When you think of an elliptical workout, what do you see? Usually, you’d likely think of long, flowing strides on a large machine that serves as a low-impact cardio alternative to walking or running. Presumably, not many people would picture high intensity cardio workouts, but in our Bowflex Max Trainer M6 review, we’ll show you that’s exactly what you can expect with this machine.
We tapped Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1 to test the M6 for us, and she ran through the available settings, built-in workouts, and much more. She adds, “You shouldn’t expect a traditional elliptical experience when using this machine because it is a hybrid elliptical and stair-stepper.” We’ll combine Kate’s experience with all the specs and stats of this cardio machine to help you decide if it’s the right one for you.
Our Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Review, Summarized
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is a hybrid machine, combining elements of a traditional elliptical as well as a stair stepper, to give you a low-impact HIIT experience. It takes up much less floor space than a standard elliptical, but it’s still sturdy enough for high-intensity work. The M6 doesn’t have the tech bell and whistles, like a touchscreen for streaming, but it does have bluetooth connectivity and JRNY app compatibility for tracking your workout metrics.
How We Test Ellipticals
Our footprint and affordability category is based on how much floor space an elliptical takes up while in use, as well as how easy it is to move or store out of your way post-training. Ellipticals that can be moved easily by one or two people earn a 3 out of 5 stars. The lighter and easier a machine is to move, the higher its score in this category.
Our durability rating is all about how well the machine stands up to consistent use over time. To score a 3 out of 5 here, an elliptical needs to carry (at least) a 275-pound weight capacity, a 16- to 20-pound flywheel, and exhibit little or no shifting during the workout. If a machine has a higher weight capacity, is extremely sturdy in-use, and is built with commercial grade quality, its durability score can be higher.
We judge an elliptical’s value based on what you are getting for the price. We consider a combination of available features, quality, and workout experience to determine whether the total cost makes sense. Ellipticals earn a 3 out of 5 in this category if they’re fairly priced, while higher scores are given to machines that offer features beyond what we’d usually expect for the cost.
At Garage Gym Reviews, our team has tested countless pieces of fitness equipment, including dozens of the best ellipticals on the market. Our team spends time using each machine to understand the actual workout experience, so we can calculate an unbiased score based on our objective elliptical testing methodology.
The Garage Gym Reviews testing team includes the likes of certified personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, competitive triathletes, and even an Olympian. Our testers have spent years using all types of ellipticals, and we bring that level of expertise to every product test.
The Bowflex M6 provides a heart-pumping, low-impact workout that resembles stair-stepping.
What our tester says:
“Even my kids enjoyed it from time to time! We all agreed this gets a 5 out of 5 for a butt-kicking workout.”
What to Know Before You Buy
- The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is designed for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts rather than steady-state cardio. Think of this silhouette as more of a hybrid between a stair climber and elliptical rather than a machine you’d see in a commercial gym setting.
- The purchase price includes six months of the Bowflex workout app, JRNY. There is no built-in console for streaming content, but you can stream from your own device when placed on the adjustable media shelf.
- The Max Trainer M6 has 16 resistance levels to help customize your workout difficulty to your preferences, but it does not have any incline adjustments because it is not a traditional elliptical.
Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Video Review
Is the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Worth It?
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is a sturdy but compact elliptical with unique features that can provide solid value for a home gym setup. The smaller dimensions can even be more appealing to certain athletes, particularly those looking to make the most of more confined training environments. However, since it doesn’t provide a traditional elliptical experience, here’s who I think this machine is best for, and who might want to look elsewhere:
Still think the Max Trainer M6 could be a good fit for you? Keep reading to learn all about this elliptical’s features, specs, and our overall workout experience.
