The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Review - Great Results in Just 14 Minutes

The Max Trainer M6 is the new mid-range model in Bowflex's popular hybrid elliptical series, an affordable trainer with the company's patented 14 minute workout among other innovative features.

With its compact design and results-oriented focus, it has become one of the best selling machines for the company.

Let's jump into our review to see what this popular cardio machine is all about...

Max Trainer M6 - What You Get

The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is a sleekly-designed silver trainer with red accents, taking design cues from race cars and jet planes.  

It has a basic display showing you relevant workout stats such as time, distance and program, as well as a burn meter showing you how many calories you are burning as you work out.

Let's look a little closer at the specs...

• Backlit display with calorie burn meter
• 16 resistance levels
• Bluetooth and USB port
• Bowflex JRNY integration
• Contact and wireless heart rate monitoring
• Premium grips
• Tablet holder/Media shelf
• Water bottle holder
• Dimensions: 46" L x 26" x 64.2" H
• Warranty: 2 years frame/parts, 90 days labor

What's the Word on the Street?

The Bowflex Max Trainers have been very well received and are quite popular, likely due to the fact that they are relatively affordable, and give users the opportunity to burn a lot of calories with the 14 minute interval program.

Originally there were just two models: the base Max Trainer M3 and the M5; so the M5 was the top of the line model.  

In 2016, the M7 was added to the mix.

In late 2018, the M5 was replaced by the M6, and the M7 was replaced by the M8.

In 2021 the Max Trainer M9  and Max Total 16 were introduced.

In 2023, the Max Trainer SE was introduced.

So now you have the entry level M6, the mid-range SE and M9 and the top of the line Max Total 16.

The entry-level M6 is a very good machine, but the mid-level M9 is probably the best choice of the three for the price and what it offers.

You get up to 20 resistance levels, twice the amount you got on the previous base M3 model.  

You also get a variety of built in workout programs, free wireless heart rate chest strap for more accurate readings, upgraded grips and pedals, touch screen display, media shelf and two profiles.

The Max Trainer M6 (like the uplevel M9 and Max Total 16) comes with Bluetooth syncing capability through the new Bowflex JRNY Platform, which means you can track your workouts, share your results and set performance goals, available for both Mac and Android operating systems.

The Max Trainer SE is a complete redesign, with many of the same features as the M6 but a larger display, unlimited user profiles and a stronger warranty.

Reviews on the newer M9 model have been very positive, although the jury is still out as to whether or not it is worth the additional $600 price tag.  

The M9 does have a new "smart technology" feature that actually learns how you work out and responds with coaching and adjusting the machine...this seems like a nice feature but perhaps not necessary.

The Max Total 16 is the newest model, and it gives you a larger touch screen display and WiFi. Yet at almost $3,000 it's quite expensive.

So for now, the M6 is a good machine to look at if you're looking for a solid workout with program options, different resistance levels and the ability to track your results for added motivation.

Bowflex offers free shipping from time to time, as well as the option of in-home assembly and added protection on top of the warranty, so those are all things to consider when you make your purchase.

Which Bowflex Max Trainer Should You Choose For Your Home?

Deciding between the M6 vs the SE, M9 and Max Total 16 can be difficult, as each model has its pros and cons.  We'll break it down for you though to make it a little easier.

All of the Max Trainers get positive reviews, and most users are very satsified with their purchases regardless of the model they choose.

That said, if budget is your main concern and you want to save as much money as possible, consider the base M6 model.  

It's around $1299 on sale, about $500 cheaper than the mid-range M9 and $1300 cheaper than the top of the line Max Total 16 elliptical.

If budget is not as tight, we recommend the M9, as it gives you a lot more features than the M6 does, which will equate to more enjoyment and more use.

You get more resistance levels and an awesome 10" touch screen console.

The Max Trainers also give you Bluetooth capability, which allows you to not only track and share your workouts, but also set goals for yourself and win awards with the JRNY app and sync with your favorite fitness apps.

The M9 and Max Total 16 will also give you a better display, enhanced grips and more advanced pedals.

As far as the Max Trainer M9 vs the M6, we'd probably lean towards the M9 as it has so many more features, including the 10" touch screen. 

So to summarize, our top choice of the Max Trainers is the M9, followed by the Max Total 16, then the SE, followed by the M6.

Max Trainer M6 Review - Bottom Line

Although not your typical elliptical machine, the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 can certainly help you reach your fitness goals.  

A lot of the focus of the company website is on the fact that you can burn 2.5x as many calories on the Max Trainers in less time than on other machines.  It also claims that you use 80% more upper body muscles and it is 200% better on your joints.

Is all of that true?  Who really knows?  It all comes down to whether or not you like the combination of a step machine and an elliptical in one.  It does take some getting used to but once you are comfortable it does give you a nice burn.

The Max Trainer M6 is reasonably priced, and between the nice array of workouts and the ability to sync your results with their fitness app, it's a very good choice for losing weight and targeting different muscle groups in a short period of time.

Also look at the up-level SE, mid-range Max Trainer M9 and top-of-the-line Max Total 16 for comparison, especially if your budget is more open.