You don’t need a gym when you have the Bowflex Max Trainer M7. It gives you an ultimate cardio experience, and it helps you burn calories in no time. Going to a workout class or park to exercise isn’t always convenient. Luckily, Bowflex brings a personal trainer to you. The workout you’ll get from the Max Trainer is all you need to get in the best shape of your life.
And even better, the price you pay for this equipment is a one-time fee — unlike having a gym membership. Once you purchase the machine, it’ll be available to use for years to come. Not to mention the convenience. No more waking up before work to make it to the gym before work or fighting traffic after work. You can even use the Max Trainer while dinner is cooking. It’s convenient and cost-effective. Still, how does it compare to the competition?
What Is the Bowflex Max Trainer M7?
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 is the ultimate fusion of a treadmill and an elliptical. It gives you maximum calorie burn in less time. The M7 is the updated version of the M3 and M5 models that came before it, and it has lots to offer. This machine has up to 20 resistance levels that complement the endurance of an array of trainees. It tones your entire body, from your arms to your legs, but its low-impact design provides comfort while you exercise.
Key Features
This machine has a ton of incredible features that will enhance your Bowflex experience.
Programming
The cool thing about this particular Bowflex machine is that it adapts to your fitness level. It will monitor whether you are meeting your goals and adjust as you go. If you increase your endurance, the program will offer you a new fitness plan to keep you motivated; it’s designed to make you as fit as possible. If you fall behind on your goals, the machine will adjust to help get you back on track.
Fast calorie burn
The M7 lets you burn more calories than most machines. You can torch 2.5 times more than with an elliptical, and it has a more efficient calorie burn than treadmills and stairclimbers combined.
User profile
If you’re sharing the Bowflex with family members, the M7 allows you to personalize your workouts. Each user profile saves your individual goals without confusing your profiles.
Preset programs
The M7 has the greatest number of programs of all of the Max trainers. There’s a section that has an option for interval workouts and another section for your calorie goals. It also contains a performance mode, and the program adapts to your training progress.
High-Quality Construction
The Max series makes high-tech machinery with top-notch materials. The equipment is lightweight but sturdy. With the M7, the pedals are stainless steel racing pedals. You also get ergonomic hand grips.
App integration
This feature allows you to transfer your workout results to the Bowflex app, and it tracks your stats.
Heart monitoring
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 tracks your heart rate in a couple of ways. There’s a chest strap for wireless heart monitoring, and the handlebars have a built-in monitor. The M7 series is the only model with wireless scanning.
The Overall Price
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 costs roughly $2,000 to $2,300. It comes with a standard 3-year warranty with a 90-day labor warranty. There are options to add longer coverage for a fee. If you can’t pay for the machine right away, the company offers financing options. If approved for a Bowflex credit card, you can pay over an 18-month period. You can purchase the equipment on the Bowflex website or Amazon.
Pros and Cons
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 is an impressive machine. However, there is a downside to it. If you assemble the equipment yourself, it takes a while. On the other hand, it also costs over $200 to have the company assemble it for you. Secondly, it was expensive. There are other machines on the market around the same price, and many of them have a longer warranty. We feel that for the price, there should be a more extended warranty. Unfortunately, if you want more coverage, you have to pay extra.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t feel like this is a superb machine. The calorie burns it gives, and the programs available on it are great. Although we wish the cost was more affordable, we still think it’s worth the money.
How Does it Compare?
It’s a good machine, but not perfect. What’s important, though, is how it stands up to the competition. So, we researched a few similar models to find out.
How we reviewed
We researched as much as we could about the Bowflex brand and the M7 model. Our goal was to learn how effective the machine was and if it worked as advertised. We also compared it to other brands to determine which device had the most to offer. Ultimately, we chose the model with the best product reviews and features.
The customers on Amazon rated the Bowflex Max Trainer M7 4.1 out of five stars overall. However, there were dissatisfied reviewers. One user stated that his machine stopped working properly after a year.
Bowflex Max Trainer M7 vs. other brands
Bowflex is a reputable brand, but there are other models that have comparable features. The list below showcases a variety of workout equipment to help you decide which one is right for you.
Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer
4.6 out of 5 stars
The Teeter Freestep provides zero impact for trainers of all levels. The seat reclines and helps to reduce fatigue and stress on your joints. It gives you a total body workout with dual power motion for your upper and lower body. You also have the option to isolate your arms and legs for targeted results. Plus, the smart design of the machine tracks your progress with a battery-powered console.
The cost ranges from $700 to $800, and you can buy the equipment on Amazon. The reviewers on the website rated it 4.7 out of five stars. However, there was some criticism from customers. One user stated that the arms on the machine are too wide.
Nautilus E614 Elliptical Trainer
3.9 out of 5 stars
This equipment contains 20 resistance levels with a large variety of exercise options. It also has DualTrack LCD displays with an MP3 speaker in the console. The goal tracker enables users to set personalized fitness goals, and there are 22 workout programs to choose from. The adjustable fan helps you stay cool during your workout, and the USB charging port allows you to charge your electronics as you exercise.
The price range is between $650 to $725, and it’s available on Amazon. Customers on the site rated it 3.8 out of five stars. Unfortunately, for one reviewer, the machine broke within two months.
SOLE Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine
4.2 out of 5 stars
The sole comes equipped with an LCD display that helps you track your training. It also provides a challenging cardio workout. The pedals are adjustable, and it’s designed with a fan to help keep you cool. It also included a built-in sound system and six workout programs.
The price range is between $2,000 to $2100, and there’s a warranty that includes five years for the electronics and parts, two years for labor, and lifetime coverage for the frame. You can purchase it on Amazon, where reviewers rated it 4.2 out of five stars. However, one user said the resistance on the machine is too low.
HCI Fitness RTX-300 PhysioStep HXT Recumbent Semi-Elliptical
4.6 out of 5 stars
The last machine on this list includes 17 built-in programs with up to 16 levels of resistance. The semi-elliptical motion of the equipment provides an easy and low-impact movement that keeps the strain off your joints and back. Additionally, it has comfortable seating equipped with a built-in heart rate monitor.
The cost ranges from $1,800 to $1,850, and it’s available for purchase on Amazon. Customers on the site gave it 4.6 out of five stars. Unfortunately, one reviewer had a bad experience with the shipping of the equipment.
Here’s What We Think
You can’t go wrong with having some kind of home exercise equipment. The convenience of it is incredible, so any of these would be an excellent choice. But we have to stick with the Bowflex Max Trainer M7 as our top pick. The quality it provides is unmatched, and we love that it’s a dual machine. It’s a fusion of all of the best calorie-blasting machines. We think it’s fantastic and we have no doubt that it’ll give you results.
However, as we stated before, we wish it was more affordable. With that said, if you feel the price point for the M7 is too expensive, opt for one of the more affordable ellipticals. You’ll stick get a great workout from those while saving money. Although were’ sticking with the Bowflex Max Trainer M7, we encourage you to buy the one that’s best for you.