Bowflex Max Trainer M6: Key Features & Specs
| Price (Original MSRP) | $1,299 |
| Footprint | 46″ L x 26″ W x 64.2″ H |
| Weight | 136 lbs |
| Resistance Levels | 16 |
| Incline Levels | 0 |
| Flywheel | Not disclosed online |
| Display | Backlit LCD with burn rate |
| Programming | JRNY app compatible |
| Stride Length | Not disclosed online |
| Warranty | 2-year frame and parts; 90-day labor |
Workout Experience Using the Bowflex Max Trainer M6
The Max Trainer M6 is designed around burn rate, or how many calories you can burn during a given workout. Bowflex claims you can burn more calories on the M6 than you would if you spent the same amount of time on a traditional elliptical, and our tester—Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1—may just agree with that sentiment.
“This machine is designed specifically with HIIT training in mind,” she says. “The workouts are mostly 15 minutes or shorter, but they give you an intense burn.”
Even though the M6 is a low-impact exercise machine, the HIIT design means you’re likely to work out more muscles than a usual elliptical. Kate compared her workouts on the M6 to the types of sessions she gets from the Assault AirBike; both can offer a full-body burn that feels like cardio, but you also get a sort of muscle-building sensation during your workouts.
RELATED: What Muscles Does an Elliptical Work?
Kate notes that her overall experience with the M6 was positive. It has standard convenience features like a large water bottle holder, an LCD display screen to show your heart rate and training intensity, large pedals, padding on the handlebars, and more. The major drawbacks of the machine for Kate were tech-related, like having to use your own device to stream the JRNY-powered workouts. However, Kate says the compact size and workout intensity can make this a solid option for a range of home gyms.
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 has a lot of features that make it a great addition to your home gym setup. It has a smaller footprint than other ellipticals (crucial if you’re trying to maximize a small space) and it allows you to perform low-impact, high-intensity workouts without pause. If you’re looking for a traditional elliptical experience, this isn’t the machine for you, but I think the M6 is worth the price tag for the right user.
Cory Kessler, NASM-CPT, NASM-CNC, Certified Sports and Exercise Nutrition Advisor
Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Rating
Footprint and Portability
One of the best features of the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is its compact design, especially when compared to the average elliptical machine. For reference, the average elliptical we test measures roughly 62 inches long to account for longer stride lengths. Since the M6 is more like a stair stepper, it’s only 46 inches long—a significant difference in the overall footprint of the machine. This machine is also about 40 pounds lighter than the average elliptical, making it easier to move around when using the front transport wheels. Both of these factors earned the M6 a 4.5 out of 5 in the footprint and portability category.
Delivery and Setup
Since ellipticals are usually heavy and bulky, getting the machines from unboxing to completely assembled can be a workout in itself. As such, we give benchmark scores of 3 out of 5 if the ellipticals can be delivered to your door rather than the end of the driveway, and if two people can build the machine in two hours or less. The M6 earned a 4-out-of-5 rating in this category because our tester, Kate Meier, was able to assemble it herself in roughly 1.5 hours. She says she used the tools Bowflex provided instead of her own, and overall, it was simpler than other ellipticals she’s assembled in the past.
If you’re uncomfortable setting up fitness equipment, Bowflex offers in-home assembly services for about $169. Kate notes, “It’s a little more expensive than what I’ve seen with other machines. However, if you don’t have someone to help you, or aren’t particularly confident in your handiness, it might be a worthwhile expense.”
Durability
“This is a solid machine,” Kate states in reference to the Max Trainer M6’s durability. “The frame is made with a good amount of plastic, but if you take care of the machine, it shouldn’t be anything to worry about.”
She also notes that the machine comes with adjustable floor stabilizers rather than fixed legs, so if your M6 starts rocking or shaking during a workout, you can adjust the legs appropriately to restabilize it. The M6 also has a user weight capacity of 300 pounds, which is strong for a 136-pound machine. All these factors led us to award the Max Trainer M6 a 4.5-out-of-5 durability rating.
Customizations
When we’re considering customizations, we’re looking for a strong variety of intensity, speed, and workout types. Christopher Mohr, PhD, RD recommends combining cardio exercise and strength training to get the most out of your workouts. “Cardio exercises like jogging, biking, or swimming—or whatever you can enjoy—helps burn calories and improve heart health, while strength training builds muscle which can boost your metabolism.”
