BowFlex MAX Trainer Review: Are Dramatic Results in just 14 minutes, 3 times a week real? Our Experts separate the Hype from the Facts. How Bowflex Max Trainer Works. The Bowflex Max is essentially an elliptical trainer combined with a stair-stepping device that uses interval training. Like an elliptical, the Bowflex Max is designed to be low-impact on the joints (Bowflex proudly says it has “virtually zero impact”).
We were asked recently for a Bowflex Max Trainer review as many of our readers were intrigued by this relatively new exercise machine from the makers of the TreadClimber, Select Tech dumbbells and of course, the eponymous home gyms.How does it compare to an elliptical? Is it better? Is it worth the $999+ price tag?
Please Guru, break it down for us!OK OK, you don’t have to twist my arm. Here is my take on the Max Trainer, which is currently available in four models: the M3, the more jazzed up M6 (which just replaced the M5), the M8 (which just replaced the M7) and the new Max Total.So basically these new machines are half stepper/climber and half elliptical trainer.
If you have the budget for a Peloton stationary bike, forget about it and get a instead. Other manufacturers produce trainers with similar capabilities and you can find reviews for them on DC Rainmaker.Edit to add: by no means does your average person need all the capabilities of a high end trainer. You can use Zwift with a basic trainer and a cadence/speed sensor and save yourself a lot of money. That said, the capabilities of a high-end trainer blow the Peloton bike out of the water for less money. I recently got setup with the Zwift option. It's far more enjoyable than I imagined it would be.
(My skill level is closer to beginner than it is to advanced, so you can weight my comments appropriately.) The climbs are such a great workout and the visual feedback makes the effort give me greater satisfaction. Part of the appeal is the more natural feeling ride without having to brave the ice and cold out there right now.I think the experience varies depends on the technology you buy, of course. I'm using a smart trainer with power information and a few simple sensors. I debated with myself at length about buying it because of the price, but I don't regret the purchase so far. (For what it's worth, a friend bought the non-snap version and he sings the device praises.) I've only used it a few times so far, but it's been working. The only issue I had with it was that the quick release skewer it came with didn't tighten as much as the ones that came with my simpler, not-smart trainers.
It hasn't been a problem for me (yet.)The software that you use to get it working (on iOS) works really well; I had zero problems and the device started working. It took about 25 min to set everything up. The fact that the software had good reviews from other people made me choose the Kickr over its competitors.
I just got into bicycling again late 2015 and really wanted to keep riding during Winter. So, I got myself a Tacx Vortex Smart. I thought about trying TrainerRoad workouts, but tried Zwift first and really really fell in love with it. I'm currently using their FTP Builder workout and am having quite some fun with it.Though, I had a few issues with the Vortex.
It looks like I was too powerful/hot on the bearing and it started generating some weird noise. I complained at Tacx and they quickly sent me a new one, but on the second or third ride climbing a mountain hard it happened again. Just got a new one with a different bearing.Also something squeaks synced with each rotation, not sure exactly where it comes from.Otherwise I really love that I can just ride my bike. Have a look at. Pricing is different in EU/US.