When we think of getting into shape, most people think about a trip to the gym. However, having access to gym equipment means paying monthly fees. Nowadays, we can have gym equipment like the Bowflex Max Trainer M7 in our home. This is a great idea for those who do not feel comfortable exercising in front of others.There are many options for home gym equipment. Some are simple such as treadmills, free weights, stair steppers, exercise bikes, and rowing machines. Then, we have combination machines such as bench presses with attached leg lifts, ellipticals, and cross trainers. There are other types of machines that incorporate full body workouts in one complete product. The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 is one such machine we will be reviewing.
What Is the Bowflex Max Trainer M7?
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 is a combination of cardio and calorie burning in an elliptical-style training machine. It is the sleek new leader in the Bowflex Max Trainer lineup due to its extra training programs and other upgrades.
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 offers zero impact exercising which keeps your joints from becoming sore by allowing your body to stay in contact with the machine. This is a problem with regular treadmills and outdoor running.
This versatile trainer burns more calories partly due to the zero impact design and the moving arm bars that burn 2.5 times more than other cardio trainers.
Product Specs
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 has dimensions of 46″ L x 29.5″ W. It weighs 148 lbs and has transport wheels. It also has a water bottle holder with a media rack that is larger than other models in the Bowflex Max Trainer series. It offers four user profiles while other models in this series offer two.
Image via: Pixabay
This Bowflex trainer has 20 resistance levels where other Max Trainers offer 8 or 16 levels. It has a manual mode and the most preset workouts of all the Bowflex Max Trainers. You also get access to four treadmill workouts with the Motion Traxx app.
With the purchase of the Bowflex Max Trainer M7, you get a chest strap for wireless heart rate monitoring. You can also monitor your heart with the contact grip system built into the handlebars. The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 is the only one in the series to have wireless monitoring.
You can easily track your stats since the Bowflex Max Trainer M7 automatically sends your workout data to the Bowflex app. The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 coaches and adjusts to your needs due to the all-new performance targeted programming.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
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Bowflex Max Trainer M7
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Ease of Use
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 is easy to mount and dismount. You don’t have to step over any part of the machine mechanics, unlike rear-drive ellipticals. It also feels much like riding a bike standing up with its upright oval-shaped elliptical pattern design. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Assembly Time
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 takes about an hour or more. However, Bowflex offers an in-home assembly option for around $169.00. Still, assembly time can be made easier by following one of Bowflex’s how-to videos. We gave it 3 out of 5 stars.
Design Quality
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7s design is tested for users up to 300 lbs and uses the classic eddy current braking system. A Bowflex representative said if you experience any wobbling, it is likely that the feet or levelers would need to be adjusted.
Although all the Bowflex Trainers have a tablet holder, the Bowflex Max Trainer M7 has a tablet location that blocks none of the display features. We gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 has a warranty period of three years on parts and 90 days on labor. It is the longest warranty of other Bowflex trainers but is less than comparably priced machines. We gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Compact design takes less space
- Zero impact, high-intensity workout results in 2.5x more calorie burn rate than an average elliptical
- Connect smartphone via Bluetooth and have full control with Max Trainer app
Cons
- Assembly is challenging and may take an hour or more
- The standard three-year warranty has only 90 days for labor
- Relatively expensive
ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro
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The ProForm HIIT (high-intensity interval training) Trainer Pro is a vertical elliptical trainer. It offers a steep elliptical pattern with 10” of vertical motion on each step. This steep vertical elliptical motion activates more muscle groups in both the lower and upper body.
There are 26 resistance settings to help the machine accommodate a wide variety of ability levels. The ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro also offers 34 pre-set workouts to help users focus on weight loss, cardiovascular endurance, and other fitness goals. Certified personal trainers designed these workouts to maximize each training session.
The ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro features the iFit Coach program. You can select from courses filmed in exotic locations and see your progress on a color screen in front of you. You can also track your workouts and progress using an online account. iFit Coach is linked to GoogleMaps. This allows you to create custom routes that will cause the ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro to alter resistance levels as you travel up and down hills.
The ProForm HIIT Trainer is also Bluetooth Smart enabled. This means you can connect wirelessly to your smart device to view the course routes and stats. Use of the iFit Coach is available through an ongoing annual subscription. However, the first year is free.
Ease of Use
The ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro is also easy to mount and dismount without having to step over any of the machine mechanics. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Assembly Time
The ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro came with easy instructions for assembly. But with it being roughly 200 lbs, it was rather cumbersome to assemble. We gave it 3 out of 5 stars.