The M6 earns a 4 in this category because it has 16 available levels of resistance (12 resistance levels earns a 3 out of 5, per our testing methodology), and it can deliver a great workout with a mix of cardio and muscle-building components. Kate adds, “To be honest, even the sprint workouts on the first level are pretty intense.”
Adjustability and Ergonomics
Our adjustability and ergonomics score is based on how comfortable you feel (or, are supposed to feel) while using the machine. The M6 earned a 4 out of 5 for this category because it has oversized pedals as well as multiple contact grips along the fixed and moving handlebars, depending on your preference.
We docked the M6 half a point in this category, though, because the pedals aren’t well-cushioned despite their textured design that’s intended to keep your foot from slipping. This could be a potential issue for some, especially athletes with existing knee or foot pain.
Tech Capabilities
The Max Trainer M6’s tech capabilities are a mixed bag. The machine has the capacity to store two user profiles along with their individual workout history—a feature that works with the built-in training programs as well as the streamable JRNY app workouts.
However, Kate’s trials revealed a discrepancy with the built-in heart rate monitor. She wore a Fitbit Inspire 2 during one of her workouts to compare the tracked specs. The M6’s heart rate read 168, while her Fitbit read 126, which is a big difference that leaves us a bit skeptical of the M6’s built-in metrics-tracking capabilities. While the tech should be enough for most workout sessions, we do have some reservations and rate this elliptical hybrid at 4 out of 5 for the category.
Conveniences
We classify conveniences as nice-to-have features, but items not completely necessary to the functionality of the elliptical. The Max Trainer M6 has a large water bottle holder, a USB charging port to plug in your device, an adjustable media rack that can fit phones or tablets, as well as transport wheels on the front of the machine for easier maneuverability. As such, we rate the built-in conveniences at 4.5 out of 5.
Dynamic Programming
Most ellipticals have a handful of built-in workouts for users to follow along without needing to connect to a workout app or streaming service. The quality and quantity can vary, but we give ellipticals a score of 3 out of 5 if they have a basic workout library with a modest amount of easy-to-start modules. The M6 has five built-in workouts, but earned a 4 out of 5 in this category because you get a six-month membership to the Bowflex JRNY app with your purchase.
Kate says, “The membership can be time-consuming to activate, and you have to provide a credit card for renewals, but the workouts themselves are adaptive to your fitness journey.” Six months of free interactive workouts can help beginners or advanced users learn how to get the most out of their machine, as well.
Value
We rate value based on an elliptical’s features compared to the total price. A 3 out of 5 means the machine is fairly priced, but you’re not getting above-average features or conveniences. We scored the M6 at 3.5 out of 5 in this category because it’s a solid value for specific users, but not necessarily a good investment if you’re looking for a more traditional elliptical experience.
The M6 can offer you a great, low-impact workout that targets your lower body and upper body. However, after your six-month trial membership, the JRNY app is a $20 monthly cost (or $150 yearly). This can be a steep expense in order to get the most out of your machine, especially when it doesn’t have a built-in touchscreen to stream the workouts on.
Customer Experience
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 earned a 4 out of 5 for customer experience. It comes with a two-year warranty for the frame and parts, and a 90-day warranty for labor. Bowflex also has a live chat feature and a phone number to call—(800) 605-3369—if you need customer support.
Kate notes, “The customer service was fine, and they responded quickly with the live chat function. They didn’t go above and beyond when I asked about any programming without purchasing the subscription, though, which led to my less-than-perfect rating.”
Customer Reviews
At the time of writing, the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 has a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating based on 1,684 reviews on Bowflex’s website. Customers love the challenging training modules, the versatility for full-body workouts, and some state that the M6 can be great for weight loss or other fitness goals.
The primary complaints among negative reviews seem to involve tech problems, pieces that were broken during shipping, or the noise level of the machine when it is being used.
Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Vs
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is the most basic profile in the Max Trainer line, and even though it offers a unique workout experience, it isn’t the only option for this class of machine. For a fair comparison, let’s look at a couple of popular alternatives—the Sole E25 and Horizon EX-59.
