.
We recommend trying this machine in-store before you buy it online. It gives you better clarity if it is up to your fitness preferences.
We think the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is quite overpriced. However, many users claim to receive positive fitness results with this machine. It may be worth the price.
Features
The features of your cardio machine are another factor that makes it worthy of purchase. The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 comes with some useful features. These include:
- Lower and Upper Body Workout:
A unique feature of this machine is that it offers both upper and lower body workout. This feature sets it apart from other cardio machines in the market.
With its structure, you can work on your triceps, biceps, back, shoulders, and chest. You do not have to include any separate workout routines for your upper body.
It helps you have an efficient full-body workout. It helps you build strength as well as optimally burn calories.
- Heart Rate Monitor:
The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 monitors your heart rate. With this feature, you can track your cardiovascular fitness goals. Additionally, it also helps you to calculate your calorie count.
This machine comes with contact monitors on its handlebars to check your heart rate. It keeps tabs whenever you use this machine. You can also use the chest strap that comes along with it to monitor your heart rate.
Some users, however, complain that its heart rate monitor fluctuates and can be inaccurate at times.
Overall, this cardio machine comes with some basic features that may seem simplistic. Yet, most of them are quite efficient.
Usability
The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is a product of good quality. It offers a high-intensity workout. Its lower levels are also pretty intense.
This machine may work well for you if you wish to enhance your fitness levels. It can be challenging even for high-level fitness enthusiasts. We do not, however, recommend it for users with health issues.
When it comes to the reliability of this machine, it has mixed reviews from the users. It may get shaky at higher levels. Some users also report that this machine starts making noises after using it for some time.
The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 comes with a warranty of 2 years. However, in comparison to the warranty period of other cardio machines, this may not be the best.
Features and Benefits
The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 comes with some good features. The various features and benefits that this intense cardio machine offers include:
Design
The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is well-built with sturdy and good quality materials. Though an intense machine, it comes in quite a compact size. It is smaller than many treadmills and fitness bikes.
This design makes it convenient for you. It will not take up much space.
It also comes with a design that causes no impact on your knees during your workout. It goes easy on the knees and other joints. This prevents any injuries or tears of your muscle. This design is best to ensure your comfort and safety.
It also means that you can perform more consistently and get better results. You can then focus on high-intensity training without worrying about any pressure on your joints.
When you order your Bowflex Max Trainer M5, most of it is assembled already as one large piece. You may, however, require another person to hold its main core while screwing it to the base.
Modes
The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 comes with various modes to make your workout session much more challenging.
It has one manual mode. You can set the intensity and pace according to your fitness goals. This mode is best for you if you love to be in complete control of your workout routine.
Apart from the manual mode, you get some classic pre-set workout programs. These include the steady-state mode, stair training, calorie burn, and fat burn modes. Each of these programs targets a particular fitness goal. You can choose the one that works best for you.
In addition to these beneficial workout modes, this machine offers 16 resistance levels. So, wherever you are in your journey to fitness, you will find your suitable level. Each level is challenging on its own.
You can gradually add more resistance accordingly. In this way, you will progress significantly. It is an excellent feature for beginners as well as advanced fitness enthusiasts.
This intense machine also offers programs for interval training. These can help you burn about 250% higher calories than a regular elliptical machine!
If you are firm to achieve your fitness goals with intense training, this machine has different modes that will work well for you.
Maintenance
It is not difficult to maintain the Bowflex Max Trainer M5. It may take a while to assemble it. Though most of it is already fixed, you still need to screw some additional parts. There are plenty of videos available that will guide you with this step.
Ensure that you fix it properly. You need to check if all the bolts are tight. Even after you assemble it and use it regularly, make sure to check it before you use it every day.
This cardio machine is of good quality. It will mostly remain sturdy for a long time. In case any part breaks or wears out, you have to immediately repair or replace it. You can contact its customer service, and they will help you out with it.
It does not take much time to clean it either. You can just wipe it with one damp cloth after your workout. Make sure to avoid too much moisture in its console. Additionally, do not utilize any petroleum-based product for cleaning your machine.
Other Features
- Bluetooth 4.0 Compatibility: The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 comes with built-in advanced Bluetooth technology. It allows you to sync your data to your devices. This allows you to track your fitness progress.
- Syncs with the Free Max Trainer App: You can sync your training records with the Max Trainer App. It allows you to set, track, and easily monitor your fitness goals. Moreover, you get access to training videos from their professional trainers. They will instruct and motivate you.
- Dual User Option: You do not have to worry about losing your data if someone uses this machine along with you. You can set dual profiles. In this way, each of your data remains safe. You can smoothly pick up right where you left off with your next workout session.
Pros
- Offers high-intensity workout
- Burns higher calories within less time
- 8 built-in training programs
- 16 resistance levels
- Full-body workout
- No impact on your joints
- Space-saving
- Dual profiles
Cons
- Expensive
- It may not be apt for users with low fitness levels
- Unreliable heart rate monitor
- No speakers
Available Alternatives for the Bowflex Max Trainer M5
There are other machines available in the market that have similar features to the Bowflex Max Trainer M5. If you do not wish to purchase this machine but want most of its features, you can check out the below alternatives:
1.Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer
This cardio machine can work as a good alternative to the Bowflex Max Trainer M5. It offers similar low impact training with high intensity. Additionally, it ensures that there is no impact on your joints.
It comes with 12 built-in training programs along with 16 resistance levels. This is much more than the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 offers. You can improve your workout sessions with the help of its various modes.
While some users complain that Bowflex Max Trainer M5 gets noisy after some time, you need not worry about it for this machine. It has a quiet motion and will not disturb you.
2. Sportstech CX2 Cross Trainer
This machine is another good alternative for the Bowflex Max Trainer M5. It offers effective endurance and strength training. Even if you are not on the lookout for highly-intense cardio machines, this machine will work well for you.
It is also popular for its smooth functioning. This, in turn, ensures smoother workout sessions. Additionally, it is gentle on your joints and gives you a quiet workout session.
The Sportstech CX2 Cross Trainer is self-generating. You can generate its power by yourself. In this way, you do not have to always be close to a power outlet.
3. Bluefin Fitness CURV 2.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer
The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is very efficient. Yet, it costs a lot. If you prefer an efficient cardio machine that is budget-friendly, this alternative may be the right one for you.
It comes with more built-in training modes than the Bowflex Max Trainer M5. You will get your intense workout sessions at a much lower cost.
The LCD of this machine displays your pulse rate accurately. This multifunctional display is backlit and makes it easier for you to track your progress.
Final Verdict
The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is an intense cardio machine that constantly challenges you. If you have high fitness levels, this machine may work very well for you. If you are keen on working towards higher fitness levels, this machine effectively pushes you towards your goal.
Our Bowflex Max Trainer M5 review lists out all the top features of this cardio machine. With strong built-in features, it makes a good investment. You also know some of the drawbacks of it.
If you are looking for a less intense cardio machine or a lower-priced one, check out our alternatives. Make sure to pick the best one for yourself to kickstart your fitness routine!