Design Quality
The ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro is tested for users weighing 350 lbs and has dimensions of 39″ L x 29.25″ W x 66.7″ H. The ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro has flywheel weights of 28 lbs and 30 lbs and uses patented Silent Magnetic Resistance systems for a smoother ride. Since this machine is heavier, it has a slight edge on stability. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
The ProForm HIIT Trainer Pro has a lifetime warranty on the steel frame, five years on parts, and two years on labor. Online customers get a 30-day money-back guarantee. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Performs with the smoothness of a health club cross-trainer
- 10″ touchscreen with internet compatibility
- Excellent warranty
Cons
- Cumbersome assembly
- iFit membership needed for certain features
Octane Lateral X Elliptical
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The Octane Lateral X Elliptical is a cross-trainer that offers adjustable movement. This means it transitions from a vertical, stepping motion to a lateral motion for a greater challenge. It comes with a streamlined design, contemporary colors, and a quieter stride adjustment motor.
The Octane Lateral X Elliptical can be upgraded with a Smart Console which adds interactive video coaching for CROSS CiRCUIT, along with Workout Booster videos. The CROSS CiRCUIT combines cardio intervals on the machine with strength-training exercises on the floor next to it. Users utilize the PowerBlock adjustable dumbbells which are stored conveniently at the back of the machine for unlimited exercise variety.
The Octane Lateral X Elliptical has an option to target problem areas with Workout Boosters. These include X-Mode, Glute Kicker, Thigh Toner, Quad Power, and Arm Blaster. These add cross training with various commands every few minutes to keep the heart pumping and muscles pushing.
Ease of Use
The Octane Lateral X Elliptical has a design that makes it simple to get on and off of the machine safely with its low step-up height and rear access. The upper body gets involved using the MultiGrip and Converging Path handlebars.
Targeting the arms, chest, and back muscles is easy by changing the hand position on the handlebars, which include fingertip controls for stride width and resistance. The Converging Path handlebars follow the natural path of the arms when walking, running, or moving side to side. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Assembly Time
The Octane Lateral X Elliptical is largely built upon delivery. However, two people would be needed to finish the assembly. The instructions included are easy to follow. We gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
Design Quality
The Octane Lateral X Elliptical weighs 465 lbs and is tested for users weighing 400 lbs. It has dimensions of 63″ L x 42″ W x 60″ H. The design allows for forward, backward and side-to-side exercise. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
The Octane Lateral X Elliptical has a three-year warranty on parts and a one-year warranty on labor. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Versatility
- Zero-impact design
- Commercial quality
Cons
- Price
NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS7i
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The Nordic Track FreeStride Trainer FS7i has a full range of motion. Therefore, you are not held back by the limits that an average elliptical would set, and you don’t have to force your body to grow used to a preset workout. Most ellipticals have front or rear wheel pedals that move along a preset trajectory while others have an incline system that allows them to change the trajectory with the incline.
Nordic Track FreeStride Trainer FS7i does not work this way; you use your muscles to control the stride path. By moving your arms and legs in a certain way, you can change the trajectory and the ellipse from steep, short, steps like a stair stepper, to long, flat strides like a treadmill.
The Nordic Track FreeStride Trainer FS7i features 24 resistance levels and 35 workout programs that range from beginner to pro levels. It also has a colorful 7-inch web-enabled display that shows different workout stats and allows you to go online during your workout.
Ease of Use
The Nordic Track FreeStride Trainer FS7i takes a little while to get used to, with the way you use your muscles to control the stride path. However, once you get used to the way you control it by ‘feel’ alone, it is superb. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Assembly Time
The Nordic Track FreeStride Trainer FS7i is very easy to assemble. It takes about half the time of other ellipticals. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Design Quality
The Nordic Track FreeStride Trainer FS7i has a center drive design that reduces frame size to about half the length of traditional ellipticals. Centering the drive mechanism in the middle of the machine also creates dependable stability.
The Nordic Track FreeStride Trainer FS7i offers oversized cushion pedals for exceptional comfort allowing for stable, relaxed movement. It has dimensions of 68.4″ L x 28.5″ W x 62″ H and is tested for users weighing 375 lbs. It has a 20 lb effective flywheel and transport wheels. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
The Nordic Track FreeStride Trainer FS7i has a lifetime frame warranty, five-year parts warranty, and a two-year labor warranty. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Huge range of motion
- Full color, Android-powered touchscreen interface
- Oversized cushion pedals
Cons
- High cost
- iFit subscription not included
- Maximum resistance of 20 pounds
Conclusion
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 is a great alternative to other cardio exercise trainers. It maximizes functionality while taking up as little space as possible making it perfect for home use. The four profiles allow for multiple family members to track their progress.
Image via: Pixabay
The Bowflex Max Trainer M7 is suited to experienced runners, those looking to avoid joint pain, and almost anyone looking to cut calories in a short amount of time. The varying levels of resistance mean you can adjust it to fit whatever level is appropriate for you. Maintenance is fairly low, and it has a decent warranty on parts.
However, labor being only 90 days is a tad disappointing. There are optional warranties available, but with the cost of the Bowflex Max Trainer M7 being rather high; the extended warranties depend on the purchaser.
We gave the Bowflex Max Trainer M7 4 out of 5 stars.