The Sole E25 elliptical is a traditional elliptical with the same price tag as the M6. This machine has a 20-inch stride length for cardio exercise. It also has 20 different resistance levels and incline options, which is a feature that allows you to toggle the intensity of your workout more so than you’re able to on the M6. The E25 is 25 inches longer, though, so you’ll have to consider your available floor space prior to purchase.
The Horizon EX-59 elliptical is a more budget-friendly option at roughly $999 MSRP (though we’ve seen it as low as $500). This machine has the same amount of built-in workout programs as the M6, but offers a lower-intensity workout experience if you have a preference for steady-state cardio over HIIT. That said, the EX-59 only has 10 resistance levels, so your options are limited in terms of raising the stakes.
| Bowflex Max Trainer M6 | Sole E25 | Horizon EX-59 Elliptical | |
| Price (Original MSRP) | $1,299 | $1,299.99 | $999 |
| Footprint | 46″ L x 26″ W x 64.2″ H | 70″ L x 24″ W x 70″ H | 73″ L x 24″ W x 66″ H |
| Weight | 136 lbs | 209 lbs | 145 lbs |
| Resistance Levels | 16 | 20 | 10 |
| Incline Levels | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Flywheel | Not disclosed online | 20 lbs. | 14.3 lbs. |
| Display | Backlit LCD | Backlit LCD | Backlit LCD |
| Programming | 5 built-in workouts; JRNY app compatible | 9 built-in workouts; Sole Fitness app compatible | 5 built-in programs; some app connectivity via Bluetooth |
| Stride Length | Not disclosed online | 20” | 18” |
| Warranty | 2-year frame and parts; 90-day labor | Lifetime frame and flywheel, 2-year parts, 1-year labor | Lifetime frame, 1-year brake, flywheel, parts, and labor |
Final Verdict of Our Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Review
If your fitness goal is to burn calories through HIIT workouts, the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 can be a solid option to add to your home gym. While the tech features and resistance range may not suit every fitness need, we feel the compact dimensions make it a worthwhile consideration for smaller spaces, as well as those just getting into cardio training. Here are a few final takeaways from our experience with the Bowflex Max Train M6:
- The 16 resistance levels can accommodate various fitness levels from beginner to advanced athletes alike, but the workouts are often more intense in comparison to an average elliptical.
- When you buy the M6, you get a complimentary six-month membership to the Bowflex JRNY app included with your purchase. You have to set up your own device on the media shelf to stream the available workouts, but the programming can be excellent for calorie burn, cardio work, and muscle building, nonetheless.
- You can’t adjust the incline on the M6 because you’re constantly stepping up rather than striding like a typical elliptical. If you have physical limitations like knee pain, you may want to look for a different machine.
Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Review: FAQs
Can you use the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 without a subscription?
Yes, the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 has several built-in workouts that don’t require an app subscription. When you purchase a new M6, a six-month membership to the JRNY app is included, but you do not have to activate it to use the machine.
What is the difference between the Bowflex Max Trainer M9 and M6?
The Bowflex Max Trainer M9 is the upgraded version of the M6. The M9 is roughly $700 more expensive, but has a 10-inch console with an HD touchscreen capable of streaming JRNY or Netflix, as well as 20 levels of resistance and a longer warranty.
Is 30 minutes a day on the elliptical enough to lose weight?
Yes, 30 minutes on the elliptical every day can lead to weight loss1 but results can vary depending on workout intensity, diet, genetics, and other factors. For general health benefits, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM says, “Exercise regularly for a healthy heart and weight. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, and add muscle-strengthening activities if able.”
Is the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 and elliptical?
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is technically an elliptical, but it functions as a cross between an elliptical and a stair stepper. You won’t stride on the M6 like you would a standard elliptical machine given the vertically oriented motion plane. However, the M6 has large pedals, fixed and moving handles, and other features you’d expect from a traditional elliptical.
References
- Jayedi, A., Soltani, S., Emadi, A., Zargar, M.-S., & Najafi, A. (2024, December 2). Aerobic exercise and weight loss in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. JAMA network open. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11672165/
